HELP! i NEED A RIDE IN CHIANG RAI
Dec 26th, 2007, 09:02 PM
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HELP! i NEED A RIDE IN CHIANG RAI
We booked a room through some booking service for the Anantara and the service wants $320 USD for a ride from the airport to the resort and back. Do I have any other options? Are taxis cheaper?
I'd be so grateful for some advice. You're probably thinking "well if you can afford that hotel, then you can afford the price of the ride". Well, I like nice hotels, but I'm not stupid! I realize it is an hour away from the airport. Perhaps someone can give other advice as well. We want to take an elephant ride and maybe a boat ride and maybe see the shopping at the border of Golden Triangle. Can someone suggest a tour? I heard the tours through the hotel are also astronomical. This is a splurge for our 30th anniversary. Thanks for any and all help! Desperate Koreaprincess
(I guess I'll have to change my name, as we are moving to Singapore in a few weeks)
I'd be so grateful for some advice. You're probably thinking "well if you can afford that hotel, then you can afford the price of the ride". Well, I like nice hotels, but I'm not stupid! I realize it is an hour away from the airport. Perhaps someone can give other advice as well. We want to take an elephant ride and maybe a boat ride and maybe see the shopping at the border of Golden Triangle. Can someone suggest a tour? I heard the tours through the hotel are also astronomical. This is a splurge for our 30th anniversary. Thanks for any and all help! Desperate Koreaprincess
(I guess I'll have to change my name, as we are moving to Singapore in a few weeks)
Dec 26th, 2007, 09:33 PM
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Are staying in a suite? If you are, the hotel provides free transfers to and from the hotel. If you're not you might want to condier it. Otherwise you can easily find a way to get to the hotel for MUCH less. I think it's only 75 if you book thru the hotel. Bottom line -- I have a fear you are being ripped off by the booking service.
Dec 26th, 2007, 09:43 PM
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That's way too much unless you ask them to pick you up from Bangkok airport and drive you all the way there!
After you have your booking with the booking service call or email the hotel and confirmed your reservation and ask them to pick you up instead.
After you have your booking with the booking service call or email the hotel and confirmed your reservation and ask them to pick you up instead.
Dec 26th, 2007, 11:23 PM
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In April it cost us $50 for the hotel limo to collect us from the airport and transfer the Ananatara. Their website now lists the cost as-
Private car (maximum 2 passengers): THB 2,140 (one way) or THB 4,280 (round trip)
Probably now quoting in Baht beacause od the weak $.
It was the same price to take us from the hotel to Chiang Saen to catch our boat. I think someone is taking the p***! We booked the car through the hotel website -
http://goldentriangle.anantara.com/location.aspx
andthe hotel through www.slh.com and got not only the cheapesr price but a guaranteed upgrade to a suite.
Private car (maximum 2 passengers): THB 2,140 (one way) or THB 4,280 (round trip)
Probably now quoting in Baht beacause od the weak $.
It was the same price to take us from the hotel to Chiang Saen to catch our boat. I think someone is taking the p***! We booked the car through the hotel website -
http://goldentriangle.anantara.com/location.aspx
andthe hotel through www.slh.com and got not only the cheapesr price but a guaranteed upgrade to a suite.
Dec 27th, 2007, 04:26 AM
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Thanks for the input. I was wondering whether or not they have taxis at the airport and if anyone knows how much they charge. I hired a driver once in Bangkok and that was nice. Perhaps we could get a driver and spend that money getting a look around as well. Any advice?
Dec 27th, 2007, 05:49 AM
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The hotel won't charge you nearly as much for the transfer as others have noted. The booking service is really trying to gouge you!
We had the hotel arrange a car and driver for us one day. It was not the hotel car, and the price, while high for the rest of Thialnd, was the same as other services in the Golden Triangle area.
We had the hotel arrange a car and driver for us one day. It was not the hotel car, and the price, while high for the rest of Thialnd, was the same as other services in the Golden Triangle area.
Dec 27th, 2007, 07:24 AM
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I am hiring a guide/driver in Chiang Mai who is taking me to the Anantara and staying there for 2 days of sightseeing. I think I'm paying $100 a day so a lot cheaper than the $320 just to get you to and from the airport.
