106 replies to this topic

[dixon cox]

My deepest apologies

Think nothing of it.

[sayang]

Boar Hog .... Also if you go towards the end of the terminal which on the left and you can catch a cab ride to pattaya which i believe is the same fare as coming back from pattaya to airport..... but i believe you got negotiate with them just a thought


Fred

[boarhog]

Good to know Fred, its good to have several options, then people can choose whats best for them. Many who come to BKK first time think they only have one option, and often its the taxi services that latch onto right when you step out of baggage claim.

Kliome and xyzzy are both recommending Mr. T Taxi: [email protected] phone: 081-2587716 for rides to Pattaya

[translover]

Thanks for the tip boarhog. I've gotten fed up the number of times when I got into the taxi at the arrival hall and the driver did not want to use the meter. I did not have this problem when Don Muang airport was the international airport.

BTW, another problem I face is when I flag a taxi along Sukhumwhit Rd, especially near Majestic Suites, to go to the airport most drivers refuse to use the meter. Do you have any solution to this problem?

[RobiSLO]

Thanks for the tip boarhog. I've gotten fed up the number of times when I got into the taxi at the arrival hall and the driver did not want to use the meter. I did not have this problem when Don Muang airport was the international airport.

BTW, another problem I face is when I flag a taxi along Sukhumwhit Rd, especially near Majestic Suites, to go to the airport most drivers refuse to use the meter. Do you have any solution to this problem?

Simple I always tell them I'll pay 400 BHT, It's maybe 50 BHT more but.. he don't looses face and you are without 1 EUR, win win.

BR

[boarhog]

Thanks for the tip boarhog. I've gotten fed up the number of times when I got into the taxi at the arrival hall and the driver did not want to use the meter. I did not have this problem when Don Muang airport was the international airport.

BTW, another problem I face is when I flag a taxi along Sukhumwhit Rd, especially near Majestic Suites, to go to the airport most drivers refuse to use the meter. Do you have any solution to this problem?

Taxi's in that area are a dime a dozen. I just keep trying until I get one that will go on metre. Usually 1st or second one. This metered fare is around 200 baht I have found.

The taxi's that really annoy me are the ones that won't go somewhere you want. They don't want to sit in traffic so they will turn down fares looking for the tourists who only want to go a short distance. This way the rack up 35 baht take you 2 or 3 K's for 50 baht total. Then they get another short one there. They look for turnover versus long distance. The base fares add up quicker than sitting in traffic with meter running. This is why they will quote you a larger price than going meter. You won't see taxis in western countries turn away cusomers, in fact its illegal in some.

It may not seem like a lot but I stay for weeks sometimes months at a time, i can't afford to be throwing my money around like there is no tommorrow, due to the fact there is a tommorrow and a next week or next month. It adds up.

[kliome]

Thanks for the tip boarhog. I've gotten fed up the number of times when I got into the taxi at the arrival hall and the driver did not want to use the meter. I did not have this problem when Don Muang airport was the international airport.

BTW, another problem I face is when I flag a taxi along Sukhumwhit Rd, especially near Majestic Suites, to go to the airport most drivers refuse to use the meter. Do you have any solution to this problem?

Ask your hotel (Majestic Suites) to call you a meter cab, that usually works for me.

Standing on Sukhumvit with your baggage trying to flag a taxi oftem attracts the wrong type of cabby.

[boarhog]

True Kliome, thoe guys see you as tourist with money to prey upon. I have went through several cabs trying to find one that will go meter. They want 300 to 400 baht for what should be a 200 baht fare.

Good to know hotels will do that for you.

[Ericthehalfabee]

Thanks for the tip boarhog. I've gotten fed up the number of times when I got into the taxi at the arrival hall and the driver did not want to use the meter. I did not have this problem when Don Muang airport was the international airport.

BTW, another problem I face is when I flag a taxi along Sukhumwhit Rd, especially near Majestic Suites, to go to the airport most drivers refuse to use the meter. Do you have any solution to this problem?

Metered fair plus tolls is never more than 400 baht - just tell them that and then offer them a tip on top of that. If they don't like it get another taxi.

[rxpharm]

UPDATE: the public taxi queue has been moved back to level 1 (down 1 floor from the arrivals area).

They have made the queue much more efficient - there are now 4 counters that process requests which are manned according to the peak arrival periods for flights during the day. I arrived last night at 10:30 pm and they had 2 counters open. I only waited 5 minutes to get my taxi in a queue of about 20 people, so efficiency is much improved.

There seems to be stricter regulation now, with no discussion from the taxi driver about whether or not to use the meter. He simply switched it on as soon as we started off and I gave him 70 Baht to cover the tollway fees. Grand total for the trip including toll way charges and the 50 baht airport surcharge was 320 Baht. I tossed in a 50 Baht tip as he did not drive like a maniac and we still got to my hotel in around 20 minutes. The official slip from the dispatcher clearly states that the fee will be meter plus 50 Baht airport surcharge and tollway fees to be paid by passenger if that route is taken. If the driver does attempt to negotiate a fixed fee, you can report him to the number on the slip.

No sign of illegal taxi touts as the airport continues it's clean up campaign.

[Josh69]

Thanks for the update RX (which is good news)
Enjoy your trip!

[FatboyUK]

May I just slightly hijack this thread and ask if the same method, of getting a driver at Departures level, will work for heading to Pattaya? And will they tend to go by meter or a set price?

And can you go to the Taxi Meter desk at arrivals level and ask for Pattaya? Or is it just Bangkok bound traffic only?

As I never not what time I'm due to arrive, I don't really have the option to pre-book Mr.T for example, and want to avoid the Limousine companies.

Thanks all.