Airport pickup Bangkok..ACC Limosine?
Aug 14th, 2011, 05:03 PM
#21
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Bob, you must be mis-remembering. Tolls are always extra even for limos. Drivers always ask if you want to take the expressway. The correct answer is yes (you'll get there faster) - you'll pay about 70 baht in tolls, a little over $2.
Only AOT can have a desk at the new airport. If you arrive and decide you need a limo, AOT is the way to go. If you book ahead, it doesn't matter which company you use, as they will be waiting with a sign with your name on it.
A few years ago, I was so busy before we left for Bangkok that I forgot to book with AAC. I sent them an email message from Narita and received an answer within minutes. They were there to pick us up when we got to BKK.
Only AOT can have a desk at the new airport. If you arrive and decide you need a limo, AOT is the way to go. If you book ahead, it doesn't matter which company you use, as they will be waiting with a sign with your name on it.
A few years ago, I was so busy before we left for Bangkok that I forgot to book with AAC. I sent them an email message from Narita and received an answer within minutes. They were there to pick us up when we got to BKK.
Aug 14th, 2011, 05:06 PM
#22
We'll be staying at Adelphi Suites. We only have a carry on each so not alot of luggage. would we likely be ok in a taxi? Although i think a limo may be easier given its our first trip. When I made the reservation at Adelphi Suites there was the possibility of getting a transfer thru them. Might that be the way to go or would I be better off booking a limo myself?
Aug 14th, 2011, 05:12 PM
#24
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Adelphi's limo costs waaaaay too much. I stay there all of the time (probably a dozen times or more so far) and I never ask for their airport pickup. I do taxis (but I'm tempted to do the limo service sometime, arranging it at the airport, just the way guenmai does).
Tell you driver you want Sukhumvit soi 8. They know where that is, for sure. The AS is down that soi, on the right, past the 7/11. There is a restaurant (Monsoon) on the front side with an outdoor dining terrace and bar. Pretty easy to spot. Across the soi (street) is White Bar/Via Vai Pizza place.
Kathie, the driver of the mini van that takes me back to the airport from AS never asks for tolls. They are included in the 600 baht fee. That's why I feel fine with giving the driver an extra 100 baht tip.
Tell you driver you want Sukhumvit soi 8. They know where that is, for sure. The AS is down that soi, on the right, past the 7/11. There is a restaurant (Monsoon) on the front side with an outdoor dining terrace and bar. Pretty easy to spot. Across the soi (street) is White Bar/Via Vai Pizza place.
Kathie, the driver of the mini van that takes me back to the airport from AS never asks for tolls. They are included in the 600 baht fee. That's why I feel fine with giving the driver an extra 100 baht tip.
Aug 14th, 2011, 08:00 PM
#25
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Very informative thread for those of us going to BKK for the first time. Our plane arrives at 11:30 pm; is AOT open all the time? We're staying at the Rennaisance Marriott; will most drivers know where that is?
Aug 14th, 2011, 08:53 PM
#26
Another technique, if you think your taxi driver might not find your hotel, is to write down its phone number. It's almost a certainty that the driver will have a cell phone and can call for directions.
Aug 14th, 2011, 10:54 PM
#29
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Joday: OK. I found it. It's on Ploenchit Rd. I was mixing it up with the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. There are so many hotels in Bangkok.
Sukhumvit Road is a very long road, but changes names along the way. It drives me crazy as I don't remember the name changes. It's not like Wilshire Blvd., here in L.A., that starts in downtown L.A. and ends at the ocean, probably 25- 30 miles away, but is still called, Wilshire Blvd. So, Ploenchit is like part of Sukhumvit as it's on the east/west Sukhumvit skytrain line.
Your hotel is near Chitlom skytrain station according to the online map. The driver should know where it is. It's in the heart of town. The Sukhumvit skytrain line runs along where your hotel is. There are two skytrain lines; East/West Sukhumvit and North/South Silom. It's quite easy.
You have the huge Central Department Store right at Chitlom skytrain station and the food court in there is very good. Yummy. So, you've picked a lively area. Also venture east, a few skytrain stops, as that area is also full of shopping and restaurants. From the skytrain stops of Chitlom/Ploenchit/Nana/Asoke/Prom Phong/ Thonglor, going east.
