Phuket Airport Limousines

[niagarekoja]

So book through internet

Which website for this?

http://phuketdir.com/palbuco/rate.htm

Go to home page for booking

[SanukJoe]

That`s booking taxis in arrivals hall not going to the taxi rank outside. Where the meter goes on and you pay when you get to your destination.No paper!!! Just get in tell the driver where you are going and away you go.Well thats always been my experience.If it`s busy there may have been a discussion with other drivers.

Are you sure you got a metered taxi (red and yellow or odd purple and yellow) because they dont usually park outside hotels.The tuk tuks or the private/black taxis would chase them off. They certainly will not pick up in Patong.Only drop off.They value there lives too much. They work 12 hour shifts if they did one job an hour from the airport they would take at least 4800 baht. Thats the whole idea of meter taxis,the meter goes on.You say he took you all around the island then said up to you what you pay.Dos not sound like a meter cab to me.

I can get a car to take me around for no more than a 1000 baht a day (7 hours or so)

Apologies for getting a little hot.I just get tired of some people making excuses for Thai people ripping you off.

I agree with the first poster some thai`s just dont like you in their country. Tough !!

Ashame you find difficulties to read what I wrote. We are both talking metered taxis, you take them from the road and I from the arrivals. After 20 hours travel I want to get into my hotel asap and safe, so I pay 550 baht at the arrivals and everything is fine. We both stay away from scam, that's what this thread is about, so relax.

The guy who took us on the island got 900 baht from me, so again we are talking same same Your story about no pick up in Patong is not true though, own experience. Taxi drivers charge the same as tuktuks if going downtown, no problem at all.

I'm not defending thai people scamming, but some falang people make it very easy as they (not you) want to save money and take the risky way. Up to them but don't complain. 150 baht is not worth it, 2 Singh and it's gone, it will hardly influence your holiday, will it?

Just an example: if I take a taxi in Amsterdam and ask to bring me to a nightclub, where do you think he brings me? To the club where he gets commission... scam? no, just earning some extra money.

Thailand is owned by thais, if you don't like it, stay away. I love Thailand in spite of things that are different than in falang land. Who am I to judge thai people in their own country? I adapt to it and I'm happy.

Joe

[DrDave]

This has been going on for years! I was really amused last year when the fight was going on over the meter taxis being allowed to setup shop at the terminal, when one official was quoted as saying "We've heard of instances where tourists have been dropped off at a tour operator during the course of their ride". This official promised to "look into this and correct this situation". By my count, a minivan leaves the airport about every 15 minutes or so during peak hours. That's at least 40 or so trips per day, with each and every one of them stopping at a tour office to try to snag unsuspecting tourists to sell them hotel rooms and tours. Personally, I've gotten used to this, and just plan on making the stop. I've never been hassled after telling the girl at the tour office that I have a pre-paid reservation. The only problem is that if they do snag someone from the minivan without a reservation, all of the passengers may have to wait up to half an hour (or more) while they do the full sales pitch to those people. This last trip, I asked the people selling the limo tickets in the terminal if the minibus would be stopping at a tour office (just to see if they would give an honest answer), and surprisingly enough, the guy smiled and said yes!

One change I noticed the last time - usually they pile everyone into the same van at the airport, regardless of where they're going, and then split them into separate vehicles (for each destination) at the tour operator. Not this last time, though. Before reaching our place in Patong, we made the complete rounds of Phuket Town, dropping off a few locals, making the entire trip from the airport to Patong about 2 hours.

Given the fact that a meter taxi to the Patong area is going to be a minimum of 450 baht, and most likely 550, you need to weigh the savings against the hassle and delay of stopping at the tour office when taking the minivan. In my opinion, if you're not traveling alone, the meter taxi is the way to go. If the savings of 400 baht (for a single traveler) is attractive, then take the limo - but be prepared for the stop and sales pitch on the way. If you don't already have a reservation, and prefer not to deal with the tour operator, just tell them you have a prepaid reservation, and they'll let you get back on the minibus immediately.

[SanukJoe]

This has been going on for years! I was really amused last year when the fight was going on over the meter taxis being allowed to setup shop at the terminal, when one official was quoted as saying "We've heard of instances where tourists have been dropped off at a tour operator during the course of their ride". This official promised to "look into this and correct this situation". By my count, a minivan leaves the airport about every 15 minutes or so during peak hours. That's at least 40 or so trips per day, with each and every one of them stopping at a tour office to try to snag unsuspecting tourists to sell them hotel rooms and tours. Personally, I've gotten used to this, and just plan on making the stop. I've never been hassled after telling the girl at the tour office that I have a pre-paid reservation. The only problem is that if they do snag someone from the minivan without a reservation, all of the passengers may have to wait up to half an hour (or more) while they do the full sales pitch to those people. This last trip, I asked the people selling the limo tickets in the terminal if the minibus would be stopping at a tour office (just to see if they would give an honest answer), and surprisingly enough, the guy smiled and said yes!

