Bangkok Airport Transfers - I got stung - TWICE!

[robd]

...
Remember going to Hua Hin last year in pouring rain and the guy doing 130km/h all the way and I lost count of the number of phone calls he answered holding the phone to his ear. Somehow fell asleep and woke up safe at the other end.

The French taxi driver was texting the whole way doing 140kmh. I wish I could just look out the window and enjoy the scenery.

 

[AdMEL]

That is one of my fears as well.

Remember going to Hua Hin last year in pouring rain and the guy doing 130km/h all the way and I lost count of the number of phone calls he answered holding the phone to his ear. Somehow fell asleep and woke up safe at the other end.

The French taxi driver was texting the whole way doing 140kmh. I wish I could just look out the window and enjoy the scenery.

Not dissimilar to taking a taxi in Melbourne!

 

[ashleyn]

And from January 1 next year we will all be paying 500 Baht tourist tax as well.
No Cookies | The Courier-Mail#

Another $15, where will it all end ?

 

[HarryB]

I think everyone gets stung on their first trip even if you've read a ton if stuff about taxis and meters.

My first trip to Thailand earlier this year started exactly the same way. We got the paperwork from the taxi attendants and got led to the taxi by the driver. Nice bloke, smiled a lot etc. when we got in I told him we wanted the meter on and he said ok. Stupid me realised halfway the cheeky bugger had a hat over the meter. So I asked if the meter was on and he said yes. Anyway, got the hotel after obligatory million miles an hour run along the breakdown lane and he demanded 800 baht. I said no, and bartered him down to 350. Meanwhile the wife was asking the concierge what should normally be acceptable and was told 500 ... Right about the time I had completed the 350 baht transaction. Good result for us but the concierge could not be trusted from that point on.

Welcome to Thailand!

BTW, I took the hotel car this time for 2.5 times the price but no waiting, clean car, no speeding and cold water in the cup holders. I will battle the taxi driver on the way to the airport tomorrow!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Surprised people still fall for this stuff

 

[FxTrader]

I ask the hotel / friends / business associates for the taxi cost.
Then get into the taxi and show the cash money quoted.
If the driver doesn't agree, I get out of the taxi.
Has never failed to work.
Also helps to sit in the front seat.

Once helped a Thai taxi driver change his blown tyre.
That trip cost me nothing.

Caveat Emptor.

 

[Alanslegal]

Have I got this right ? 300THB is about $9.10. So everyone is getting bent out of shape over $10 ! Just curious that's all.

What is the point then ? I've obviously missed something.

If you have been to Bangkok or even a regular visitor to Thailand like I am, the cost to hire a taxi is based upon the driver using/turning on the meter. The rate is charged by distance travelled plus any wait time and hopefully with the driver selecting the correct time rate (day, night, etc). From BKK to the city, say Siam or Sukhumvit, if the meter is used properly the cost should be around 250BHT, the passenger also is required to pay the tolls which is 70BHT ... so total cost is say 320BHT ~AUD$11. Now, the biggest point is that driver's aren't suppose to be bartering a fare with you, it's illegal for them to do so, and to suggest 500BHT or whatever, that's almost 100% uplift on the meter rate. Some drivers do this trick because they know western tourists can easily afford 500BHT, after all what's ~$17 right? The taking advantage of unwary tourists is the issue I have. The good thing with Thailand is even if one gets ripped off, it won't hurt that much. With an honest driver the fare would have been $11 ..... but a dishonest one, well say $17 (500BHT). I have never paid 500BHT to get to the city. I have had drivers who wanted that, but I've always negotiated 400BHT all inclusive. It is hard especially when they start moving. In those situations, I never ever leave a tip to that driver. To an honest driver, I would always round up to nearest 100BHT, so usually I pay 400BHT in the end anyway.

I have been ripped off by drivers in other parts of the world and it hurts much more on the wallet, think Rome for example. A ride from the city to FCO is a flat 60EUR fee. Now, about 5 minutes into the journey, the driver says 'there's roadworks today, I need to do a slight detour and its going to cost an extra 20EUR?!?!?!?!" The balls he had to say its an extra 20EUR when its a flat fixed fee!!!

