Taxi, Rates And Safety

[moforila]

Just wondering how much taxi fairs are from the airport and do we have to be worried about our safety with some lower cost labs.

[soi lurker]

Reputable Cabbies keep a fare listing inside the cab, if you can handle the wait for one, go for your life. Id rather get a private car to take me to my destination. Follow the long lines awaiting...Make sure they use the meter too !!

Edited December 3, 2006 by soi lurker

[Spee]

Can't speak from personal experience at the new airport as my first trip there is later this week.

That aside, I've used cabs quite a bit in and around Don Muang and Bkk. Some tips:

- As another said, don't ever get into a cab without verifying the meter; all cabbies know what "meter taxi" means; if they refuse to turn on the meter in lieu of trying to negotiate a flat rate, then wait and get another.

- Try to avoid getting into the taxi with a bright shiny new 1000thb note fresh from the ATM. It would be like offering a cabbie a $50 or $100 note in New York. Some drivers may have a hard time making change, especially if they have just started their shift. Also, have the toll and wait fee money in exact change and hand it right over as soon as he starts the meter. This will often be appreciated by the cabbie if you give it to them as you start your journey, and helps convey that you know what you're doing. It prevents them from trying to keep change if you offer a bigger note (e.g., 500 or two-100's).

- Ask someone from your airline to write down your destination in Thai, if you don't know how. That way, there should be no confusion on where you want to go. If nothing else, then print out a street map before you go, and circle the general area where you would like to go.

- Learn the basics of taxi conversation (hello, how are you, where you're headed, goodbye/good luck, keep this small tip, etc.)

- Spent 15thb in the airport for an extra bottle of water and offer it to the driver as you are on your way. You'd be surprised how much this can be appreciated.

Some cabbies are jerks just like they are in many big cities. Most cabbies are regular guys just trying to eek out a living just like they are in many big cities.

Good luck.

[think_too_mut]

Just wondering how much taxi fairs are from the airport and do we have to be worried about our safety with some lower cost labs.

I just realized it were you from another thread.

OK, if you are 3 people, a cab would hardly work for you. It's a small Toyota Corolla or similar car with a large LPG tank in the trunk so no big suitcases or much of luggage would fit in. They can almost fit into Falcons or Holdens in Sydney.

The rates would be under 300B to the city. There is a 50B airport surcharge included in that (although I am not sure if it is only when leaving the airport or always).

A limo (Volvo) would be 700B (fixed) + tolls (maybe, 60B extra) and that is what you want for 3 people and their luggage.

For roughly the same price as catching 2 taxis you will get a big car with professional driver who would know his way around.

It's a myth of unmetered taxis going to get you. They know you know they have a meter, "Taxi Meter" is displayed at the roof...if they want to rip you off (possible in case of, say, strong rain and no taxis) they would openly say the price which means, if you don't agree, someone else would. 6 years on I still have to see a taxi that "forgot" to use their meter.

Being a taxi driver is a job in much higer esteem in Thailand (by Thais) than in Australia. I would not expect dishonesties or sudden price hikes.

It would be nice if you gave the driver a 50B tip (after drive from the airport, that is about fair).

Edited December 3, 2006 by think_too_mut

[taupo67]

Have not been to Thailand since the ne airport opened but never had any problems as a tourist with taxis at Don Muang.

For my first few stays in Thailand I used to arrange a pick up via my hotel in BKK. Ended up paying more than a cab (about 800 baht) but as a novice it was worth the extra.

However after returning many times I became really adventurous (sic) and started to get the metered cabs, and haver had any problems.

A few tips on metered cabs.

1. Follow the taxi signs and join the end of the queue (ignore anyone offering you a cab on the way there).

2. Once at the cab booth, they will ask for your destination, they'll write it down and hand it over to the cabbie (have the address written down or learn some pidgeon Thai for the booth lady).

3. Learn some Thai to say hello, thank you, how are you etc to your cabbie.

4. Have some small notes for the various tolls.

5. Offer any sweets etc to your cabbie (always much appreciated)

Not a seasoned Thai traveller but been enough to know that if you remain savvy, look confident, speak some of the language and are polite then you shouldn't have a problem.

They always use the meter at the official taxi stand and you ony have to pay extra for the tolls.

Have never had a problem with taxi drivers in BKK and even when I have taken a taxi late at night from one of the popoular haunts and they didn't want to put the meter on I just laughed and said Mai Ow, meter. The majority of them were Ok with this and even when I couldn't be arsed to reason I accepted a non meter fare and got them down to 100 baht which was about 30baht more than the meter.

[opalhort]

OK, if you are 3 people, a cab would hardly work for you. It's a small Toyota Corolla or similar car with a large LPG tank in the trunk so no big suitcases or much of luggage would fit in. They can almost fit into Falcons or Holdens in Sydney.

They do have larger cabs on request (small station waggons). The surcharge is 100B instead of the usual 50B.

My family (4 Thai adults with a LOT of luggage) arrived at 2AM last month from a holiday in China and had to wait 15 min. for the taxi desk to call a larger cab from the transport center to come to the terminal.

The 50km trip (via Bang-Na-Trat Hwy to Suksawat Rd near Dao-Khanong) cost 273B meter + 100B(surcharge) + 40B toll for expressway. And since my family, as most Thais, are pretty stingy when it comes to tips they gave the poor cabby only 280B for the meter charge.

opalhort

[bizman]

The going "asking" rate is about 800 baht. Bargain with them! Have never worried about any rides, taxis or private cars.