Makkasan Inn

[crudy21]

Looking to catch the 06.20 train from Makkasan to Aran for a trip to Cambodia in a few weeks and was looking for a cheapish hotel in the area. The Makkasan Inn seems to fit the bill but was just looking for some feedback on it, anyone stayed there recently?

Thanks.

[bangkokburning]

That is a very hot and uneventful way to do the trip. I have posted in detail on this forum how to use a minivan. Look it up.

[tombkk]

Never heard of it. We recently put someone up at the Pratunam City Inn (same price range, same area) and it was OK. Checking the website just now, it appears to be a tiny bit cheaper and has free wifi.

[crudy21]

Thanks for the replies (i think?). Im just gonna go ahead and book it, it looks clean and the ease of access to the railway and express train from the airport can't be beaten really, well not in the $25 range anyhow.

I used to stay at Nana Hotel, i know its a dump but i liked the vibe there. However it has kinda priced its self out for me even with the crap breakfast.

I can deal with the heat on the train for 5 hours or so, never been a fan of those mini bus things, too many ting tong drivers!

[asanee]

on WEEKdays that train is full to the hilt at MKS-TH students toward the lardKrabang who use the free rides. Stand till they clear out-some 1 hr further on

Unless you belong tot that train-sect lovers group;

my tip: take ARL to Swampy-same time. Ay taxi level=1 up from ARL< find the BUSdesk for the 7.30/7.40 BIG yellow bus to BORDER=not even Aran town-that will bring you there hours earlier as train+overpriced tuktuk combo. THIS bus also picks up right there-no need to go Busterminal.

This Q should have been posted in the Travel-TH forumpart. There are numerous recent posts about the assumed borderscams at Aran/Poipet

[bangkokburning]

Mini bus is 3.5 hours.

Plan to:

Pay for transport from station to a GH

Stay overnight in a GH

Transport to border

So you will pay better part of B1000 more and take hours longer than a mb - but up to you.

DO NOT cross the border late afternoon. Buses will be gone and you sound as though (being quit ethe noob) going to have problems at the xing. You will get a seat in a Camry perhaps - but no idea how much they will end up sticking you for it. Better opptys xing as early as possible.

DO NOT sleep in Poipet. You have been warned.

[crudy21]

Ok ok you knowledgeble fellas have talked me out of it, im now looking at staying at Royal Viw Resort just by Victory Monument and taking a 6-7am mini van.

If i become yet another statistic in a mangled mess, i will know who my family can blame. I have been to Thailand 30 times and to Cambodia twice, however i have only crossed at Poipet once coming from SR. It was a piece of cake although the bus driver insisted on dropping me off at the expensive tuk tuk place bt KSR even after i tried to bribe him to let me off near a BTS station.

Thanks for your help.