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.

Rent and park at the ferry.

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

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.

 

 

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.

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.

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

Car rental is a hassle.. take a taxi.

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. 

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.!

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

Why not take a van or bus from Pattaya?

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

Edited July 24, 20205 yr by Hal65

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?

 

 

 

 

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.

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