Taxis From The Airport

[davyburns]

I am coming to Thailand in November, (Into Bangkok) and need transport to Pattaya, What should I pay? how do I avoid getting ripped off

Thanks in advance

Davy

Edited August 28, 2012 by davyburns

[theoldgit]

Depending on your time of arrival, you could consider Bell Bus, it cost 200 Baht to Pattaya, then they transfer you to a mini bus to your hotel, included in price.

http://www.belltravelservice.com/routes_rates.php#

Haven't used taxis for some years but if you avoid the touts lurking around and go to the taxi ramp, I suspect you would get one for about 1500 Baht.

Edited September 1, 2012 by theoldgit

[lovetotravel]

Mr. Ts does a taxi service for about 1100B or so. Great service, many Thaivisa members use this. It's nice having somebody there waiting for you. No negotiating.

Bell Bus is also a great service, if you are then when they are operating.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

The service I use is there waiting for me never fail

door to door service

all cost included (fuel, tolls, etc) No surprised !

They speak very good english and answer all my E-mails

Every car or truck they use is in first class condition and never over a year or so old

they will even bring the wife or GF to the airport to meet you for 200 Bt. extra

1 person and normal luggage 900 bt.

PM me if you want his contact information, you will be glad you did

[JeffreyMcCollum]

POOF !

What happened ? there was a wonderful post by a with all the <snip>options, pros and cons and cost. came back to copy it and it was gone ?

So the questions is where did it go ? any one see it ? or am I having a senor moment again ?

[craigt3365]

POOF !

What happened ? there was a wonderful post by a "<snip>" with all the options, pros and cons and cost. came back to copy it and it was gone ?

So the questions is where did it go ? any one see it ? or am I having a senor moment again ?

Yes there was a post from a member that has been removed. Forum rules don't allow members to promote their own business unless they are a paying sponsor. As you can imagine, sponsors who pay Thaivisa to promote their business here are not happy when non paying members promote their business for free. So, the post was removed from view. But! I'll reproduce it here as it was good information:

As stated above, though busses cost less, it is on their schedule and most stop near 7 pm. Some are prebooked and don't always have walk up seats avalable. Bell is the best service I know BKK to Pattaya for 260 Bt last time I checked Then you still need to get to your home, hotel, condo, or apartment. And if your plame is delayed, sorry out of luck I have used this service from Bell many times going to the airpiort with advanced ticket purchased

First heading out of passport control you will hit the AOT taxi's. Thai drivers usually with some basic English skills and usually more safety minded, but BKK to Pattaya last I knew was Quoted at 2600 Bt with no extras. Good service but costly, and late at night less are around.

Next you get hit with the what I call Gypsey Taxi's Not really sure what your getting, They usually start at 2000 Bt. wanting you to think that is a good deal after the AOT prices, But be very careful. Some are taken a short ways and then transferd to other cars and drivers that I wouldn't let my dog ride in And good luck with English. I did this personally one time when I was new here and deathly aftaid the whole way and was just happy to get somewhere near Pattaya and out of the car I was in

Out side is the Meter taxi's, But why do they call them that ? they look like a meter taxi,They have a meter in them, you Que up and pay and additional 50 bt. fee, and then they say they want 1400 Bt.or more when The meter is truly about 700 bt. from the airport depending on the route. And they charge extra for toll ways. They often stop along the way. I know some that work 16 - 20 hour shifts and drink M150's or red bull in hopes to stay awake. English is mixed bag at best, and though The airport says all taxi's are 5 years or less have a look for yourself. Your safety here seem of little concern to them, just getting you there quickly so they can spend some of that extra on a drink or maybe a lady ? But if you have no reservation, arrive late at night, and there is 2 or 3 of you, this is an option and I have done it. Bag space can be limited with a tank in the trunk for CNG or LPG

Next option is someone like us. An independant. driver. If you have been coming to Thailand a few times you probably know someone who does this or someone who uses a service like this. We meet you at the airport. Usually in a area or with a sign. It was pre arranged with a call or E-mail.. NName, flight, times, and where your going to.You find them on web sites like this one your readying (in the classified ads) as well as others (am I allowed to say Baht sold or Craigs list ??? without them editing them out ?) There are many of them. Some only serve some airports and cities, while others like us do most airports and most places you could want to go in Thailand. Services like this differ, Some offer newer cars, trucks, or vans, and others older units. Some only want one or two passengers, like us, while others service larger groups. Some will pick up your wife, husband, girlfriend, friend or date to meet you at the airport, again like us, while other do not. Prices vary as well as service but most try to give better service to earn repeat business that we need to survive with all these options out there

Ask around, ask one of your friend, You know, the one that goes here every few months, I am sure they know a good service to use.

The last thing anyone wants is surprises or trouble after a long flight here

[JeffreyMcCollum]

POOF !

