Bangkok

Berserker

Need to travel to Bangkok at the end of next month for a few days and I have a few queries. Firstly, on researching flights, I keep finding flights via Moscow with Aeroflot that are considerably cheaper than the other options, €150+ cheaper to be more precise. The total journey time is very similar to the other options. Do I need to get a visa for my transfer in Moscow airport, for example. Just wondering if there is something I am missing. Secondly, can anyone recommend a district in Bangkok for a quiet four or five star hotel. Lastly, what is the visa situation in Thailand? Can I get one on arrival or do I need to apply for one?

First Up

Berserker wrote:

Need to travel to Bangkok at the end of next month for a few days and I have a few queries. Firstly, on researching flights, I keep finding flights via Moscow with Aeroflot that are considerably cheaper than the other options, €150+ cheaper to be more precise. Just wondering if there is something I am missing. The total journey time is very similar. Do I need to get a visa for my transfer in Moscow airport, for example. Secondly, can anyone recommend a district in Bangkok for a hotel. Lastly, what is the visa situation in Thailand? Can I get one on arrival or do I need to apply for one?

Berserker wrote:

Need to travel to Bangkok at the end of next month for a few days and I have a few queries. Firstly, on researching flights, I keep finding flights via Moscow with Aeroflot that are considerably cheaper than the other options, €150+ cheaper to be more precise. Just wondering if there is something I am missing. The total journey time is very similar. Do I need to get a visa for my transfer in Moscow airport, for example. Secondly, can anyone recommend a district in Bangkok for a hotel. Lastly, what is the visa situation in Thailand? Can I get one on arrival or do I need to apply for one?

If you have an Irish passport you don't need a visa for a short visit. Reports I've heard of the flight via Moscow would not encourage me to use it, unless you enjoy extended periods in close proximity to drunken Russian heavies and their molls.

Berserker

First Up wrote: »

If you have an Irish passport you don't need a visa for a short visit. Reports I've heard of the flight via Moscow would not encourage me to use it, unless you enjoy extended periods in close proximity to drunken Russian heavies and their molls.

Thanks for the reply. I had my suspicions about Moscow. My other options are via Abu Dhabi with Eithad or Frankfurt with Lufthansa. The Abu Dhabi option would break up the flight nicely, I suppose. British passport has a 30 day short stay exemption also, so that is fine.

First Up

Berserker wrote:

Thanks for the reply. I had my suspicions about Moscow. My other options are via Abu Dhabi with Eithad or Frankfurt with Lufthansa. The Abu Dhabi option would break up the flight nicely, I suppose. British passport has a 30 day short stay exemption also, so that is fine.

Abu Dhabi works OK. The flights tend to be busy as many are going on to Australia but its a good service. My personal preference is BA nonstop from London.

irish_goat

EVA air fly direct from London, generally regarded as a fairly decent airline. There is a direct BA flight from London but it's a one of the older planes and generally gets bad reviews e.g. broken entertainment systems.

There's also Qatar via Doha from Dublin.

whisky_galore

First Up wrote: »

If you have an Irish passport you don't need a visa for a short visit. Reports I've heard of the flight via Moscow would not encourage me to use it, unless you enjoy extended periods in close proximity to drunken Russian heavies and their molls.

Went long haul via Moscow, the only thing vaguely threatening were the dour airport staff.

Caranica

irish_goat wrote: »

EVA air fly direct from London, generally regarded as a fairly decent airline. There is a direct BA flight from London but it's a one of the older planes and generally gets bad reviews e.g. broken entertainment systems.

There's also Qatar via Doha from Dublin.

EVA are great. Flew with them when they used to fly to BKK via AMS

First Up

whisky_galore wrote:

Went long haul via Moscow, the only thing vaguely threatening were the dour airport staff.

Glad to hear it. I know someone who was punched in the face by a (female) fellow passenger!

First Up

irish_goat wrote:

EVA air fly direct from London, generally regarded as a fairly decent airline. There is a direct BA flight from London but it's a one of the older planes and generally gets bad reviews e.g. broken entertainment systems.

Haven't used EVA - yet. I've used BA Business and Premium economy and both grand; everything worked!

whisky_galore

First Up wrote: »

Glad to hear it. I know someone who was punched in the face by a (female) fellow passenger!

The layout in the airport was awful, something like 8 booths for checking passports followed by a single additional check at one solitary door. Took an eternity just to get into the place.

First Up

I meant to answer your question about where to stay.

"Quiet" is not a word that fits a description of Bangkok in general and it is a city better embraced for all its noise, colour and atmosphere. I stay in the Sukhumvit area which has everything you could want for dining or shopping and the Sky Train makes everywhere accessible.

But each to his own so maybe look at this site for more information. https://nerdnomads.com/where-to-stay-in-bangkok

I would not recommend the Khao San Road area - unless you would like Temple Bar on steroids.

Berserker

Berserker wrote: »

can anyone recommend a district in Bangkok for a quiet four or five star hotel.

We spend a few nights here a few years ago.
It's a very quiet part of the city but its on the skytrain route so easy to get around.
Fantastic trip !

https://www.hansarhotels.com/hotels/bangkok/

BohsCeltic

Berserker wrote: »

can anyone recommend a district in Bangkok for a quiet four or five star hotel. Lastly, what is the visa situation in Thailand? Can I get one on arrival or do I need to apply for one?

