Phuket Thailand

binman · #1 26-07-2006, 17:58

Hi guys,

what's everyone's take on the best way to get from the airport to patong.

Minivan?
Taxi (metered or regular, what's the difference)?
Bus(i'm guessing no, but just to check)?
Helicopter (just kidding)?
hotel pickup?
Limo

Have heard "scare stories" (being taken roundabout ways to travel agents golf corses etc) about all of the above.

Just looking for rough prices for each and and anyones recent experiences.

Thanks.

easyrider_au · #2 26-07-2006, 18:40

Binman, a meter taxi in April cost me 300bt..Unless you have a pickup service offered by your hotel, meter taxis are the go.
The secret is..........what I read on here before I travelled over.
When exiting the airport you'll be hounded by fellas asking you if you need a taxi.....Best off ignoring them or letting them know you are getting a meter taxi.
When you exit the main doors, head over to the left of the carpark......not a long walk....would be 100m ?? & You cannot miss them....
I'm heading over in another week or so & staying at the summer breeze hotel...I'm using their pickup service....
It may pay to ask your hotel if they offer that service?
BTW, when 's your trip?
Hope this was helpful to you.

M & M · #3 27-07-2006, 01:56

I'm with easyrider on this one...I'm definately a fan of the hotel pickup wherever it is offered...We are also staying at the Summer Breeze in September and Bill is sending a minivan for us as there will be three of us with extra luggage...

Marcia

mars · #4 27-07-2006, 04:13

I uaually use the minivan option.

Go to the counter straight ahead in arrivals and ask for a ticket for the minivan, you may have to wait until the bus is full then there is a stop on route where you have to give the ticket up they also ask you where you are staying, If you say that you have booked and paid there is no hassle, sometimes you get other people on the bus asking questions or buying day trips and have to wait. Then there is the long trip around dropping other people off at other hotels so its along process,

Cheap but long. Last time took 2 hours some girl lost her ticket.

Next time i think i'll go for the taximeter option.

The difference with a taximeter and booking a taxi at the counter is they charge a flat fee of around 500Baht.

binman · #5 27-07-2006, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyrider_au

BTW, when 's your trip?
Hope this was helpful to you.

Very helpful.

Thanks ER_au, I arrive in BKK on July 29th and HKT first thing on the 30th.

Staying for 8 days, so I leave on the 6th August.

If you're around i'm sure i'll see you in a couple (of dozen

) bars!

Binman

barfly · #6 27-07-2006, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by mars

I uaually use the minivan option.

Go to the counter straight ahead in arrivals and ask for a ticket for the minivan, you may have to wait until the bus is full then there is a stop on route where you have to give the ticket up they also ask you where you are staying, If you say that you have booked and paid there is no hassle, sometimes you get other people on the bus asking questions or buying day trips and have to wait. Then there is the long trip around dropping other people off at other hotels so its along process,

Cheap but long. Last time took 2 hours some girl lost her ticket.

Next time i think i'll go for the taximeter option.

The difference with a taximeter and booking a taxi at the counter is they charge a flat fee of around 500Baht.

I tried the minivan last trip but won't again. Long wait at the airport until every last seast was full, stopped along the way for quite a while, driver not sure where hotels were..........

Spector · #7 01-08-2006, 02:53

Just booked through the hotel (Asia Web Direct) for a private car pickup (750 B) Seemed high but with my flight arriving at HKT at 1105pm after 26hrs of travel I just didn't want the hassel. Hope there's a guy with my name on a sign.

spartan · #8 02-08-2006, 05:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searanger

Just booked through the hotel (Asia Web Direct) for a private car pickup (750 B) Seemed high but with my flight arriving at HKT at 1105pm after 26hrs of travel I just didn't want the hassel. Hope there's a guy with my name on a sign.

Good luck, I tried that last Feb and found myself standing like a deer in headlights, lot's of signs but none with anything that resembled my name. Ended up getting hearded into one of the minivans. AHHHHHH what a mess

Whatever happens make sure you end up in a private car or taxi, otherwise you'll be visiting every tourist shop and hotel in Patong. Not much fun after 26 hours in the air. Girls at the hotel desk told me to book a car directly through them next time as the (Asia Web Direct) isn't always reliable. Anyways, it's all worth it once you get that first cold Singha in your hands.

landofsmiles · #9 10-09-2006, 16:38

Forget the minibus.

500 baht for silver Airport Limousine immediately outside the terminal or 400-450baht TaxiMeter in topleft corner of the carpark.

ThaiLearner · #10 10-09-2006, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Forget the minibus.

500 baht for silver Airport Limousine immediately outside the terminal or 400-450baht TaxiMeter in topleft corner of the carpark.

Will the silver airport limo take you for a ride around the shops or just to your hotel

stevem · #11 10-09-2006, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaiLearner

Will the silver airport limo take you for a ride around the shops or just to your hotel

Depends, do you look like a sucker!!!!

Nautilus · #12 11-09-2006, 07:31

I would always email the hotel and enquire if they provide FREE airport transfers.

Some do , but some will only provide that if you stay for a certain amout of nights.

landofsmiles · #13 11-09-2006, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaiLearner

Will the silver airport limo take you for a ride around the shops or just to your hotel

I've never had that with them...though I usually take aTaxiMeter

ToTheBeach · #14 11-09-2006, 20:20

Taxi Meter stand now when comming out of the terminal on the far right corner of the buiding. So not anymore to the left!

ThaiLearner · #15 11-09-2006, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

Depends, do you look like a sucker!!!!

You tell me

yccomc · #16 18-09-2006, 19:21

Nice info...I would take the taximeter,thanks.

Insomniac · #17 18-09-2006, 19:32

Have you guys ever got a taxi from the airport to actually turn on his meter?? I generally always take the meter taxi home from the airport. Reasons being its cheaper. But they still don't use the meter. Doesn't bother me that much anymore as i have come to accept it. But just curious if they've ever actually turned it on.

Captain · #18 18-09-2006, 20:42

They allways turn it on. Fare is what is on the meter plus 100 Baht extra, which they tell you before, suppose it is in their contract.
Total from airport to Patong is approx 320 on the meter plus 100 extra.

alibaba · #19 18-09-2006, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insomniac

Have you guys ever got a taxi from the airport to actually turn on his meter?? I generally always take the meter taxi home from the airport. Reasons being its cheaper. But they still don't use the meter. Doesn't bother me that much anymore as i have come to accept it. But just curious if they've ever actually turned it on.

I've used them several times, hkt - Patong and return and a couple of times around the island and the've always used the meter without me asking.

littlenose · #20 21-09-2006, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToTheBeach

Taxi Meter stand now when comming out of the terminal on the far right corner of the buiding. So not anymore to the left!

I can confirm that!!!