You could visit Bangkok and Thailand a gazillion times and still find something new to see and/or do. We arrived late at night (or early in the morning, depending on your perspective). Through customs, grabbed bags and hightailed it to the Public Taxi queue for a metered taxi into Bangkok. A Public Taxi from outside Suvrahabhani Airport will run around $10 U.S. plus $2.00 (70 Bahts) for tolls. Don’t fall for all the “Official” Taxi signs inside the airport around baggage claim or the touts and/or booths once you exit customs. Follow the signs to “Public Taxi” ranks, get in line, hand a receipt to the driver who escorts you to his waiting taxi and you are on your way.

Our driver spoke no English but was smart enough to pull over to the side of the road and telephone the Best Western Swana Hotel for directions. TIP: Make sure the hotel telephone number is on your reservation in case it’s needed. The taxi finally pulled up on an unappealing street around 1:00 am in front of a decrepit looking hotel. All I could think was…”Oh my God…what have I booked us into!”

But, there was a porter and security guard at the entrance and once we walked inside, amazement. It was a small, contemporary hotel (no elevator) and, of course, our room was on the 4th floor. The half my size porter threw one suitcase over his shoulder, grabbed the other and the three of us trudged up four floors to a very tiny but clean room. Hey…what do you expect for $60 a night including breakfast and taxes? There was hot water, a shower and to bed, exhausted…

With only one day to spend in Bangkok, an early morning wake up call, breakfast and time to hit the streets to do some new exploring and visit a few favorites…

a typical Thai spirit house
Save up to 40% on Last Minute Fares with Hotwire Limited Rates!