How to fill a day while staying near the airport
Jul 16th, 2012, 01:23 PM
#1
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How to fill a day while staying near the airport
We had booked one night at a hotel near BKK as we will be enroute to Myanmar for a 13 day tour. We arrive late to BKK and would have left early the next day to Myanmar. But our tour dates have changed to begin a day later and we have already booked flights from North America.
So we have decided to book 2 nights at the same hotel near the airport, to catch up on sleep and acclimatize ourselves. This gives us a day (Thursday) to do whatever. We could go into downtown Bangkok for the day, but we actually have 2 1/2 days in the city after our tour in Myanmar. I have been researching some other options and there are 3 places that look interesting and I think are accessible from the airport.
Amphawa Floating Market
Bang Phli (100 year old) Market and/or boat trips through the canals
Muang Boran (ancient city) - this is maybe too far?
We could hire a taxi (reasonable cost? Would he wait and take us back?) or take public transport if feasible. Are there tours that our hotel could organize? Or maybe we should go into Bangkok to get initial impressions or see something off the beaten path.
What would you do? Any suggestions are appreciated!
Cheers!
So we have decided to book 2 nights at the same hotel near the airport, to catch up on sleep and acclimatize ourselves. This gives us a day (Thursday) to do whatever. We could go into downtown Bangkok for the day, but we actually have 2 1/2 days in the city after our tour in Myanmar. I have been researching some other options and there are 3 places that look interesting and I think are accessible from the airport.
Amphawa Floating Market
Bang Phli (100 year old) Market and/or boat trips through the canals
Muang Boran (ancient city) - this is maybe too far?
We could hire a taxi (reasonable cost? Would he wait and take us back?) or take public transport if feasible. Are there tours that our hotel could organize? Or maybe we should go into Bangkok to get initial impressions or see something off the beaten path.
What would you do? Any suggestions are appreciated!
Cheers!
Jul 16th, 2012, 02:09 PM
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My choices:
1. fly into Yangon a day early and have an extra day there.
2. Change my Bangkok hotel reservations to an in-city hotel, perhaps a river side hotel to relax and acclimate and explore a little.
I'm not a fan of the floating markets, and Muang Boran is a theme park.
1. fly into Yangon a day early and have an extra day there.
2. Change my Bangkok hotel reservations to an in-city hotel, perhaps a river side hotel to relax and acclimate and explore a little.
I'm not a fan of the floating markets, and Muang Boran is a theme park.
Jul 16th, 2012, 04:47 PM
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I would stay in the city with that much time. There is plenty to do. We spent 8 days there on one trip. The airport is just not that far even if you need to get up early (which is not a factor if you are from another time zone).
None of the places you refer to have had any interest to me in over 12 years of visiting SE Asia via Bangkok.
None of the places you refer to have had any interest to me in over 12 years of visiting SE Asia via Bangkok.
Jul 16th, 2012, 04:48 PM
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Ampahawa market is a weekend market so on Thursday it will not be fully open. For Bang Phli market you will need a local guide to really enjoy yourselves.
Relaxing at a hotel or resort in the city is a good idea as I hear hotel rates in Yangon has gone up through the roof IF you can find any availability.
If you need to hire a car for a day I can recommend Peter and his contact detail is:
Peter
Mobile : +66867333375
Mobile : +66853499995
Mobile : +66886640111 Whatsapp
Facebook : Peter Doungsuwan
Email: [email protected]
A few Fodorites have used him and had no complaint.
Relaxing at a hotel or resort in the city is a good idea as I hear hotel rates in Yangon has gone up through the roof IF you can find any availability.
If you need to hire a car for a day I can recommend Peter and his contact detail is:
Peter
Mobile : +66867333375
Mobile : +66853499995
Mobile : +66886640111 Whatsapp
Facebook : Peter Doungsuwan
Email: [email protected]
A few Fodorites have used him and had no complaint.
Jul 16th, 2012, 06:30 PM
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definately go into bkk for both nights
huge array of hotels... you may want one with a nice pool to relax a bit after your flts..
restaurants are so much better in town..
i have never heard of any of those places.. hanuman lives in bkk so he knows all the places..
it might be nice to hire peter to take you around either before or after burma
huge array of hotels... you may want one with a nice pool to relax a bit after your flts..
restaurants are so much better in town..
i have never heard of any of those places.. hanuman lives in bkk so he knows all the places..
it might be nice to hire peter to take you around either before or after burma
Jul 16th, 2012, 08:08 PM
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Aside from being the wrong day, Amphawa is wayyyy on the other side of Bangkok. Ancient City (Muang Boran) is actually the *closest* attraction to the airport.
I would agree that, for two nights, I would change to a city hotel if possible. There really isn't anything of interest close to the airport other than shopping malls.
I would agree that, for two nights, I would change to a city hotel if possible. There really isn't anything of interest close to the airport other than shopping malls.
Jul 17th, 2012, 09:45 PM
#7
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Many thanks for your replies (and from all my favourite posters too!)
It seems you are all in agreement that it makes sense to stay in the city and we have decided to do just that. The places I had listed really did not excite me and it just makes more sense to take it easy the first day after a long flight and do an initial exploration of the city.
We (now) have one day to start in Bangkok, 2 weeks in Burma, 3 days more in Bangkok, 4 days in Chiang Mai and a week for R&R in Koh Lanta---it's all coming together and we can't wait! Will post a trip report when we return.
Cheers!
It seems you are all in agreement that it makes sense to stay in the city and we have decided to do just that. The places I had listed really did not excite me and it just makes more sense to take it easy the first day after a long flight and do an initial exploration of the city.
We (now) have one day to start in Bangkok, 2 weeks in Burma, 3 days more in Bangkok, 4 days in Chiang Mai and a week for R&R in Koh Lanta---it's all coming together and we can't wait! Will post a trip report when we return.
Cheers!
Jul 18th, 2012, 12:01 PM
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"catch up on sleep and acclimatize ourselves..."
*
Don't sleep too late the first day. The sooner you get your body clock on Thai time the better it will be for you.
A hotel in the city will be better. You will have more things to walk to in the evening too. Local travel agencies can set you up with single tours but usually buy today leave tomorrow. Some same day tours can be arranged for evening dinner cruises or city night tours. Some hotels have tour desks selling the same tours.
Rail service in Bangkok:
http://www.urbanrail.net/as/bang/bangkok.htm
*
Don't sleep too late the first day. The sooner you get your body clock on Thai time the better it will be for you.
A hotel in the city will be better. You will have more things to walk to in the evening too. Local travel agencies can set you up with single tours but usually buy today leave tomorrow. Some same day tours can be arranged for evening dinner cruises or city night tours. Some hotels have tour desks selling the same tours.
Rail service in Bangkok:
http://www.urbanrail.net/as/bang/bangkok.htm
