Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Asia
Reload this Page >

Nine days in Thailand recommendation for a woman traveling alone

Nine days in Thailand recommendation for a woman traveling alone

Old Feb 5th, 2013, 11:40 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nine days in Thailand recommendation for a woman traveling alone

Depending on how flights are looking, I'm planning on going to Thailand for 9-10 days by myself next week. As a flight attendant in the US, I've traveled a lot but not to this part of the world.
I have not made any accommodations as I'll be traveling standby. Most of the flights arrive in BKK late so I'll probably plan on staying 1 or 2 nights in BKK. What is a recommended area? I'd rather be somewhere residential and safe than smack in the middle of everything. Are taxis reliable and honest from the airport? I'm then thinking of taking a flight to Chang Mai for 4 days or so and then to a quiet beach location for the last few days before heading back to the states. It's not all about the beach but getting a feel for a new/different placeI've travelled via bus all over Turkey but have not been to SE Asia. I'm not afraid of going off the beaten path and would be interested in possibly day tours. I'm avoiding Phuket because I've heard nothing positive about it and I've heard that Koh Samui is not rustic either but beautiful. Being that I'm traveling by myself, I wanted to go somewhere safe and inexpensive. WIth all of the pay cuts that we have taken over the years, I can afford to fly places but can't afford to stay. Thailand seems inexpensive so that's one less thing to worry about.
chicagostewardess is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 11:56 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thailand is remarkably safe. Yes, like anywhere, you have to keep your eyes open, but crime against travelers is quite rare.

In Bangkok, you'll want to stay somewhere close to a skytrain station or on the river to facilitate getting around without too much interference from the traffic.

I find Chiang Mai harder to get around as there is not public transport. You can catch a tuk tuk or songthew but you may need to hire a car and driver if you want to go see Doi Suthep or do any serious shopping.

Phuket covers a huge area with some beaches that are busy and even sleazy and others that are quiet. Other places on the Andaman Sea include PhiPhi, Krabi, Ko Lanta, Khoa Lak. Krabi has dramatic scenery. You can fly driectly into Krabi. Another beach option is Hua Hin, about a 2 hour drive from Bangkok.
Kathie is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 11:57 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
In BKK I recommend the Baan Sukhumvit Inns, one is on Soi 18 and one on Soi 20. Lovely people, great places, very affordable. I stayed in 18 last time I was there in the fall, less expensive than 20 which is the new and more popular as a result. http://www.baansukhumvit.com/

In Chiang Mai I like Gap's House, have stayed elsewhere just once and will go back to Gap's next time. They don't take reservations but show up mid-morning and they almost always have something. Good location, price and crowd. Also cooking school if it interests you. http://www.gaps-house.com/
MmePerdu is online now  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 11:58 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, I hit post too soon.

Pick up a good guidebook to help you decide where to go. For accommodations, take a look at a Thai booking site, www.sawasdee.com or other booking sites. You'll get better prices on teh web than you will walking in.

BTW, my first trip to Thailand was 9 full days in Bangkok. I loved it and have been back most years since.
Kathie is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 01:08 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bangkok is really worth at least several days. In fact, I'd give Bangkok 4, Chiang Mai maybe 3, and then the beach for the remainder of your time. I regularly stay in Bangkok (no side trips out of the city) for two weeks at a time.

Bangkok is safe. I am often there by myself. I visit Bangkok usually 4 times per year (30 trips in all thus far, with #31 coming up in April). I can understand your not wanting to stay in the thick of it all, but some of the smaller sois (side streets) off of Sukhumvit have a neighborhood feel to them. Soi 18 was mentioned, for example. I stay on soi 8, Adelphi Suites, which is but 2 minutes to the escalator UP to the skytrain station at Nana. Being near the skytrain is the #1 objective when in Bangkok!! (and having that escalator is a big plus) Time in taxis, even though they are cheap, is spent sitting in sometimes huge traffic jams! The skytrain whisks you along above all those cars, buses, tuk tuks, trucks, etc.

You don't exactly say what your budget might be, but you might like the Sheraton Four Points on Sukhumvit soi 15, or perhaps the new Sofitel which is right on Sukhumvit, near soi 15.

