Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jcan]

Hi everyone. I am a female who will be travelling to Bangkok alone in December and was hoping someone would be nice enough to answer some questions.

1. First of all, would it be a bad idea not to book a hotel ahead of time? I would like to check out some hotels while I'm there. I'm arriving on Dec. 24th, would it be slim pickings by then? Or would a good number of hotels still have vacancies?

2. What is the best way to get from the airport to Bangkok? Are there any shuttle services? If I want to go to a district with a lot of hotels, how would I tell that to a taxi driver (I'm assuming they don't speak English)?

Thanks for your help, I'm a bit nervous going by myself and hopefully I can get some help here.

[Peter Jackson]

I hope you have a nice trip!

Booking a hotel before you get there usually costs you more. I've never had trouble finding a hotel (in over six years of living and traveling to and from) but during Xmas and New Year a lot of the mid-range rooms will be full. Theres's always something in the higher ranges.

In terms of Bangkok, your best best would be Khaosan or Sukhumvit areas...lots of choice though it might involve some leg work...

I've yet to arrive at the new airport but at the old one there were always tonnes of guys in red coats offering hotels...do NOT get a hotel through them! Even the desks marked as HOTEL TOURIST ASSOCIATION would give crappy rooms (don't believe the pictures!) for much more than the walk in rates..

If you're going to the islands I would book ahead in BKK as they will fill up during that week.

Good luck!

[Peter Jackson]

Hi again,

From the old airport there was a bus to all the main districts in BKK. It cost about 120 baht (2.50 USD) As I said, I'm not sure about the new airport. I do know that it is much further out of the city than the old one and a Thai friend who arrived there in August said they only had taxis at that time.

Have a good trip!

[Mashimaro]

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[Drew345]

If you want to go to a 'district with a lot of hotels'. That would probably be Kao San Road. I have never stayed there myself, but that is the only area I can think with many hotel together within walking distance of each other. Like Peter said, many hotels on Sukumwit, but they are rather spaced out and difficult to walk between. Traffic in Bangkok is bad, even driving between the hotels is a pain. I would recommend taking a reservation for the first night anyway (unless you wanted to just go to Kao San road). Note that Kao San road is near the grand temple, but it is far from the skytrain and subway so setting anywhere else from Kao San can be difficult (except by boat).
Maybe book the Ambassador if you want to stay on Sukumwit. It's huge and right in the center. If you want Silom, try Tower Inn. Closer to Siam Square, maybe Asia hotel. Those would be good for a night if they are in your price range.
To get from the Airport, go to the bottom floor and there are two taxi queues there. The taxi is 50 Bt + fare. Very reasonable. The airport is actually just as close to Sukumwit as the old airport, maybe closer. Kao San road would be a bit of a long haul by taxi though. Maybe check on an airport bus if going to Kao San. Don't have details for that.

[lawyertood]

http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/56 for info on public bus service into Bangkok

[jcan]

Thanks a lot for your help, guys.