14-15hr layover at Bangkok Airport
Replies: 19 - Last Post: Nov 7, 2012 2:25 AM Last Post By: silvercharm
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14-15hr layover at Bangkok Airport
Hi guys,I have a terribly long layover in Bangkok(no way I could get a better flight), arriving early morn, 08.00am and only fly out at midnight. Is it worth the trouble going into the city walking around till my legs fall off, or where could I get a nice clean hotel to shower and sleep for a few hours, like 4 or 5hrs and walk around the rest and eat something before returning to the airport.
Also traffic wise from the city centre to the airport is it hectic, should I get a cab like 21.00 or something, or earlier to be safe?
1
You can take the airport rail link into town. But, at 8:00AM and at 9:00PM, traffic isn't going to be that bad. It's really your decision if you want to go out for the whole day or not. There is also a left luggage space at the airport which is nice if you don't really want to carry anything. It's quite cheap also.2
That's a lot of time...you can easily "make a day of it."Catch the LINK Express train into town to the Phaya Thai BTS Station (takes 17 minutes, leaves every 1/2 hour). From there you can either take a taxi to see some sights -- Grand Place, Wat Po, Chinatown, Wat Arun -- or the BTS to Chao Phraya River ferry, shopping at Siam or Asoke (Terminal 21), etc.
A regular hotel is going to cost you a day's rate no matter how short your stay. You could go to a "short time" hotel in one of the "entertainment" districts and negotiate a short stay (for a nap & a shower).
An alternative would be to walk till you're tired then go to a spa and get a relaxing four hour massage (with a shower).
The LINK train runs until midnight.
5
Yeah, it'd be a shame to miss Bangkok and spend the whole day sitting at the Mr Donut at BKK. (OK, maybe I'm the only one who finds the Mr Donut the most enjoyable part of the airport, but nobody finds any part of it that great.)The train is like $4 each way and if you leave airside, you may have to pay a 500 baht "passenger service fee" to get back in. If you have have a bag to leave it's $2. A number of low-end hotels in Bangkok will rent you a room for three hours for around $10 (don't ask me how I know, but they will be a little puzzled you're checking in by yourself). So those are the downsides.
The upsides? Some of the best food in the world. Lots to see and do. Good shopping. Convenient transport. A shower in the middle of the long flight.
7
take the 'city' airport line, as the express is 3 x the cost and they go to the same place. takes just a few minutes longer, and you definitely have time to kill. 15 hrs would be brutal. hit one of the malls, food courts, maybe take in a movie, for a rest.airport link to and from. traffic is brutal at those times.
plenty of inexpensive rooms, don't have to be 'short time' room.
this site will pull up some real bargains and you can specify area and price cheap resting spots
8
There's a Mr. Donut at the airport? How the hell have I missed that all these years?
Dunno. My first time through Suvarnabhumi, nostalgically mourning Don Muang, I noticed it, but I didn't have time to stop. Actually, my next four or five times, either I was in a hurry or it was closed or something. Last time, I finally managed to eat there. Meh.
9
No Mr Donut in Suvarnabhumi, but there is a Dunkin' Donuts on the basement level where the Airport Rail Link goes from, along with a Subway and 7-11.Back to the OP, I agree with westwood...what brilliant hours for a layover. I would definitely go into Bangkok if I were you and have a shop, wander, stuff your face with food and then round it off with a massage before you go back to the airport.
10
No Mr Donut in Suvarnabhumi,
Look here, Loubbylou, there are a lot of things I know nothing about. I know nothing about professional sports. I didn't know who won the World Series until I got caught in the middle of the the parade on Market Street. I know nothing about wine. I don't understand women or French. I've never seen a Harry Potter movie.
But there are two things I know about: South-east Asian airports and doughnuts.
The Mister Donut in Suvarnabhumi is located in F Concourse, next to the Auntie Annie's, the pretzel place. It has its own Facebook page!
11
Is concourse F airside? I have never seen a Mr Donut in Bangkok airport...only the Dunkin' Donuts at the ARL level of the airport.Malvolio, I am happy to defer to your knowledge of all things doughnuts in SE Asian airports. I admit, I haven't really noticed doughnut places as I rarely eat them and my partner hates them so it's always a bit piggy to buy doughnuts and scoff them all myself!
12
you may have to pay a 500 baht "passenger service fee" to get back in
If it is an international connection, the fee is 700 baht. The tax has not been included in the price of the ticket. This is signposted at Passport Control as you exit.
I'd go for it. That's one dull airport to get stuck at. I'd save the 700 baht in the amount of beer I would consume in that time!
