Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=Csun213; 1400635]I was advice to take Airport rail link train to Makkasan station. Then to take a taxi from there to Nana area. How easy would be to get a taxi during rush hour from Makkasan station and also about how much I should pay to get to Nana area?

Another guy thinks I should just take Airport link train to Phaya Thai, then transfer to the BTS Skytrain Sukhumvit line and take that to Nana.

Which way would be better in your opinion for traveling during rush hour? I do have a rolling luggage with me. Thanks[/QUOTE]If you take a taxi from the airport to Nana during rush hour, you will be stuck in traffic for a long, long, long time (be sure to empty out your bladder before getting into the taxi) ; however, it's the easiest way to get there if you've never been to Bangkok.

My preference is the airport train to Phaya Thai. Phaya Thai is the final terminal for the airport train line. When you get off the airport train, follow the other passengers with luggage to the Phaya Thai station, buy a ticket at the BTS ticket counter (if you'll be there for several days, buy a BTS pass) , look for the train going to On Nut, get on-board, and exit at the Nana station. The BTS is a fairly easy transit system to use since there's only two lines. If you're an experienced traveler and have used subways / trains in other countries, you shouldn't have a problem. If you're not sure, there's always an English speaking passenger (another tourist) on-board or on the platform who you can ask for direction or advice.

When you get on the BTS train, be sure you can look out the window to see the station platform names. They will announce the station's name over the train's public address system, but I only believe what I can see so I always look for the station's name on the platform. The two stations before Nana are Chit Lom and Phloen Chit so you know that you have to get off after Phloen Chit.

At rush hour, the BTS trains can be very crowded. Since you'll only have a rolling luggage, it should be too much of a problem. If you've got bulky or more than one luggage, take a taxi.

Be safe, but have fun!

[QUOTE=Goatscrot;1400783]Ah, gotcha. Yep, dishes are about 100 baht per at 55 and no prices on the menu. I quite like the minced pork and olives. We have never really had a bad meal there and have eaten there once a week for the last few years. Sorry you did not enjoy it.[/QUOTE]Yes I liked it too and if charged right I can go back, why not. What is the special dish that you mentioned before?

[QUOTE=Yujin; 1400784]If you take a taxi from the airport to Nana during rush hour, you will be stuck in traffic for a long, long, long time (be sure to empty out your bladder before getting into the taxi) ; however, it's the easiest way to get there if you've never been to Bangkok.

My preference is the airport train to Phaya Thai. Phaya Thai is the final terminal for the airport train line. When you get off the airport train, follow the other passengers with luggage to the Phaya Thai station, buy a ticket at the BTS ticket counter (if you'll be there for several days, buy a BTS pass) , look for the train going to On Nut, get on-board, and exit at the Nana station. The BTS is a fairly easy transit system to use since there's only two lines. If you're an experienced traveler and have used subways / trains in other countries, you shouldn't have a problem. If you're not sure, there's always an English speaking passenger (another tourist) on-board or on the platform who you can ask for direction or advice.

When you get on the BTS train, be sure you can look out the window to see the station platform names. They will announce the station's name over the train's public address system, but I only believe what I can see so I always look for the station's name on the platform. The two stations before Nana are Chit Lom and Phloen Chit so you know that you have to get off after Phloen Chit.

At rush hour, the BTS trains can be very crowded. Since you'll only have a rolling luggage, it should be too much of a problem. If you've got bulky or more than one luggage, take a taxi.

Be safe, but have fun![/QUOTE]Thanks for the advice. This is probably why my friends told me to take the train rather than taxi.

[QUOTE=Csun213;1400807]Thanks for the advice. This is probably why my friends told me to take the train rather than taxi.[/QUOTE]I've seen even taxi drivers telling people to take the BTS at peak times. Ok, she was a Thai passenger, ahah.

[QUOTE=Scorchin1470;1400719]Lso, you have just spent $750to get to BKK and you are worried about a $10 taxi fare. Think common sense.[/QUOTE]I got the impression he is more concerned about time and not money in respect of getting from the Airport to Nana. I think this boils down to priorities. Some people don't care if they have to sit in traffic for two hours or more they just want to relax after a long flight. Some people don't want to take a taxi as they have been sitting on a plane for multiple hours and would prefer to stand on a train, even if it is busy.

I don't see it as one way is right and the other wrong, they are just different.

Regards.

BJ

[QUOTE=Harold444;1400658]In conclusion-I know she lostatleast 10 more barfines over the next 6 weeks from me. One might say 90% fun rate is good, give her another chance, it really is good but the felling just drained out of my being-just lost all interest in her. LOL.[/QUOTE]I believe everyone deserves a second chance. You said yourself the spoilage rate was one in ten, that's pretty good stats. We all have off days and I'm sure she didn't ask for the sore throat. You never know she might even try to make it up to you on the next bar-fine! What do you have to lose? 2, 000 baht and an hour or so out of your life.

Regards,

BJ

[QUOTE=Yujin; 1400784]If you take a taxi from the airport to Nana during rush hour, you will be stuck in traffic for a long, long, long time (be sure to empty out your bladder before getting into the taxi) ; however, it's the easiest way to get there if you've never been to Bangkok.

My preference is the airport train to Phaya Thai. Phaya Thai is the final terminal for the airport train line. Since you'll only have a rolling luggage, it should be too much of a problem. If you've got bulky or more than one luggage, take a taxi.

