Where to stay?[Bangkok 3 days incl. Ayutthaya]
Jul 15th, 2015, 03:13 AM
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Where to stay?[Bangkok 3 days incl. Ayutthaya]
Hi! My bf and I are traveling to Thailand in late September. We will be arriving on Saturday afternoon (just time to check-in, enjoy the hotel, get nice dinner and sleep early) and leave on Tuesday afternoon for Chiangmai (only Sunday and Monday full days).
As you see, our schedule will be tight. I've been checking things to do in Bangkok and we mostly want to visit the tops (temple of dawn, grand palace and emerald buddha, the flower market, the correction museum, erawan museum if there's time...) We want to fit a 1 day trip to Ayutthaya.
Given that most of the sights we're interested in are in Khaosan/ Old City, should we stay in that area? Is it good for visiting Ayutthaya, or should we find a more centric/better connected place? We don't plan to take a tour, but rather use the train to go there by ourselves.
It's the first time to Thailand and I'm not sure about the dimensions of Bangkok, the difficulty of public transport, etc.
Also any experience on going to Ayutthaya from Bangkok by yourselves (not guided tour) is more than welcome to help us planning our side trip!
Thanks for your help!
As you see, our schedule will be tight. I've been checking things to do in Bangkok and we mostly want to visit the tops (temple of dawn, grand palace and emerald buddha, the flower market, the correction museum, erawan museum if there's time...) We want to fit a 1 day trip to Ayutthaya.
Given that most of the sights we're interested in are in Khaosan/ Old City, should we stay in that area? Is it good for visiting Ayutthaya, or should we find a more centric/better connected place? We don't plan to take a tour, but rather use the train to go there by ourselves.
It's the first time to Thailand and I'm not sure about the dimensions of Bangkok, the difficulty of public transport, etc.
Also any experience on going to Ayutthaya from Bangkok by yourselves (not guided tour) is more than welcome to help us planning our side trip!
Thanks for your help!
Jul 15th, 2015, 06:15 AM
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So you really only have two full days in Bangkok. One of those you plan to go to Ayutthaya, one day you are planning for the Grand Palace and the nearby wats.
For this short a stay, you need to have limited goals. You are already planning too much. At this time of the year you are likely to encounter a lot of rain and perhaps flooding.
The flower market in Chinatown is interesting, but 3 or 4 am is the peak of activity. By late morning, there isn't much to see.
Chose a hotel along the river and it will give you good access to the public water taxis, the best way to get to the Grand Palace and the wats you want to visit. Don't miss Wat Po (Reclining Buddha) - it is almost next door to the Grand Palace. Staying along the river also means that you will have easy access to the skytrain as almost all of the hotels have a shuttle boat to the central pier (the skytrain is right above this).
There are a number of people here who have posted excellent instructions on going to Ayutthaya via train, and most guidebooks also offer instructions as well.
For this short a stay, you need to have limited goals. You are already planning too much. At this time of the year you are likely to encounter a lot of rain and perhaps flooding.
The flower market in Chinatown is interesting, but 3 or 4 am is the peak of activity. By late morning, there isn't much to see.
Chose a hotel along the river and it will give you good access to the public water taxis, the best way to get to the Grand Palace and the wats you want to visit. Don't miss Wat Po (Reclining Buddha) - it is almost next door to the Grand Palace. Staying along the river also means that you will have easy access to the skytrain as almost all of the hotels have a shuttle boat to the central pier (the skytrain is right above this).
There are a number of people here who have posted excellent instructions on going to Ayutthaya via train, and most guidebooks also offer instructions as well.
Jul 15th, 2015, 06:37 AM
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we enjoy the flower market at any time of day...
I would skip Ayutthaya all together... it is not that interesting.
there is no best location in bkk for hotels.. we too prefer the riverside hotels.
I would skip Ayutthaya all together... it is not that interesting.
there is no best location in bkk for hotels.. we too prefer the riverside hotels.
Jul 15th, 2015, 07:03 AM
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Of course Ayutthaya is worth a day trip. We stayed for a couple of night and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Here's a link to how we visited Ayutthaya by train...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Province.html
Thoroughly enjoyable trip.
If you want to stay close to Khao San, and right by the river (Pier 13), then we stay at the New Siam Riverside. Here's my latest review from Trip Advisor...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUse...e-Bangkok.html
Lovely part of Old Bangkok. Best way to get to Hualamphong train station is either taxi or tuk tuk.
Here's a link to how we visited Ayutthaya by train...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Province.html
Thoroughly enjoyable trip.
If you want to stay close to Khao San, and right by the river (Pier 13), then we stay at the New Siam Riverside. Here's my latest review from Trip Advisor...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUse...e-Bangkok.html
Lovely part of Old Bangkok. Best way to get to Hualamphong train station is either taxi or tuk tuk.
