BANGKOK ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION

The easiest way of getting into the city is to take one of the three airport buses (5am-11pm; every 30min; B70), which pick up from outside each terminal, and, traffic permitting, take about ninety minutes to the end of the line. Route A1 runs along to the west end of Thanon Silom, via Pratunam and Thanon Rajdamri; route A2 goes to Sanam Luang, via Victory Monument, Democracy Monument, Thanon Tanao (for Thanon Khao San), Thanon Phra Sumen and Thanon Phra Athit (Banglamphu); route A3 runs along Thanon Sukhumvit to Soi Thonglor via the Eastern Bus Terminal. Public buses are cheaper, but slower and crowded; the bus stop is on the main highway just outside the northern end of Arrivals. Ordinary buses run frequently all day and night, with a reduced service after 10pm; the air-conditioned buses stop around 8.30pm. The train (55min; B5-50) to Hualamphong Station is the quickest way into town, and ideal if you want to stay in Chinatown, but services are irregular; follow the signs from Arrivals in Terminal 1. Never take an unlicensed taxi from the airport, as robberies and even murders of new arrivals are not unknown. Licensed taxis are operated from clearly signposted counters outside Terminal 1: you can choose either a pre-determined fare in an unmetered cab (B250 plus, depending on your destination), or a metered cab, which is usually less expensive, though in both cases you'll have to pay an extra B50 in expressway tolls, plus a B50 booking fee.

If you need to stay near the airport, try the upmarket Amari Airport Hotel (tel 02/566 1020; $80 and over), just across the road from the international terminal, or call the We-Train guesthouse (tel 02/929 2301-10; $15-20), which has dorms (B140 a bed) and comfortable rooms, and operates a pick-up service from the airport.