Laem Chabang-Ayutthaya-Bangkok tour operator?

[FredT]

In January we will be on a HAL ship overnighting in Laem Chabang. We are looking at the possibility of finding a private tour operator to take us from the ship directly to Ayutthaya, then via the river down to Bangkok where we will be spending the night. (Seems to be a popular trip.)

 

What I need is recommendations for private tour operators/guides to take us (or up to a small group, have not gotten going on role calls yet)

 

suggestions?

[JoAnneV]

We used Ann Tours in Vietnam and were very happy. I think they work in Thailand also.

[Barbydoll95]

Hi Joanne

We are going to Vietnam on the Voyager of the Seas in October. We have also booked with Ann Tours for an overnight tour. Where did you go there? Do you have any hints or advice?

 

Thanks Barb

[JoAnneV]

If there is something specific you want to see, tell Tony ahead of time so he can work it into the schedule. If you are going to Hanoi, you can't see everything if your time is short. Decide what is most important to you. The guides followed the itinerary from the schedule that Tony emailed.

 

Let him know if anyone in your group has issues with stairs or long walks.

 

If you are overnighting in Saigon, do some research on restaurants and things around the hotel. The guide will make recommendations, but I like more knowledge. If you are staying in the Grand Hotel, the area is very walkable with lots of shops and restaurants. Some in our group walked to the market.

 

In Saigon when you go to the War Remnants Museun first go to the top floor and see the photography exhibit. Be prepared for the anti-American tone of the other exhibits.

 

If meals are on your own, the guides will take you to a restaurant and everyone orders what they want. Make sure you know what you want to eat: snacks, a full meal, local food, etc. If you have a large group, you might talk about it ahead of time.

 

In Hanoi we had a very nice fixed price sit down lunch, but it took more time and some in our group felt it was too expensive. It was several courses and the food was really good. In Saigon we went to Pho 2000 and ordered our own meal. In Hoi An we went to a restaurant and ordered off the menu. Most of us ordered appetizers and beer or juice.

 

Once you get there relax and enjoy it! The guides do take good care of you. If you have specific questions, email me. vaughn dot joanne at gmail dot com

[John Bull]

In January we will be on a HAL ship overnighting in Laem Chabang. We are looking at the possibility of finding a private tour operator to take us from the ship directly to Ayutthaya, then via the river down to Bangkok where we will be spending the night. (Seems to be a popular trip.)

 

What I need is recommendations for private tour operators/guides to take us (or up to a small group, have not gotten going on role calls yet)

 

suggestions?

 

If you can disembark your ship in Laem Chabang about 7am, consider doing what we did.:

Book a day-trip with http://www.bangkok.com/river-cruise-tours/riversun.htm

This starts in Bangkok about 7am (but read on ;)). with a coach transfer to the Summer Palace at Bang Pa In, just a couple of miles from Ayuttaya, arriving 9.30am. Then on to three sites in Ayuttaya, then to the river to board a cruise boat which sailed from the countryside down the Chao Phrya river into the heart of Bangkok, past the Royal Palace & Wat Arun to the River City pier. Excellent buffet lunch & tea on the way. Plenty of hotels near River City pier (also used by ferries, long-tail boats, rice barge cruises etc), or more city centre hotels just a short taxi or tuk-tuk ride away.

 

We booked the coach/river trip direct with the operator, but arranged to meet the coach at the Summer Palace at 9.30. We weren't asked for front-money, the coach arrived at Bang Pa In with seats reserved for us, we paid the guide at the end. All very smooth.

 

We separately fixed up a private transfer from the ship at Laem Chabang to Bang Pa In (car/coach park of the Summer Palace) to meet the tour coach. Just under 100 miles, about 2 hours by car.

A car for up to 3 people, booked through the internet, should cost around 3000 baht - that's a little more than Laem Chabang to Bangkok because it's a longer journey. BTW that's the one mistake we made - we'd reckoned a taxi picked up at the port would be cheaper than pre-booked. It wasn't - the taxis at the port are controlled by a cartel and it cost us 1000 baht more.:eek:

Excellent organisation by the coach/cruise operator, we achieved a lot in the one day, and you can't beat entering Bangkok by river.

 

However you choose to travel, fix up your transportation from Laem Chabang in advance.

 

JB :)

[LdyDDS]

BKKtours.com........LOVED them. great tour guide, great driver, took us to a few places not even listed on the tour just because after getting to know us she thought we would like them. Did an overnight...highly recommend