Go to Penang for TR from Bangkok

[Freed1948]

What's the latest about getting a TR at Penang.

Is the train best. any recent experiences?

Thanks

[ubonjoe]

Unless you have other ones from them it will be easy to get s single entry tourist visa there.

I would say flying  would be the best option. It is a long train to Penang.

[BritTim]

Flying is reasonably cheap if booked in advance. I would only take the train (one way) if having never done Southern Thailand by train and wanting the experience. I have been very happy booking a combined flight+hotel deal through Expedia, staying at the Chulia Mansion hotel and using the agent the hotel recommends (who they will ask to come by if you wish).

[JackThompson]

Penang is one of the locations where one has not had to show money in the bank or flight-tickets to get a Tourist Visa (TV).  Recently, some reported that recent time-in-Thailand is being appraised, and that a larger fee from an agent is required to compensate for this.  If you have a fresh-passport, or only 1 or 2 previous consecutive TVs, you are probably ok.  There were at least 2 reports of those with 3 or more consecutive prior TVs having to pay extra to the agent, and that amount varying quite a bit, with "Jim's Place" offering the best deal.

 

Note that if you are returning by land, do use the Pedang Besar crossing, where the train crosses, as they are one of the friendly border-points. 

[richy2201]

Did a visa run about 2 weeks ago.  5000 baht return flying from DM(Bangkok) with Air Asia.  Taxi from airport to hotel (Georgestown) was about 350 baht.  Comfortable hotel was around 1500 baht (excellent value for money), food/drink isn't too expensive obviously depending where you eat.  Taxi was less than 200 baht from hotel to Consulate.

 

Overall it was around 5000 baht for return flight, 3000 baht for hotel (2 nights), 1200 baht for taxis (to/from airport and consulate to hotel each day) + food/drink + visa fee.

 

Enjoyable (first time in Penang) experience overall.

[BritTim]

11 hours ago, richy2201 said:

Did a visa run about 2 weeks ago.  5000 baht return flying from DM(Bangkok) with Air Asia.  Taxi from airport to hotel (Georgestown) was about 350 baht.  Comfortable hotel was around 1500 baht (excellent value for money), food/drink isn't too expensive obviously depending where you eat.  Taxi was less than 200 baht from hotel to Consulate.

 

Overall it was around 5000 baht for return flight, 3000 baht for hotel (2 nights), 1200 baht for taxis (to/from airport and consulate to hotel each day) + food/drink + visa fee.

 

Enjoyable (first time in Penang) experience overall.

 

Would just reiterate:

• you can save money with a combined flight+hotel deal (such as through Expedia). Two nights at the excellent Chulia Mansion hotel (includes good breakfast, plus free coffee and ice cream all day) and return air fare comes to 6,286 baht;
• there is a direct bus from the airport to Chulia St for about 40 baht if traveling light;
• an agent only needs to cost 30 RMB, about 160 baht (plus the regular 50 RMB fee for the visa); this works out cheaper than 2 round trip taxi fares to the consulate.

[oldlakey]

18 hours ago, BritTim said:

Flying is reasonably cheap if booked in advance. I would only take the train (one way) if having never done Southern Thailand by train and wanting the experience. I have been very happy booking a combined flight+hotel deal through Expedia, staying at the Chulia Mansion hotel and using the agent the hotel recommends (who they will ask to come by if you wish).

Stress free life sounds good to me in this day and age

[oldlakey]

7 hours ago, BritTim said:

 

Would just reiterate:

• you can save money with a combined flight+hotel deal (such as through Expedia). Two nights at the excellent Chulia Mansion hotel (includes good breakfast, plus free coffee and ice cream all day) and return air fare comes to 6,286 baht;
• there is a direct bus from the airport to Chulia St for about 40 baht if traveling light;
• an agent only needs to cost 30 RMB, about 160 baht (plus the regular 50 RMB fee for the visa); this works out cheaper than 2 round trip taxi fares to the consulate.

Hello Tim

Thai Baht to RM approx 8-5 not so much that it would be a deal breaker

Happy and safe travels to all

[Freed1948]

Thanks for all the advice.

Will end up going to Laos this time and do Penang next.

Again thank you everyone. 

[bubba1]

Avoid taxis they are almost all going to rip you off. Uber is the way to get around Penang including from/to the airport which will cost you about 150 baht.

 

[Bryacar]

9 hours ago, oldlakey said:

Hello Tim

Thai Baht to RM approx 8-5 not so much that it would be a deal breaker

Happy and safe travels to all

 

[Bryacar]

Been looking for information like this across the internet.  This is the best and most comprehensive advice that I have seen.  Very very helpful.  Thank you.

[oldlakey]

4 hours ago, Freed1948 said:

Thanks for all the advice.

Will end up going to Laos this time and do Penang next.

Again thank you everyone. 

WOT, after all the trouble I have been to this morning

Have a Lao dark or two for me

[Freed1948]

^^^^^

I will and did!!