One change I noticed the last time - usually they pile everyone into the same van at the airport, regardless of where they're going, and then split them into separate vehicles (for each destination) at the tour operator. Not this last time, though. Before reaching our place in Patong, we made the complete rounds of Phuket Town, dropping off a few locals, making the entire trip from the airport to Patong about 2 hours.

Given the fact that a meter taxi to the Patong area is going to be a minimum of 450 baht, and most likely 550, you need to weigh the savings against the hassle and delay of stopping at the tour office when taking the minivan. In my opinion, if you're not traveling alone, the meter taxi is the way to go. If the savings of 400 baht (for a single traveler) is attractive, then take the limo - but be prepared for the stop and sales pitch on the way. If you don't already have a reservation, and prefer not to deal with the tour operator, just tell them you have a prepaid reservation, and they'll let you get back on the minibus immediately.

I totally agree with you and you say the right thing: if you don't mind to go to the tour agency it's ok. But then you don't complain either!!

If you don't mind a 2 hour drive instead of 45 minutes: go ahead but don't complain! I prefer to go fast to my hotel after 20 hours travel so I pay at arrivals and 45 minutes later I'm there, no scam.

Joe

[Welsh John]

As a matter of interest, are the Metered Taxis allowed inside the terminal now?? They used to always have to park outside the terminal on the road.

[Felt 35]

Arrived at Phuket airport in November and talked with one of the luggage guys outside the building and he told me no Meter-Taxi, why I said, oh big problem he said.

I took a look myself and could not see any meter-taxi where they use to park.

Arrived again one week ago and this time it was meter taxi`s outside the main gate to the airport. Probably drop off.

Take the bus guys, comfortable, no Formel 1 racing and cheap.

[LivinLOS]

10 trips a year from and to the airport in phuket always take a metered taxi never ever had a problem, fast and cheap

So how much should the ride cost from the airport to Patong beach in a metered taxi?

Metered taxi 350 baht no more than 400. You pay driver!!!

550 baht is a fixed price you pay at the airport, the number of the taxi is written down and an assistant helps you to get the right taxi. A great system, no scam, no problem. Those who want to save 150 baht (unbelievable) take the risk to be scammed....

Funny how guys who spend 2000-4000 baht a day in Patong want to save 150 baht on the taxi... wake up!

Joe

A 'metered' taxi has a 'meter' that charges per mile (combined with standing traffic charge).. Hence why it is a 'metered' taxi.. The airport limos do not have any 'meter' hence are not 'metered' taxis.. Clear ??

The actual metered taxis are being paid per mile to go where you tell them they will not stop you somewhere you didnt ask to go.

The limo group you are recommending are the asses that pull these stops (tho they only do it with the minibus groups and not the limos generally) hence why I will not support them with one baht. They are all part of the brotherhood of tuk tuk scum and all band together to blockade the airport or the main road junctions as soon as anything is mentioned to break their stranglehold monopoly on the transport issues.

[LivinLOS]

10 trips a year from and to the airport in phuket always take a metered taxi never ever had a problem, fast and cheap

So how much should the ride cost from the airport to Patong beach in a metered taxi?

Metered taxi 350 baht no more than 400. You pay driver!!!

550 baht is a fixed price you pay at the airport, the number of the taxi is written down and an assistant helps you to get the right taxi. A great system, no scam, no problem. Those who want to save 150 baht (unbelievable) take the risk to be scammed....

Funny how guys who spend 2000-4000 baht a day in Patong want to save 150 baht on the taxi... wake up!

Joe

Well I for one have had problems with the limo hire in the airport over many years.IE; Drunk, rude,not knowing where they were going and not listening to directions and driving far to fast.Trying to sell you something you dont wont.

I have always lways found the Meter taxis helpful polite and considerate drivers.Unlike the limo`s.

And as for saving a 150 baht or similar.Thats what allows me and others to travel. Saving money.

My money is very hard earned. I dont see why I or others should be ripped of by so called limo`s in the airport.Or any one else for that matter.

And I am very wide awake thank you. Merry Christmas!!