Dec 27th, 2007, 01:47 PM
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E.K.! I've missed everyone. My trip to Italy with my wicked stepsister was horrendous, I'm sad to say. That is why I never went back on our food site. I'm over it now, just stressed to the max! We are leaving Korea in one day and (via Thailand) moving to Singapore. I am so excited. Food, glorious food, and English! Anyway, we've never been to Chiang Rai before. So I do need advice.
GLORIA: My husband was a bit leary when I told him he'd have to rent 4 w.d. If the road is not too bad, he'll drive, but he doesn't have an international drivers license. Is that a problem? Or can you tell me what guide you hired and the website you used? Thanks all!
GLORIA: My husband was a bit leary when I told him he'd have to rent 4 w.d. If the road is not too bad, he'll drive, but he doesn't have an international drivers license. Is that a problem? Or can you tell me what guide you hired and the website you used? Thanks all!
Dec 27th, 2007, 02:02 PM
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You don't need 4 wd to get from the airport to the Anantara. Legally, you are supposed to have an international driver's license to rent a car in Thailand.
Given that you are leaving tomorrow, I'd call the Anantara and have them arrange the transfer to and from the sirport. Their service is excellent and you won't have to stress about anything.
Congrats on your move to Singapore. That's a city I've always said I could live in!
Given that you are leaving tomorrow, I'd call the Anantara and have them arrange the transfer to and from the sirport. Their service is excellent and you won't have to stress about anything.
Congrats on your move to Singapore. That's a city I've always said I could live in!
Dec 27th, 2007, 05:59 PM
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jamesA is now telling us all to have an international drivers license....i just got one but have rented cars in thailand many times without one....its the police that you need to have one for should you be stopped....
the roads are perfect roads....no need at all for 4w/d
the roads are perfect roads....no need at all for 4w/d
Dec 29th, 2007, 06:03 PM
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Just arrived in Bangkok for three days at Sheraton Orchid. Going to Sunday market today. One last question guys: Gloria, can I have the name of your guide for c.r.? Also, no cars available w. 4w.d. What if we want to drive to hill tribe villages? Will a regular car be o.k.? Thanks so much!
Dec 29th, 2007, 06:39 PM
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One suggestion I have is a woman I driver I have used in Chiang Mai named Poon. I have used her several times and like her a lot. You can reach her by contacting her sister Rat in Bangkok. Her email address is [email protected]. Her cell phone is
My hand phone is 089-1082170.
Another possibility is chaiya who is a guide but will come with a driver. You can reach him at [email protected];081/998-9461
My hand phone is 089-1082170.
Another possibility is chaiya who is a guide but will come with a driver. You can reach him at [email protected];081/998-9461
Dec 30th, 2007, 01:52 PM
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As you say, it is a long way from the airport to Anantara -- about 45 minute drive. We used the hotel service. It is divine! A beautifully dressed representative from the hotel with a driver met us at the airport with cool cloths and cold drinks and flower greetings. She gave us lots of information along the way. I had been told on this forum that Erik Kok (a local guide) could provide a driver for less than the hotel price, but when I contacted him, the price was the same because they are "dead-heading" back to Chiang Rai empty.
As for the hotel price, I believe it was $95 USD one-way or what-ever the web site states. Just send and email to the hotel concierge to book. Do not use the book service that wants so much. As for the suite, we were upgraded to a suite because we booked through Small Luxury Hotels of the World, however, with an upgrade you do not get the free transport as you would if you were to pay for the suite. However, it well worth joining the SLH's The Club (free to join on their web site) for the upgrade. The suites are "to die for".
Absolutely do the one day mahout training with the elephants. It is amazing - worth every penny.
Happy Anniversary!
As for the hotel price, I believe it was $95 USD one-way or what-ever the web site states. Just send and email to the hotel concierge to book. Do not use the book service that wants so much. As for the suite, we were upgraded to a suite because we booked through Small Luxury Hotels of the World, however, with an upgrade you do not get the free transport as you would if you were to pay for the suite. However, it well worth joining the SLH's The Club (free to join on their web site) for the upgrade. The suites are "to die for".
Absolutely do the one day mahout training with the elephants. It is amazing - worth every penny.
Happy Anniversary!
