Grab Taxi Suvarnbhumi Airport to Pattaya....I got some news for you...

[redwood1]

The news it is not a particularly cheap ride....

 

I took a Grab last night from the airport to Pattaya and the fare was 1750 plus 100 for the toll road so the total was 1850 baht.....Plus 150 tip =2000 baht..

 

The new Grab area on level 1 section 4 at the airport is super nice....But there were no Grab taxi bargains to be found on the Grab app.....I even think Grab has made the prices at the airport higher than regular prices...

 

So if you are expecting to find Grab bargains there....Forget it.....There are not any..

[Keeps]

You was robbed. Should be 1,300 baht tops. 

[redwood1]

Just now, Keeps said:

You was robbed. Should be 1,300 baht tops. 

 

At 2 AM in the morning at the airport there were NO cheap rides on the app to choose from.....Zero cheap choices.....

[GanDoonToonPet]

Think yourself lucky. I paid 600 just to get to Bangkok last week 🤨

[Keeps]

2 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

 

At 2 AM in the morning at the airport there were NO cheap rides on the app to choose from.....Zero cheap choices.....

That is why I pre-book. Guarantees the price and someone waiting for you when you arrive. Little chance of being mugged off as you were. 

[VBF]

17 hours ago, Keeps said:

That is why I pre-book. Guarantees the price and someone waiting for you when you arrive. Little chance of being mugged off as you were. 

This is one occasion where Grab or Bolt are not cheaper than a known taxi company. No help for first-timers of course but those of us who travel to Thailand regularly, could do well to cultivate a relationship with such a firm. There are several posts on AN recommending taxi firms in Pattaya who will meet you at SUV / drive you back there on departure.

 

I take the opportunity of advertising my friend Dar - no I do NOT get a "commission" before anyone asks!

 

 

[Keeps]

20 minutes ago, VBF said:

This is one occasion where Grab or Bolt are not cheaper than a known taxi company. No help for first-timers of course but those of us who travel to Thailand regularly, could do well to cultivate a relationship with such a firm. There are several posts on AN recommending taxi firms in Pattaya who will meet you at SUV / drive you back there on departure.

 

I take the opportunity of advertising my friend Dar - no I do NOT get a "commission" before anyone asks!

 

 

Likewise, I use the same taxi company for every trip:-

 

https://www.thailandtaxitransfer.com

 

I have found them to be excellent on every trip. I use WhatsApp to contact them (or the occasional email). The boss, Chok responds very promptly. I have used them for BKK-JOM-BKK and also for longer journeys from BKK to Saraburi. Even arranged a 6 person VIP van a couple of weeks ago to transport the family from Saraburi to Jomtien for a mini break.

 

The cars are immaculate and the drivers speak perfect English. They always send a message around 30 minutes before departure to notify you that they are on their way or already waiting at departure point. I also found their prices to be very competitive after having a look at a few firms. In two instances they were circa 30% cheaper than Nam's taxis. Also provide female drivers if preferred.

 

Like @VBF there is no financial benefit to me sharing this contact. I just find them to be a very reliable company.

[1FinickyOne]

18 hours ago, redwood1 said:

At 2 AM in the morning at the airport there were NO cheap rides

So, you left off the most important detail to make them look bad? 

[Thingamabob]

You paid over the odds but not by that much given it was 2 o'clock in the morning. Hardly worth a mention.

[redwood1]

10 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

You paid over the odds but not by that much given it was 2 o'clock in the morning. Hardly worth a mention.

 

Well Grabs new taxi area on level 1 section 4 is pretty new and this is the first time I have used it....I was disappointed with how the prices were higher than expected......Just letting everyone know there are no cheaper rides there.... 

[ThreeCardMonte]

Recommend Nam’s taxi service.

 

1200 includes tolls but not tip

[Anthony mellows]

I got Grab taxi in central bangkok, 470 baht.On return journey got a normal metered taxi.Took the same amount of time, cost 200 baht.

[Blueman1]

19 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

Think yourself lucky. I paid 600 just to get to Bangkok last week 🤨

Well YOU Was Robbed as well.......555 !!

[kimothai]

I can't imagine flying into either Bangkok airport without having a taxi waiting for me.  There are so many reasonable priced services online and all you have to do is use google to find them.  If personally used Mr. T for many years and never a problem.  Service available 24/7.  The only time service may get dicey is during Songkran.

[MangoKorat]

19 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

Think yourself lucky. I paid 600 just to get to Bangkok last week 🤨

Why? The regular taxis at the rank don't charge that.

