Phuket

jedi5 · #1 09-02-2010, 00:14

Hello all- When I take the metered taxi from Phuket airport to Karon beach it runs me about 500 b. Is it customary to tip the driver? And if so how much is reasonable? I come from California where drivers are expecting the tip, so I don't know...
Thanks!

nelsonone · #2 09-02-2010, 00:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedi5

Hello all- When I take the metered taxi from Phuket airport to Karon beach it runs me about 500 b. Is it customary to tip the driver? And if so how much is reasonable? I come from California where drivers are expecting the tip, so I don't know...
Thanks!

No...if its 480 or something round up....but 20-30 bht is more than ample if you had a good experience

jesper_dk · #3 09-02-2010, 17:37

Yes as said by nels if the ride was good then give him a small tip maybe not 20-30 thb i would be large and give 50thb 55555555

jrbazil · #4 09-02-2010, 21:45

I always tip the meter taxi guys.... They are usally really nice and i know they don't earn much... The taxi mafia silver limo crew never get a tip from me... or those tuk tuk rip off ****s

Makos · #5 10-02-2010, 18:09

sometimes when i' m arrived and when i return in my origin country..

Nam Pla · #6 10-02-2010, 23:28

I always tipped cab drivers here (Phuket) until they started charging stupid money. Now I figure their tip is already included in the stupid money they're charging.

Waharoa · #7 11-02-2010, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makos

sometimes when i' m arrived and when i return in my origin country..

are you tippin' at the moment mate...

wylos · #8 11-02-2010, 03:53

more like trippin

dangnabit · #9 12-02-2010, 14:05

Yeah, I tip the meter guys but refuse to tip the fixed-price mafia taxi guys on the way back. The standard from Kata to the airport seems to be 800, and from Patong to the airport it's 600 - way overpriced IMO when you consider that from Bangkok airport to Nana it's only about 300 (including tolls and surcharge) for a similar distance.

PTG · #10 12-02-2010, 14:25

I tip in BKK usually whatever it is to round up to the next 20, but that's about it. I wouldn't dream of tipping in Phuket to tuk tuk's or airport mafia cars.

cotambear · #11 12-02-2010, 14:34

My tip don`t tip.

Jeddah Jo · #12 12-02-2010, 18:44

Always try to tip the meter taxi drivers, anything to try and encourage a fair and organised public transport network for the island.

For 500 baht you are getting the driver's time for at least an hour to Karon from the airport, it is unlikely he will be able to get a return fair (meter taxis are threatened by mafia if they pick up fares in Patong), the driver usually has to pay for the daily rental of the car (500 THB in Bangkok, not sure what the Phuket boys pay). Plus the driver also has to pay for any fuel he uses.

All that for less than $15. Think how much you would pay for the same trip in California?

Anyway, they definitely do not earn much as none of them seem to stay in their job for more than a few months!

JJ.

SLOTH · #13 12-02-2010, 18:58

Hi
i always tip from the airport etc ... just round it up ....the drivers i,ve always used have been friendly enough ..help with bags an stuff
Sloth

JRSlim · #14 12-02-2010, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedi5

Hello all- When I take the metered taxi from Phuket airport to Karon beach it runs me about 500 b. Is it customary to tip the driver? And if so how much is reasonable? I come from California where drivers are expecting the tip, so I don't know...
Thanks!

I don't think it's customary for a tourist to tip a taxi driver. If you decide that you want to give a tip, for a service that you think is deserving of a tip, then any amount you decide on is reasonable.

genghis61 · #15 17-02-2010, 13:18

I tip our regular/local driver every time - 50 baht; go Chalong-airport most months for early flight requiring 6.30am pick-up. He charges 600 as basically I'm paying him to go to work, I don't mind. As we live over 1km from main road I can't exactly wave one down, he's always here on time and rings about 10min pre-arrival.
On the other hand . . . this morning got off the VIP bus from Bkk at 5.30am to be quoted 500 for Phuket-Chalong. No.
Tuk-tuk said he'd do it for 450. No.
I just wasn't in the mood after so long on a bus.
Motorbike taxi was 150 - didn't bother me it's a short trip and just a small bag to carry. Gave him 20 tip.

Heathcor · #16 17-02-2010, 18:03

Hi all: am arriving later next week after 1st trip last Nov. Can't wait!

Just with the metered taxis: can someone let me know where you get them at the airport? Last time I arrived I got sold one of these flat rate deals inside the airport to karon for about 1000BHT. My Hotel wants to charge a minimum 1400BHT! So obviously very keen to get a cheaper rate, save my money for the holiday but also help out one of these guys rather than the rip off merchants...

thanks

Waharoa · #17 17-02-2010, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heathcor

Hi all: am arriving later next week after 1st trip last Nov. Can't wait!

Just with the metered taxis: can someone let me know where you get them at the airport? Last time I arrived I got sold one of these flat rate deals inside the airport to karon for about 1000BHT. My Hotel wants to charge a minimum 1400BHT! So obviously very keen to get a cheaper rate, save my money for the holiday but also help out one of these guys rather than the rip off merchants...

thanks

Come out the main doors... turn right... walk about 70 yards... metered taxis stand/office.

EasternHands · #18 18-02-2010, 08:30

I got a car arranged for my 2 friends who are flying in separate and have not been to Thailand yet so I figure its worth the 900 the hotel wanted to avoid any tuk tuk ripoff BS since I wont be around when they fly in... compounded by the fact that they're paying anyway I figured it's probably the best way to go.

Cab rate from HKT to Karon should be about 500THB though, no?

genghis61 · #19 18-02-2010, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasternHands

....

Cab rate from HKT to Karon should be about 500THB though, no?

I think 6-700 more likely, as i found yesterday they wanted 500 just Phuket-Chalong. I pay 600-650 to/from Chalong about same distance as Karon.
My first ever trip here I'd arranged to be collected by hotel car, a good idea as i was alone, no idea where anything was, and just wanted to get to the hotel without any hassles, so i agree 900 is worth it for their peace of mind.

visa2003 · #20 18-02-2010, 09:18

Have a look at this....... then YOU decide....
http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ac...es-2010-a.html

EasternHands · #21 18-02-2010, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by genghis61

just wanted to get to the hotel without any hassles, so i agree 900 is worth it for their peace of mind.

Exaaaactly. I'd double that to have two BGs waiting at the terminal with my mates names embroidered on the asses of their short shorts, and perhaps a third to take a picture of their sht eating grins.

Anyone have a few hours to spare on the 16th and know a couple girls who get out of bed before 4pm?

JayBee · #22 18-02-2010, 10:19

Tipping taxi drivers in Phuket!

It's not BKK. You must be insane.

SLOTH · #23 18-02-2010, 16:07

Hkt to Karon ... should be 450 /500 baht ... i dont think i have ever paid more than 500 .... .....

EasternHands · #24 19-02-2010, 09:08

Thanks man, sorted.

aussie45 · #25 19-02-2010, 09:34

I only ever tip metered taxi drivers and only if they use the meter. many times on a recent trip to BKK drivers refused to use the mater, if I had time I would get out and wait for the next taxi usually 3 second behind. Couple of times though had no choice.
As for the tuk tukk mafia, I avoid them like the plage and say tuk tuk too expensip!!