Guide to Bangkok

After hearing all the hype about how cheap the clothing and how good the food is in Bangkok, my boyfriend and I decided to set Bangkok as our destination this summer. Below are some information that we have gathered during the trip. Those of you that are planning your own free and easy trips to bangkok may find this Guide to Bangkok useful.

Trip Information (guide to bangkok)

Destination: Bangkok, Thailand
Time Difference: Bangkok is 1 hour before SingaporeScreen Shot 2013-08-18 at 6.13.27 PM
Duration: 8 days
Date: 1st Aug 2013 – 8th Aug 2013
Flight: Jetstar (Singapore Changi Airport to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport)
Accommodation: Hotel Novotel Bangkok Platinum
Amount Spent: Approximately 1000SGD

Flight: Jetstar (guide to bangkok)

Amount Spent on flight: S$249 nett/pax
Price is inclusive of all airport taxes as well as 15kg baggage to Bangkok and 25kg baggage back to Singapore. (refer to picture below for more information)

Flight Details

Flight Details 

Reason for choice:

We used a flight comparison website (www.momondo.com) to filter out the cheapest flight. At the point of booking, Jetstar provided the cheapest option.

Flight Tips:

  • select a lighter check-in baggage weight for the departure flight so that you can save some money.
  • check-in time at hotels is usually around 2pm. So selecting a flight that reaches the destination at around 12.40pm could save some waiting time. At the same time, you can maximize your time at your destination.
  • use flight comparison websites for an easy and comprehensive way to get the cheapest flight.

Accommodation: Novotel Bangkok Platinum

Amount spent on accommodation: 15760.03 THB per room (equivalent of approx. S$640)

Price is not inclusive of breakfast.

Hotel Booking Details

Hotel Booking Details

our room

our room

 

Reason for Choice:

1. International Brand

Since novotel is an international brand, and I am satisfied with my previous stays at hotels under the brand, i’m a satisfied returning customer.

2. Good Location

Novotel Bangkok Platinum is linked to one of the most popular tourist spots in Bangkok – Platinum Mall. An escalator from the hotel lobby leads straight to the mall. On top of that, it is right opposite another tourist spot, the Pratunam Market. There are also many popular food places within walking distance from the hotel. Their BTS (our MRT) is only about 10mins from the hotel. If you are interested to visit the tallest building in the city – Baiyoke Sky Tower, it is also within walking distance from the hotel.

3. Cheap Rate

If you notice from the picture above, our room rate is at a 50% off. This is due to a promotion that Accor (the hotel group that Novotel is under) was having when we booked the hotel.

Tips:  (guide to bangkok)

  • Check Accor website for any promotions before proceeding to book the hotel. The promotion is for accor members only. So do sign up for a membership with accor to receive promotional updates.
  • It is not necessary to include hotel breakfast during your stay. There are many cheap and good food venues near the hotel.
  • If you wish to try the breakfast in the hotel, you could upgrade your room for the last night of your stay to the executive floor with executive lounge benefits. We did that for around S$57. At this price, you get breakfast, cocktail as well as all day refreshments for 2 pax. Other benefits are as follows:

Executive Floor Guests Benefits

Executive Floor Guests Benefits

 

Transportation

1. Airport to Hotel

It is advisable to take the Airport Rail Link from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport to your hotel. The rail link is fast, convenient (linked to the airport) and cheap. Not to mention clean as well. The cleanliness level is almost comparison to Singapore’s. The stations are as follows:

Airport Rail Link Map

Airport Rail Link Map

Taking the rail from the airport to our hotel at pratunam took around 20mins. We got off at the Rajprarop station and walked to the hotel from there. The trip cost only around 40THB (S$1.60).

Interior of the Airport Rail

Interior of the Airport Rail

2. Places to Places

By Train (BTS) : I took the train a lot during my trip. Mainly because it is very convenient, clean and fast. Their train system is very much like Singapore’s. You can download the Bangkok BTS MRT App for reference. The app includes the area map of each station.

By Taxi: The reason why I didn’t take the taxi as much during my trip was because taking taxi at touristy places are rather tricky. It is hard to get a taxi that is willing to run by meter at those places. The prices quoted by the taxi driver are more often than not more expensive than the meter rate. I experienced it first hand when I was at chatuchak market. When running on meter from the hotel to chatuchak, the price was only 80THB. What was quoted to me when I flagged a cab when going back to the hotel was a much inflated 500THB. Having that said, taking the taxi from the hotel was always a breeze because the concierge will negotiate with the taxi drivers for the meter rate. (another reason why I love novotel, their concierges are awesome!)

Also, another important note is that if you sense the slightest hint of rain, try to get a cab as soon as possible (if you are planning to take the cab). Taxi fare shoots up when it rains. Try to avoid taking a taxi during peak hours (8am-11am, 4pm-8pm). Traffic in Bangkok is even more congested than Singapore. During peak hour, it is a pain to sit in a cab that hardly moves.

 

With all the above information, you should be able to start planning for your Bangkok trip. Will blog more about my itinerary, the must visit places as well as the food places that I visited soon. I hope this Guide to Bangkok has been useful for you! I enjoyed myself a lot in Bangkok and I hope you would too. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me.  (guide to bangkok)

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2 Comments on Guide to Bangkok

  1. Raymond Teo
    5 October, 2015 at 9:53 AM (1 year ago)

    As a Singaporean who used to work in Bangkok, I must recommend you visit GreyHound Cafe, and BedSupperClub !

    Reply
    • Carina
      18 October, 2015 at 11:10 PM (1 year ago)

      Thanks for the recommendation Raymond. Will visit when I get the chance!

      Reply

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