[impulse]

9 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

20 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

Think yourself lucky. I paid 600 just to get to Bangkok last week 

Why? The regular taxis at the rank don't charge that.

 

I got in one at the normal queue last month that entered my destination in Chinatown into his phone and his app showed a 789 baht fare.  I told him to open the boot and let me get my luggage.  He relented, but I still ended up paying 600.  The meter fare is around 350 plus 75 tolls and 50 airport fee.  But good luck finding one that'll do it for that.  I'll pay the $5 or $10 excess just so I never risk getting taken down a dark alley and stabbed.

 

 

 

[RemyDog]

1 hour ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Recommend Nam’s taxi service.

 

1200 includes tolls but not tip

Totally agree on their quality of service and the price. Never had a bad or disappointing experience on rides to or from BKK to Pattaya.

[GanDoonToonPet]

1 hour ago, Blueman1 said:

Well YOU Was Robbed as well.......555 !!

 

1 hour ago, MangoKorat said:

Why? The regular taxis at the rank don't charge that.

 

This was a 'regular' taxi, if you mean the official airport taxis.

 

Weekday, around 3pm, raining, 50B fee, 80B tolls plus my destination was a bit further, Pinklao on the west bank of the river. This time was on the meter but the cheapest I had last year was 500B fixed fee and that was late at night or after midnight.

 

 

[MangoKorat]

20 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

 

This was a 'regular' taxi, if you mean the official airport taxis.

 

Weekday, around 3pm, raining, 50B fee, 80B tolls plus my destination was a bit further, Pinklao on the west bank of the river. This time was on the meter but the cheapest I had last year was 500B fixed fee and that was late at night or after midnight.

 

 

Probably Pinklao that did it. Don't think I've ever paid more than 400 but I normally go to central Bangkok.  These short journeys really put the long distance charges into perspective.  I have a regular taxi guy that I use to go from Bangkok to Pak Chong and that costs 2000 - all in.

[MangoKorat]

22 hours ago, impulse said:

But good luck finding one that'll do it for that.

I find one that'll do that every time.  I only ever tip around 20-30 baht - not because I'm a tightarse but because of the problems that tipping causes for Thai people.

 

My ex used to work at the Marriot in Sukhumvit and had to work alternate late shifts.  She used to have a hell of a job to get a taxi that would take her home when she finished at 11pm.  She could often stand there for 15-20 minutes trying to get a taxi. You can probably imagine what its like for a young woman who's not involved in the 'nightime industry' in Sukhumvit to stand there waiting for a taxi.

 

Many drivers are not interested in taking Thai's because of the amounts that foreigners tip. Foreigners often tip 1-200 or more, stating that its a very small amount to them but it needs to be put into perspective. Many Thai's earn around 350-400 baht per day - 200 baht is half a day's pay for them.  Low paid workers in the UK earn around  £100 per day (4300 baht). I can't imagine a situation where someone would tip a UK taxi driver £50 or even half that - yet that's what many foreigners do in Thailand and it creates a real problem for Thai's.

[impulse]

1 hour ago, MangoKorat said:

I find one that'll do that every time.  I only ever tip around 20-30 baht - not because I'm a tightarse but because of the problems that tipping causes for Thai people.

 

My ex used to work at the Marriot in Sukhumvit and had to work alternate late shifts.  She used to have a hell of a job to get a taxi that would take her home when she finished at 11pm.  She could often stand there for 15-20 minutes trying to get a taxi. You can probably imagine what its like for a young woman who's not involved in the 'nightime industry' in Sukhumvit to stand there waiting for a taxi.

 

Many drivers are not interested in taking Thai's because of the amounts that foreigners tip. Foreigners often tip 1-200 or more, stating that its a very small amount to them but it needs to be put into perspective. Many Thai's earn around 350-400 baht per day - 200 baht is half a day's pay for them.  Low paid workers in the UK earn around  £100 per day (4300 baht). I can't imagine a situation where someone would tip a UK taxi driver £50 or even half that - yet that's what many foreigners do in Thailand and it creates a real problem for Thai's.

 I get what you're saying, but let me respond with 2 comments.

 

1) I find it very difficult to negotiate with someone that doesn't speak the same language without getting adversarial and perhaps causing resentment.  And I don't want my driver to be in a pissed off mood, especially at me.  I'd rather have a happy driver.  They seem to drive saner.

 

2) If foreigners weren't known for tipping, we'd probably rarely get picked up on the side of the road. 

