Phuket Thailand: Airport Taxi Warning

dj dave · #36 08-12-2005, 15:45

I must be charmed. On the first trip there I asked about hotels and transport at the terminal. The two girls showed us a map of Patong and we decided on the Safari following their recommendations. They didn't book it for us, we just lobbed and negotiated at the desk.

Then they suggested we should take the meter taxi rather than the taxis at the front. I didn't know why until now but it was good advice. No stops, no scams and have always used them since. Sod mini-vans etc. The meter taxis are good as gold. I think it cost us 350 baht to Patong including the airport fee. Bargain.

Bello Uomo · #37 25-01-2006, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_Farquard

Walk out the door go to the left side of the terminal, walk across the parking lot (75yards), go to meter cab booth. They charge off the meter, don't stop, and is cheaper than the mini bus.

Arriving in Phuket next week, want to give these metered-taxi guys some business.

These instructions are helpful - cheers!

Assuming I find this part of the airport okay, are the metered taxis distinguishable in any way? (eg. colour) Or should I just ask them "are you a metered taxi?".

dizbuster · #38 25-01-2006, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bello Uomo

...Assuming I find this part of the airport okay, are the metered taxis distinguishable in any way? (eg. colour) Or should I just ask them "are you a metered taxi?".

Yes. If memory serves me right, some are blue+red and some are yellow+green in colour. Plus they will have a sign on the roof saying "meter" or "taxi".

Lord_Farquard · #39 25-01-2006, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bello Uomo

Arriving in Phuket next week, want to give these metered-taxi guys some business.

These instructions are helpful - cheers!

Assuming I find this part of the airport okay, are the metered taxis distinguishable in any way? (eg. colour) Or should I just ask them "are you a metered taxi?".

That is the only thing that is parked out there. Remember stand at the doors looking out into the world, then walk about 100 meters heading in the 11:00 direction, and you cannot miss it, well, hardly cannot.

hint
look for the cabs

Bello Uomo · #40 26-01-2006, 11:27

Thanks for the additional info Lord and Diz

Sounds like it will be a breeze. Am arriving quite late in the evening, so I don't want any dilly-dally with the cab.

Lord_Farquard · #41 26-01-2006, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bello Uomo

Thanks for the additional info Lord and Diz

Sounds like it will be a breeze. Am arriving quite late in the evening, so I don't want any dilly-dally with the cab.

they have a small building out there, just look for the lights. Remember go to the left, the small building to the right is the entrance to the parking lot.

forward_one · #42 28-01-2006, 06:11

Everyone (thai) have to make some living in Thailand. Don't be scared for taxi-drivers but understand, if they arange a hotel or room for you they got comission. That's all the same all over the world. If you ask him to bring you to a ***** he would do the same. So if he or she makes a big profit it's your mistake. If you still feel you had a good deal instead got ripped who cares?

See it this way.
I payed in the past some learningmoney but still had a good time.
After I learned and many years later Thailand is cheaper and still great.

When you going to a strange place prepare and read on the Internet.
Learn!

for Thailand remember a couple of things.

Stay out of trouble.
Be aware there is no insuarance on motorbikes, jetski's or whatever.
(you have to pay for the dammage)
Never use drugs!
Never fall in love

and always pay the girl if you take one.

Forward.

Papa John · #43 07-04-2006, 03:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_Farquard

I never use the mini bus. Walk out the door go to the left side of the terminal, walk across the parking lot (75yards), go to meter cab booth. They charge off the meter, don't stop, and is cheaper than the mini bus. They are starting to give out a complaint forms to the passangers is you have a problem. 10 trips, no stops, no hastles, no problems.

I have never used the meter taxi on my previous trips. Always the car for hire or mini bus. Both insist on making the stop trying to get me to book a hotel room. This is getting old and tiresome and I really don't want the aggravation. Especially, when I have been traveling from 30 to 40 hours, half way around the world, from Miami.

On my next trip, in a few weeks, I think I would like to try the meter taxis. Not that it makes a big difference but does anyone know what the approximate price would be from the airport to the Yorkshire Inn on Soi Sansabai and has anyone used this service in the last month or so?

