Bangkok

david and julie · #1 05-09-2004, 22:52

My wife and I are arriving at BKK on 24th December. We are staying at Nana Plaza and will need to get taxi transfer to the hotel from the airport. Any idea of the approximate cost? Are there any taxis that should be avoided?

Also I have been told that it is better to buy my thai baht at the airport when I arrive rather than obtain it from the UK prior to my departure.

Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks

David & Julie

Tarzan · #2 05-09-2004, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by david and julie

My wife and I are arriving at BKK on 24th December. We are staying at Nana Plaza and will need to get taxi transfer to the hotel from the airport. Any idea of the approximate cost? Are there any taxis that should be avoided?

Also I have been told that it is better to buy my thai baht at the airport when I arrive rather than obtain it from the UK prior to my departure.

Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks

David & Julie

Check with the hotel if they have airport pick up. Should be around 500bath.
Or if you go outside and take taximeter. Costs 350bath, + 70bath for fee to express highway...
Always take taximeter and tell them to use the meter.

About money, i always use my creditcard in the ATM`s . Search this forum, there was a thread about what to do recently.

Bobby · #3 06-09-2004, 13:04

A taxi meter from the airport to Nana Hotel will cost you about: 180 B (see the meter) + 70 B for the highway + 50 B (airport charge). So it's about 300 B. It can be slightly higher or lower depending on traffic jam but it's an average price.
Take an official taxi (there is a taxi booth just outside). Airport limousine or unofficial taxis are more expensive.
This is a trick I did when I was young and on a tight budget

:
Just go to the departure area and pick up a taxi there. You will avoid the 50 B airport charge and ask the driver not to take the highway so you will save also the 70 B highway charge. The journey will be slightly longer and the fare around 190 B.
Regards,
Bobby

PS: beware: some taxi drivers can really be a pain in the ****, especially in Bangkok: some may not want to use the meter and ask you a fare of 400 B (+ the highway, of course); some may forget to reset the meter (always make sure that it indicates 35 B when you start), ...

tomyam · #4 06-09-2004, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby

A taxi meter from the airport to Nana Hotel will cost you about: 180 B (see the meter) + 70 B for the highway + 50 B (airport charge). So it's about 300 B. It can be slightly higher or lower depending on traffic jam but it's an average price.
Take an official taxi (there is a taxi booth just outside). Airport limousine or unofficial taxis are more expensive.
This is a trick I did when I was young and on a tight budget

:
Just go to the departure area and pick up a taxi there. You will avoid the 50 B airport charge and ask the driver not to take the highway so you will save also the 70 B highway charge. The journey will be slightly longer and the fare around 190 B.
Regards,
Bobby

PS: beware: some taxi drivers can really be a pain in the ****, especially in Bangkok: some may not want to use the meter and ask you a fare of 400 B (+ the highway, of course); some may forget to reset the meter (always make sure that it indicates 35 B when you start), ...

thats what i do every time i arrive bangkok go upstairs to departures , not only cheaper , but you avoid waiting in the queue , but you need to make sure they turn on the meter , other alternative is to take the no.100 bus at arrivals , this goes to sukhumvit soi see and costs 100baht for farang (30baht for thai). i stopped taking the bus after i found this double-pricing. the toll charge for the expressway is in two parts as they come off the expressway then back on again (30 baht then 40 baht)

Bobby · #5 06-09-2004, 14:41

It can also be done in Phuket but sometimes it's difficult to catch one. Negociate the price before (Airport -> Patong 300 ~400 B).

tomyam · #6 06-09-2004, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby

It can also be done in Phuket but sometimes it's difficult to catch one. Negociate the price before (Airport -> Patong 300 ~400 B).

hi bobby
when i arrive at phuket airport i use david car rent as i live in nai harn and need a car there and the taxi there and back works out at around 1,000baht or one days car rent , they are very good and pick us up at the airport and also drop us there when we return the car

Bobby · #7 07-09-2004, 01:18

You're right Bono. That's why I said to agree a price BEFORE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bono

Hi

If im not wrong meter taxi dont go to patong there is a fight about it, the tuk tuk want patong to themself, but im not 100% sure

david and julie · #8 11-09-2004, 03:10

Thanks very much for all your replies much appreciated.

