How to get from Royal Orchid Sheraton to Grand Palace

Hi we will be stopping in Bangkok for 2 days and staying at the Royal Orchid Sheraton. We will be travelling with our children age 6 and 9 and would like to take them to see the Grand Palace but want to ensure we get there and back to the hotel safely.

Several years ago on a previous visit to Bangkok(pre skyrail) my husband and I had a nasty experience when we tried to get back from the palace to our hotel we couldn%26#39;t find a taxi and ended up in a tuktuk down some dodgy back alley looking at fake diamonds. Not wishing to repeat this experience does anyone know the best way to get back from the palace to our hotel? Also any ideas on places to visit to keep kids happy greatly appreciated.

How to get from Royal Orchid Sheraton to Grand Palace

hi

we are staying at the same hotel from fri 5th april and we have booke Jan she is a tour guide and she charges 拢15 for the whole day , she will take you where ever you want to go , telling you lots of info about the palaces ect , she will take you shopping and do all the bartering for you so you get the best prices .i think this is great value for money .

her email address is noobo@yahoo.com if you are interested .

hope this helps

gary and phyllis

How to get from Royal Orchid Sheraton to Grand Palace

There is a water taxi stop right next to the hotel, where you can catch the water taxi to the Grand Palace. There is also a tourist boat that costs a little more that makes many stops at the main tourist sights. It is fun to ride on the river and much cheaper than a taxi.

Thanks for the replies.

Water taxi sounds ideal (kids will love it) - do you know how far a walk it is from the water taxi stop to the palace entrance? Also how frequent is the service and does it operate everyday. Finally where else can you go to on the Water taxi?

Thanks again

Saint29969

See this website for more info on water taxis and the tourist boat:

http://www.chaophrayaboat.co.th/

It is about 5 minutes walk from the ferry to the Grand Palace, directly down the street in front of you. Do not be deterred by touts who say the palace is closed %26#39;%26#39;today%26#39;%26#39;. They are very convincing, and can be annoying.

The Grand Palace is open every day of the year as it is also the site of the most revered Wat in the kingdom and is available for prayer EVERY day!

If you go independantly, you will see milling tourists round the entrance (gates guarded by sentries), these will be the usual large Tourist Groups. Go through the security and clothing checks as directed and make your way up the drive to the ticket office to the left in the building at the top of the drive, and buy your tickets at the window (no assistance needed).

You will be offered the services of a tour guide (badged individuals), but with younger children it is best to just do a walk round on your own using the map you will get with the tickets. It will be very hot and they will not be able to stand being %26#39;%26#39;guided%26#39;%26#39;, and you will over hear as you go round anyway. Cool drinks available.

Do also visit Vinamek Palace, the tickets are included in Grand Palace charge. VP is a short taxi ride away and is alo a pleasant half day.

Wat Po is round the corner from the Grand Palace, it is also never closed! You do not need a guide and it is easy to fine. More fun than Grand Palace too.

River transport is best so you don%26#39;t need a taxi or tuk tuk.

Have a great day out!

Saint29969

There is a river ferry pier at the Sheraton called Tha Si Phraya. You can catch a regualr river ferry that heads up to the Grand Palace and beyond. Cost is about 13-15 baht each. Takes about 20minutes.

also at this pier are the so called water taxis. these are basically long tail boats which you can hire and do a 2 hr trip around the river/canals. cost about 1000-1200B.

if you%26#39;re going to the palace only then take the ferry.

get off at pier number 9 (Tha Thien. it%26#39;s about a 10 minute walk to the palace.

BEWARE!!!! there are people who will say that the palace is closed when you are walking towards the palace. this is wrong, however they can be very convincing. these are the same people who run the gem/diamond scams which you know about already.

also the ticket booth is inside the palace grounds. have heard reports of fake ticket booths outside the grounds.

best way back to your hotel is the ferry again.

bkk3

Many thanks for all your replys - really useful information - especially the tourist boat website!

Saint29969

xp