My husband and I will be in Bangkok at the very end of December and I would like some suggestions on the best way to get around and accomplish the following. We are staying at the Amari Atrium.

One day we would like to do our shopping - should we hire a driver? take the sky train? rely on taxis? I know that you must be careful about where the taxis and tuk tuks will take you, but if this is the best way to go, we will have our wits about us and make sure to use metered taxis.

The other day and a half we would like to tour the major sites of the city - Grand Palace, Wat Po, Emerald Buddha, maybe Jim Thompson's House. Are organized group tours any good for this? Hire a private guide or driver? Take taxis and wander at our own pace?

We are both experienced travelers and like a bit of adventure, but we are on our honeymoon and don't mind splurging a bit to have a nice accommodating time while we are there.

Any suggestions and advice welcome! Thank you!

This has been asked and answered a million times on this board. Many prefer to take the skytrain and taxis and for those that come here a dozen times- they are veterans and know their way around so they tend to go out and use public transport. Even some newbies go that route- and that is fine it can be done. If your time is short and you are not accustomed to the high heat and humidtiy of BKK then many will hire a driver to take them all over BKK. Many on this forum including myself have used a lady named Ratt. Do a search on this forum and you will get dozens of posts about her and her service. Suffice to say she is not expensive and will drive you anywhere and everwhere. You book her by the day or in some cases by the half day. She will save you time and most importantly a lot of energy. Trust me on this one- there is no dispute- the heat/humidity will drain you. She carries cold towels,cold bottled water, her car is air conditioned and she knows where and when to go. After walking around for an hour in that heat it is refreshing to get into an airconditioned car, not to worry about where the driver is going, have a cold towel and a bottle of cold water- in 10 minutes you will be refreshed and ready to hit the next temple/wat and do this all day until you are templed out.

rat is good but i expect you may have trouble getting her during this busy time but you can ask....
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you can simply use a combo of the skytrain and taxis....taxis are easy except in tourist areas where they want to charge a flat fee....never agree to a flat fee except to the airport or to some place outside of bkk...insist on the meter....get out of the taxi if they will not use it...

try to use the yellow and green taxis...they are owner driven and more reliable...know where you want to go and don't go any place else and don't ask the driver about shopping or go any place he suggest....don't be friendly, be business like...

There is NO reason to do a group tour.

Takis and public transport are fine or you can hire a driver - your preference.

thanks - i will look into hiring Ratt. If she is unavailable, can i trust a recommendation for a driver from a hotel?

My main concern is getting as much as we can out of seeing the major attractions and it sounds like my guide book will be just as helpful as a guide in that respect.

will probably end up taking taxis and skytrain for much of it then. maybe hire someone for a nice half day or so.

Also consider Julie Taxi if you want a driver. I used Emma from Julie Taxi on my last trip to go to some places outside of town.

Hotel cars are reliable but expensive. It would have cost me more than twice as much for the hotel car as opposed to Julie Taxi's Volvo.

Just a note that your hotel is not within a reasonable walking distance of a skytrain station but is only a 10 minute walk to the new subway. Go one stop and you will be able to connect with the skytrain system.

Thanks Scotters - one can never tell from the hotel amenities list that says it is "near" the skytrain! We will be sure to take note and use the subway then.

i would prefer julie's or ratt for bkk touring over a hotel car

once we hired a hotel car to take us to the floating market and he got lost on the way....not good in my opinion for the price..

we will be visiting Bangkok in Feb. for the first time. Can you tell me how to get ahold of Julie's Taxi in case we opt. for a driver for one day while we are there. Thanks Marg

Jukie doesn't like to schedule far in advance. You can call her when you get there, she has several drivers.

www,julietaxi.com

(Bob, that's a terrible story about the hotel car! Which hotel?)

K-imagine that you are an unsuspecting driver suddenly inundated with Bobness. Getting lost would be the least of your worries. Escaping without a murder charge hanging over your head would be a plus. The Thai authorities would no doubt waive the inevitable assault charge.

kathie---it was the ROS.....(you know which hotel-----name begins with an m)....this is a private message for you only....

Bob, all these coded messages today!

I wondered. That really is an awful story. Ther only times I've used a hotel car, they have been gracious and organized (once a mapquest printout). (That was the Anantara at Hua Hin)

There once was a Bankers Code
To determine how much was owed.
But while doing the Math
Bob's driver lost the path
Cause the right way he not knowed.

thanks to everyone for suggestions - i have contacted Ratt, but she is booked. I have also contacted Julie Taxi and it seems like a great way to go. We plan on using her services for a great day of shopping.

goodwill

Would be interested to hear how you get on, we too are staying at the Amari Atrium, but not until early Feb, please detailyour experiences.