6 1/2 hrs stop-over in BKK: stay or walkabout

[dajop]

What day of the week/time of day is the layover?

 

[JohnK]

Unless you had something specific in mind to do in Bangkok I would stay put at the airport.

Take a walk inside the airport if you want break up time in lounge.

 

[legroom]

Unless you had something specific in mind to do in Bangkok I would stay put at the airport.

Take a walk inside the airport if you want break up time in lounge.

I have nothing in mind except that I may run out of things to look at airside !

Yes, I am sort of ambivalent about going out for effectively three hours for a walkabout.

What day of the week/time of day is the layover?

Saturday @ 11:00

 

[SuzieQ68]

Personally, I think it's a bit short, so I'd spend some time in the TG F Lounge (enjoying some downtime with a massage), then take a walk around the airport - it's massive and worth having a wander even if you don't spend any $$. Finish off in the F Lounge freshening up before you head off again.

 

[dajop]

Saturday @ 11:00

OK, if you've never been there (or even if you have), one option instead of doing the big western style shopping centre thing at Paragon Siam (might as well stay at the airport!), change at Phaya Thai station to BTS Skytrain and head north 5 stops to Mo Chit and visit Chatuchak market, which is open on Saturdays and Sundays. It's not what it used to be but still can be interesting and you can enjoy some delicious coconut ice cream and other snacks.

At the end of the day, this thread could go on forever with people for or against going into Bangkok. Really up to you to decide on the day, whether you feel like it or not at the time. It can be done on a 6 hr layover - with express pass you should easily be in town within 90 minutes of landing - it's just up to you whether you feel like doing it or not. Nobody here can decide that for you.

 

[legroom]

I don't think I would make a decision either way until disembarking from the incoming flight.

See how it feels like.

Enough info here to say it's ok to stay & enjoy the F lounge and at the same time it's doable to have a 3-hr walkabout in town.

The Chatuchak market is a good tip, even just for a drink.

 

[legroom]

Well, well .....

Hard to say what was the right thing to do.

15 min in lounge just to book a spa spot and to have a drink followed by a wandering long walk back to 'priority' immigration exit only to be faced with a quizzical look from the officer 'Where are you STAYING in Bangkok ?'

A short explanation was offered and accepted. That was followed by more walking downstairs to the Left Luggage office where it took 3-4 min to park the carry on (passport was required).

More walking downstairs to the City Line train with a 5-min wait followed by a 30-min train ride to Praya Thai station.

It was a hot, humid, crowded station and the things that hit the eyes were the concrete.

After having a brief walkabout seeing more concrete and some fried chicken in the deserted market next to the station, I made a detour .. back to the station for plan B.

Bought a ticket to Siam on the BTS line - got to the metro and ... I backed off seeing that it was jammed to the brim with passengers.

Quickly I beat a retreat ..... back to Suvarnabhumi !

Sure, the little flagellation consumed 90-100 min or so to break up the rather lengthy (6.5 hrs) F lounge stay.

Writing this post after the 60-min Royal First massage and a hot shower !

Would I do it again ?

Probably not !

I'd probably fire up the Kindle instead.

 

[Pushka]

Hope the lounge was cool and welcoming.

 

[Cynicor]

What time and day was the BTS so packed? It's normally quite quiet outside of peak, but I prefer to walk to Siam. 15 minutes walk.

 

[legroom]

What time and day was the BTS so packed? It's normally quite quiet outside of peak, but I prefer to walk to Siam. 15 minutes walk.

Maybe I was just unlucky - Sat 13:30

Partly because I was in the mood for a saunter, not commuting so any standing-room-only was a turn off.

Hope the lounge was cool and welcoming.

Thank goodness it was, esp. after the hot shower.

 

[RB]

Well, well .....

Hard to say what was the right thing to do.

15 min in lounge just to book a spa spot and to have a drink followed by a wandering long walk back to 'priority' immigration exit only to be faced with a quizzical look from the officer 'Where are you STAYING in Bangkok ?'

A short explanation was offered and accepted. That was followed by more walking downstairs to the Left Luggage office where it took 3-4 min to park the carry on (passport was required).

More walking downstairs to the City Line train with a 5-min wait followed by a 30-min train ride to Praya Thai station.

It was a hot, humid, crowded station and the things that hit the eyes were the concrete.