Thailand is a wonderful destination in S E Asia. Enjoy your trip!
simpsonc510 is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 02:25 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for your help. I'm budgeting $100USD/day for lodging, food, and entertainment. I based that on what I saw meals and hotels cost in my initial search. Fortunately airfare is not my largest expenses being able to fly standby on many carriers although my airline (American) has no agreements with Bangkok Airways, which I've heard is the easiest way to get to many cities and a Bangkok Airpass is the most economical way to get around. The Sukhumvit hotels look great. I know that I'm planning this all sort of last minute but flying standby, everything can change depending on seat availability. Is this high season? I generally fly on the off season because it's the only way to get on a flight.
chicagostewardess is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 02:36 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Bangkok Air Discovery Pass is great if you are going to places that are expensive to fly to: Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Koh Samui. Otherwise, you are best off flying Air Asia, a budget airline, or if AA has agreements with them, fly Thai.
Kathie is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 03:09 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
do you have any FF miles for hotels? bkk is a good place to use them with marriott, hilton, hyatt, sheratons on offer.

you might like to stay in the sukhumvit/plenochit areas for just a couple of nts in bkk--sheraton, marriotts, conrad, 4 seasons... in these areas there are tons of good restaurants and shopping..

a fav is marriott sukhumvit park on soi 24 sukhumvit... near a mall, the skytrain is not far.. decent restaurants and affordable.

personally i would skip chiang mai and add time to bkk and a beach..

hua hin is a 3 hr drive s of bkk... saves flt time.. hyatt and intercontinentals there are nice..
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 03:53 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Got elephants? Chiang Mai does. Pet the babies, ride the elders?
jobin is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 03:57 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,139
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
I think you should see Chiang Mai. I like it better than BKK. Go this trip and decide for yourself. It's a place you can walk all over and I like that aspect of it, more big town than city.
MmePerdu is online now  
Old Feb 5th, 2013, 04:55 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was in Thailand for three weeks last winter, traveling solo. Loved every minute. I stayed at the Adelphi that simpsonc mentions (thank you) - and thought it fit my needs perfectly - clean modern rooms, nice staff, food nearby including street food right outside the door. The Skytrain is right at the end of the street, and gets you practically every place you want to go on a first trip to Bangkok - Skytrain to riverboat to reclining buddha or out to the weekend market if you time it right. It was also really easy to take the train from the airport and connect to the Skytrain - no taxi needed (just travel fairly light).
I also spent quite a bit of time in Chiang Mai, and am one of the few that loved it there. I like to walk (or run through traffic as needed), and loved the markets, tuk tuks, etc. I stayed just outside the walls of the old city and at another place across the river. Not low budget, but affordable $100 or so, and felt safe and comfortable at the night markets alone at night, or wandering around during the day. Just use reasonable caution.
I am not a shopper in the mall sort of way, so I sought out the smaller shops and food markets in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai and really enjoyed the time doing so - and the Wats are an endless source of wandering enjoyment. You can also take a food tour in Bangkok, or cooking class in Chiang Mai for very little money.
I definitely plan a second trip. It is not a manicured place, so maybe not everyone's cup of tea - it is the people (and the food) that make it such a pleasure to visit!
tyro is offline  
Old Feb 6th, 2013, 06:39 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We enjoyed Bangkok.. and took this really nice bike tour with a Thai company. The guide was a sweetheart.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ar-bangkok.cfm
lincasanova is offline  
Old Feb 6th, 2013, 07:47 PM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This bike tour sounds amazing. I will definitely try to squeeze it into my tight trip. Ironically I will be working a flight to/from Tokyo and then will turn around and fly back to Japan in order to get to BKK. Is this high season? How hot is it there?
chicagostewardess is offline  
Old Feb 6th, 2013, 11:07 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think it's always hot there! Humid. This is the same time we went.. it was bearable but cold iced towelettes were welcome on the bike ride.

You will see the countryside and visit small towns along the way and have some delicious food.
lincasanova is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
pistor
Asia
23
May 27th, 2014 12:57 PM
Ash2012
Asia
4
May 21st, 2012 06:50 PM
cantwait2
Asia
8
Aug 13th, 2007 09:43 AM
Indecisive
Asia
22
Aug 31st, 2006 07:31 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -