“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
~Abraham Lincoln
Thailand is one of the most visited places every year and thus, all the travel planner websites propose various packages that provide an opportunity to explore only those areas that are the hive of activity. That is when the vlogs, blogs and Google come to your rescue. It takes backbreaking labour to research about the places that hide the untouched charm and wonder. Adding to the research, the job of finding cheap yet comfortable means of transport and economic accommodation can put you at your wit’s end.
Media is famous for its bait and switch tactics. Looking through the magnifying glass, we have to filter our options and choose the best that fits the bill. Travel packages, no doubt, offer a more convenient way of travel via private cabs/taxis, but the feeling of accomplishment when you plan your travel on your own form the scratch is incalculable.
Thus, to make your trip joyous, comfortable and complacent, we have listed some of the travel options that are not only cheap but also easy.
Swarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) ——– Main City
Our place of stay was located in Sukhumvit Soi 18. Most of the hotels are either located at the Sukhumvit Soi (Street) or near Ratchadamri.
• If you are not carrying too much luggage, opt for the Bangkok Airport Rail Link. The image below lists the stations/ stops of this metro.
• To reach Sukhumvit, buy a ticket to Makkasan and at that station ask for the underground train station to Petchburi.
• Buy a ticket to the next station (Sukhumvit) and board the train.
Main City ——– Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun
All these temples are located in close vicinity. Book a cab through GRAB and enter the drop location to the Grand Palace. The rest can be explored on foot.
Siam Paragon is one of the most expansive complexes that houses the Wax Museum, the Ocean World and also offers bountiful opportunities to window shop as the complex has posh brand stores. To reach Siam Paragon, we used Bangkok Sky Train (map here).
Accommodation in Bangkok
We stayed with our uncle but Airbnb and Booking.com can help you book budget hotels. It is advisable to book six months in advance lest you miss the amazing deals.
Sukhumvit Soi 18 ——– Don Muang (Bangkok)
The distance between Sukhumvit Soi 18 and Don Muang is 24.8 km. Book a cab through GRAB and that will charge you between 600-700 THB. Don Muang is the domestic airport and if you are planning to travel to Phuket next, you will have to catch a plane from here.
Bangkok ——- Phuket
We booked a flight from Bangkok to Phuket and took a cab (booked through GRAB) to our Hotel Sinu House. Tourist attractions in Phuket are located in the centre of the city. Book a cab (GRAB or a private taxi- GRAB will charge you more here) and explore Big Buddha, Baan Teelanka (Upside Down House, The Tree House, and The Maze) and Promthepe Cape View (the southernmost tip of Phuket).
Details of the private taxi drivers
- Tip: Book your hotel near the pier if your plan is to go for Island tours (which can be booked via https://www.phukettoursdirect.com). Try to book the deal that offers pick up and drop because eastern side of Phuket does not offer many travel options.
- Book your hotel in the main city if your plan is to explore the tourist attractions and the very famous Patong Beach.
Phuket ——- Koh Phi Phi
One of the best options available for Island Hopping in Thailand is that we can book the ferry rides one day before the plan and that too online. We used https://www.phuketferry.com/ and got great deals on the packages.
Accommodation in Koh Phi Phi
Using Booking.com, we booked our stay at Panmanee Hotel in Koh Phi Phi. Located centrally on the island, the hotel was not only reachable but also very well kept.
In and around Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi is a small dumbbell-shaped island that can be explored in a day. Walking around admiring the market dripping with colours and the restaurants giving out the luscious aroma, Koh Phi Phi is not to be missed!
We stayed at Koh Phi Phi for a night and then headed to Ao Nang.
Koh Phi Phi ——- Ao Nang
Booking our ferry through https://www.phuketferry.com/, we reached Ao Nang. Yet again, we had opted for a package that offered pick up an drop. We were booked in The Nine Hotel (Booking.com). It was closer to the beach and was located in close proximity to the market. Island Hopping from Ao Nang can also be done by booking the tour one day in advance. Opt for a tour that offers both- pick up and drop.
Ao Nang ——– Krabi Airport
To board the flight back to Bangkok, we used Airport Shuttle that runs between Ao Nang and Krabi (150 THB/ person). Request the hotel staff to book one for you.
Hope this information comes in handy. Travelling to a new country is a different ball game. Each country presents the tourist with an embarrassment of riches; there are so many options that one finds it very difficult to choose the right one. That is when others’ experiences help.
Do let us know in the comment section if you have used any other mode of transport that was more comfortable than GRAB.
Keep Travelling!