For example, Face Thai restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Thonglor skytrain station. And Lemongrass restaurant is at Prom Phong skytrain station, right across the side street to Emporium Shopping Mall, on my street Sukhumvit, soi24. There are so many really good restaurants in the area of those skytrain stations. I'm sure Simpson will throw some in as that's also her area. And remember while in Bangkok, that the spelling of words is very seldom consistent. One word can end up with several spellings. So, it will take patience. Happy Travels!
Sukhumvit Road is a very long road, but changes names along the way. It drives me crazy as I don't remember the name changes. It's not like Wilshire Blvd., here in L.A., that starts in downtown L.A. and ends at the ocean, probably 25- 30 miles away, but is still called, Wilshire Blvd. So, Ploenchit is like part of Sukhumvit as it's on the east/west Sukhumvit skytrain line.
Your hotel is near Chitlom skytrain station according to the online map. The driver should know where it is. It's in the heart of town. The Sukhumvit skytrain line runs along where your hotel is. There are two skytrain lines; East/West Sukhumvit and North/South Silom. It's quite easy.
You have the huge Central Department Store right at Chitlom skytrain station and the food court in there is very good. Yummy. So, you've picked a lively area. Also venture east, a few skytrain stops, as that area is also full of shopping and restaurants. From the skytrain stops of Chitlom/Ploenchit/Nana/Asoke/Prom Phong/ Thonglor, going east.
For example, Face Thai restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Thonglor skytrain station. And Lemongrass restaurant is at Prom Phong skytrain station, right across the side street to Emporium Shopping Mall, on my street Sukhumvit, soi24. There are so many really good restaurants in the area of those skytrain stations. I'm sure Simpson will throw some in as that's also her area. And remember while in Bangkok, that the spelling of words is very seldom consistent. One word can end up with several spellings. So, it will take patience. Happy Travels!
Aug 15th, 2011, 05:07 AM
#30
Yes, great thread for us first timers. Thank you all so much for all your help.
Usually when I travel I like to have some basic language skills for the country where I am going. However, this trip I don't know how much I can pick up. So do taxi drivers read English for addresses? would they be able to read english numbers?
Usually when I travel I like to have some basic language skills for the country where I am going. However, this trip I don't know how much I can pick up. So do taxi drivers read English for addresses? would they be able to read english numbers?
Aug 15th, 2011, 06:48 AM
#32
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Taxi drivers typically do NOT read English. Numerals, yes. SOME know a few words in English, a lot do not know any of 'our' language. The idea of getting your hotel address written in THAI is good, although, when you go to the taxi stand at the airport, there is a person who speaks English sitting at the desk. That person writes down at least the street (I think) for the driver and writes it in Thai. But do prepared to say Sukhumvit soi 8 (I think the Thai word for eight sounds something like 'pet'). Phloenchit... plone (long o) chit, they should understand that much. The Renaissance is to the right when you leave the tollway, the AS is to the left. The tollway ramp, I believe, is where the street name at the bottom of the ramp changes from Sukhumvit to Phloenchit. Phloenchit Street is to the right. Sukhumvit Road is to the left. As quenmai said, Sukhumvit is a very long road!
Guenmai is right... the Food Court at Central Chitlom Department Store (5th floor) is really good. You get a card upon entering. The food you 'buy' is put on the card (like a scanning card) and then when you leave the restaurant, you get in line, give them your scan card, and pay your bill.
Another excellent Thai restaurant (besides Face, which is exc) is Kinarree. It is located on Sukhumvit soi 8, just down a little further than the Adelphi, but on the other side of the soi (street).
Via Vai/White Bar, which I mentioned above, and is directly across from Adelphi on soi 8, has the best pizza we've found so far in Bangkok. We always have pizza there at least once or twice during a BKK visit.
Monsoon, the restaurant in the lobby of Adelphi, is also a good place to eat. It gets busy in the evenings, so they are doing something right. Their caprese salad is SUPER imo.
I have seen 3 restaurants come into the lobby at Adelphi. The first two gave up rather quickly. Not sure what was wrong with the food/location. Monsoon, on the other hand, is very successful. Food is really quite good. Love the watermelon smoothie in the afternoon when it's hot outside.
Adelphi Suites is only about 2 minutes walk to the escalator UP to the skytrain that runs along Sukhumvit road. It is a very good location! Soi 8 has gotten busier since I've been staying along this street. It used to be a quiet soi with a little bit of people watching... but now, it's gotten much more active and busy.
