Bangkok transits - hotels and rail

[RooFlyer]

Got two overnight stays in Bangkok coming up between flights and would be grateful any advice. Its been over 20 years since I was last there :shock: .

Going out, arriving at BKK fairly late and leaving abt midday next day, so I'm looking at airport hotel and the Novotel there. I have Accor gold, better than nothing (but not much), but are there any airport alternatives? Comments on the Novotel?

Coming back, arriving in the morning, out mid morning next day, so thought I'd head into town and AriyasomVilla has taken my fancy as a bit of a post-rushed-trip wind down. Anyone stayed there?

To get to the latter, I'm thinking of taking the Airport Train to a station near Makassan; its about 700m from the hotel; then getting a taxi. Would that be the go? OR for some-one who dislikes the hassle of airport transfers for just an overnight stay, should I look for a hotel very close to an Airport Train station? Such as?

 

[get me outta here]

I just stayed in a cheapy near the airport that is fine for one night. Free pick up and drop off. But, I guess you'd rather the Novotel. It's Mariya Boutique Hotel for 1500 THB.

 

[Timtammi]

The Novotel is really quite nice as airport hotels go. Stayed there several times and it's very convenient.

 

[markis10]

I would probably take the train to a Holiday inn express downtown, $60 or so a night, there is a good chance I will be doing exactly that next week.

 

[RB]

We stayed at the Novotel in July & really enjoyed the experience. We thought the food options for lunch & dinner were a real highlight & enjoyed a few happy hour drinks around the pool. There are certainly quite a few cheap choices close to the airport if that is the way you decide to go & the success of their pick up drop off systems can be checked pretty well on trip advisor

 

[MEL_Traveller]

i would take a taxi straight from the airport and forget the train. It costs about $10-15 for a taxi, right to your door.

 

[RooFlyer]

i would take a taxi straight from the airport and forget the train. It costs about $10-15 for a taxi, right to your door.

Yeah, that's what I was wondering; single leg journeys are my preference. But mid morning ... would the traffic to, say, 2/3 the way to downtown not be horrendous?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah, that's what I was wondering; single leg journeys are my preference. But mid morning ... would the traffic to, say, 2/3 the way to downtown not be horrendous?

It depends. The early morning peak seems to subside by around 9.30. The afternoon peak starts around 4-4.30.

Very early morning, between 10-12, 2-4, and then again in the evening after about 7 are all sort of ok for taxis in my experience.

 

[Timsboot]

I recommend going downtown if you have two nights. Stay in the Sukhumvit area. Lots of hotels to choose from between Siam and Asoke. The problem with the airport train is that it runs every fifteen minutes, takes 32 minutes and has limited stops. Means that if you have luggage and want to get to the interesting areas to stay then you have a lot of train changing, platform waiting and luggage carrying to do. If you want to make the airport trip in a taxi but have it be a little more manageable, then book a transfer. I use SP Limousines (google them). Trip down town cost 1,000-1,200 thb ($35-$40). Is a lot for Thailand but you get a very comfortable car, zero confusion as to destination and (most importantly) seat belts front and back

 

[Archphoto]

I recommend going downtown if you have two nights. Stay in the Sukhumvit area. Lots of hotels to choose from between Siam and Asoke. The problem with the airport train is that it runs every fifteen minutes, takes 32 minutes and has limited stops. Means that if you have luggage and want to get to the interesting areas to stay then you have a lot of train changing, platform waiting and luggage carrying to do. If you want to make the airport trip in a taxi but have it be a little more manageable, then book a transfer. I use SP Limousines (google them). Trip down town cost 1,000-1,200 thb ($35-$40). Is a lot for Thailand but you get a very comfortable car, zero confusion as to destination and (most importantly) seat belts front and back

I'll second all of this - AirportLink is great with HLO, but a nightmare with anything else!!

If you do like the Novotel, you can always use the AL to get to-from Phayathai (BTS) to your hotel, it's quick and reliable - I use it regularly for my regular transport to BKK as I live between Tapchang and Hua Mak stations. Note that it does cease after 00:00 and can be a bit of a nightmare during peak hour as well - we locals like to use it more than the visitors it seems!

 

[get me outta here]

I interpret this to mean 2 separate overnight stays. As such, I'd relax close by and forget going into town if it were me.

Got two overnight stays in Bangkok coming up between flights and would be grateful any advice. Its been over 20 years since I was last there :shock: .

 

[JohnK]

Is the Novotel around $200/night? No thanks.

Plenty of options around Lat Krabang with free pick up from airport and return to airport. Regent, the 2 Convenient hotels and one other I have forgotten name. Only 2-3 star hotels but more than adequate for me.

The more I visit Thailand the less I want use taxis. Loathe them. Train to Makassan should be simple. I would do it to spite the taxis.

 

[get me outta here]

I just stayed in a cheapy near the airport that is fine for one night. Free pick up and drop off. But, I guess you'd rather the Novotel. It's Mariya Boutique Hotel for 1500 THB.

Tripadvisor: Mariya Boutique Residence at Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand): See 421 Hotel Reviews and 186 Photos - TripAdvisor


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[RooFlyer]

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice.

I interpret this to mean 2 separate overnight stays. As such, I'd relax close by and forget going into town if it were me.

Correct; single nights either side of a trip further on. First night - get in about 10pm, out next morning, so airport stay a no brainer for me. Second time I get in at noon, so will have time to look around, therefore time to go into town to stay and wouldn't mind checking out that nice hotel I mentioned in OP.

Is the Novotel around $200/night? No thanks.

