Taking a Tour

[violatedm3 0]

I found a package that offers land tour 7 days in bangok and 3 in pattaya for $1525 US. $2225 if I want to add air fair. I know I can save money going on my own but never being there is it really worth it ?

 

Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.

[Leadbelly 0]

You are right that you could save money by not going on the tour, and I understand you wondering about how you will make out by going on your own. But most of us went without using a tour-type of a package deal. I'm assuming that at least part of your time (if not the majority of it) would center around the nightlife and women there. I doubt if the tour would help in that area. As a first-time visitor on your own you could always sign up for a day tour here and there if you wanted to see something that interests you and didn't have the confidence or knowledge to do it yourself to make your own arrangements.

 

What if you sign up for the tour, are locked in to Bangkok for 7 days, but find out after 2 or 3 days you want to see Pattaya now (or Chiang Rai, etc.) ? You're kind of committed to riding out Bangkok until the tour goes to Pattaya. Also a lot of the fun for me was the 1st couple of trips being on my own, discovering things on my own at my own pace, and making the inevitable mistakes that are made, and learning from them. IMO, try going without the tour....but up to you!

[monkeyman 1,604]

I wouldn't bother when you can find out what's on offer from boards like this and then just choose the things that appeal to you.

[soi6 0]

I would say get a guidebook, and a 'long haired translator' (i.e. cute bargirl) to show you around during the day...with of course stopping of the mall to get her a new outfit... That

is how I learned about Bangkok.. Pattaya again do the same...

Much better than a tour guide company..

[Rex7777 0]

$1525 for the land tour (10 days) sounds pretty expensive to me, unless it includes a bunch of activities that you're really interested in. Otherwise, you could just go to Priceline and get a good deal on the Bangkok Hotel, and look around for a deal for a Pattaya Hotel. You should be able to stay for less than $75 a day. Much less, if you really try. I guess it depends on what you want to do.

 

Rex

[sinbinjack 251]

I am a cheap charlie and would not consider this kind of tour I could get a good 4 weeks at that price and have a different bird almost every night and have some drinks and food, which are probably extra on your tour. do your self a favour book a flight and just enjoy it when you get here you will do far more alone than on any tour.

[Firepole 181]

If you do your research on this board and elsewhere you'll have a pretty good picture of Pattaya. The forums at www.thaivisa.com? and www.nanaplaza.com will help with BKK. Learn to use the search features and read the hotel reviews sections. If you're "self-educated" you won't need a package tour. You'll always be able to find a helpful "westerner" or "falang" to point you in the right direction once you get there.

 

I would recommend that you spend your first 2 nights after arrival and the night before departure in BKK. The rest of the time would best be spent in Pattaya. Pattaya is a little more "newbie friendly" than Bangkok is. Don't get me wrong, Bangkok is great but can be a little overwhelming for a first timer. Of course, this would be if your primary interest is drinking and women. If you're going for the cultural aspect, i.e.. temples, etc... then you might want to consider spending the majority of your time in BKK. But, I'd bet that you'll lose all sight of any need for cultural fulfillment once you get a taste for satisfying other needs such as food and drink. Oh, by the way, there might be other needs you'll be satisfying that will make you forget the temples.

 

Again, do a LOT of research and reading here and you'll have few worries.

Edited December 12, 2005 by cenctm

[upena 2]

skip the tour group, read everything here, and just go - you will have more fun on your own than doing what the group is scheduled to do

[redwood13 56]

I'd think many of the hotels catering to tour groups are likely to be guest unfriendly or at least they'll request "joiner fees" for your guest.

 

-redwood

[irishman 0]

I can think of lots of reasons to skip the tour and come here on your own. It depends on what kind of person you are though. Practiaclly anything you need to know can be found on this board in the members section and then it's just a matter of personal preferences.

 

If you really don't feel comfortable doing it on your own, you could always try and get a buddy to go with you or hook up with a BM after you get in town. If you stay at the RG, practially everyone there is a BM.

 

Cheers

[JohnnyK 28]

No tour.

Why?

1) Pay too much

2) Their schedule, not yours (Getting up at 7am? Its a fucking holiday!)

3) Seeing what they think is important, not what you think

4) Cooped up with a bunch of people from back home

5) Seeing photos of their grandchildren ("Yes, they are cute, now bugger off".)

 

You are on this board because you are interested in pussy, right?

No disapproving looks here or snarky comments.

You will meet guys when you get to LoS and have way more fun.

[wrassell 0]

Sounds pretty expensive to me too, about 150 a day i could have alot of fun on that kind of money. I could get a nice room and eat very good for under fourty a day, the rest would go towards wine women and song.

Most of the fun is learning the ropes.

[MrMango 671]

I've never had a problem finding a 'long haired translator' in Pattaya. Everyone that I asked loved to be BFind long time for a couple of days showing you the tourist sites.

 

If anybody is interested, I will post a few pictures from my last trip.

[rb 20]

of course the most important thing is to get your passport.

after that everythings easy

the biggest fears normanlly

1) how will i get around

2) what will i eat

3) money

 

1hr with search button will adress 1-3 extensivly

get on a plane, take as much time as you can afforrd

you may pay a little to much for a taxi

or stay a $50 USD a night hotel but all in all you'll be time, money and "guide"

way ahead of being stuck with a tour.

every hotel in bangkok has a "tours" desk where you can take 1/2 day and full day tours to see all the "temples" and markets for a lifetime for $20-30 USD

 

for evetything else just join the members bar and read all of Tengotodo''s(sp) questions, one of the board members who has never been to thailand but wants get answers to every possible situation that may arrise

Edited December 13, 2005 by rb

[Tengotodo 52]

for evetything else just join the members bar and read all of Tengotodo''s(sp) questions, one of the board members who has never been to thailand but wants get answers to every possible situation that may arrise

Even in the shadow of my death do they laugh and hark.

[nico 0]

I agree with those who say don't take a tour and don't plan. Do your research on this board and elsewhere and you'll be fine. The fact that you're interested in going to LOS shows that you have a free and open mind. Just wing it.

 

I just returned from 2 weeks in BKK and 3 days in Pattaya. i didn't discover this board until after I returned. I had no plans, no itinerary, and everything went fine. Afterwards, when i saw how easy it is to live and hang out in LOS I realize how stupid all of my anxious questions sounded at the time.