cc001 Posted December 5, 2019 #1 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Hi Everyone, Does anyone know the easiest, safest and most reliable way that doesn't involve the ship to get from port to bangkok? We overnight there and want to travel from the port one day, overnight stay ourselves and then back the next day to join the ship again, I have spoken to TUI and they don't seem willing to help us out with this request as they just want to fill seats on all coaches on both days. Any advice much appreciated, as the pre booking options with third parties also seem to be a bit of a headache! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinburgher Posted December 7, 2019 #2 Share Posted December 7, 2019 (edited) As nobody else has commented, can I make a few suggestions? Put this thread on to the Asia Forum. Much more likely to get up-to-date info on there. The other easy way to get info is to go on to the Asia Forum and use the SEARCH box, remembering to tick "THIS FORUM". All previous threads on this topic will appear and you can read them. You could also go on to the Roll Call for this ship and sail date as you may find others willing to share the rides on both days if you agree a drop off point on Day 1 and a meeting point on day 2. If there is no Roll Call started, then set one up. And there are many sites such as whatsinport which give you the info, also you can do a simple internet search on eg "how to get to Bangkok from Laem Chabang". Lots of people do what you are planning as it gives much more time in Bangkok. They also do it at other overnight ports. What you should check is if you need to have your actual passport with you so you can check-in to a Bangkok hotel. (sometimes the ship holds your passport for some countries/ports) And let the ship know you will be away overnight. And check you won't need a visa if you are not onboard the ship. And anything else you might need to know. You could also ask about the passport and other info needed on the Asia Forum. Hope some of the above helps. Edited December 7, 2019 by edinburgher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1 Posted December 8, 2019 #3 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Hi,quick search shows taxi app 50 quid each way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxw17 Posted December 8, 2019 #4 Share Posted December 8, 2019 There will be lots of taxis it can be a long journey due to traffic so allow time when going back on the ship. If there is a roll call you could maybe hook up with others to share the cost. There are more information on a social media web site love the far east Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepeb Posted December 12, 2019 #5 Share Posted December 12, 2019 On 12/5/2019 at 4:20 AM, cc001 said: Hi Everyone, Does anyone know the easiest, safest and most reliable way that doesn't involve the ship to get from port to bangkok? We overnight there and want to travel from the port one day, overnight stay ourselves and then back the next day to join the ship again, I have spoken to TUI and they don't seem willing to help us out with this request as they just want to fill seats on all coaches on both days. Any advice much appreciated, as the pre booking options with third parties also seem to be a bit of a headache! We are thinking of doing this o first day of our trip. So arrive from airport, stay in bangkok and travel next day to ship. Havent started checking this out but will this wek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John Bull Posted December 12, 2019 #6 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Yes, overnighting in a hotel in Bangkok makes a lot of sense, avoids going back and forth at about 2 hours each-way and gives you an evening in the city. We've done that a couple of times. There's no suitable public transport from Laem Chabang, and the taxis available on-spec at the port are a cartel with sole rights and excessive pricing. So it's important to pre-book a private transfer. Google for options, and choose from only those with plenty of good independent reviews. For the return from Bangkok a taxi booked thro your hotel will probably be cheaper, but the operators on-line offer a discount for booking both ways so the total is likely to be about the same. First time we joined up with a day-trip that had started (& finished) in Bangkok. We booked a car from Laem Chabang to the Summer Palace at Bang-Pa In, where we joined up with the tour coach at 9am. Toured the Summer Palace, then short drive to three sites in the ancient Siamese capital city of Ayutthaya, then drive to the Chao Phrya River where we boarded a cruise boat & sailed down the river into Bangkok - by far the most scenic way to go into Bangkok. Seats on the coach had been saved for us, and they didn't want money up-front, we paid the guide when we got to Bangkok. So that involved a lot of trust on their part and it worked out well - that was a few years ago, they may be less trusting nowadays. http://www.grandpearlcruise.com/en/route-program/ayutthaya-round-trip.html That time we stayed at the Sheraton Royal Orchid, right on the river at River City Pier. But it's pretty expensive nowadays. Early this year we stayed at https://www.booking.com/hotel/th/new-siam-ii.en-gb.html Not in the centre of things, but tolerably handy to the Grand Palace (25 min walk or negotiated tuk-tuk ride), a ferry /hop-on boat pier, and just round the corner from an eclectic mix of cheap but good street bars & restaurants. In Bangkok do take a one-hour long-tail boat ride through the klongs (canals) The drive back to the ship can theoretically be as little as 90 minutes, but traffic can be bad so allow a bare minimum of 2.5 hours before back-on-bard time. JB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisevirgin66 Posted December 12, 2019 #7 Share Posted December 12, 2019 If you're on Facebook there are a couple of groups where people going on that cruise are doing the same as you. Lots of posts in the Marella Discovery groups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deniseatnycs Posted December 14, 2019 #8 Share Posted December 14, 2019 Hopefully, fixed soon but there is a problem with the ship (Discovery). Its going slow so missing ports and if your sailing before January 8th there is a changed itinerary. May be wise to check before booking any non refundable trips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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