Plenty of options around Lat Krabang with free pick up from airport and return to airport. Regent, the 2 Convenient hotels and one other I have forgotten name. Only 2-3 star hotels but more than adequate for me.

The more I visit Thailand the less I want use taxis. Loathe them. Train to Makassan should be simple. I would do it to spite the taxis.

Novotel about $150 that night but from what I can gather its a decent place (as are nearly every Novotel), close to the airport by shuttle and I don't want a hassle arriving late at night. I loath any hotel transfers, except private limos . Appreciate the advice re other availability though. Maybe next time when I get my bearings there.

I'll second all of this - AirportLink is great with HLO, but a nightmare with anything else!!

If you do like the Novotel, you can always use the AL to get to-from Phayathai (BTS) to your hotel, it's quick and reliable - I use it regularly for my regular transport to BKK as I live between Tapchang and Hua Mak stations. Note that it does cease after 00:00 and can be a bit of a nightmare during peak hour as well - we locals like to use it more than the visitors it seems!

I will have a case with me. For the other, non Novotel stay, what would you say to my catching a taxi (or the limo service someone else mentioned) from the airport to downtown area to the hotel around noon on a weekday, and heading back out to the airport about 6am also on a week day? Crazy, or OK with patience? Going in not so worried, but would want to get to the airport by 7am next day. Here's the hotel location:

 

[Timtammi]

For the other, non Novotel stay, what would you say to my catching a taxi (or the limo service someone else mentioned) from the airport to downtown area to the hotel around noon on a weekday, and heading back out to the airport about 6am also on a week day?

We stayed at the Centara Central World 2 weeks ago and took a limo from the hotel to the airport at 2pm on a weekday and it took about 45 mins. Looking at that map its quite close to the hotel you have marked. It was a bit slow to start with but once they get on the freeway it was easy peasy. Hotel had advised an hour but it took less than that.

 

[Archphoto]

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice.



Correct; single nights either side of a trip further on. First night - get in about 10pm, out next morning, so airport stay a no brainer for me. Second time I get in at noon, so will have time to look around, therefore time to go into town to stay and wouldn't mind checking out that nice hotel I mentioned in OP.




Novotel about $150 that night but from what I can gather its a decent place (as are nearly every Novotel), close to the airport by shuttle and I don't want a hassle arriving late at night. I loath any hotel transfers, except private limos . Appreciate the advice re other availability though. Maybe next time when I get my bearings there.




I will have a case with me. For the other, non Novotel stay, what would you say to my catching a taxi (or the limo service someone else mentioned) from the airport to downtown area to the hotel around noon on a weekday, and heading back out to the airport about 6am also on a week day? Crazy, or OK with patience? Going in not so worried, but would want to get to the airport by 7am next day. Here's the hotel location:

View attachment 36262

That hotel is rather nice - a small boutique hotel; photographed it last year for Thai Airways Magazine. Taxi/limo for me with this one - you would need to change to BTS at Phayathai from the AirportLink and brave the locals for some space, then find a cab to take you from the closest station (Ploenchit) to the hotel. It's also rather hidden, so could take a while to find for the cab driver (although nothing unusual!!).

At 6am you shouldn't have any problems - although always plan for the unexpected, rain included!! 1 hr should be fine, can extend to 1.5 if you're concerned and spend the extra time in the lounge if you do arrive earlier.

Taxis are fine, although I do prefer a limo service whenever I travel, that way I know it's there waiting for me and how much it will cost.

They have a taxi rank outside that has somebody write down your details etc in case you have problems; seriously though I find it a waste of time, as I had a rather heated argument with a cab driver in April and reported him - never heard anything back despite giving email address and Thai phone number.

EDIT: I just noticed that it's near Makassan AL Station, so you could get off there and take a cab if you wanted to.

 

[RooFlyer]

Tripadvisor: Mariya Boutique Residence at Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand): See 421 Hotel Reviews and 186 Photos - TripAdvisor


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Thanks too. Will look at that as Novotel alternative. Accor Gold doesn't get you much (extra) ...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Got two overnight stays in Bangkok coming up between flights and would be grateful any advice. Its been over 20 years since I was last there :shock: .

We had a 24 hour stay at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi when we arrived on TG ex PEK at 2100 & were flying out just over 24 hours later on TG to BNE (on our way back from GUM ) so it's handy if you are arrving in the evening & departing in the evening as it takes care of day use.

If you stay there make sure you check out the massive hard cover book called 'Suvarnabhumi Airport of Smiles' or something to that effect - best piece of propaganda I've read in a long time. I was going to take a few photos of some of the quotes but forgot. It's in the draw of the desk in the room.

It's full of quotes from a range of tourists worldwide brimming with praise of how brilliant the airport is "because the staffs(sic) are always smiling" "the attendance(sic) are always happy and smiling". These quotes are apparently from tourists from Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands who would not use such grammar.

It's blatantly obvious it's written by locals trying to sound like tourists as their assumption is biased in the opinion that the only concerns international visitors have is whether airport employees will be smiling. All the tourists are so gobsmacked with the airport you'd think it was the 8th wonder of the world.

 

[Archphoto]

. . . . . . . All the tourists are so gobsmacked with the airport you'd think it was the 8th wonder of the world.

It was impressive about 10 years ago, but now it's rather ho-hum. Although I could be biased - I'm there at least once a week these days and have almost memorised every gates' Airline group. :O

 

[JohnK]

Hotel limos?

Only ever use them if desperate like a 4:00am departure from Holiday Inn Chiang Mai where it's not easy to get taxi.