 

Edit:  I can't tell you the number of times I've been refused on the side of the road because the driver wanted to find a longer drive, until I sweetened the pot.  Sadly for those that don't have it, money talks.  And as an individual, I can't do anything about that reality.

 

 

[Espanol]

On 5/10/2025 at 9:28 AM, Keeps said:

Likewise, I use the same taxi company for every trip:-

 

https://www.thailandtaxitransfer.com

 

... I also found their prices to be very competitive after having a look at a few firms...

 

https://www.thailandtaxitransfer.com/view services/?services=012

 

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Pattaya 1300 Baht

 

 

[VBF]

21 minutes ago, Espanol said:

On 5/10/2025 at 8:28 AM, Keeps said:

Likewise, I use the same taxi company for every trip:-

 

https://www.thailandtaxitransfer.com

 

... I also found their prices to be very competitive after having a look at a few firms...

 

https://www.thailandtaxitransfer.com/view services/?services=012

 

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Pattaya 1300 Baht

Thanks guys. In case Dar is unavailable, this mob looks very useful 👍

[MangoKorat]

On 5/11/2025 at 10:26 AM, impulse said:

Edit:  I can't tell you the number of times I've been refused on the side of the road because the driver wanted to find a longer drive, until I sweetened the pot.  Sadly for those that don't have it, money talks.  And as an individual, I can't do anything about that reality.

A). You need to learn who will take you by meter and who won't.  As a general clue, ignore the gutter crawlers or those that are parked up looking for a customer - they will almost certainly refuse to use their meter and charge you too well over the top. Instead, flag one down that's driving past at normal speed. There is no need for any resentment - they have a meter in their car - you might be interested to know that it is illegal for them to refuse to use it.

 

B).  'And as an individual, I can't do anything about that reality.'  Why not?  I don't over tip and it has nothing to do with my ability to speak Thai.  Just do what I say above and you will most likely get a normal driver who will use his meter. That's what I do everytime I'm in Bangkok and I don't have a problem - why are you any different?  The most I ever tip is if say, I've come from the airport and that fare is over 350, I will usually give them 400.  Other short journeys and I either don't tip at all or just 20 baht. 

 

You need to remember, there are more taxis than customers, there are plenty of drivers that will be thankful for your business. If you are looking for a taxi in a tourist area and try the kerb crawling mob, you aint going to get a ride at the right price - ignore them.

[impulse]

1 hour ago, MangoKorat said:

A). You need to learn who will take you by meter and who won't.  As a general clue, ignore the gutter crawlers or those that are parked up looking for a customer - they will almost certainly refuse to use their meter and charge you too well over the top. Instead, flag one down that's driving past at normal speed.

 

I figured out not to even try stationary taxis on my first hotel stay in Bangkok.  I'm talking about taxis that I flag down and they refuse the trip if I tell them to use the meter. 

 

Edit:  Here's how that conversation usually goes:  Where you go?  Bumrungrad.  300 baht.  I'll pay the meter.  And then he zooms away.  Which is really stupid on my part because I'm fixing to spend 10K, 20K or 30K at Bumrungrad and 300 baht is peanuts.

 

At the airport, they assign me a taxi.  My options are rather limited there.  Sometimes, they're great and use the meter.  Other times they try it on and my options are to get out and go back to the ticket machine or take the one I got.  Or negotiate the best I can, with my priority being a driver that's not pissed off.  Happy drivers don't drive like maniacs trying to get rid of me as fast as they can.

 

 

[MangoKorat]

On 5/13/2025 at 2:48 PM, impulse said:

figured out not to even try stationary taxis on my first hotel stay in Bangkok.  I'm talking about taxis that I flag down and they refuse the trip if I tell them to use the meter. 

Rarely had that problem in 22 years.  I flag them down and simply ask "you go by meter?" 90% of non crawlers go by meter.

 

I can only ever once remember having to ask a driver to slow down and he did.

 

Please remember my first post on this matter - its a fact that the tips we think of as peanuts can and do cause problems for Thai people.  There is also the possibility that a young woman, waiting for a taxi late at night could face more serious problems.  In my ex's case, I had a word with the hotel manager who agreed that in future, the hotel would call a taxi for late finishing female staff. I can't see restaurants and other smaller employers doing that though.

 

So sorry, but through experience, I know that it is not necessary to give large tips, I don't and I don't have a problem apart from the old 'no have change' trick.  I learned that one years ago and usually have the correct notes to pay the fare.

 

The only time I pay a fixed price is with motorbike taxis - they don't have meters and usually charge far more than the trip is worth but if the traffic's heavy and you need to be somewhere, there's little choice.