Bangkok Travel Forum

3 Kids, some luggage and 9 hours. We start at the new Airport at 08h00 on a Friday and need to be at the Hua Lamphong Train station by 18h00.
1) What do we do with our luggage?
2) Where should we go? (kids are 3yrs, 7 and 16)(was thinking of going on the canal but wouldn't know where how who and perhaps the Palace - what do you think?)
3) I hear traffic is a problem so what transport would you recommend?
4) Any other advice?
I need to plan our day so that we get the most out of it because we won't be back in BKK again for some time. Any advice welcome!
Thanks A.

You do not say where you'll be starting your journey to Thailand, if you have been a plane for 10 plus hours I would be be careful not to overdo things. Traffic, humidity and possible heavy rain showers at this time of year are other things you need to consider. If you are keen to see some of this fantastic city then I think the best option is to hire a good driver for the day. See my pages for details of Mr Tom. Although this will be a more expensive option it does offer some key advantages -

Tom's car is larger than the average taxi and should be ok for the 5 of you.
Your luggage can stay in the car.
You will have flexibility.
A driver like Tom speaks fair English and can act as a guide.

Regards

John

1) leave it in cloak-room on the train station (go there from airport, then you can go to the city)
2) Chao Praya is very durty river :(~ Dont go there - it is not interesting. Palace + Wat Po is more reasonably. It is beautifull.
3)With small kids ONLY taxi-meter with air-conditioner. +39 in shadow it is dangerous for them!!! And dont forget buy a lot of water
4)I dont think that it is enough time for somthing more. In palace adults without kids spend 3-4 hours.
Have a nice trip

It might be better to just go directly to the train station like the other post mentioned. This way you can verify that you actually have a ticket for the train ride. At the train station you can use the left luggage storage.

You can take a meter taxi from the airport to the train station. There is a meter taxi sign up desk outside arrivals near the curb. Look for a desk with a blue sign at the top that says "Airport Taxi Center." A sign at the bottom in yellow says "Taxi-Meter Only Pay By Meter." From the airport you are responsible for toll charges and you add 50 baht surcharge to the meter fare when you get to the train station. The desk clerk will write down where you are going, tell the driver where to go. He is supposed to see that the meeter fare starts at 35 baht. Check the meter yourself. If you get a meter taxi at the train station there is no surcharge.

From the train station you can use a meter taxi or you can use the subway to get to some places. The subway has a connection with the Skytrain. The subway connection is right at the train station! The Skytrain can take you to many places too! Just another option.

When you take a meter taxi only pay the meter fare. Some of the taxi cabs parked near the train station may not want to use the meter, just walk a bit down from the station and try again. When you bargain the taxi fare you pay more!

While in Bangkok for that short while, you can take the time to find your hotel for next time and book it for your return to Bangkok. This way you will have a place to head for when you return. Why not just keep your day simple by starting with a good meal, then visit some street vendors off Phetchaburi Road, or visit MBK (on a Skytrain stop;) you can kill a whole day there! There are some good food courts at MBK too! Don't wait until the last minute to get to the train station. Pick up some snacks and water for the train ride, maybe some hand wipes too. When going on a tour or just being away from your hotel for a few hours it is a good idea to have some TP in your bag. Some toilets may not have any!

If it was me making your trip and I just arrived off a plane I would have checked into a hotel and taken the train the following day. This way I would have a place for the bags and an opportunity to take a shower. Maybe even catch a nap. I would also schedule at least one final night in a hotel in Bangkok before my flight home. This way I would not worry about connecting flights or other transportation being late. I could also take a shower before the long flight home.

Good luck.

Thank you SirHalberd Sunny Cat and Johnaalex, this is really valuable advice. In retrospect we should have stayed overnight in Bangkok but the train (1st class) was incredibly booked up considering the other bedbug posts!! John I will certainly do a search on your driver and the sky train would be a good option for the kids. The "MK" (was it?) I will have to look up. We are coming from Dubai which is about 45degrees right now so hopefully your humidity won't be too bad.
Thanks so much for your trouble, I have printed it all out so I can use it when we arrive. A.