No visa needed. For Airlines i like Emirates the best. For Hotel the Landmark Hotel is nice and in a good location on Sukhumvit Rd a short walk to the sky train( I have never used it btw but it's really close by)..

JohnCleary

Thailand Visa - If Irish passport, you are Visa Exempt for 30 days (15 if arriving by land). When you go through immigration you'll get a stamp in your passport.

We've flown Etihad, Emirates, Qatar to BKK - All fine (777 or 787 Dreamliner) - Always flew business so can't comment much on pricing.

This year we're flying Turkish to BKK via IST. Personally, I preferred the 50/50 break-up via the other carriers, whereas this time it will be approx. 4 hour and then 10 hours (or thereabouts). Again, can't comment on price as we're flying Business.

When in BKK, we always stay in Hotel Icon, Soi 2, Sukhumvit - Close to the SkyTrain, excellent rooftop pool and usually never more than 2,000 THB

BohsCeltic

JohnCleary wrote: »

Again, can't comment on price as we're flying Business.

For pricing the most i have paid in the last 3 years was €540 return, Cheapest was €480.
So not too much of a difference.

OP are you using skyscanner to check ? I only use that as a search tool then go to the official airlines page to book just incase.

JohnCleary

BohsCeltic wrote: »

For pricing the most i have paid in the last 3 years was €540 return, Cheapest was €480.
So not too much of a difference.

OP are you using skyscanner to check ? I only use that as a search tool then go to the official airlines page to book just incase.

Christ, I need to start flying Economy

Good point re. Skyscanner... use it only as a general pricing tool. Book direct with the airline; in the event of any mishaps you can deal directly with them.... trust me, it's worth the extra few quid.

Also as mentioned previously, Bangkok you will either love or hate. I love it. I've collectively spent over 40 nights in Bangkok and I still haven't even scratched the surface. We'll have about 6 nights there on our upcoming trip and i'll still be seeing new things, although every time i'm there 1 day is gone visiting a penpal in BangKwang Prison and another with Urban Neighbors of Hope, a charity based in Klong Toei slum.

irish_goat

Anyone any advice on which areas are best to book for accomodation? Want to be reasonably near nightlife but also handy for the airport train. Tempted by the Pratunam area.

BohsCeltic

irish_goat wrote: »

Anyone any advice on which areas are best to book for accomodation? Want to be reasonably near nightlife but also handy for the airport train. Tempted by the Pratunam area.

If you have a bit of money i would just get a taxi to the airport. Nightmare dragging a suitcase around. Will cost just over a tenner.

First Up

BohsCeltic wrote:

If you have a bit of money i would just get a taxi to the airport. Nightmare dragging a suitcase around. Will cost just over a tenner.

And could take two hours.

irish_goat

It's a honeymoon holiday so we can afford to splash out on a taxi by all means, but yeah, the traffic is what worries me. I'd rather get a train to somewhere in the centre and taxi from there at the very least.

retalivity

irish_goat wrote: »

It's a honeymoon holiday so we can afford to splash out on a taxi by all means, but yeah, the traffic is what worries me. I'd rather get a train to somewhere in the centre and taxi from there at the very least.

The train from the airport goes right by pratanum, although that area is mainly markets. Its not far from sukhumvit though, so could get the train to there and get a taxi if staying in the sukhumvit area. The airport train is handy, directly under the airport and only 60baht

First Up

retalivity wrote:

The train from the airport goes right by pratanum, although that area is mainly markets. Its not far from sukhumvit though, so could get the train to there and get a taxi if staying in the sukhumvit area. The airport train is handy, directly under the airport and only 60baht

Train to the airport is quick, cheap, reliable and easy to get to.

listermint

irish_goat wrote: »

It's a honeymoon holiday so we can afford to splash out on a taxi by all means, but yeah, the traffic is what worries me. I'd rather get a train to somewhere in the centre and taxi from there at the very least.

Most hotels do transfers for free.

Why not and the hotel.

irish_goat

listermint wrote: »

Most hotels do transfers for free.

Why not and the hotel.

The one I'm looking at, the Akara, does a free shuttle to the Skytrain.

Just more wondering if I'm miles away from decent nightlife in that area.

First Up

irish_goat wrote:

The one I'm looking at, the Akara, does a free shuttle to the Skytrain.

Definitely the way to go.

irish_goat wrote:

Just more wondering if I'm miles away from decent nightlife in that area.

I don't know the immediate area but you are very close to Sukhumvit which is buzzing.

JohnCleary

If traffic is heavy we get the BTS/ ARL.

If not much traffic, we use Grab. Highly recommend Grab, saves the BS of drivers not wanting to use the meter etc.

BohsCeltic

First Up wrote: »

And could take two hours.

Everytime it has only taken me about 30 minutes. After a long flight i just find it easier to come out and take a taxi to hotel. I can speak some basic Thai which i think helps in never being ripped off.

It's also good to have the address of the hotel on your phone or a print out. Especially if it's translated to Thai.

First Up

BohsCeltic wrote:

Everytime it has only taken me about 30 minutes. After a long flight i just find it easier to come out and take a taxi to hotel. I can speak some basic Thai which i think helps in never being ripped off.

That's arriving. A taxi on the way in is tempting and you are not under time pressure. A taxi to the airport to catch a flight out is trickier.