Julia

Thailand bound soon (female) and am arriving quite late at night. Any suggestions re easy and safe access to accommodation (near airport maybe). Would prefer budget to moderate place. Am concerned about jumping in a cab at that hour. <BR>Thanks.<BR>

Thomas

Julia, it depends on where you're arriving. I assume it's Bangkok. I also arrived at about midnight in January. Before I went I was debating whether to stay close to the airport or get into the city. I went into the city, which turned out to be a good decision because the roads are much quiter at night. If you try to take a taxi during the day it will be much more congested and your fare will be higher. Keep in mind that I think there is a 50 baht surcharge for cabs leaving the airport. Insist they use the metre.<BR><BR>I think most of the stuff near the airport is a little bit more money. As far as your safety at that time, I can't say. I was travelling with someone.

andrea

Having arrived alone in the wee hours of the morning into Bangkok, I can assure you it is quite safe to taxi in to the city from the airport.<BR><BR>I highly recommend taking a pre-paid taxi. I costs only slightly more than a metered taxi, and it is safe and reliable. Their kiosk is just outside the doors by passport control, and to the left. There are also many English speaking hotel and other types of counters within the airport that can guide you.<BR><BR>The Royal Hotel is open 24-hrs, and has a 24-hr. coffee shop in the lobby as well; great spot to sit and relax if you're jet lagged at 3 am, as I was!<BR><BR>It also has a great travel agent in the lobby, which I found convenient. I was able to book a flight to Vietnam, and an overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai within twenty minutes! The manager is a doll!<BR><BR>Oh, the hotel also has a pool, a/c, and was about $24 for a single. <BR><BR>I can't find the number offhand, but it's listed in the luxury section of the lonely planet. I booked my room right at a kiosk in the airport upon arrival. It's a fairly large hotel, one of it's drawbacks for me, but unless you're going in peak season you probably won't need a reservation.<BR><BR>By the way, I travel alone, and felt completely safe at all times. Have fun!

Kay

My hubby and I arrived around midnight in BKK with a car and driver arranged in advance through agent (we were going to use them for 2 days) who weren't there--mix-up in faxes between them. A tourist rep asked to help, tried a phone call, then reviewed the options of taxi, prepaid, etc. We chose the prepaid although higher than regular taxi because we were mentally exhausted and didn't want anymore complications. He showed the counter, we waited 10-15 minutes, then we flew into the city to the Royal Orchid. <BR><BR>Leaving the city we had a very early flight and we had heard about the traffic, so we booked a room at the hotel attached to the airport. It was very nice and so convenient to wheel the luggage over. If I were by myself and expecting to be tired from a long flight (we had been traveling 24 hours), I would consider staying at the hotel airport upon arrival and then head into the city in the horrible traffic midmorning to start sightseeing and transfer hotels.

keiko

My last trip to Bangkok... arrived on a Northwest flight at 11:30 pm. I stayed at Amari Airport--right off terminal 1 (through sky bridge). So convenient and nice facility. Has 24 hr room service. I ordered green curry with chicken and a glass of white wine!! Heaven!<BR><BR>Took a taxi next morning to Peninsula.<BR><BR>I believe my room cost about $120 through Circle of Asia.<BR>

Jerry

We had a early flight and stayed at the Quality Inn Suites in Bangkok, VERY NICE Large suite rooms.

Anna

My husband and I stayed right inside the airport terminal at Louis' Tavern day hotel. We called from the US to reserve a room, it was good we did because there weren't any vacancies when we got there. It wasn't anything fancy, but we were in our room within 15 minutes of getting off of the plane. We paid 2800 baht for 8 hours in the room.<BR>http://www.miraclegrandhotel.com/dayroom.html