I have read about the minibus service, which seems to be the cheapest way to get to Patong, but I cannot find any details about it that are less than 2-3 years old. So, I just want to verify that they are still around. I arrive around 6:30 pm, and I was wondering how late they are available, and also what the current price is (฿180 is the most recent I have found). My hotel wants ฿650, which is half of what the room costs.

I know they have some sort of scam involving stopping by a tour desk on the way to Patong. I will need to go on boat tour the next day, is there any way they will offer anything decent, or should I just wait until I get to town? The only problem is that I arrive at night, and do not know how late the tour offices stay open.

Meter taxi should be somewhere around 450 baht. You're not obligated to book anything if the van stops at a tour desk, if you opt to take that instead of a taxi.

The tour shops are open to late in the evening in Patong,

You should have no problem booking the tour you want when you get there.

Check at least 2 or 3, tour shops are all over the place and you will get a good price

Flight arrival at 6.30 means 8.00 pm in your hotelroom, if you take a taxi. If you join the minibus (operate until late), could be close to 9.00 because they wait until full, have many drop offs and do the tour desk stop. Could be close call for booking a boat trip the next day. Probably, some agent could fit you in. Don't pay anything in advance! No deposit. When it starts raining hard the next day, you'll lose your money if you don't go. Hate to say this but maybe would be better to book at the tour desk stop. Or you could book by email with any company after googling.

Just to update, the minibus to Patong was still ฿150, and the taxi was ฿450 (fixed rate from airport). I ended up taking taxi there, so I could book a tour in town. You can book a mini-bus back to the airport, but they don't run every hour, so you want to do it with plenty of time to spare. The price back is the same, but many of the desks will raise it by ฿20-30, which really isn't worth arguing about. The taxi fares seemed to vary widely back to the airport, depending on the tour desk. Some were ฿450, but others were ฿550-600, so if you want the taxi, try and shop around, or else get the phone number of the taxi who takes you into town and call him before you want to leave.

One thing about the mini-bus is that I was the first one on, and we did 2 complete loops of Patong before heading to the airport, so you want to give yourself plenty of time. Also, they drive like complete idiots, so make sure your seatbelt works and is on.