What happened ? there was a wonderful post by a "<snip>" with all the options, pros and cons and cost. came back to copy it and it was gone ?

So the questions is where did it go ? any one see it ? or am I having a senor moment again ?

Yes there was a post from a member that has been removed. Forum rules don't allow members to promote their own business unless they are a paying sponsor. As you can imagine, sponsors who pay Thaivisa to promote their business here are not happy when non paying members promote their business for free. So, the post was removed from view. But! I'll reproduce it here as it was good information:

As stated above, though busses cost less, it is on their schedule and most stop near 7 pm. Some are prebooked and don't always have walk up seats avalable. Bell is the best service I know BKK to Pattaya for 260 Bt last time I checked Then you still need to get to your home, hotel, condo, or apartment. And if your plame is delayed, sorry out of luck I have used this service from Bell many times going to the airpiort with advanced ticket purchased

First heading out of passport control you will hit the AOT taxi's. Thai drivers usually with some basic English skills and usually more safety minded, but BKK to Pattaya last I knew was Quoted at 2600 Bt with no extras. Good service but costly, and late at night less are around.

Next you get hit with the what I call Gypsey Taxi's Not really sure what your getting, They usually start at 2000 Bt. wanting you to think that is a good deal after the AOT prices, But be very careful. Some are taken a short ways and then transferd to other cars and drivers that I wouldn't let my dog ride in And good luck with English. I did this personally one time when I was new here and deathly aftaid the whole way and was just happy to get somewhere near Pattaya and out of the car I was in

Out side is the Meter taxi's, But why do they call them that ? they look like a meter taxi,They have a meter in them, you Que up and pay and additional 50 bt. fee, and then they say they want 1400 Bt.or more when The meter is truly about 700 bt. from the airport depending on the route. And they charge extra for toll ways. They often stop along the way. I know some that work 16 - 20 hour shifts and drink M150's or red bull in hopes to stay awake. English is mixed bag at best, and though The airport says all taxi's are 5 years or less have a look for yourself. Your safety here seem of little concern to them, just getting you there quickly so they can spend some of that extra on a drink or maybe a lady ? But if you have no reservation, arrive late at night, and there is 2 or 3 of you, this is an option and I have done it. Bag space can be limited with a tank in the trunk for CNG or LPG

Next option is someone like us. An independant. driver. If you have been coming to Thailand a few times you probably know someone who does this or someone who uses a service like this. We meet you at the airport. Usually in a area or with a sign. It was pre arranged with a call or E-mail.. NName, flight, times, and where your going to.You find them on web sites like this one your readying (in the classified ads) as well as others (am I allowed to say Baht sold or Craigs list ??? without them editing them out ?) There are many of them. Some only serve some airports and cities, while others like us do most airports and most places you could want to go in Thailand. Services like this differ, Some offer newer cars, trucks, or vans, and others older units. Some only want one or two passengers, like us, while others service larger groups. Some will pick up your wife, husband, girlfriend, friend or date to meet you at the airport, again like us, while other do not. Prices vary as well as service but most try to give better service to earn repeat business that we need to survive with all these options out there

Ask around, ask one of your friend, You know, the one that goes here every few months, I am sure they know a good service to use.

The last thing anyone wants is surprises or trouble after a long flight here

Very good and very true post, But I wonder what business he is permoting ? (He/she/they) Names Bell, that I have used, then names AOT, that I can not afford to use as well as meter taxi's and others. Sounds more like to me he was giving a fair honest call on all the options avalable there. except the rail link but that doesn't go to Pattaya like the OP wanted

Any rate, thanks for reposting, and thanks <snip> for a fair and honest assesment of transportation options at BKK

Edited February 14, 2013 by onthedarkside
name removed

[fakename]

When I arrived in Swampy, a fellow on the same flight asked if I wanted to share a taxi with him, to Pattaya, So of course, if its cheaper. He said we should go to the departure area, and catch a taxi there, since we could get a good price, and not go back to Pattaya empty. We got a taxi, for I think 1000 baht, but then the taxi took us to another place, and wanted us to switch cars, to a rather dumpy car, but before we left, they wanted us to change again to another car, even a bit more dumpy. Then the lady driver talked about a tip, so by the time we got to Pattaya, we had to pay 700 baht each.

So, after all that BS, we didnt really save much, and who knows what might happen when driving in a different direction, than where you want to go, especially if you are alone. I would recommend the Bell bus company, if there time table fits your flight. If you dont want to take a taxi, then another solution is to have a friend come and pick you up. A gray taxi is about the last option.

[fakename]

Oh yeah, there are also the mini-buses that you can hire, online, or from an add. They will take a whole group of people. The only problem is that they drive like race car drivers, and will not slow down for anything. I think they are hired on there aggressiveness, not driving skill. The best option, I think, is Bell, or maybe one of the other bus lines, but I have only used Bell, so cant guess how the others drive.