Airport Taxis

[SABloke]

So I looked ans it doesn't seem the AOT has a limousine service that can be pre-booked. What's the taxi situation like at the airport? Fixed price or meter? I need a taxi from airport to The Legend Resort in Town. I have booked a 7 seater for cruising around, but not enough space for everyone's bags so I'll send them in a taxi (if it's cheaper than the hotel transfer which is 500 Baht. Any input appreciated.

[sceadugenga]

No problem, there is a taxi desk directly opposite the arrivals area.

Meter appears to be used, probably a small fee for the desk.

I'd say the fare to the Legend for the bags would be well under 500B.

[pomchop]

I would recommend you walk outside the airport and ignore the taxi touts and desk completely....straight out the door at the edge of the parking lot is a place where the taxis sit and I have never had a problem with them using the meter.....i have had problems with the taxi touts quoting flat rates which are always likely to be more than the meter rate.

[andrew55]

G'day SABloke.

 

Not sure about pre-booking limo however there is an AOT limo desk in the baggage carousel area and another kiosk when you come out of arrivals. You can make your arrangements at the desk inside while waiting for baggage and the team will be ready for you on the outside. Be aware that it doesn't always go quite that smoothly... Welcome to Thailand. I like it their way.

 

Taxis are also easy. Follow the signs downstairs for 'Public Taxi'. There are touch screen terminals that have sadly replaced the pleasant English speaking staff and I think that you can select van or car at this point. The machine will issue you with a numbered ticket. Head to the correspondingly numbered vehicle. There is a 50baht airport surcharge and you must pay a couple of tolls along the way.

 

As previously suggested you can grab a taxi from upstairs. You will save the 50 baht airport surcharge. I chose this option early on until I realised that these drivers were queue-jumping their legitimate colleagues who may have had to wait several hours for their fare. Sounds like a kharmic debit to support this behavior. My experience is that the upstairs guys are less law-abiding and subsequently more likely to avoid the meter. The legitimate guys have their entries and exits recorded which makes them more likely to comply. I have had the occasional driver offer a toll included 'set price' but the driver will always win on this deal. Just say meter please. I might then politely try to pronounce his name from his ID sign ... "Sawasdee Khrup Khun(or Mister) Somchai. My name is Andrew. Nice to meet you" All good. And I tip as appropriate.

 

Driver will ask if you want tollway/ motorway/ highway/ upstairs road. Say yes.

 

Taxi fare will be 350-400 on the meter. 500-550 including surcharge and tolls.

Edited September 18, 2016 by andrew55
keyboard dyslexia

[villagefarang]

2 hours ago, andrew55 said:

G'day SABloke.

 

Not sure about pre-booking limo however there is an AOT limo desk in the baggage carousel area and another kiosk when you come out of arrivals. You can make your arrangements at the desk inside while waiting for baggage and the team will be ready for you on the outside. Be aware that it doesn't always go quite that smoothly... Welcome to Thailand. I like it their way.

 

Taxis are also easy. Follow the signs downstairs for 'Public Taxi'. There are touch screen terminals that have sadly replaced the pleasant English speaking staff and I think that you can select van or car at this point. The machine will issue you with a numbered ticket. Head to the correspondingly numbered vehicle. There is a 50baht airport surcharge and you must pay a couple of tolls along the way.

 

As previously suggested you can grab a taxi from upstairs. You will save the 50 baht airport surcharge. I chose this option early on until I realised that these drivers were queue-jumping their legitimate colleagues who may have had to wait several hours for their fare. Sounds like a kharmic debit to support this behavior. My experience is that the upstairs guys are less law-abiding and subsequently more likely to avoid the meter. The legitimate guys have their entries and exits recorded which makes them more likely to comply. I have had the occasional driver offer a toll included 'set price' but the driver will always win on this deal. Just say meter please. I might then politely try to pronounce his name from his ID sign ... "Sawasdee Khrup Khun(or Mister) Somchai. My name is Andrew. Nice to meet you" All good. And I tip as appropriate.

 

Driver will ask if you want tollway/ motorway/ highway/ upstairs road. Say yes.

 

Taxi fare will be 350-400 on the meter. 500-550 including surcharge and tolls.

Nice report on Suvarnabhumi Airport but Chiang Rai is a little different. 

[andrew55]

On 9/19/2016 at 9:37 AM, villagefarang said:

Nice report on Suvarnabhumi Airport but Chiang Rai is a little different. 

Oops.

Edited September 23, 2016 by andrew55