Bangkok Traffic
Jun 23rd, 2003, 08:39 AM
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Bangkok Traffic
Anyone have an idea how long it will take to get from the Royal Orchid Sheraton to Bangkok Airport. I have a 6:30am flight and am not sure whether to stay there or at the airport as we'll be getting in at around 7pm the night before. Thanks.
Jun 23rd, 2003, 01:02 PM
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If you have a 6:30am flight you have to be at airport by 5:30am latest for a domestic flight, but 5am latest for an international flight.
While BKK traffic is normally a horror, it is not likely at 4am - trip should take between 30-45 min.
Depending how long your arrival flite the nite before, you might want to do nothing but sleep and even if it were an in-country flite, I find it's best to stay at an airport hotel.
On both our arrival from the States to BKK with a flite next morning to Siem Reap, Cambodia - and - on return from Phuket with an early morning flite next am - we stayed at the airport.
We chose the Amari Airport connected to the International Terminal by an overpass bridge (they have a number of restaurant choices for meals). From the Domestic Terminal you can take a shuttle bus to the International Terminal and then cross the bridge.
We found this most convenient for an early morning check-in. Though there are other less expensve hotels near the airport - you will find the rate for the Amari in a similar range as the Royal Orchid.
Unless you have something specific planned when you arrive at 7pm, why knock yourself out going into the city!
While BKK traffic is normally a horror, it is not likely at 4am - trip should take between 30-45 min.
Depending how long your arrival flite the nite before, you might want to do nothing but sleep and even if it were an in-country flite, I find it's best to stay at an airport hotel.
On both our arrival from the States to BKK with a flite next morning to Siem Reap, Cambodia - and - on return from Phuket with an early morning flite next am - we stayed at the airport.
We chose the Amari Airport connected to the International Terminal by an overpass bridge (they have a number of restaurant choices for meals). From the Domestic Terminal you can take a shuttle bus to the International Terminal and then cross the bridge.
We found this most convenient for an early morning check-in. Though there are other less expensve hotels near the airport - you will find the rate for the Amari in a similar range as the Royal Orchid.
Unless you have something specific planned when you arrive at 7pm, why knock yourself out going into the city!
Jun 23rd, 2003, 02:53 PM
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At that time of morning about 40 minutes. If you want to stay near ther Airport I would avoid the Amari as being well overpriced. The Rama Gradens is close by and charges half, it's a decent 3-star property. You also have the option of Comfort Suites about 2-star at USD30 a night.
Jun 23rd, 2003, 03:00 PM
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If you are on the 0630hrs LAX flight then you probably should be at the airport for 0430 for security etc. I would go for the Rama Gardens, they have Shuttle bus takes about 5-7 minutes. Rates are about USD55-65, here's a direct-in link for them:-
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/ba...arden/details/
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/ba...arden/details/
Jun 23rd, 2003, 06:58 PM
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our last two trips we stayed at the peninsula just across the river from you....we had a 3am wake call, a 3:15 room service tray and a 3:30 limo...we were there in no time...maybe 25 minutes....SUGGESTION: pay your bill the night before....
we fly northwest at 6:05 and that is plenty of time, plus enough time for vat refund---you must now show the stuff you have purchased which you didn't have to do in years past and the office is near the check-in desk at one end of the terminal..it is very fast...you need your boarding pass, etc to process the transaction so don't make the mistake we did and my wife went to the window without the stuff and had to run back to my line and get it...
we find check-in to be quite fast....it depends on your airline and the staffing which might be down at the moment????
do allow plenty of time, its no way to start off a long day being late...
we have stayed at the airport in the past and found it not to be any quicker and the accomodations are not nearly as nice or comfortable....we have stayed 2 times at the comfort suites and it is not comfortable (basic), but cheap 2300B the last time....keep your room in town...
make sure you have arranged your car the nite before...
we have also found the airport limo service to be quite good and reliable as well as the hotel cars (which are more expensive ($35-50)
we fly northwest at 6:05 and that is plenty of time, plus enough time for vat refund---you must now show the stuff you have purchased which you didn't have to do in years past and the office is near the check-in desk at one end of the terminal..it is very fast...you need your boarding pass, etc to process the transaction so don't make the mistake we did and my wife went to the window without the stuff and had to run back to my line and get it...
we find check-in to be quite fast....it depends on your airline and the staffing which might be down at the moment????
do allow plenty of time, its no way to start off a long day being late...
we have stayed at the airport in the past and found it not to be any quicker and the accomodations are not nearly as nice or comfortable....we have stayed 2 times at the comfort suites and it is not comfortable (basic), but cheap 2300B the last time....keep your room in town...
make sure you have arranged your car the nite before...
we have also found the airport limo service to be quite good and reliable as well as the hotel cars (which are more expensive ($35-50)
Jun 25th, 2003, 02:30 PM
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I would not stay at the Comfort Inn. Did that in '99 and it was not good.
I agree that the Amari is quite overpriced but, if you want convenience, no worries, and don't care about price, go for it.
We really like the Pathumwan Princess Executive Suite. Very nice for only $115 a night. On our trip in 2001, we also had a very early flight back to LAX and had to leave the hotel early. It was no problem. We called Thai Airways Car service a few days before and arranged for a 3:30 am pickup. We checked out at 3am and then waited for the car in the lobby. Went very smoothly.
We've been to Bangkok 3 times and always use their car service.
Personally, I'd rather be in town on my last night of vacation. Might as well stroll a bit, have dinner, and then take a 4 hour nap before leaving. That's what we did.
Good luck.
I agree that the Amari is quite overpriced but, if you want convenience, no worries, and don't care about price, go for it.
We really like the Pathumwan Princess Executive Suite. Very nice for only $115 a night. On our trip in 2001, we also had a very early flight back to LAX and had to leave the hotel early. It was no problem. We called Thai Airways Car service a few days before and arranged for a 3:30 am pickup. We checked out at 3am and then waited for the car in the lobby. Went very smoothly.
We've been to Bangkok 3 times and always use their car service.
Personally, I'd rather be in town on my last night of vacation. Might as well stroll a bit, have dinner, and then take a 4 hour nap before leaving. That's what we did.
Good luck.
Jun 25th, 2003, 05:55 PM
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If you had been staying in Bankok and had a 6:30 flight, then I'd recommend that you keep your hotel in town as others have said. However, when I'm flying in the night before and out early in the morning, as you apparently are, I'd opt for the Rama Gardens. It's very nice and has a shuttle service. Personally, I dislike the Amari, but others have had an ok experience with it.
