Hi,

I will be traveling from Saigon back to the US with a 7 hour layover in BKK. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to spend that amount of time there?

Thanks.

It is not really enough time to leave the airport, so check out the shops, get a foot massage, have a meal, read a book...

I'm going to try to find that transit dayroom hotel in the airport and definitely getting a foot massage. I just hate the thought of being stuck in the airport for so long and there is nothing of interest near the airport, so I guess I'll be stuck there all day.

Thanks for the advice.

What time will you arrive in BKK? IMO if you have already check you luggage through to the US then you do have time for a quick visit but it will depend on the time of day and the day of the week.

Have you ever been to Bangkok before? Are you a shopper? Do you like seeing temples? Do you enjoy Thai food?

Come on guys, get real. She does not have time to leave the airport. If she goes through immigration, that's up to one hour plus getting back 2 hours before flight time plus at least one hour back and forth to Bangkok which leaves only 3 hours in Bangkok if she's lucky and no traffic. Not worth it IMO.

Craig,

I might be wrong but if the OP has already check through and in possession of the continuing US flight then the OP will only have to turn up 45 minutes before the departure time.

The last time I flew to the US I check in at BKK and then realise I forgot something at home. After I got my boarding pass and checked my luggage, I went back home and return 30 minutes before departure time.

Pook, us foreigners don't have it nearly so easy - we usually wait in line for 30 minutes just to get our passports processed before heading to the Royal Silk Lounge and our departure gate.

Hi,

I will be arriving at BKK at 12:30p.m. and my flight to the US leaves at 7:30p.m.

Since I will be arriving from Hanoi I realize that my luggage will be checked through to the US and I will only have my carry on bag with me.

I looked into the Louis Tavern Dayrooms, but they seem to be a bit expensive and they charge your credit card in advance.

I'm now thinking of taking the hotel shuttl to the Novotel Hotel and just spend the afternon there and maybe have a nice lunch and lounge at their pool. The only problem with that scenario is that I will have to go through immigration and on the way back have to go through security again and BKK can be zoo.

I was in Bangkok last year so I know that traffic is crazy so I wouldn't want to spend my time in a taxi cab.

Thanks all

You MIGHT be in luck. Public test runs of the rail link have finally begun. They're available on weekdays only, from 7:00 - 10:00 and 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Trains run every 20 minutes from the airport to Phyathai station (at BTS Phyathai). You could taxi into town and take the train back. You'd still be pushing it, but it's up to you to take the risk.

MichaelBKK,

Thanks for the info, but I think I will stay near the airport and not risk missng my flight. I have such crazy flight itineray that if I missed a flight I would be totally SOL. Plus, I am using ff miles, so I would be considered a non-person by the airlines.

If you're going to stay at the airport, check out the Miracle Hotel. It's a lot cheaper and quite nice. They have tasty and inexpensive room service food, free internet in the room, a pool and a spa. Even a karaoke room if ya wanna get crazy....I booked there through agoda.com a couple of weeks ago for $54 a night. They have a free shuttle to the airport but I'd take a taxi there rather than try to find where the shuttle picks up, taking the free shuttle back is of course easy.

offwego,

Do you know if they have day rooms? My flight arrives from SGN at 12:30 p.m. and my flght leaves for LAX at 7:30p.m.?

Thanks

You can call them directly and ask. I'd imagine they just charge you the room rate regardless....as hard up as the hotels are right now in BKK, I bet they'll work something out. I only saw one other guest when I was there!

offwego,

Good idea about calling them. You're right about them hard up right now. Most people are still hesitant to go to Bangkok right now, so I'm sure they will negotiate. Thanks

I did this a week or so ago, 7 hours or so layover after night
flight from Dubai to KL - luggage booked through to KL. Booked a day room at nearby Queens Court, very basic, who cares when you only want a shower and sleep. Worked well, however was charged additional airport tax of 700 baht per person, I have done this before a few years ago and don't remember the charge - maybe I was dreaming?

I've heard conflicting reportx concerning the airport tax - some say it's included in your airfare, but that doesn't bother me. I just didn't want to have to change any money. Oh well. Is the tax desk near security? My luggage will be checked through and I'll only have my carry on with me. I remember BKK being a zoo last year when I had to change planes coming from Chaing Mai back to the states.

".....however was charged additional airport tax of 700 baht per person, I have done this before a few years ago and don't remember the charge - maybe I was dreaming?"

+

Who collected the tax from you? For the past couple years the tax has been part of the price you pay for your plane ticket. I am trying to figure out who would collect the tax or how they would even know if you did not pay the tax. In the "old days" there was a place to pay the tax either in person or by vending machine. Now all the checkers do is see if you have a boarding pass. I didn't think there would be a departure tax for transit passengers with boarding passes.

Here is a link to another cheap hotel near the airport. Sanawan Palace. http://www.999thai.com/

At the airport, on the first floor, near door 8 (Public taxi rank is outside this door) is a cheap food court - the Magic Food Court.

Good luck.

do yourself a favor, stay at the airport or go over to hanuman's house for lunch