Bangkok 1st timer - Is it wise to do do a daytrip on day I fly out.
Nov 2nd, 2006, 04:04 AM
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Bangkok 1st timer - Is it wise to do do a daytrip on day I fly out.
I am going to Bangkok for the first time next May for 3 days. I will probably be staying at the Shangri-la. Down by the river seems to me a better location than up at Sukhumvit, especially as shopping is a low priority for us.
We will not arrive at the hotel until about midnight on the first day. I am thinking that the next morning we will do Wat Arun, Grand Palace etc. and Royal Barge Museum. Then, depending on how we feel either go back to hotel for a bit or go over to Chinatown but generally play it by ear. Incidentally, how does one get from the Grand Palace over to the Royal Barge Museum and then best way back to the hotel.
AS to the next two days I would like to know in which order to schedule them, taking into account that we fly out of Bangkok at 10pm on the third day. One of them is to spend in Bangkok itself - Jim Thompson house, area around Dusit Park, may be a market and the other is for a day trip to Ayuthaya.
My thinking at the present time is to spend the 2nd day doing things in Bangkok itself and we can retreat to the hotel if we want and take advantage of its facilities. We would then do the Ayuthaya trip on the day we fly out. Obviously we need to book out of the hotel that morning and the day trip will keep us occupied for a full 9 hours. By the time we get back we can make use of the lobby areas for a little while until its time to have dinner and head off to the airport.
Therefore does this seem a good idea, or are the tours known for falling apart and getting back late or something else that has not occurred to me. I'm assuming that you get back around 4-5pm. Is this correct?
Any help appreciated.
We will not arrive at the hotel until about midnight on the first day. I am thinking that the next morning we will do Wat Arun, Grand Palace etc. and Royal Barge Museum. Then, depending on how we feel either go back to hotel for a bit or go over to Chinatown but generally play it by ear. Incidentally, how does one get from the Grand Palace over to the Royal Barge Museum and then best way back to the hotel.
AS to the next two days I would like to know in which order to schedule them, taking into account that we fly out of Bangkok at 10pm on the third day. One of them is to spend in Bangkok itself - Jim Thompson house, area around Dusit Park, may be a market and the other is for a day trip to Ayuthaya.
My thinking at the present time is to spend the 2nd day doing things in Bangkok itself and we can retreat to the hotel if we want and take advantage of its facilities. We would then do the Ayuthaya trip on the day we fly out. Obviously we need to book out of the hotel that morning and the day trip will keep us occupied for a full 9 hours. By the time we get back we can make use of the lobby areas for a little while until its time to have dinner and head off to the airport.
Therefore does this seem a good idea, or are the tours known for falling apart and getting back late or something else that has not occurred to me. I'm assuming that you get back around 4-5pm. Is this correct?
Any help appreciated.
Nov 2nd, 2006, 06:56 AM
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Several suggestions. On the first day, I would do Chinatown before the Grand Palace. C-town has the most action in the morning. Cab over to the GP. After the GP, you can easily walk to Wat Pho. I would then eat lunch and then go over to Wat Arun. After that I would take a klong tour with a stop at the Barge Museum. The long tail boat can drop you back at the Shangri-la.
I would not go up to Ayyutthaya. With so short a time in BKK, you should do everything you can. Ayutthaya is good, but BKK is much better for a first-timer.
I would not go up to Ayyutthaya. With so short a time in BKK, you should do everything you can. Ayutthaya is good, but BKK is much better for a first-timer.
Nov 2nd, 2006, 07:49 AM
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I would never do a day trip on the day that I'm flying out. Anything could happen...car problems, accident on the highway to delay traffic....and just plain backed-up traffic which is common.Happy Travels!
Nov 2nd, 2006, 08:18 AM
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I'll try address some issues you brought up answer you questions in the order that you asked them...
First I would recommend looking at other hotels on the river - the Shangri-la tends to cater to tour groups. You might be happier at the Peninsula, the Oriental or the Marriott.
The best way to see the Royal Barge Museum is to take a klong (canal) tour by long tail boat. You can arrange that at any of the hotel piers. It takes a couple of hours and you can also see Wat Arun. This would be a good tour to do in the later part of the afternoon - perhaps after taking a break at your hotel. Grand Palace and Wat Po are near each other - you can take the water taxi to get to them and then hit Chinatown on the way back - you want to get to the GP before the crowds and the heat take over - it opens at 8:30 AM.
On our first trip to Bangkok, we had 3 days and did the day trip to Ayuttya on the second day which was fine. Of course, we had to return to Bangkok and spend another 8 days there this past February because we liked it so much and did not get a chance to do a lot of the things we wanted to do. I think Guen's point about not going to Ayutya on the last day is a good one, by the way. Regardless of what your plans are, you should arrange a late checkout (6 PM) at your hotel - even if they charge you, its worth it.
