Unless you had something specific in mind to do in Bangkok I would stay put at the airport.
Take a walk inside the airport if you want break up time in lounge.
What day of the week/time of day is the layover?
Saturday @ 11:00
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What time and day was the BTS so packed? It's normally quite quiet outside of peak, but I prefer to walk to Siam. 15 minutes walk.
Hope the lounge was cool and welcoming.
Well, well .....
Hard to say what was the right thing to do.
15 min in lounge just to book a spa spot and to have a drink followed by a wandering long walk back to 'priority' immigration exit only to be faced with a quizzical look from the officer 'Where are you STAYING in Bangkok ?'
A short explanation was offered and accepted. That was followed by more walking downstairs to the Left Luggage office where it took 3-4 min to park the carry on (passport was required).
More walking downstairs to the City Line train with a 5-min wait followed by a 30-min train ride to Praya Thai station.
It was a hot, humid, crowded station and the things that hit the eyes were the concrete.
After having a brief walkabout seeing more concrete and some fried chicken in the deserted market next to the station, I made a detour .. back to the station for plan B.
Bought a ticket to Siam on the BTS line - got to the metro and ... I backed off seeing that it was jammed to the brim with passengers.
Quickly I beat a retreat ..... back to Suvarnabhumi !
Sure, the little flagellation consumed 90-100 min or so to break up the rather lengthy (6.5 hrs) F lounge stay.
Writing this post after the 60-min Royal First massage and a hot shower !
Would I do it again ?
Probably not !
I'd probably fire up the Kindle instead.
We used the BTS throughout the day on a Monday mid January. Full every time. Some people left behind for next train. I do not remember it this full.What time and day was the BTS so packed? It's normally quite quiet outside of peak, but I prefer to walk to Siam. 15 minutes walk.
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Not meaning to hijack your thread, but what would you suggest if I was arriving at 1500 on a Thursday and leaving just after midnight?
Not meaning to hijack your thread, but what would you suggest if I was arriving at 1500 on a Thursday and leaving just after midnight?
JV
? Lounge access
? Fast-Track eligible (J or F BP)
Those two factors materially impact on what's possible.
The lines out / in without fast tracking are horrendous.
Allow 60 min for airport link to Phaya Thai station (incl return).
Without fast track eligibility I'd not move from the airport - not worth the hassles.
Lounge access would tilt the equation towards staying airside.
1500 - 2400: quite a long wait
Your choice in the end !
Even my aimless walkabout helped to break up the monotony a little (with the emphasis on the 'aimless'). It helps to have that walkabout after sunset - mine was when the sun was up.
We will be flying J so that's a yes to lounge and fast track.
I'm thinking of heading into the city for dinner/drinks but open to suggestions.
Well, well .....
15 min in lounge just to book a spa spot and to have a drink followed by a wandering long walk back to 'priority' immigration exit only to be faced with a quizzical look from the officer 'Where are you STAYING in Bangkok ?'
A short explanation was offered and accepted.