Car rental vs taxi for short trip

[Hal65]

I plan to go with a friend to Bang Phe (then ferry to Koh Samet) for 1 day/night, and return to Pattaya the next day.

 

A taxi will cost around 1,200 wheras a car rental will start at 300 baht or so, plus all the other expenses.

 

For any other infrequent travelers who have used both I am curious which option you would prefer. 

 

I would need two taxi trips totaling 2,400 baht. After gas i'd expect to save around 1,800 baht or so, a fair amount.

 

i think the case for the taxi is the simplicity and convenience. Curious if others have found it worth it or not.

[Andyfez]

Rent and park at the ferry.

[jackdd]

Car rental usually starts at about 800THB a day, if you can really get it for 300THB that's obviously way cheaper than a taxi, and i would go for this in any case.

At the regular rate of 800+ per day it would depend on if you need it for less or more than 24 hours. Less than 24 hours: Car. More than 24 hours: Taxi

[4MyEgo]

On 7/22/2020 at 7:21 PM, Hal65 said:

i think the case for the taxi is the simplicity and convenience. Curious if others have found it worth it or not.

As it's a short 24 hour stay, I would taxi it as insurance is always a key thing with a rental, usually if you have a prang, your up for the excess/waiver, usually the first 10,000 baht so why risk it, and the possibility of getting a fine for speeding or something like that, although highly unlikely to get done speeding.

 

 

[2 is 1]

6 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

As it's a short 24 hour stay, I would taxi it as insurance is always a key thing with a rental, usually if you have a prang, your up for the excess/waiver, usually the first 10,000 baht so why risk it, and the possibility of getting a fine for speeding or something like that, although highly unlikely to get done speeding.

 

 

If you drive your self possibility to give <deleted> test also to police if stop you. And count "coffee" money also lol

Maybe not but 500 bth.

[AgMech Cowboy]

On 7/22/2020 at 4:21 PM, Hal65 said:

wheras a car rental will start at 300 baht or so

I'd really love to know from who you're renting.

[alien365]

I couldn't be bothered with the process of getting the hire car. I value my time. Taxi is a lot less hassle

[1FinickyOne]

Car rental is a hassle.. take a taxi.

[Max69xl]

There's a third choice: Go to the nearest tourist agency and go to Rayong in a van. Quite hassle free and not very expensive. 

[Fairynuff]

24 minutes ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

I'd really love to know from who you're renting.

I’d be more interested (cautious) to know what rather than from who.!

[natway09]

If you rent a car for 300Bht I doubt if you could speed 555

[CLW]

Why not take a van or bus from Pattaya?

[Hal65]

I'm taking someone and would appreciate the privacy bubble that a private car would afford us.

 

But as you guys mostly recommend against this I may not.

 

So at 800/day, a one day trip would cost maybe 1,000 after gas. A two day trip is about 1,800. The two taxis would be 2,400.

 

I guess the single day trip favors the car but the weekend trip, the taxi

[richard_smith237]

Rent by all means... but be suspicious of any business renting a car out for 300 baht per day - thats just too good to be true. 

 

Look at some of the bigger names and see what they are offering. 

 

2 days car rental at about 800-1000 baht per day plus fuel, 400 baht?  and you are looking at the same cost as a taxi anyway.

 

I always prefer driving myself, I know what I am paying attention to on the roads.

 

Regarding BiB - the likelihood of getting pulled over is minimal, I can’t remember the last time I was pulled over in a car (its been a couple of years).

 

Risk of an accident or scratch damage and loosing your waver - always an issue and is perhaps the major factor in choosing between a taxi and private hire. 

 

Wanting your own ‘bubble’ - it's only for an hour or so each way, right? or are you worried about Covid-19, in which case, why travel at all?

 

 

 

 

[Hal65]

We could be as loud as we want, play the music we want, take a side trip, fool around a bit, etc. More freedom that way. 

 

But yes, probably not worth it. I didn't realize the car was such a large expense compared to the driver.

[kaneko86]

From Pattaya to Ban Phe I always go by scooter as it's just 1 hours drive cutting through Khao Chichan Road.