Bangkok for a week in October, when to book?

Everynamestaken

I am looking at Saturday 3rd October until 10th October.

Those dates are pretty much set in stone as I'm going to Spain from Manchester airport on Sunday 11th October.

I will be going alone (and meeting a friend for a couple of days). I've been looking at various options and it seems to be around 800 pound for the type of hotels I am looking at.
Virgin holidays seems to be coming out over 900 and British airways the same, as it's factoring in that I would have to fly down from Manchester to Heathrow and vice versa.

Anyone got any ideas on best way to save money. Qatar airways seems to the cheapest but a one hour connection time doesn't fill me with confidence that's all. British airways would be my preferred option, but flight alone with them is alot more expensive, and I'm unsure if the holidays would discount later on in the year.

I'm thinking about booking the flights then hotels at a later date, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance for the all replies.

PeacefulWaters

If you want to stretch to business class, book today!

http://www.headforpoints.com/2015/05/14/qatar-launches-new-2-for-1-business-class-sale-prices-from-700/

(Just a thought)

19lottie82

Hi, not really 100% relevant to your OP, so apologies for that, but.....

I've been to Thailand a few times and Bangkok is cool for a couple of days, but if I were you, after that, I'd consider seeing some other parts of Thailand. Internal flights are cheap and quick. It's such a lovely country, I wouldn't waste a whole week in Bangkok.....

19lottie82

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

If you want to stretch to business class, book today!

http://www.headforpoints.com/2015/05/14/qatar-launches-new-2-for-1-business-class-sale-prices-from-700/

(Just a thought)

Good deal but the OP is going alone.....

PompeyPete

Everynamestaken wrote: »

Qatar airways seems to the cheapest but a one hour connection time doesn't fill me with confidence that's all.

Don't worry about the connection times with Qatar Airways. Doha is their hub, and you won't get left behind other than for something really serious. They're an excellent Airline. We're flying with them to Vietnam at the beginning of September, and only have a 90 minute stopover in Doha, and we aren't concerned.

The important thing with a short stay in Bangkok is to pick accommodation close to the BTS (Skytrain), MRT (Underground), or River Ferry. Imo, Bangalamphu ticks all my boxes, and we stay right by the Chao Phraya River at the New Siam Riverside Hotel....

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293916-d1763955-Reviews-New_Siam_Riverside_Guest_House-Bangkok.html

It's mid-range, swimming pool, terrace by the river, and includes an excellent buffet breakfast included. Don't take any notice of the odd negative review. The hotel is a two minute walk from Pier 13 for the public River Ferry, and there are loads of [non sleezy] bars and restaurants nearby, and Khao San Road is a 10 minute walk.

Don't stay in Bangkok for all your trip. A couple of side trips that don't involve hanging around in airports are...

- Kanchanaburi [Bridge over the River Kwai] (by train), and easy to organise yourself...

http://www.seat61.com/Bridge-on-the-River-Kwai.htm

- Ayutthaya [Ancient capital of Siam](by train), and another easy DiY trip...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Ayutthaya

Doshwaster

19lottie82 wrote: »

Hi, not really 100% relevant to your OP, so apologies for that, but.....

I've been to Thailand a few times and Bangkok is cool for a couple of days, but if I were you, after that, I'd consider seeing some other parts of Thailand. Internal flights are cheap and quick. It's such a lovely country, I wouldn't waste a whole week in Bangkok.....

Yup - Bangkok is one of my favourite cities in the world for 2-3 days but then you'll want to get out of the city for some fresh air and some peace and quiet.

Fortunately, Bangkok is the centre of the Universe for budget travel so there are loads of options by road, rail or air.

vegasvisitor

I've been twice. First time went for a week just to Bangkok, did a day trip to the bridge. There's lots to do in Bangkok.

Second trip we spend 3 nights in Bangkok, 3 in Hua Hin, then back to Bangkok for 3 nights. We've stayed at Chatrium Riverside, Anantara Riverside, and Pullman King Power. All good.

Everynamestaken

Firstly, thankyou for the kind responses. Taking a few things into account. I booked from Manchester with Qatar to Bangkok on October 3rd. I'll be arriving back Monday just after midday and then a couple of hours later I'll be going to Spain until Thursday.

After careful deliberation I've decided not to book the hotels yet, and then I'm not restricting myself as much. I am looking to go visit Angkor Wot whilst I'm fairly close.

I've done plenty of travelling before (granted not in a week), but I certainly aim to make the most of it, so all those links of various destinations are greatly appreciated.

19lottie82

Good choice. October isn't peak season in Thailand so I don't think you need to worry about hotel bookings. Have a great time.

bylromarha

PompeyPete wrote: »

The important thing with a short stay in Bangkok is to pick accommodation close to the BTS (Skytrain), MRT (Underground), or River Ferry. Imo, Bangalamphu ticks all my boxes, and we stay right by the Chao Phraya River at the New Siam Riverside Hotel....

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293916-d1763955-Reviews-New_Siam_Riverside_Guest_House-Bangkok.html

It's mid-range, swimming pool, terrace by the river, and includes an excellent buffet breakfast included. Don't take any notice of the odd negative review. The hotel is a two minute walk from Pier 13 for the public River Ferry, and there are loads of [non sleezy] bars and restaurants nearby, and Khao San Road is a 10 minute walk.

Sorry PP, I'm one of those negative reviews - didn't like it at all. Tiny room and breakfast buffet wasn't great when we were there. Location was fine. Staff were nice, but felt I could have got more for the money we paid for a room you couldn't swing a cat in.

Angkor Wat - Bangkok is an easy enough flight. Don't know if you know you'll need to get a visa to enter Cambodia. If you arrive at the airport on a small turbo prop from Bangkok, the queue for visa for arrival will be tiny, and turned arounf quickly. If you land after a 747, then good luck...

PompeyPete

bylromarha wrote: »

Sorry PP, I'm one of those negative reviews - didn't like it at all. Tiny room and breakfast buffet wasn't great when we were there. Location was fine. Staff were nice, but felt I could have got more for the money we paid for a room you couldn't swing a cat in.

Our room was fine. But if it'd have been like you describe, then I wouldn't have accepted it. In fact we were shown the room before we accepted it.