Don't get upset, no need to, just read what I wrote. I'm talking metered taxis, not limo service or vans. Arriving at Phuket airport I go to the taxi stand, tell them where I want to go, pay them 550 baht, get a paper with the number of the taxi and am helped to find that taxi. Absolutely great. Show the taxi driver the address and he brings me nicely there, not selling anything, not drunk, not driving too fast.

Last time during my stay, my wife and I took the taxi driver who was always parking in front of the hotel to take us around on Phuket Island. He drove us all day, showing wonderful places, gettting us to a good restaurant, everything. You know how it ended? I asked him how much is it and he said: I leave it up to you..... great guy, no scam, metered taxi.

Joe

You clearly have no idea what a meter is..

Your supporting the wrong group and the perpetrators of the problem.

[SanukJoe]

10 trips a year from and to the airport in phuket always take a metered taxi never ever had a problem, fast and cheap

So how much should the ride cost from the airport to Patong beach in a metered taxi?

Metered taxi 350 baht no more than 400. You pay driver!!!

550 baht is a fixed price you pay at the airport, the number of the taxi is written down and an assistant helps you to get the right taxi. A great system, no scam, no problem. Those who want to save 150 baht (unbelievable) take the risk to be scammed....

Funny how guys who spend 2000-4000 baht a day in Patong want to save 150 baht on the taxi... wake up!

Joe

Well I for one have had problems with the limo hire in the airport over many years.IE; Drunk, rude,not knowing where they were going and not listening to directions and driving far to fast.Trying to sell you something you dont wont.

I have always lways found the Meter taxis helpful polite and considerate drivers.Unlike the limo`s.

And as for saving a 150 baht or similar.Thats what allows me and others to travel. Saving money.

My money is very hard earned. I dont see why I or others should be ripped of by so called limo`s in the airport.Or any one else for that matter.

And I am very wide awake thank you. Merry Christmas!!

Don't get upset, no need to, just read what I wrote. I'm talking metered taxis, not limo service or vans. Arriving at Phuket airport I go to the taxi stand, tell them where I want to go, pay them 550 baht, get a paper with the number of the taxi and am helped to find that taxi. Absolutely great. Show the taxi driver the address and he brings me nicely there, not selling anything, not drunk, not driving too fast.

Last time during my stay, my wife and I took the taxi driver who was always parking in front of the hotel to take us around on Phuket Island. He drove us all day, showing wonderful places, gettting us to a good restaurant, everything. You know how it ended? I asked him how much is it and he said: I leave it up to you..... great guy, no scam, metered taxi.

Joe

You clearly have no idea what a meter is..

Your supporting the wrong group and the perpetrators of the problem.

No need to get personal and insulting. I know very well what a meter is, I have taken twice this year a "metered" taxi (NO LIMO!) from Phuket airport. The taxi driver gets a fixed amount of money for the trip, that's his own choice, and he leaves the meter OFF. Official taxi, metered, for a fixed price, fast and reliable.

As you have read only taxis working on the fixed price system have entry to the terminal, so it is the easiest, fastest and most reliable system!

Joe

[LivinLOS]

Well if you are aware what it is then please stop referring to the airport limo service as the meter taxis, even in your above post you say "metered, for a fixed price" !! Those silver ones are airport limos.. They are not meter taxis and they are the the group that perpetrates the complaints of this thread (in the mini bus service)..

Taxis were in the car park (towards exit) and last time I came through moved to the right hand side of the arrivals exit. Last few times I have been through they are inside the terminal car park (18 months or so ??) although the limo drivers will lie and try to discourage you from going there. No not have, gone now, not there, etc and there they are !!!

When the meters first arrived I asked one if he would leave the meter off (testing him) and he said "no no hab meter" smiled and off we go.. Patong is usually 350 - 400 baht in the meter tho they do have an airport surcharge to get access thanks to the limo drivers.

Meter taxis have all refused to come to Patong for pickups for me as they say the tuk tuks will smash windows or give them a beating.. A buddy says he has been able to call one but they will not venture to my location, thank the tuk tuks for that as they hold that for them and the limo drivers (who can come into Patong).

[SanukJoe]

Well if you are aware what it is then please stop referring to the airport limo service as the meter taxis, even in your above post you say "metered, for a fixed price" !! Those silver ones are airport limos.. They are not meter taxis and they are the the group that perpetrates the complaints of this thread (in the mini bus service)..

Taxis were in the car park (towards exit) and last time I came through moved to the right hand side of the arrivals exit. Last few times I have been through they are inside the terminal car park (18 months or so ??) although the limo drivers will lie and try to discourage you from going there. No not have, gone now, not there, etc and there they are !!!

