Don Muang Airport to Hua Hin

[pharvey]

We're looking at trying Air Asia from Chongqing to Bangkok this year as they're a damn site cheaper than Thai and it's a direct flight for us from Chongqing, rather than a stop-over for a few hours in Kunming.

The only issue/worry I've got, is that as of October Air Asia will be flying into Don Muang rather than Suvarnabhumi Airport (we're heading over for Christmas as is the norm). Has anyone done the drive from HH? If so, what's the cost and driving time difference from that of Suvarnabhumi?

Also, as the return flight is at around 6am, can anyone recommend a fairly low cost but clean/comfortable hotel close to the airport? We're also thinking of simply leaving HH around midnight, but would like options.

Ta muchly in advance.....

[moja]

Should be no difference in time or price coming from Don Muang. There used to be a lot of inexpensive hotels around the airport but I am not sure how many still exist but I am sure many of them do.

[pharvey]

Should be no difference in time or price coming from Don Muang. There used to be a lot of inexpensive hotels around the airport but I am not sure how many still exist but I am sure many of them do.

Thanks for the feedback Moja - yes, there's a number of hotels fairly close, just wondering if anyone has tried any of them/can recommend any. We've stayed overnight close to Suvarnabhumi many times and have found a superb hotel in the "Great Residence Hotel"....... unfortunately, zero experience of staying close to Don Muang.

[Terry]

Amari used to have one linked by a walkway straight into the terminal.

check it out here [ Link to competing website removed, we have reviews and online booking for this hotel here: http://huahinforum.com.r24.asia/620101/ ... port-Hotel ]

[moja]

Should be no difference in time or price coming from Don Muang. There used to be a lot of inexpensive hotels around the airport but I am not sure how many still exist but I am sure many of them do.

Thanks for the feedback Moja - yes, there's a number of hotels fairly close, just wondering if anyone has tried any of them/can recommend any. We've stayed overnight close to Suvarnabhumi many times and have found a superb hotel in the "Great Residence Hotel"....... unfortunately, zero experience of staying close to Don Muang.

I will try to remember the name of at least one of the hotels we stayed in but it seems such a long time ago. Terry is correct about the Amari but we never stayed there as it was expensive.

[Maccapacca]

Hi Butt
I've always used taxis from both airports but don mueang was a while back so don't know cost these days but imagine its the same as from Suvarn. I paid 2,000 baht for taxi last Christmas but it was a squeeze with 2 adults and 3 kids. On the way back I paid 3,000 for a large minibus which was superb for us. I have booked the same guy to pick us up from airport in August to take us to Khoa Takiap hua Hin. 2 adults and 4 kids in a minibus. (1 more kid this time) It takes just over 3 hours so it's not worth the airport security and check in hassle. You could get late check out from hua Hin and go straight to airport for early morning check in.

[Nereus]

..............................................Also, as the return flight is at around 6am, can anyone recommend a fairly low cost but clean/comfortable hotel close to the airport? We're also thinking of simply leaving HH around midnight, but would like options.
Ta muchly in advance.....

I have not stayed at either of these, but Rama Gardens Hotel is good. The other one is Asia Airport Hotel.
I have in the past been to functions at Rama Gardens, and it is top class. The only thing is: it is to the South of Don Muang, right under the take off path, and also consider below.

The other one is just to the north of the airport, both on the same side of the road, which you may think not important, but it is a long way between U turns anywhere near Don Muang.

Asia Airport Hotel is part of the same building as "Zeer", which is probably the biggest IT and related shopping complex in Bangkok. So if you are wanting anything electronic this is the place to stay.

Neither of them are budget hotels though!

[moja]

Nereus is right the U turns are a real pain around Don Muang and whichever side of the airport we stayed it seemed to take ages to either get to the hotel or the airport depending which side of the airport we were! Don't forget if you do decide to use Air Asia and Don Muang to look out for the golfers playing alongside the runway and then waiting for your plane to taxi past them so they can cross to the other part of the golf course.

[pharvey]

Thanks guys for all the responses - much appreciated.

At the end of the day, looks like leaving at midnight or so - at least that way I can enjoy a few drinks, have a kip in the car and have my wife take care of me after that!!

Seriously, nice meal, couple of beers - head to the airport. All good. No worries on check-out, it's our place...