My hairdresser is on soi 8, at a small 'local' salon called Tub Tim. Her name is Ya. She is very sweet and her English is good. If you stop in, say that Carol from America sent you!
Also along soi 8 is Tong Manhattan Barber... I think that's the name. Both my husband and son have had many haircuts here. Very cheap. Probably no waiting.
The salon and barber are both on the same side of the soi as Adelphi, and are between Adelphi and the skytrain.
Also, if you don't want to use the washing machine (in the deluxe and executive one bedroom apts.. but not the studios) there are a couple of very inexpensive laundry places between Adelphi and the skytrain.
Sorry to ramble... I can't stop talking about my favorite city, Bangkok. I can't wait to get back there in OCT.
Carol
Guenmai is right... the Food Court at Central Chitlom Department Store (5th floor) is really good. You get a card upon entering. The food you 'buy' is put on the card (like a scanning card) and then when you leave the restaurant, you get in line, give them your scan card, and pay your bill.
Another excellent Thai restaurant (besides Face, which is exc) is Kinarree. It is located on Sukhumvit soi 8, just down a little further than the Adelphi, but on the other side of the soi (street).
Via Vai/White Bar, which I mentioned above, and is directly across from Adelphi on soi 8, has the best pizza we've found so far in Bangkok. We always have pizza there at least once or twice during a BKK visit.
Monsoon, the restaurant in the lobby of Adelphi, is also a good place to eat. It gets busy in the evenings, so they are doing something right. Their caprese salad is SUPER imo.
I have seen 3 restaurants come into the lobby at Adelphi. The first two gave up rather quickly. Not sure what was wrong with the food/location. Monsoon, on the other hand, is very successful. Food is really quite good. Love the watermelon smoothie in the afternoon when it's hot outside.
Adelphi Suites is only about 2 minutes walk to the escalator UP to the skytrain that runs along Sukhumvit road. It is a very good location! Soi 8 has gotten busier since I've been staying along this street. It used to be a quiet soi with a little bit of people watching... but now, it's gotten much more active and busy.
My hairdresser is on soi 8, at a small 'local' salon called Tub Tim. Her name is Ya. She is very sweet and her English is good. If you stop in, say that Carol from America sent you!
Also along soi 8 is Tong Manhattan Barber... I think that's the name. Both my husband and son have had many haircuts here. Very cheap. Probably no waiting.
The salon and barber are both on the same side of the soi as Adelphi, and are between Adelphi and the skytrain.
Also, if you don't want to use the washing machine (in the deluxe and executive one bedroom apts.. but not the studios) there are a couple of very inexpensive laundry places between Adelphi and the skytrain.
Sorry to ramble... I can't stop talking about my favorite city, Bangkok. I can't wait to get back there in OCT.
Carol
Aug 15th, 2011, 07:27 AM
#35
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As for numbers in Thai, it's best to have them written down in Thai, for example if you need to go to Sukhumvit soi 8. The number eight does sound similar to "pet" , but not exactly as there are five tones in Thai. At my school in Bangkok it's transcribed as, "pEEt". But, at school here in L.A., it's transcribed as "bpàirt". So, best to have it written down, in Thai, instead of trying to pronounce it and possibly hit the wrong tone and then it will mean something totally different. Happy Travels!
Aug 15th, 2011, 07:51 AM
#37
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Yes, book a limo. It's easier and especially for your first time there. Plus, you won't have to worry about the driver possibly not knowing where he's going while the meter is ticking. Then after you've rested, you can start dealing with taxi drivers the rest of your stay. Happy Travels!
Aug 15th, 2011, 08:05 AM
#38
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Aac definitely know where the RM is as I have booked with them to go there. I have used them several times after recommendations from Bob and Kathie and found them very good. It's a very easy option after a long flight. As Carol says you can get used to the cabs once in BKK
Aug 15th, 2011, 08:09 AM
#39
A follow up...I heard back from AAC Limousine and they replied with theirrates
"Mercedes (oldness) 1060 B and New Camry 1170, both inclusive of tolls. Payment CASH.".
This thread has so much helpful information. Thanks to all yo contributed!
"Mercedes (oldness) 1060 B and New Camry 1170, both inclusive of tolls. Payment CASH.".
This thread has so much helpful information. Thanks to all yo contributed!
