Taxi From The Airport To Patong

[SamuiMole]

I am flying into Phuket for the first time in ages next week and need a transfer to Patong Beach. If the stories going around are anywhere near true then the taxi boys in Phuket are as bigger thieves as those in Samui. Roughly what would I expect to pay for a taxi from the airport to Patong ? Is there an official rank at the airport or is it just hawkers ? Are there any "taxi meters" that actually put their meter on is it all down whatever they want to charge.

Any help would be much appreciated

[LivinginKata]

Phuket airport has official limo service, meter taxi, and black (hawker) taxis.

Official airport limo (just a normal car) price clearly listed as you arrive outside baggage hall. Last time I looked it was 600 baht. Meter taxi outside, turn right at the exit door, and walk 25m to taxi stand. I've never had a problem with them turning on the meter, but others tell a different story. You pay 100 baht airport charge and should be about 400 baht on meter.

You could also take a shared minibus, costs about 180 baht/person. But that takes a lot lot longer due to waiting time, time to drop everyone off at their hotels.

[Jimi007]

Phuket airport has official limo service, meter taxi, and black (hawker) taxis.

Official airport limo (just a normal car) price clearly listed as you arrive outside baggage hall. Last time I looked it was 600 baht. Meter taxi outside, turn right at the exit door, and walk 25m to taxi stand. I've never had a problem with them turning on the meter, but others tell a different story. You pay 100 baht airport charge and should be about 400 baht on meter.

You could also take a shared minibus, costs about 180 baht/person. But that takes a lot lot longer due to waiting time, time to drop everyone off at their hotels.

Funny you should mention the meter taxi turning on the meter. I went over to the taxi stand and some woman I had never seen there before was telling me it was 550 Baht to Rawai. I said no, it's 500. She points to the 100 Baht airport service sign. I said that's nice, it's always been there. Anyway I ended up paying 500. The meter was on and it came to 435 or something like that. So, even though the cab had a meter and it was turned on, it still wasn't really used... By the way the limo guys wanted 700 or more, saying their service was of a higher quality...

To the OP; the taxis at the airport aren't really a problem, it's the taxis and tuk tuks on the rest of the island that are a problem. I would suggest you take a meter cab to Patong and get a phone number from them to pick you up when you go back to the airport.

Edited July 20, 2011 by Jimi007

[SamuiMole]

Many thanks , very helpful info

[grumpyoldman]

Phuket airport has official limo service, meter taxi, and black (hawker) taxis.

You could also take a shared minibus, costs about 180 baht/person. But that takes a lot lot longer due to waiting time, time to drop everyone off at their hotels.

some woman I had never seen there before was telling me it was 550 Baht to Rawai. I said no, it's 500.

To the OP; the taxis at the airport aren't really a problem, it's the taxis and tuk tuks on the rest of the island that are a problem. I would suggest you take a meter cab to Patong and get a phone number from them to pick you up when you go back to the airport.

That's spot on correct, you then confirm with the driver, "500, yes(?)" and then it doesn't matter if they run the meter or not.

Have to think the set price for Patong has to be near the same.

[steelepulse]

I took a taxi meter once and it had no working air conditioner and the lpg tank in the boot kept pushing through the back seat making it a very uncomfortable ride. I don't know if it was bad luck, or if most taxi meters are like that. I haven't seen one newish taxi meter in Phuket so I'm assuming these are recycled BKK taxis that have seen better days.

[LivinginKata]

I took a taxi meter once and it had no working air conditioner and the lpg tank in the boot kept pushing through the back seat making it a very uncomfortable ride. I don't know if it was bad luck, or if most taxi meters are like that. I haven't seen one newish taxi meter in Phuket so I'm assuming these are recycled BKK taxis that have seen better days.

I don't use meter taxi much but the few times a have taken from airport back to Kata I can't say I had your experience. Air con worked fine, plenty of space in the trunk, meter turned on, driver pleasant enough. I believe they were all new cars when they first started the meter franchise. Mind you that was quite a few years ago and some cabs are now very tired after a lot of klicks on the clock. Must admit the last time I used from Phuket airport (few months ago) I was thinking that the car needed replaced, lots of strange noises from suspension and wheels. Surprised we made it back to my house.

[phuketrichard]

just take the taxi from the stand in the airport. Rates are posted and i think its 550 to Patong.

no reason to walk with bags to deal with a meter taxi and if it does or doesn't work

[lorddaverichards]

Last month i travelled to Phuket with my thai GF amd when we came out of the airport we were hounded by taxi hawkers and a police man came along and said to my GF go to the booth at the side of the airport and cheaper - which we did and to patong was 450 baht - it wasant the best car but it was ok the driver was pleasant and didnt drive like a rally driver and dont have to pay any additonal fees so thought was OK

just go out of airport and turn right and walk along for about 5min

[falkan]

Last month i travelled to Phuket with my thai GF amd when we came out of the airport we were hounded by taxi hawkers and a police man came along and said to my GF go to the booth at the side of the airport and cheaper - which we did and to patong was 450 baht - it wasant the best car but it was ok the driver was pleasant and didnt drive like a rally driver and dont have to pay any additonal fees so thought was OK

just go out of airport and turn right and walk along for about 5min

taxi-meter

[Jimi007]

I took a taxi meter once and it had no working air conditioner and the lpg tank in the boot kept pushing through the back seat making it a very uncomfortable ride. I don't know if it was bad luck, or if most taxi meters are like that. I haven't seen one newish taxi meter in Phuket so I'm assuming these are recycled BKK taxis that have seen better days.

They did have some pretty beat up cabs, but I just rode home in a brand new Proton on Monday.