When the meters first arrived I asked one if he would leave the meter off (testing him) and he said "no no hab meter" smiled and off we go.. Patong is usually 350 - 400 baht in the meter tho they do have an airport surcharge to get access thanks to the limo drivers.

Meter taxis have all refused to come to Patong for pickups for me as they say the tuk tuks will smash windows or give them a beating.. A buddy says he has been able to call one but they will not venture to my location, thank the tuk tuks for that as they hold that for them and the limo drivers (who can come into Patong).

I stop discussing with you whether or not I took an airport taxi, I know for myself and don't want to waste more time.

As I said in an earlier posting: book a hotel on line, pay it, get a voucher and show that to the taxi driver. Result: no problem.

If you look at Phuket chat rooms half of the people experienced problems, the other half never did. Maybe they had their hotel booked in advance?

[donna]

keep it nice fellas. no personal insults please. this thread IS interesting, but if the insults become personal i WILL close it down.

i will also put in my two bobs worth. the taxis you pay for inside the terminal with the piece of paper are the airport limousines. they have green registration plates. they usually, but not always, drive like complete idiots - tailgating and the like.

the taxis with the meter in them (which may or may not be turned on) are metered taxis.

[mouse]

Now back to the surf .... wait a minute - no waves? ermm.gif ermm.gif

Waves cost extra.....can be ordered at https://waves.com

[lwm99]

When I arrived in Phuket on Dec 21, upon exiting the airport main door, I turn right to walk to the end, there you will see "real" taxi waiting, with a counter that asks you when you want to go. According to the printed table, you will be told of the fare to be paid upon reaching your destination, and she pass you a piece of paper with the location and fare on it. For my case, it was 420 baht to go Patong. No worry about stopping at some travel agent, etc. Although that taxi driver also drove like hel_l, I would still use their service next time, rather than those at the main entrance claiming they are limo or taxi.

On the way back, I booked through the hotel and paid 600 baht for a car to the airport. Also point-to-point, rather than save maybe 100 baht and have to go through all the hassle of finding one on the street.

[Welsh John]

I've only experienced the 1 stop at the scam shop & that was this year. I've been using the the airport Limos for 7 years & before this never had any problems.

My house is in Kathu so I only usually pay 450 Bt & after & long journey I just want to get home without any grief.

[niagarekoja]

Well if you are aware what it is then please stop referring to the airport limo service as the meter taxis, even in your above post you say "metered, for a fixed price" !! Those silver ones are airport limos.. They are not meter taxis and they are the the group that perpetrates the complaints of this thread (in the mini bus service)..

Taxis were in the car park (towards exit) and last time I came through moved to the right hand side of the arrivals exit. Last few times I have been through they are inside the terminal car park (18 months or so ??) although the limo drivers will lie and try to discourage you from going there. No not have, gone now, not there, etc and there they are !!!

When the meters first arrived I asked one if he would leave the meter off (testing him) and he said "no no hab meter" smiled and off we go.. Patong is usually 350 - 400 baht in the meter tho they do have an airport surcharge to get access thanks to the limo drivers.

Meter taxis have all refused to come to Patong for pickups for me as they say the tuk tuks will smash windows or give them a beating.. A buddy says he has been able to call one but they will not venture to my location, thank the tuk tuks for that as they hold that for them and the limo drivers (who can come into Patong).

Thank goodness for common sence.I thought I was going daft trying to explain the difference to our friend.Your experience is the same as mine.

In November the limo drivers tried to tell me the meter taxis no longer were at the airport due to "boxing".

Even when I saw meter taxis approaching airport terminal.Though I cant complain, a black cab took me to Patong for 400 baht.In all fairness he drove well, parked near to where I was staying and carried all my bags to reception.

I was just a little angry that he tried to tell me meter taxis were finished at the airport,when dozens passed us going in the oposite direction back to the airport.I can take the scams around town but you would expect a more proffesional approach/control at an airport such as Phuket.I think some Thai`s just think were stupid and to be taken advantage of. Well I`am sorry I dont like being laughed at whatever the nationality.

I would love to know the insurance conditions of the many private/black cabs taking you back to the airport.Are they insured for fare paying passenger`s. Many are just private cars belonging to hotel or guest house.

Certainly in the UK their insurance would/could be invalid .

[britmaveric]

Simple arrange pick-up with hotel you book before you come.

[niagarekoja]

As a matter of interest, are the Metered Taxis allowed inside the terminal now?? They used to always have to park outside the terminal on the road.

They were parking in the carpark across the road slightly to the left as you came our of arrivals

Now they park right at the end of the terminal coming out of arrivals to the right.No road to cross.Hard to see. You have to walk in that direction to see them.