First I would recommend looking at other hotels on the river - the Shangri-la tends to cater to tour groups. You might be happier at the Peninsula, the Oriental or the Marriott.
The best way to see the Royal Barge Museum is to take a klong (canal) tour by long tail boat. You can arrange that at any of the hotel piers. It takes a couple of hours and you can also see Wat Arun. This would be a good tour to do in the later part of the afternoon - perhaps after taking a break at your hotel. Grand Palace and Wat Po are near each other - you can take the water taxi to get to them and then hit Chinatown on the way back - you want to get to the GP before the crowds and the heat take over - it opens at 8:30 AM.
On our first trip to Bangkok, we had 3 days and did the day trip to Ayuttya on the second day which was fine. Of course, we had to return to Bangkok and spend another 8 days there this past February because we liked it so much and did not get a chance to do a lot of the things we wanted to do. I think Guen's point about not going to Ayutya on the last day is a good one, by the way. Regardless of what your plans are, you should arrange a late checkout (6 PM) at your hotel - even if they charge you, its worth it.
Nov 2nd, 2006, 08:37 AM
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I do agree with the advice others have offerred. I would not do a day trip on the day I was flying out, and I would spend all three days in Bangkok. There is so much to do and see, you won't manage to to everything you want to do in the three days you are there.
Nov 2nd, 2006, 06:01 PM
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Thanks for the responses everyone. Whilst I know the majority are advocating just stay in BKK as it is our first time, Ayuthaya is higher on the list of our personal preferences than most of the typical BKK sites. Howsever, I will make sure that we do it on the second day and not take the risk on the third. We will also certainly look into a late checkout which would be of great benefit.
Craig, I will check out the other hotels. Oriental is out of our price range but possibly not the Peninsula. It seems to me that the Peninsula is on the opposite side of the river to where all the action is and where the river boats and skytrain leave from. How do you cross the river from there. Do you have to hang round waiting for boat shuttles?
Craig, I will check out the other hotels. Oriental is out of our price range but possibly not the Peninsula. It seems to me that the Peninsula is on the opposite side of the river to where all the action is and where the river boats and skytrain leave from. How do you cross the river from there. Do you have to hang round waiting for boat shuttles?
Nov 3rd, 2006, 12:36 AM
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i rarely disagree with craig, but on this one i do....the sh-la is a wonderful hotel and caters to all upscale clientle....there may be some bus groups but they would be upscale..
you could looke at the marriott resort and spa or the peninsula or the new hilton..
don't know where you are coming from but on day one most of us are quite tired and find it hard to do much...lay low...imo
you could looke at the marriott resort and spa or the peninsula or the new hilton..
don't know where you are coming from but on day one most of us are quite tired and find it hard to do much...lay low...imo
Nov 3rd, 2006, 03:22 AM
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We made exactly like Craig:
- asked the hotel for late check out (^ pm). You will be charged probably 50 % of the room price.
_ visit in the second day to Ayuthaya
- visit BKK in the last day
Now, if S_la will not accept late check out or will ask for a very high price, you can book another hotel, not expensive hotel for a night, even you will use this room during the day and in the evening you will leave,
So, in the third day in the morning you check out S-La, take your luggage to the another hotel, leave them there (if the room is not ready yet, leave them at reception) and visit what you want in BKK. At your return, you have the room for a shower, for rest, change clothes, etc..
I recommend Asia Hotel BKK (we stayed there. It is clean, near sky train and not expensive.
-
- asked the hotel for late check out (^ pm). You will be charged probably 50 % of the room price.
_ visit in the second day to Ayuthaya
- visit BKK in the last day
Now, if S_la will not accept late check out or will ask for a very high price, you can book another hotel, not expensive hotel for a night, even you will use this room during the day and in the evening you will leave,
So, in the third day in the morning you check out S-La, take your luggage to the another hotel, leave them there (if the room is not ready yet, leave them at reception) and visit what you want in BKK. At your return, you have the room for a shower, for rest, change clothes, etc..
I recommend Asia Hotel BKK (we stayed there. It is clean, near sky train and not expensive.
-
Nov 3rd, 2006, 08:43 AM
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The Peninsula boats are going back and forth constantly - they have a boat that goes to Taksim Pier and another that goes to their own pier on the city side. They will also take you to the Oriental Pier if you ask them. There is seldom much of a wait.
Nov 12th, 2006, 11:48 AM
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Definitely NOT. Check our website at
www.leightravelclub.com
www.leightravelclub.com
