Help! Traveling Directly To Chiang Mai!

[Onidzuka]

So I am going to Chiang Mai next week and I have a couple questions. I being the wise man that I am (sarcasm), took the cheapest flight I could find which also left me in a position where I would arrive at 1am in Chiang Mai. Are there a lot of hotels near by that are in walking distance? Because I am carrying a rather large luggage with me and it would be a hassle to drag that all around the city looking for a place to stay just for the night. And the other thing is, how can I find out about setting up my cell phone? Should I just buy a new cell phone there at the airport (or will I get ripped off doing that?)? Should I bring my current cell phone (ATT) and buy a SIM card and have it "broken" so that I can use it? And how would I go about doing that? Sorry for the questions, this is my first time traveling abroad by myself and for so long and I appreciate any help, thank you.1

[jdinasia]

There will be taxis or "limos" (private cars with set prices) available when you arrive. Take them to a hotel.

[Onidzuka]

I have a feeling I will probably get ripped off but doing that but it's not like I have much choice anyways hahah.

What about the cell phone problem? Thanks btw

[jdinasia]

Private cars with set pricing --- kinda hard to get ripped off. Nobody will be selling phones at 0100

[KhunDave]

There are no hotels within easy walking distance of the airport. Book a room online before you arrive - you don't want to be looking for somewhere in the middle of the night. Availability is no problem as we are in the middle of the smoky season (bring a facemask!). Taxis to the city are a fixed price of 120bt - this is displayed on a sign at the taxi desk.

If you do decide to use your existing phone and need to get it unlocked, there a a number of shops on the third floor of Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall who can do this for a few hundred baht.

[Onidzuka]

Thanks! I will book a room, any recommendations? Or can you link me a site that has multiple hotels please? Thank you.

[KhunDave]

These are both reputable, you can pay online and get instant confirmation:

www.asiatravel.com

www.asiahotels.com

[Carmine6]

I have a feeling I will probably get ripped off but doing that but it's not like I have much choice anyways hahah.

What about the cell phone problem? Thanks btw

Try asking AT&T for the unlock code before you go. They're not as willing to do it as Tmobile, but if you're a long time customer they might. Try telling them that you need to have a local phone number for business purposes or whatever, and can't use roaming.

[sarahsbloke]

top north guest house MoonMuang Soy 2 400bht with air con/ 250bht with fan (nice swimming pool)

Taxi fixed fare of 120 bht from the airport

Phone sim card 100bht in BKK airport (I prefer DTAC) they will get it working for you.

If they can't get it working goto Gat sang Gow shopping precinct in Huay Gow road Chiang Mai, 3rd floor

Edited March 17, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[bifftastic]

all the above is good, book hotel, get taxi.

Buy SIM card the next day, I would un-lock your phone before you leave your home country, it's just easier. Whoever you buy the sim card from in Thailand will set it up in your phone for you and sell you some credit.

It's all easy stuff

Oh, when you book your hotel, let them know what time you'll be arriving.

Enjoy your visit.

[Yunnie]

Taxi from airport is 120BHT for regular sedan size and 180 BHT for the bigger car ( small SUV size - If you have ALOT/ BIG luggage this is want they will get you if you luggage is big) Fixed price to anywhere in town.

Book before you get here. And it kinda depends on where you want to be in Chiang Mai and your budget. I recommend staying away from the west side of Chiang mai. The smog from the fires rolls in and gets stuck at Doi Suthep! lol

I personally like being a bit out from downtown, less noise, crowds, smells, on eastside, and a bit cheaper. lol

I recommend Immeco Chiangmai. Its all those things and cheap. hotel/ hostel in a posh setting. If you book eco package ( 2 nite min 225 B, or the 4 nite min 195 B ) Its a shared room with dorm style bath. You will probably not have to share a room at all cause its low season right now, and the smog chases the people away. lol If you want pictures I can send them. I'm staying here right now. This is my second time here and I still love it. Spending 2 weeks here. Also they have private rooms too. All packages include a yummy buffet breakfast, really good wireless, free bikes too. .

But if you want to be in downtown they also have Immeco Thaphae (quite a bit more expensive). Book a package.

http://www.immhotel.com/index.html

Phone.. There is a 50% chance your phone WILL NOT work even if unlocked so its kinda a waste of money. My parents have had this issue ( both AT&T phones. Samsung and Nokia) before and tossed two phones away here. I would just buy a cheap 1000 BHT one here. and SIMs cards here are mostly Pay as you go. I do know some people who have actual service - where you get voicemail and all - I never looked into it, but I'm assuming its expensive. lol

As for the SIMs I know - They are all cheap in their own way. You pay for the SIM itself then you TOP up your SIM with money. (25 satang per min is the normal. 25 satang is 1/4 of (1)baht.)

Calls within Thailand only - 123 call seems to be what alot of people have.

Call in Thailand and abroad - True Move International.

Call in Thailand w/ option to call Laos and Malaysia for cheap - True Move Thai.

If you have any other questions let me know. Or if you need help.

Edited March 17, 2010 by Yunnie

[shawndoc]

For phone, I normally buy an inexpensive unlocked tri or quad band phone in the states ($40-50 on eBay), then buy a SIM at 7-11 when I get to Thailand.

Two reasons for doing this:

1. My main phone is a smart phone, and I prefer a smaller phone when wondering around on my travels.

2. If my smart phone gets stolen, I'm looking at a large price tag to have it replaced when I get back vs the $40-50 I spent on it.

3. That way, I can have a local Thai number in my cheap phone, and still have my Smart Phone turned on (but data turned off) in case of an Emergency where someone from home needs to get in contact with me. Much easier for them to call my normal number than trying to explain to someone how to call Internationally (Most of my contacts have probably never had to make an International call).

[game4shame]

try ratestogo.com for a hotel: ratestogo.com

they specialise in last minute hotel bookings (within 28 days) and a bargain can often be found.

with regards to the phone - I always use my old contract phones from the UK. no need to buy a new phone - just make sure your phone is unlocked.

SIM card costs vary but they can be as little as 99THB iirc.

[Onidzuka]

Thank you all!!! I just unlocked my phone and booked a hotel, I appreciate it guys. The reason why I needed a hotel is because I assumed I was going to go directly to the Muay Thai gym I will be training at and the manager there said he will hook me up with a place for a month but I didn't want to be a bother and wake him up at 1am to do that so I just decided to stay the night in a hotel and then do it during the afternoon. And as for the phone, I needed to call him so he can give directions to my taxi person, thanks guys. I really appreciate it.

[tilac2]

I recommend staying away from the west side of Chiang mai. The smog from the fires rolls in and gets stuck at Doi Suthep! lol

really! How did you dream up that bit of misinformation?