D & J

plastered · #9 03-02-2006, 23:36

can anyone tell me cost of mini bus to pattaya for family

IRISH JONNY · #10 03-02-2006, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by plastered

can anyone tell me cost of mini bus to pattaya for family

ITS BEEN ANSWERED IN ANOTHER TREAD

aussie dollar · #11 04-02-2006, 02:35

This article may help its from www.phuket-info.com should have a look its the lead pages to this forum.
http://www.phuket-info.com/transport.htm

as already said best exchange rate is in Thailand i usally change $50 dollars at airport,then use banks in town,will find changer everywhere,and open till at least 9pm(some on bangla road 11pm me thinks.

try this link for ways to pattaya
http://www.pattaya-at-night.com/howtogo/index.html

mjochim · #12 06-02-2006, 15:24

If your bank doesn't charge an extra fee, the best exchange rates can usually be had by withdrawing cash from an ATM. (Even with a USD$2 "foreign ATM fee" from my bank, I STILL got better rates than the exchange booths at Don Muang or in Patong...)

cybernator_uk · #13 10-02-2006, 18:29

I have never used my credit card at any atm in Thailand. Its me just worrying about the storys that i have been told about. It dpends on the hotel your staying at but a safer bet is traveller cheques. Safe and secure option for money. And from the uk i believe its about 70b to the gbp. (that is approx) At least with traveler cheques if you lose them you can get them canceled and a new lot sent out to you within 24 hours usually. I personaly usually carry 100gbp in thai baht with me and the rest in t/c. When i was in Bangkok i rung the hotel prior to departure and arranged for a hotel pickup. I cant remember what i paid ( i did give him a tip aswell and it was about 7am arrival in bkk with no sleep on the plane so it was a bit blurry. But t/c is by far the safest option you will have for money

stevem · #14 10-02-2006, 18:50

This thread is over 2 years old

cybernator_uk · #15 10-02-2006, 19:01

Oh good god yeah But hey i am not the only person not to notice that am i???????? Well its still good for people to look up anyway because lots of new people can see what other people have said ( i might just get myself out of this one)

dizbuster · #16 11-02-2006, 04:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

...t/c is by far the safest option you will have for money

and the most expensive !! I have been to LOS 10 times and used credit cards in the ATMs all the time without any problem. You should learn to separate the truth from fiction when you listen to stories

This is the wrong place to discuss it in this thread, so why not start your own thread up telling us why we should not use credit cards in LOS

as opposed to t/chqs (are they still offering a free dinosaur with every £250's worth ??)

cybernator_uk · #17 12-02-2006, 05:25

Kind sir do you mock me? Each to there own by all means use credit cards. I have always prefered t/c. Sometimes that extra money is worth peace of mind. Also i never did state that you shouldnt use credit cards. Just gave my personal opinion. I get abuse for it aswell

Each to ther own tho. And yes the free dinosaur is still free. I am waiting for a t-rex with my next one to complete my collection

dizbuster · #18 13-02-2006, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

Kind sir do you mock me?

Yep !! Guilty as charged. I think T/chqs are outdated and take more looking after. You need to ferry your passport backwards and forwards every time you want to cash any and there is nothing about them that a Credit Card loses out on. For example, replacement t/chqs ?? Well, choose the right c/card and you get that replaced just as easily. Cost ?? Shop around and you'll find cards that you can use which won't cost you anything to withdraw money - even abroad. Better rates ?? What you make on the rate with t/chqs you lose on commission paid for them and then fees for cashing them. All in all, I think that they are old fashioned and it's much easier to take a c/card, go to the ATM, take out 20,000 baht and then stick the c/card back in the mini-safe. Easy peasy !! Oh, did I forget that ATMs are everywhere and work 24 hours a day ?? I can't think of too many places that offer that flexibility for cashing t/chqs.

So, looking back, t/chqs and c/cards are pretty much the same when it comes to safety as both can be replaced if stolen and unless you're a complete twat (generally speaking, don't take this as a personal slur), a c/card is very safe, just adopt the usual rules* when travelling and you'll be safe.
*usual rules being the vigilance needed when using machines, but even if you don't like using ATMs, there's still the option of using your c/card like a t/chq and taking it into a bank to get money.

Perhaps one thing I should clarify which you most probably incorrectly assumed. I only ever use c/cards to obtain cash. I never use c/cards to pay bills etc, except in cases where the company is internationally reputable, i.e. 4*/5* hotels like Holiday Inn, the Thai Airways counter at BKK airport etc. everywhere else is paid in cash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

Just gave my personal opinion. I get abuse for it aswell

My reply was not abusive, just because I don't agree with you, it doesn't make it abusive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

I am waiting for a t-rex with my next one to complete my collection

Kelloggs are bound to stick some in a box of cornflakes sooner or later.

cybernator_uk · #19 13-02-2006, 01:04

Ahhh sorry diz. i did post an apology in another thread. I was just kidding around with the abuse thats why i put the tounge smily there. If i offended you kind sir i do apologise i was just trying to banter you back a little but maybe i typed that wrong. Still as i said on the other thread when we are both in thailand i owe you one drink mate. Asking that question is like asking what the best james bond movie is or what do you prefer x-box ps2 or gamecube there are so many different answers that everyone will have a diffrenet opinion. still at least you get a drink out of it