Phuket Thailand: Airport to Patong Transport

Glynn · #1 09-04-2007, 14:42

Has anyone got a recommondation for an airport pick up service.

We are arriving late this month and require transport from the airport to the Patong Merlin Hotel, I have tried emailing them to see if they have such a service but have not had any luck in getting a reply.

Thanks for any sugestions

Glynn

ElectrO · #2 09-04-2007, 14:50

They should have a service for you but if they don't

i recommend you do NOT get a Taxi Limousine (silver toyota's) because these people drive extremely fast and dangerous.

I have seen more accidents involving these cars and drivers than any other.

At the airport you have a variety of services. No matter who you choose (even the psyco ones) tell them not to drive faster than 60 KMH (hok sib geelo) because they will travel in excess of 100 and bumper to bumper.

I won't mention what I saw, but i didnt sleep for a week!

E

ER · #3 09-04-2007, 14:51

When exiting Phuket terminal.........Turn right & walk along footpath 50m or so.
You'll see a booth with a sign reading "meter taxi".

Let the person know at the booth where you are going.....
Patong is 420b.
Usually ,many taxis available.

I should mention to first get to the taxi booth, you'll have to fight off touts offering you their overpriced services.

A nice no thank you, I'm fine thanks.....seems to work.

Good luck

Silky · #4 09-04-2007, 15:04

do not pay more then 500/600 Baht !!!
that's the normal price in high season.
Take care

LivinLOS · #5 09-04-2007, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectrO

At the airport you have a variety of services. No matter who you choose (even the psyco ones) tell them not to drive faster than 60 KMH (hok sib geelo) because they will travel in excess of 100 and bumper to bumper.

60 KPH = 37 miles per hour.. Do you really expect drivers to drive at under 40 MHP on dual carriageways ??

landofsmiles · #6 09-04-2007, 19:13

because they will travel in excess of 100 and bumper to bumper.

The in excess of 100 isn't much of a problem on the open highways...it's the bumper to bumper bit that is

Dame · #7 09-04-2007, 21:34

I can honestly say the minibus journey from the airport to patong was the most frightening 45 mins of my life. I resorted to closing my eyes and praying.

The only form of motorised transport I'll even consider taking here is the tank. Or possibly a JCB.

Capt. Fantastic · #8 09-04-2007, 21:38

No one has mentioned that taxi drivers will expect to stop at their Base Camp, that is, a travel service. "You speak to her." The "her" will do her best to get you to go to one of her hotels... where you will pay a higher price which includes the travel service's vig.

I was a cabdriver so did not allow them to muscle me. (This is called conveying in the US and results in a monster ticket if not termination.) The woman even claimed that the driver-- who was over fifty years old and presumably experienced-- did not know the way to my guesthouse in Patong.

Once we were on the road, again, he kept saying, "I your guide. You come Phuket before? Where you like see in Phuket?" Then, when we turned onto the guesthouse soi-- amazing how he knew just where it was now-- he drove right past the hotel. To the end of the street to a much more expensive hotel. I would not get out of the cab, told him to go to the correct hotel, which he finally did. Needless to say he did not get a toke.

Never say die is their moto.

When I took a cab from Don Muang to a hotel in downtown Bangkok, the driver kept trying to get me to agree to a set fare. Once I told him I was a cabbie ("I drive taxi US.") and that I would pay ONLY the meter, he backed off. Which came to about half of what he had been working me for.

I do not begrudge these guys making a living, you just have to be on your guard. TIT.

landofsmiles · #9 11-04-2007, 11:40

No one has mentioned that taxi drivers will expect to stop at their Base Camp, that is, a travel service.

The limousine taxis maybe, but NOT the Meter Taxis.

Back from KL yesterday used the MeterTaxi. Airport to my apartment south end of NanaiRoad meter read 316baht on arrival plus the 100 baht surcharge for registered airport taxi = 416 baht...gave him 450.

There is no messing about with them...they take you where you want to go without any diversions. You even get given a Complaint Form from the booth at the airport before you set off which includes things like "driver switched off meter" "driver overcharged" "driver stopped during the journey"...so they don't try to pull any stuntswith you.

MeterTaxi every time for me. 100 baht cheaper than the limo cars too.