In Santiago, I took a 3km tax ride and the meter showed ~USD$30!!!! I have read about horror stories of tourists getting ripped off eg. $300 for a taxi ride to the airport! What can you do in those situations? Either pay up or end up in an alleyway with a broken nose?

 

[Alanslegal]

My tip to mitigate the chances of being ripped off from BKK to the city, is the moment you get into the taxi, tell the driver you want to use the "highway" and give him an exact 70BHT which is to cover the tolls. The word "highway" and cash will show to the driver that 1) you know what you are doing or 2) that you have been to Bangkok before or 3) know how the fare system works ie. for him to use the meter.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I have been ripped off by drivers in other parts of the world and it hurts much more on the wallet, think Rome for example. A ride from the city to FCO is a flat 60EUR fee. Now, about 5 minutes into the journey, the driver says 'there's roadworks today, I need to do a slight detour and its going to cost an extra 20EUR?!?!?!?!" The balls he had to say its an extra 20EUR when its a flat fixed fee!!!

The fixed fee is 48EUR. Ignore the driver who will try it on, and keep saying 48EUR, you will be fine.

With a 1EUR tip per bag, I rarely pay more than 50EUR total.

 

[JohnK]

My tip to mitigate the chances of being ripped off from BKK to the city, is the moment you get into the taxi, tell the driver you want to use the "highway" and give him an exact 70BHT which is to cover the tolls. The word "highway" and cash will show to the driver that 1) you know what you are doing or 2) that you have been to Bangkok before or 3) know how the fare system works ie. for him to use the meter.

Or you could start speaking to the driver in Thai. I wish I could speak fluent Thai (that will come in time) but I can speak enough words in Thai for the driver to understand I have been in Thailand before.

 

[djfuzz]

Any BKK regulars have any tips for reliable airport-hotel transfers for families (so probably a van)? Had been looking at Bangkokshuttle.com but not sure how reliable it is, and not sure about whether it's worth waiting for a van cab and playing this whole meter game.

 

[drron]

We used Oriental Escapes for our Pattaya transfers-met us in the arrival hall at BKK.Reliable and good service.Reasonable prices.
Transfer - Offers quality transfer & transportation / Airport pickup and travel services in Thailand

 

[marks]

+1 for oriental escapes. Use them for leisure and business trips. need 24-48 hours notice to confirm and pre-pay trip.

 

[travelislife]

Historically the pink cabs in Bangkok have been associated with the mafia and hence dodgy and less likely to use the metre, so I would give the concierge at the hilton the benefit of the doubt there that he was looking out for you. But they seem to be not so bad now.

On the metre thing you just say metre and get out if they won't turn it on. The more tourists that just give in to it the worse it gets for everyone. The dollar amount doesn't matter. Taxis in Melbourne in peak times now try on the 'flat fare' scam and the more people accept it the more they will do it to the detriment of us all.

 

[froggerADL]

I have a more positive story. I was going from Doubletree Sukhumvit to Don Muang airport at about 1pm. The concierge hailed a taxi for me and I asked him to ensure that the driver used the meter. No problem. The concierge even gave me a card with the taxi's details if I had any problems. It was a very new and clean car and the driver spoke excellent English.

I was so surprised by this trip that I recorded the details. It was 24.4 kms, took 46 minutes, the tolls were 50 baht, which he paid, and the fare on the meter was 185 baht! I gave him 400 baht (less than A$15) and he was as happy as Larry.

 

[djfuzz]

Just reporting back here from our recent Bangkok trip.

Thanks for the referral to Oriental Escapes - we needed a van for the luggage we had and they were excellent, from the meet and greet to drop off, prompt service (despite delays), good vehicles, comfortable with supplied water, quick route taken to hotel.

However, they were booked out for the remainder of the time we were there, so we had to use van taxis to return to the airport (700 THB! but good service) and BangkokShuttle. The latter was the most expensive of the lot but at least were able to organise something at the last minute. Their service was not as efficient and comfortable as Oriental Escapes though, but I guess you can only split hairs so much for an airport transfer.