Penang Taxi's

[Moonrakers]

Despite being quite street wise in Thailand, when I go to other countries and I am absolutley useless and a prime target for rip-off airport taxis. I have a visa run next week, and so what should I do at Penang airport to avoid being ripped off? (My BKK-Penang arrives at 7.30 am-ish next week).

The other alternative is to go for the Penang visa package on this site, is it good value for money?

Thanks.

[Naut.Sirius]

Hi,

I went to Penang from Bkk in 2007 and if I remember correctly you pay a flat fee at the taxi counter in the airport. I think this is the only way that the taxis can operate at the airport ~ but I could be mistaken about that.

Despite being quite street wise in Thailand, when I go to other countries and I am absolutley useless and a prime target for rip-off airport taxis. I have a visa run next week, and so what should I do at Penang airport to avoid being ripped off? (My BKK-Penang arrives at 7.30 am-ish next week).

The other alternative is to go for the Penang visa package on this site, is it good value for money?

Thanks.

[ovenman]

There is always the two ringgit option. As of last week, the local bus stops at the airport in Penang. See: Using the Rapid Penang bus to/from the airport

[ovenman]

To address the OP directly: there is a prepaid taxi counter at the Penang airport. What they charge is what you pay, period. The fare from the airport to Georgetown was RM 38 but it may well have jumped up with the recent steep petrol price hike in Malaysia. Return taxi fare is usually a few ringgit less than the fare from the airport, but not all that much less.

[Briggsy]

Get the bus. 38RM is too much.

[jastheace]

Get the bus. 38RM is too much.

agreed.the taxis are a scam,which the government are being pressed into addressing,the fuel prices hadnt gone up when i was there a week ago,but their fares were still too expensive.38 rm is toooo much.get the bus (rapid transit) 2 rm (20 baht) from the airport.most malaysians are aware of this scam,and i know(from one experience personally)that it really does p155 them off especially they rip tourists off(we are after all their FUTURE bread and butter) unlike LOS attitude, 'better 100 baht today than 1000 tomorrow..

anyone agree with that ??

[torrenova]

Most people going to Penang are after a visa so they need to drop their passport into the consulate before 11am or something. No need to use an agent unless you are brain dead. The taxi will wait for you while you fill out your forms and take you to your hotel. No sweat.

[sniffdog]

Correct. RM 38 isn't too expensive ... around 380 baht or so. A little more expensive than in Bangkok.

If you are going straight to the consulate, this is the only viable (and sensible) option. There is no bus going to the consulate from Komtar or the Jetty. You can, of course, use the services of a agent in Georgetown, but that sets you back another 20RM or so. Plus you might not be able to submit on the same day of your arrival.

Also, that the fare from the city to the airport is only a few Ringgit less than the other way around is nonsense. In September I did the trip Komtar>Consulate->Airport and I negotiated a fare of RM27. In January it was RM20 Komtar->Airport (although the meter said RM15).

Price might have gone up lately but not that significant.

[Moonrakers]

Thanks.

I am wanting to apply at the consulate on the same day of arrival and so a taxi it is I guess.

[astral]

Walk outside the airport and flag down a passing ordinary taxi.

You will have to negotiate the fare, but it will be cheaper than the pre-paid mafia inside the airport.

PS Although the ordinary taxis have meters, the last time I was there, they were refusing to use them

and all fares had to be pre-negotiated.

[sniffdog]

Although I negotiated RM20 from the Komtar to the airport he used the meter. On arrival it was 15RM ... I considered protesting, but didn't and paid the amount negotiated.

The airport service is convenient and fast. However, as Astral said, you can wave down a taxi in front of the airport (there are always taxis in the neighborhood who are not allowed to use

the airport service).

[bangkokgas]

How can it be a taxi "mafia" as the desk is an official airport service? Curious!

[sniffdog]

How can it be a taxi "mafia" as the desk is an official airport service? Curious!

I guess someone likes to get you into the bus .... My personal advice ... drink less (or not at all) and spent your money on convenience ....

It's so funny to see the bums on Chulia drinking away their money and saving money on hotel and transport.

[bangkokgas]

I'm the opposite - I pay silly money for lodgings, eat at the best places.....and drink on Chulia!