puttakka

Hi all,

We are flying into BKK at 11 PM (gasp!) on ANA from Tokyo January 15 and are hoping to fly out the next morning to Krabi.

We are thinking to stay at a cheap but clean hotel near the airport. Does anyone have any recommendations?

We are thinking to take a 8 AM Thai Airways flight to Krabi but this booking will be independent of our flight from Boston to Bangkok. via DC and Tokyo. Is that too risky?
Should we book a later flight out of BKK to Krabi? After 8 AM< the cheaper ones are at 3 or 4 PM, but then it will be hard to make our connection via boat, etc to Ko Lanta.
Is Thai Airways flexible if miss your flight because of a delayed connection (i..e would we be able to hop on the next flight without an exorbitant change fee?)

Thanks

A&O

filmwill

You'll be fine--are you worried about missing a connecting flight that's 9 hours after you arrive?!

Best place to stay (really the only place, although others would argue) is the Sofitel Suvarnabhumi--it's a long spit away from the main terminal building and if you're feeling nervous about a 9 hour connection time, then being really close to the airport, I suspect, would probably make you feel better.

If you book in advance you can usually find pretty good rates or check out sawadee.com for their rates.

If for some far-fetched reason you actually did end up being 9 hours delayed from Boston, I'm sure Thai Air would do their best to accommodate you, considering they have multiple flights to Krabi.

MichaelBKK

There is no Sofitel at the airport. It's a Novotel, and very expensive. There are several new small hotels around the airport (not walking distance), but I have not experience as to which ones are 'nice.'

Kathie

I was able to get a good price on the Novotel at the airport on agoda... under $100.

I'd take 8:00 flight to Krabi.

rhkkmk

its not too risky but don't fly so early...i would go for the next flight...

rhkkmk

come to the GTG and you will get tons of advice on the whole trip

Kathie

It depends on what you want. I would take the early flight so I could get to where I wanted to be as soon as possible. For me, if I schedule a later flight I find I'm awake anyway and wish I was on my way. I'd want more time in Krabi and less at the hotel near the airport.

simpsonc510

When Maeng and I flew to Krabi, we were on an early flight. It was about a 45 minute drive to Ao Nang Beach. I'd do the 8am flight.

Bob, the price of the flight varies greatly depending on what time your fly. Early and late are the cheapest times. In other words, we get a good price on a ticket for a 1-day trip to Chiang Mai by leaving early and staying late!

Carol

filmwill

yes of course...I meant the Novotel.

I found prices (even late last year) in the mid hundred $ range during December--guess it depends on what time of year you go. But, from what I've seen, some of the other 'cheaper' hotels on the outskirts of the airport looked like crack dens--therefore making the splurge well worth it.

I think, as a rule of thumb, ALL airport hotels are overpriced. Even the Motel 6 @ LAX charges a premium you'd never see at any of their other outlets.

Is there a new one that's actually decent and in a good location?

Kathie

Filmwill, I paid in the "mid hundred" range for the Novotel last year (late October) but this year, for November I was able to get a great rate at Agoda by booking months ahead.

Mandilulur

Last month I got $45 at the Novotel on Agoda.

rhkkmk

i think a new meridien is planned at the airport in the next few years

puttakka

I guess I need to check agoda then!!! Thanks for the tips everyone