Jul 16th, 2015, 08:33 AM
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I'm not sure of your budget, but when we went to BKK with our mid-20 yo children, we stayed at LubD hostel in the Silom area. The price was right, it was right across from a train stop and near to walk to pier. The staff was helpful and informative. I'd skip buying the breakfast, just walk outside, make a left and find some street food! The train was an easy ride to and from the airport and saved money and time with the BKK traffic. The hostel is in a lively area with a night market, street food and a mall nearby. Enjoy the temples and sights and I agree, don't skip Wat Po!
Jul 16th, 2015, 08:34 PM
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@Kathie: Hi, thanks for answering! Yes, we practically have 2 full days, 1 for bangkok and 1 for ayutthaya. on the first evening at arrival we will just rest. on the 3rd day before leaving we have the whole morning to do some smaller things like probably souvenir shopping.
I have a hotel in mind, called Buddy Lodge . It's in Khaosan and 15 min walk to the river and to the Palace. (265 Khaosan Road, Taladyod). I am trying to find out where the skytrain is... I havent seen that my hotel offer a shuttle to the skytrain, could you tell me around where it is?
Also I know it's an ambitious schedule and if it rains or there's some issue, we might not finish it, but we're used to do these suepr tight trips due to lack of vacation in Korea (we are rookies working in Korea, 15 days for 2 years... and we are foreigners so were using them to the optimal to travel in SEA!) We did Kyoto in 1 day and it was exhausting, I agree you cant enjoy it the same way, but it's all we can do for now xD
I have a hotel in mind, called Buddy Lodge . It's in Khaosan and 15 min walk to the river and to the Palace. (265 Khaosan Road, Taladyod). I am trying to find out where the skytrain is... I havent seen that my hotel offer a shuttle to the skytrain, could you tell me around where it is?
Also I know it's an ambitious schedule and if it rains or there's some issue, we might not finish it, but we're used to do these suepr tight trips due to lack of vacation in Korea (we are rookies working in Korea, 15 days for 2 years... and we are foreigners so were using them to the optimal to travel in SEA!) We did Kyoto in 1 day and it was exhausting, I agree you cant enjoy it the same way, but it's all we can do for now xD
Jul 16th, 2015, 08:44 PM
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@LancasterLad thanks for your reviews. I like the train too, but since we are in a super tight schedule, I need to calculate if the minivan may save me a lot of time~ Were the views stunning? or just nice, to spend some time watching?
The hotel I have chosen so far is near the one you mentioned, like a 9min walk (mine is not on the river, but I think I'd prefer that due to mosquitoes)
@Mutti thanks for your hotel recommendation as well! When i search it on Google it shows pretty far from the river though, more to the inside.
The hotel I have chosen so far is near the one you mentioned, like a 9min walk (mine is not on the river, but I think I'd prefer that due to mosquitoes)
@Mutti thanks for your hotel recommendation as well! When i search it on Google it shows pretty far from the river though, more to the inside.
Jul 16th, 2015, 09:23 PM
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Hi mimiyu,
Given the amount of time you have in Bangkok I would have to agree with rhkkmk comments, leave out ayuthaya. There is a huge amount to see in Bangkok so I would not waste your precious vacation time on a day trip there.
Buddy Lodge is a well known haunt in Khao San's backpacker land but probably overpriced for what you get. You can walk to Huamlampong station for the train to Ayuthaya from there. It is not close to a sky train station but there is a subway station next to Huamlampong.Another option is New Road Guesthouse, close to the river near the famous Oriental Hotel ( but around one twentieh of the price!). The New Siam Riverside as recommended by LancasterLad is in a good location. Haven't stayed there myself but have heard mixed reports from other that have.
Staying near the river is nice but more expensive than other places in BKK. As you are short on time an alternative is somewhere like Siam Sq which is at the junction of the two skytrain lines and in 15 mins you can be at Saphin Taksin pier from where you can get riverboats the the Grand palace and most other sights.
Re train v minivan to ayuthaya. It will take all day to visit so it really doesn't matter which you choose time wise. Personally I detest organised tours but with a guide and the short time you have that is probably the way to go to get the most out of your visit. Many of the tours will offer a trip one way by boat and returning by bus which is a nice option, usually via Bang Pa In palace.
Given the amount of time you have in Bangkok I would have to agree with rhkkmk comments, leave out ayuthaya. There is a huge amount to see in Bangkok so I would not waste your precious vacation time on a day trip there.
