Guest Wynn90210 Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I will be staying in Bangkok for 5 nights at the Hotel Babylon. I have been told there is a train that goes from the airport to the city. I can't seem to find out if it puts me in the area for my hotel. Is this the best method of transportation? Is this a safe way to travel in Bangkok? Quote
Guest timmberty Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 take the airport link to phaya thai .. the train is found in the basement of the airport .. you can take either the city link or express train 15 bt or 45 bt ... once you get to phaya thai take the bts to siam there you need to change route to sala daeng station .. from there its best to get a taxi as its quite a walk ... and its a bit off the beaten track for public transport .. total cost on the trains will be under 100bt .. http://www.nighttours.com/bangkok/gayguide/gay_map.html?venue_id=2215 number 5 on the link is the babylon sauna ..if you pull the map down and slighty to the right you will see numbers 2,3, and 4 this is where the bts sala daeng is .... Quote
pong Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 can do quicker. 1 that Raillink is 45 bt for cityrail= all stops, crowded, or 90 bt (return valid 2 weeks 150 bt) for express-but expr only runs ev 40 mins or so-if it has just left-quicker to use cityrail anyway. 2. do NOT use skytrain=BTS, but UNDERground=MRT, (rot faay fa taay din), and change at Makkasan-follow crowd, look arrows, luggage will be screened airportstyle before entering, to closest by stop LUMPINI then its walkable, IF you are used to tropics and do not have the tipical ATM-oversized luggage that newbies tend to take. DO print out a local map before trying this-it all seems hidden in dark alleys, that are specially made to learn you that even there its safe enough after dusk.. Of course its safe-these are superfluous Qs from brainwashed Americans, you will be surrounded by 1000s others doing the same-this is Asia. PS-can find any metromap in this world on urbanrail.net, even DC and Atlanta. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 The map on this link may clarify the various airport train possibilities and prices - http://www.suvarnabh...ort_link_en.php Note the trains stop at midnight, and so after then you are stuck with another form of transport. I live quite near to Sathorn Soi 1, and Khun pong is correct in pointing out that the closest station is LUMPINI MRT. Best to take Exit 2 at Q House Lumpini on to South Sathorn, walk straight ahead till you come to the first street on the left. This is Sathorn Soi 1. Walk along about 100 meters and then take Soi Nantha on the right (it's also signposted as Soi Mozart). Babylon is about 80 meters or so down the soi on the left side. However, Sathorn Soi 1 is undergoing major roadworks for several months. It is very rutted and walking along that soi with a case - especially one with wheels - may be a bit of a problem. If you want to try it, the directions are very clear on Babylon's own website. Just click on the map to enlarge it - http://www.babylonba...om/en/direction As Khun timmberty points out, you can also take the Airport Express City Line to Phaya Thai which has a very simple bridge link on to the Skytrain BTS. 2 stops to Siam, change platforms and then 2 stops to Saladaeng. Get off on the side of the big Silom Complex Shopping Centre where it's quite easy to pick up a taxi. Fare to Babylon should be around Bt. 55, unless it is in the rush hour when it could be Bt. 80 or a bit more. Quote
fedssocr Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 Just take a taxi. My ride to the airport from Sala Daeng Soi 1 was about Bt220 on the meter plus 70 for the tolls. From the airport you also have to add the 50 baht airport fee. Of course if you are arriving at rush hour you would pay more and it would take longer. In general the public transit system is great. Quote
Guest thaiworthy Posted December 6, 2012 Posted December 6, 2012 Just take a taxi. Ah, so true. But where's the challenge in that? OP implies he would like to try and use the Skytrain, if possible. Quote
Up2u Posted December 6, 2012 Posted December 6, 2012 I would use a taxi if I had luggage as I have been told the skytrain in not luggage friendly. If I had just a carry-on I would be more adventuresome. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted December 6, 2012 Posted December 6, 2012 The Skytrain is often pretty crowded but plenty of passengers with all sorts of luggage transfer at Phaya Thai. In the rush hours, though, you may have to wait for 3 or 4 trains before you can get on. If the OP does not wish to take a taxi all the way from the airport, another possibility is the airport train to Phaya Thai and then get a taxi from there. But, once again, the rush hour can present a problem in getting taxis! I always take a taxi from the airport. It's just so convenient and you really do not save enough to justify the hassle of trains, Skytrain/MRT, taxis and/or walking - in my view. Quote
Guest Wynn90210 Posted December 6, 2012 Posted December 6, 2012 The detail and information is very much appreciated. I like to travel via public transportation as much as possible. It is just a preference. It also helps me to understand the way people from that area live. also I like to save money on these things so that I can spend it elsewhere on boys and bars. I will not spend money on expensive restaurants and can eat very simple. It has never been a priority for me and I try to save at every opportunity I can. thanks all! Quote
Guest Posted December 6, 2012 Posted December 6, 2012 I shall (again) be using the airport rail link this week, plus the Skytrain to get to my hotel. If your luggage can easily be carried up stairs, it's just fine. In your case, perhaps it's an option to exit the airport rail link at Makkasan and take the MRT from Phetchaburi to Lumphini. The connection at Makkasan is a mess, but Lumphini should be closer to your hotel. Quote
fedssocr Posted December 6, 2012 Posted December 6, 2012 The detail and information is very much appreciated. I like to travel via public transportation as much as possible. It is just a preference. It also helps me to understand the way people from that area live. also I like to save money on these things so that I can spend it elsewhere on boys and bars. I will not spend money on expensive restaurants and can eat very simple. It has never been a priority for me and I try to save at every opportunity I can. thanks all! I am a big fan of public transport too. But taxis are so cheap in Bangkok they shouldn't be discounted. The time and hassle are worth something too. I use the BTS for getting around town once I am in place for most of my trips. I even just got a Rabbit card even though I don't spend too much time in Bangkok. But I think it's better than having to deal with change and until the end of the year they are available at a discount price. Also usable at a number of food and retail places. www.rabbitcard.com Now, if they would get the MRT integrated into the system already it would be perfect. It is basically the same as the stored value cards as used in Hong Kong or Taipei or I am sure a number of other places. Quote
Guest Posted December 6, 2012 Posted December 6, 2012 These Rabbit cards sound good -do they work with no malicious expiry dates? I purchased some kind of card for the BTS, used it and found it no longer worked the next year as the credit expires after a few months (I should read the T&C). Contrast with the Japanese Pasmo cards which can be used on most trains, buses, metro etc and they work perfectly when returning several years later. If one coulr buy a Rabbit or whatever at the airport and then use it on the rail link, BTS & MRT, that would be a good step forward. Quote