LivinLOS · #44 07-04-2006, 10:14

400 baht approx.. They are cheaper than the limo service but not by much as they have a 100 bht airport fee fopr each pickup..

They are not cheaper than the minibus.

akula72 · #45 29-01-2008, 20:35

What would be best way to get two adults and two children to our hotel at karon from airport? I guess we won't fit into one meter taxi with our luggage. I have tried to reach that hotel by email but they have failed to reply. Anyone have exprerience from any taxi/limo company where I can make reservation in internet (with reasonable fare)?

marc26 · #46 29-01-2008, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by akula72

What would be best way to get two adults and two children to our hotel at karon from airport? I guess we won't fit into one meter taxi with our luggage. I have tried to reach that hotel by email but they have failed to reply. Anyone have exprerience from any taxi/limo company where I can make reservation in internet (with reasonable fare)?

just book a mini-van when you walk outside baggage claim
you cant miss it
dos tress to them you have accomodation and dont want them to stop

sishow · #47 29-01-2008, 21:22

First see if your hotel has a airport pick-up service, if it doesn't then:

I would still use a meter-taxi over the minibuses. Even if you tell them you a place the mini-bus always takes you to their hut to book new accomidation for you. Never get that problem with the meter-taxi. Their boots are quite large, so unless you bring a hell of alot of luggage with you. THey should be fine. If you cant get all in to one, then try two, as it may work out cheaper than a mini-bus from outside the airport.

landofsmiles · #48 29-01-2008, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by akula72

What would be best way to get two adults and two children to our hotel at karon from airport? I guess we won't fit into one meter taxi with our luggage. I have tried to reach that hotel by email but they have failed to reply. Anyone have exprerience from any taxi/limo company where I can make reservation in internet (with reasonable fare)?

4 of you in a minibus is going to cost you at least 600 baht and you won't have it to yourself. They never leave until they are full which means you'll be crammed in with 7 or 8 other people and there's no "asking them not to stop"...they WILL stop at an office on the way.

It will be less than 600 to take a Red+Yellow or Green+Yellow MeterTaxi and you should fit in ok as long as the kidsaren't adult size, even with luggage, and the drivers don't mess you around. Or it will be 6 to 700 to take a silver limo taxi and they won't stop anywhere on the way if you are firm with them and tell them to take you straight to the hotel.

MeterTaxi for me everytime.

Flhai · #49 29-01-2008, 22:43

This hotel commission scam is a fact however it is just how things are and I don’t understand how people can land in a foreign country knowing nothing , not have a hotel booked and then leave everything up to some taxi driver. There have been times in the past when everything is full. Sure if you have been here before and know your way around a little you can just land and shop around but if I am new to a place I would always book at least a couple of nights before I arrive. Also many Thai’s see Farang as “owned” as soon as they are in a taxi, mini bus or with a lady for that matter. I know that the taxis get 50% from the shooting ranges, golf and sports etc. I also witnessed a fight between a spa owner and a taxi driver when the driver wanted 60%!! And the driver had his phone and threatened to make every taxi in Phuket never come the spa again. Not sure if he could make that happen or not.

dawsey · #50 30-01-2008, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flhai

This hotel commission scam is a fact however it is just how things are and I don’t understand how people can land in a foreign country knowing nothing , not have a hotel booked and then leave everything up to some taxi driver.

There have been times in the past when everything is full. Sure if you have been here before and know your way around a little you can just land and shop around but if I am new to a place I would always book at least a couple of nights before I arrive.

I don't think this is the case with the poster akula72. He states in his post below that his hotel is already booked.

Re the taxi stop at the "office" as they like to call it. We don't like it, and quite often the driver can tell if you are a newbie or not, and drive past accordingly.
You can always ask them, "No travel agent, no stopping". Some will take notice, some won't. I got caught first trip, and just told the girl who tried to get me to move hotel that mine was paid for. No problem, and we left, and the driver got a few baht. Its annoying, but not the end of the world to stop for a couple of minutes. Not the worst scam I have come across by any means.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akula72

What would be best way to get two adults and two children to our hotel at karon from airport? I guess we won't fit into one meter taxi with our luggage. I have tried to reach that hotel by email but they have failed to reply. Anyone have exprerience from any taxi/limo company where I can make reservation in internet (with reasonable fare)?