Buddy Lodge is a well known haunt in Khao San's backpacker land but probably overpriced for what you get. You can walk to Huamlampong station for the train to Ayuthaya from there. It is not close to a sky train station but there is a subway station next to Huamlampong.Another option is New Road Guesthouse, close to the river near the famous Oriental Hotel ( but around one twentieh of the price!). The New Siam Riverside as recommended by LancasterLad is in a good location. Haven't stayed there myself but have heard mixed reports from other that have.
Staying near the river is nice but more expensive than other places in BKK. As you are short on time an alternative is somewhere like Siam Sq which is at the junction of the two skytrain lines and in 15 mins you can be at Saphin Taksin pier from where you can get riverboats the the Grand palace and most other sights.
Re train v minivan to ayuthaya. It will take all day to visit so it really doesn't matter which you choose time wise. Personally I detest organised tours but with a guide and the short time you have that is probably the way to go to get the most out of your visit. Many of the tours will offer a trip one way by boat and returning by bus which is a nice option, usually via Bang Pa In palace.
Jul 16th, 2015, 09:44 PM
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@whereismimiyu<<< Were the views stunning? or just nice, to spend some time watching?>>>
Sorry. Don't understand the question.
@whereismimiyu<<<The hotel I have chosen so far is near the one you mentioned, like a 9min walk (mine is not on the river, but I think I'd prefer that due to mosquitoes)>>>
The Chao Phraya river is fast flowing, and not the usual haunt for mozzies. I've never had a problem with them, or anywhere else in Bangkok for that matter.
Sorry. Don't understand the question.
@whereismimiyu<<<The hotel I have chosen so far is near the one you mentioned, like a 9min walk (mine is not on the river, but I think I'd prefer that due to mosquitoes)>>>
The Chao Phraya river is fast flowing, and not the usual haunt for mozzies. I've never had a problem with them, or anywhere else in Bangkok for that matter.
Jul 16th, 2015, 09:50 PM
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@Crellston<<<You can walk to Huamlampong station for the train to Ayuthaya from there.>>>
It's a long, long walk, with lots of roads to cross, and plenty of opportunity to lose your bearings. Have a look on the Booking.com map.
It's a long, long walk, with lots of roads to cross, and plenty of opportunity to lose your bearings. Have a look on the Booking.com map.
Jul 17th, 2015, 03:19 AM
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LL I guess it depends what you think of as a long, long walk. No need for me to look at booking.com as I have walked that way several times. Some pretty decent restaurants along the way Thip Samai is one of our favourite places. We love walking and find it the best way to get to know a city, but each to there own..
Jul 17th, 2015, 08:21 AM
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There is no skytrain stop close to KSR. You would need to take a water taxi to the Central Pier than walk up the stairs to the skytrain station - a long trek.
We have never had any problems with mosquitoes staying along the river. As ll says, the river is fast-flowing, not really mosquito territory.
We have never had any problems with mosquitoes staying along the river. As ll says, the river is fast-flowing, not really mosquito territory.
Jul 19th, 2015, 06:25 AM
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@Crellston: Buddy Lodge is charging me only 1189 baht per room per night (30% discount for early booking) and throwing in 2 SIM cards with Internet & call credit, so I think it's not a bad deal! How much cheaper can I get it for? o.o
I checked on Agoda the price for New Siam Riverside and it was more expensive~ Not a big difference, but I thought Buddy Lodge was already one of the best value I could get~
New Road Guesthouse was cheaper, but has no pool (for some reason it is a must for me for the first time in my live, maybe because ive been living in Korea for too long and havent seen a pool in ages) and it's too far to walk to the main attractions.
I will check hotels at Siam Square though, thanks for the insights!
I checked on Agoda the price for New Siam Riverside and it was more expensive~ Not a big difference, but I thought Buddy Lodge was already one of the best value I could get~
New Road Guesthouse was cheaper, but has no pool (for some reason it is a must for me for the first time in my live, maybe because ive been living in Korea for too long and havent seen a pool in ages) and it's too far to walk to the main attractions.
I will check hotels at Siam Square though, thanks for the insights!
Jul 19th, 2015, 11:14 PM
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<<<I checked on Agoda the price for New Siam Riverside and it was more expensive.>>>
You pay a premium for being right on the Chao Phraya River, the heartbeat of Bangkok. But it's still excellent vfm for a mid-range hotel with a swimming pool by the river, an outdoor restaurant by the river, includes a hearty buffet breakfast, a public ferry pier within 100 yards, plenty of restaurants and bars close by, and is in an interesting older part of town.
You pay a premium for being right on the Chao Phraya River, the heartbeat of Bangkok. But it's still excellent vfm for a mid-range hotel with a swimming pool by the river, an outdoor restaurant by the river, includes a hearty buffet breakfast, a public ferry pier within 100 yards, plenty of restaurants and bars close by, and is in an interesting older part of town.