![/QUOTE]Hi Csun. First, it's a shame that the Airport Information sub-forum (Suvarnabhumi Airport Transportation Fact Sheet) is so badly out of date. All this info should be there, but isn't. Anyway, I have only one comment (about luggage) and one suggestion (about the express train from the airport).

If have more than one rolling suitcase, the train link will be a hassle, but I would still recommend it, at least to Phaya Thai. Yujin is right, that the BTS train cars will be crowded. If you are patient or a veteran of other crowded subways (think New York for example) this shouldn't bother you. Two stops after you board at Phaya Thai, the cars will empty out at Siam, only to fill up again, immediately. If you are impatient and don't have subway elbow skills, get a taxi from Phaya Thai. There is a taxi desk and the attendents will get one. This is still shorter by probably an hour, compared to taxi from the airport. Your mileage may not vary, but the time in transit will. (and either way, take a leak before you leave the airport!)

The express train is about 70 baht and makes only one stop before Phaya Thai. Go to the LEFT as you see the airport link entrance. The express leaves every 30 minutes but the seating is MUCH nicer and there is allocated luggage space.

[QUOTE=TimTimGuy; 1400832]If have more than one rolling suitcase, the train link will be a hassle, but I would still recommend it, at least to Phaya Thai. .

The express train is about 70 baht and makes only one stop before Phaya Thai. .[/QUOTE]Good grief, your on vacation. Getting to express train, maybe waiting 30 mins for it to leave, exiting at Phaya Thai, then getting a taxi to hotel. Quicker than a taxi out front of Airport, no waiting whatsoever? I doubt it very much. Inconvenience with baggage via train etc. All to save $7-10? Your on vacation. And your most probably new to Thailand. Taxi son, taxi.

Hi. Does anyone recognise this club? I only know its nearish Bangkok RLD.

It was on a utube vid but the name of he club wasn't said. Cheers Nickc

[QUOTE=Csun213;1400807]Thanks for the advice. This is probably why my friends told me to take the train rather than taxi.[/QUOTE]Aitport aside, I would also try staying away from taxis as much as possible if there is BTS service to what ever area of interest. If sight seeing, use the canal taxi getting to the Thai Palace and other select areas. Cost is dirt cheap compared to the other methods, and a lot more fun. There are stops for many of the equivalent BTS stops along the Nana line.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O0GrMpo-kA[/url]

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB-CT11sU8k[/url]

[QUOTE=TimTimGuy; 1400832]Hi Csun. First, it's a shame that the Airport Information sub-forum (Suvarnabhumi Airport Transportation Fact Sheet) is so badly out of date. All this info should be there, but isn't. Anyway, I have only one comment (about luggage) and one suggestion (about the express train from the airport).

If have more than one rolling suitcase, the train link will be a hassle, but I would still recommend it, at least to Phaya Thai. Yujin is right, that the BTS train cars will be crowded. If you are patient or a veteran of other crowded subways (think New York for example) this shouldn't bother you. Two stops after you board at Phaya Thai, the cars will empty out at Siam, only to fill up again, immediately. If you are impatient and don't have subway elbow skills, get a taxi from Phaya Thai. There is a taxi desk and the attendents will get one. This is still shorter by probably an hour, compared to taxi from the airport. Your mileage may not vary, but the time in transit will. (and either way, take a leak before you leave the airport!)

The express train is about 70 baht and makes only one stop before Phaya Thai. Go to the LEFT as you see the airport link entrance. The express leaves every 30 minutes but the seating is MUCH nicer and there is allocated luggage space.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the information. I only have 1 rolling luggage which is not very heavy. I did try to read up as much I could on the airport train into Nana. I read that there are a lift at the stations however no lift when I arrive at Nana station and would need to walk 94 steps down to the street. I have taken Bart train here in San Francisco so I know how crowd the train gets sometimes. Since the BTS ride is pretty short (I believe around 3 stops) , I don't think standing around until my stop would be a big deal.

I have been to Bangkok before but have always taken a taxi from the airport since I usually arrive around 11pm when there are no traffic but this time I am stopping in Taipei, Taiwan which is why I am arriving in the middle of the rush hour.

Thanks guys for all the help and information. You are a great bunch of guys and always ready to answer my questions which I really appreciate.

Bossy club.

[QUOTE=Nickc; 1400843]Hi. Does anyone recognise this club? I only know its nearish Bangkok RLD.

It was on a utube vid but the name of he club wasn't said. Cheers Nickc[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Sxxxx;1400838]Good grief, your on vacation. Getting to express train, maybe waiting 30 mins for it to leave, exiting at Phaya Thai, then getting a taxi to hotel. Quicker than a taxi out front of Airport, no waiting whatsoever? I doubt it very much. Inconvenience with baggage via train etc. All to save $7-10? Your on vacation. And your most probably new to Thailand. Taxi son, taxi.[/QUOTE]I don't think the point was to save money, it was to save time. However, for me I'd still take the taxi for the convenience regardless of time.

With respect to rush hour traffic, the expressway should be okay as the traffic will be going the other way. The big issue is the exit onto Sukhhumvit. This can take quite some time. For me, it took about 30 minutes one time.

When I worry the traffic will be bad, I usually take the fixed fare option instead of the meter. It gives the driver an incentive to get to your destination as quickly as possible and it only costs a little more than with the meter.