Taxi from new airport

[Guest]

(stogie bear @ Sep. 09 2007,06:27) It makes sense to know roughly what you should be expected to pay because it makes negotiating a lot easier.

Negotiating? If you negotiate a price from the airport you will most certainly pay more than if you just take the metered taxi.

[rxpharm]

you're welcome, but just double check when you arrive it really is the public taxi queue. There has been talk for the past 2-3 months that it would be moved to the main arrivals level (like the old airport), but it has not happened yet. One last thing - there have been reports of some scams at the public taxi queue desk where the dispatcher will quote some fixed fee (like 400 Baht to Sukhumvit) instead of the meter plus tolls (if you decide to use the tollway - which isn't really necessary from the new airport).

If that happens insist on the meter plus 50 Baht as it is clearly printed on the dispatch ticket before you leave the desk.

Have a great trip!

[bangkoksins]

I'm not so sure about this. It makes for a more comfortable ride if you establish the rate and method of fare before you get in.

This was the case years ago but today I would disagree. Most of the taxi's in arrivals and departures are now pretty honest (as far as the meter goes) compared to before.

Of course it helps enormously if you know where you are going.

I have not had to negotiate a taxi for so many years I cannot even remember the last time.

Recently, I even had a guy quote me a price much cheaper than it would have cost him if he had gone by the meter. Problem is with this, is that he might have started chewing my ear of and complaining half way through the trip when he realised where he was going. I just told him to go away and got a different taxi. There are plenty in Departures.

The chances of any taxi driver ripping you off now is much smaller than before. Some will take the inexperienced for a tour to boost the meter but again this number is dwindling.

Negotiating a price may make one feel better but in reality you won't save much and may even add to the meter - no meter problem.

[Todd]

Works fine at the Departure area, the meter usually comes on if you just sit down and tell the driver where to and add a 'na Kap'

Airport - Suk, Soi 11

=> 180 Baht (didn't use the toll way)
=> No airport fee
=> 40 minutes

Just arrived an hour ago

-T

[Dieter]

(Todd @ Sep. 09 2007,16:37) Works fine at the Departure area, the meter usually comes on if you just sit down and tell the driver where to and add a 'na Kap'

Airport - Suk, Soi 11

=> 180 Baht (didn't use the toll way)
=> No airport fee
=> 40 minutes

Just arrived an hour ago  

-T

2 hours ago
I paid 300 bath to Suk area from the airport..176 on the taxi meter,airport fee, toll way and tip....
300 bath....was ok....
He ask for 450 without taxi meter...
so 300 was ok I think...

Dieter

P.S:See you Guess Bar after Formula 1

[Phantom]

I always pay 300bht on meter,including two tolls 25bht +40 bht, Airport charge of 50bht,and tip.
I always go down to desk and only one time did a driver refuse to turn meter on,he was starting to drive off so i opened the door and he then said he would turn meter on,i ignored him and got out,making sure my luggage was out before me,so he could not drive off with my luggage,i went back to desk and before i got there,they had another taxi for me.
I have done that journey about ten times from Suvarnabhumi to Nana and its worked out same price everytime

[stogie bear]

(ozzie @ Sep. 09 2007,13:22)

(stogie bear @ Sep. 09 2007,06:27) It makes sense to know roughly what you should be expected to pay because it makes negotiating a lot easier.

Negotiating? If you negotiate a price from the airport you will most certainly pay more than if you just take the metered taxi.

Sorry - I wasn't very clear.

By 'negotiating' I meant... "I'll get in your taxi if you turn on the meter. If you look confused or hesitate for even one second I'll find someone who will!"

THAT kind of negotiation!

[Guest]

Agree should not cost more than about 300 including tolls and surchage from the airport.

Always insist the driver turn on the meter no matter where you are going.