After having a brief walkabout seeing more concrete and some fried chicken in the deserted market next to the station, I made a detour .. back to the station for plan B.

Bought a ticket to Siam on the BTS line - got to the metro and ... I backed off seeing that it was jammed to the brim with passengers.

Quickly I beat a retreat ..... back to Suvarnabhumi !

Sure, the little flagellation consumed 90-100 min or so to break up the rather lengthy (6.5 hrs) F lounge stay.

Writing this post after the 60-min Royal First massage and a hot shower !

Would I do it again ?

Probably not !

I'd probably fire up the Kindle instead.

I think the drink time would be most of the 15 minutes? We have never had to stand around waiting for an answer, just sat , drank & waited for the staff to come & tell us what times are available?

 

[JohnK]

What time and day was the BTS so packed? It's normally quite quiet outside of peak, but I prefer to walk to Siam. 15 minutes walk.

We used the BTS throughout the day on a Monday mid January. Full every time. Some people left behind for next train. I do not remember it this full.

 

[Timba-Jet]

2 stops or 4-5 mins in a crowded but air conditioned train to get to Siam... hmmm. Though I could see the lure of F lounge calling, I'd rather that than Townhall @ Sydney peak hour.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Not meaning to hijack your thread, but what would you suggest if I was arriving at 1500 on a Thursday and leaving just after midnight?

 

[legroom]

Not meaning to hijack your thread, but what would you suggest if I was arriving at 1500 on a Thursday and leaving just after midnight?

JV

? Lounge access

? Fast-Track eligible (J or F BP)

Those two factors materially impact on what's possible.

The lines out / in without fast tracking are horrendous.

Allow 60 min for airport link to Phaya Thai station (incl return).

Without fast track eligibility I'd not move from the airport - not worth the hassles.

Lounge access would tilt the equation towards staying airside.

1500 - 2400: quite a long wait

Your choice in the end !

Even my aimless walkabout helped to break up the monotony a little (with the emphasis on the 'aimless'). It helps to have that walkabout after sunset - mine was when the sun was up.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not meaning to hijack your thread, but what would you suggest if I was arriving at 1500 on a Thursday and leaving just after midnight?

Anything over 8 hours and I would certainly be leaving the airport. Whether that is to:

• the Novotel (walk-up temporary rates seem to be cheaper than booking in advance, but there's the issue of availability)
• a local hotel (3 star for around USD40, including airport pick-up - they'll be waiting for you just outside the arrivals door)
• the city for a wander - although given your arrival time I'd probably jump in a taxi to somewhere like Vertigo rooftop bar at the Banyan Tree. If the weather is good (not raining) the city views and sunset would be a good excursion. You might also want to go somewhere like Healthlands for a traditional Thai massage. There is a branch in Sathorn not too far from the Banyan Tree.

 

[Jacques Vert]

JV

? Lounge access

? Fast-Track eligible (J or F BP)

Those two factors materially impact on what's possible.

The lines out / in without fast tracking are horrendous.

Allow 60 min for airport link to Phaya Thai station (incl return).

Without fast track eligibility I'd not move from the airport - not worth the hassles.

Lounge access would tilt the equation towards staying airside.

1500 - 2400: quite a long wait

Your choice in the end !

Even my aimless walkabout helped to break up the monotony a little (with the emphasis on the 'aimless'). It helps to have that walkabout after sunset - mine was when the sun was up.

We will be flying J so that's a yes to lounge and fast track.

I'm thinking of heading into the city for dinner/drinks but open to suggestions.

 

[BensAdventures]

We will be flying J so that's a yes to lounge and fast track.

I'm thinking of heading into the city for dinner/drinks but open to suggestions.

I've been to BKK so many times, and I would certainly leave the airport if you have 8+ hours between flights. Either the airport link or taxi will get you close to the action quick enough. For dinner, I'd had down around Thonglor and enjoy the variety of quality eating options... There are some good bars there too...

 

[Cynicor]

I'd do dinner and drinks and take the train/BTS both ways.

 

[matan100]

Well, well .....


15 min in lounge just to book a spa spot and to have a drink followed by a wandering long walk back to 'priority' immigration exit only to be faced with a quizzical look from the officer 'Where are you STAYING in Bangkok ?'

A short explanation was offered and accepted.

Hi legroom, just wondering what sort of explanation you provided with immigration? Were they ok with you just saying you were popping out for a few hours?