I'll be traveling to Thailand in October for 10 days. It's my first trip to Thailand and I'll be heading there by myself. I've already done a ton of reading here and elsewhere about how to prepare so I think I'm good for the most part. I'm not going for a party, for me it's more about the adventure and finding some places to relax as well. The more I read about Thailand, the shorter 10 days seems. My question to you all is, what would you do if you only had 10 days in Thailand?
I'll be traveling to Thailand in October for 10 days. It's my first trip to Thailand and I'll be heading there by myself. I've already done a ton of reading here and elsewhere about how to prepare so I think I'm good for the most part. I'm not going for a party, for me it's more about the adventure and finding some places to relax as well. The more I read about Thailand, the shorter 10 days seems. My question to you all is, what would you do if you only had 10 days in Thailand?
Start the trip in Bangkok for a few days. During this time you can purchase flights to other cities or be able to take train or bus rides out of the city. Finish up in Bangkok for a final night. This will give you time for last minute shopping and put you in a position for a quick taxi ride to the airport.
Are you a male or female, are you a kid right out of school or someone a little older or even retired? No 1 answer for everyone. Often men and women may have different preferences, same for where to go. Seniors may want things different than kids or those who are under 30 years old.
Remember to wait until you get to Thailand to get your best exchange rate for your money. Read up on how to get from the Suvarnabhumi Airport to your hotel in Bangkok. The time you arrive at the airport will determine what transportation may be available for you. There is a new rail service direct from the airport that can take you into the city for only 15 baht. If you need hotel suggestions mention a price range and you will get some hotel names. My suggestion for an area to get a hotel is the Sukhumvit Road area, low number end. Unless you are a kid or really young then go to Khao San Road where many young travelers head for. My preference is a hotel near the Skytrain route so you can use that overhead rail service to get around the city. No Skytrain in the Khao San Road area.
In Thailand you can obtain tours through local travel agencies pretty fast. These travel agencies have a menu selection of popular tours, they act as tour brokers. Tour company picks you up at your hotel and returns you there at the end of the trip. Very simple.
After paying for your flight to Thailand a few more days in this country would not have cost too much more. Food can be cheap and hotels are in all price ranges from cheapie hostels to full out 5 star luxury hotels.
Up to you.
I think I would go and see the cultural side of Tland instead of hitting the beaches. Bus over to i, 1-2 days, , 1-2 days, up to , and see some of the hill tribes on a trek. Fly back to BKK or overnight bus. Good luck with your planning.
That all sounds good. I've definitely been thinking about Sukhuthai and Chiang Mai as likely stops but I would kinda like to spend a little time on the beach as well even if only a couple days. A day or two at the beginning and end of the trip in Bangkok is cool with me but I don't think I'd like to spend much more time there than that.
I'm not a kid or senior. I'm a 31 year old male and completely content with having a laid back trip.
Can anybody elaborate a bit more on the differences between Sukhumvit Road and Khao San Road in Bangkok?
As for hotels, I'm hoping to pay anywhere between $20-$40 per night throughout the trip in the hopes that it will get me nice, clean rooms. I don't really want anything too rugged if it can be avoided.
"Can anybody elaborate a bit more on the differences between Sukhumvit Road and Khao San Road in Bangkok?"
Lots of kids go to the Khao San area if you want to be around a lot of teenagers that is the place to head for. One big difference between these two areas is that there is no Skytrain stop in the KSR area! The Skytrain can take you around the city cheap and easy. It is an elevated rail service.
The Skytrain can connect you with MBK shopping mall, Chatuchak, Patpong Night Market, Ekamai bus terminal and the subway at Asoke. The subway can take you right to the national train station for rides out of Bangkok. (No Skytrain after midnight.)
You can even take the Airport Rail Link from the airport for 15 baht and connect with the Skytrain at Phaya Thai. Then you can use the Skytrain to bring you close to your hotel in Sukhumvit or Siam area.
You can find hotels in your price range in the KSR area and the Sukhumvit Road area and a few other places too.
This hotel is right at the Phaya Thai Rail Link and Skytrain stop - the Florida Hotel, maybe only a 5 minute walk.
This hotel is a short walk from the Ratchaprarop Airport Rail Link stop. Baiyoke Boutique Hotel.
If I have to use a hotel in Bangkok it is around the 600 baht level. This gives me a private room, with air, hot water, private toilet, TV and maid service.
Here is a hostel if you want one of them:
Soi 1 Hostel. Close to Bumrungrad Hospital if you want to get some discount dental work or just a place to stay.
Ibis Hotel Nana. On Sukhumvit Soi 4. Short walk to Skytrain stop (6-8) minutes. Easy walk to malls, restaurants, travel agencies for tours, street vendors, nightlife (which you can ignore) and modern supermarkets for snacks and other items.
You can take an overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai if you want. In the Chiang Mai area you can also get tours through local travel agencies. Tours to the Golden Triangle area, Long Neck Women villages, elephants and rafting, etc.
Trigong Residence, Chiang Mai.
http://www.trigong.com/index.htm
Nearest cheapest beach you can get to easily from Bangkok is Pataya/Jomtien. Nice beachfront for sunbathing, cheap transportation at 10 baht, lots of malls, street vendors, nightlife, cheap restaurants and travel agencies for tours. Tourists usually do not swim at Pattaya Beach. They swim at Jomtien, off of Naklua and off of Koh Larn Island. (Ferry boat ride to Koh Larn Island is only 30 baht.) You can ignore any nightlife in this area and still have a good time. More and more couples, family groups and even single women head for Pattaya each year because it is good value for the money.
Good luck.
[ 23-Sep-2010, at 11:53 by karazyal ]
Thanks for all the great info. I've bookmarked some of the sites you've recommended and will make a decision a little closer to arrival.
Someone has mentioned to me that the best way to leave the Bangkok airport is via bus in the basement. Can anybody else here confirm that?
"Someone has mentioned to me that the best way to leave the Bangkok airport is via bus in the basement. Can anybody else here confirm that?"
There is an Airport Express Bus that leaves from the airport for various locations in Bangkok. Price is 150 baht. The location for this bus is on the first floor. Two kiosks, one inside the terminal and one just outside at the curb. No bus after midnight.
Even better now is the Airport Rail Link for only 15 baht until the end of the year. Located 2 levels below the first floor. This rail service take you to downtown Bangkok, Pratunam area. Some people just take hotels near this rail link or you can take a taxi from one of the last two stops to your hotel for less than 100 baht. If you get off at Phaya Thai you can switch to the Skytrain (different overhead rail service) and use that to take you to other areas on that route. One stop is Sukhumvit Road, Nana, has lots of hotels in all price ranges. No Skytrain after midnight.
Airport Express Bus:
Skytrain:
Airport Rail Link:
When you take a meter taxi in Bangkok don't bargain the fare, it is cheaper to use the meter! Meter taxi cabs are cheaper than tuk-tuks unless you are Thai. Have small bills for paying taxi cabs, include some change too. Meter taxi from the airport usually comes to around 350 baht to get to most places in Bangkok. This includes the surcharge, fare and toll charges. The price is per ride not per passenger! Two people in a taxi from the airport is not much more than the bus but it is door to door and twice as fast! Remember no Airport Express Bus after midnight. More info on taxi from airport on the same link as Airport Express Bus. (Left side choice.)
Good luck.
I never visited Thailand till now. So firstly I will search for the beautiful and famous places present over there and than I will visit those places.
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