Asia - BKK airport to President Hotel

Hello all,

My first time in BKK. I reach at 11.25pm on the UA 837. I booked a room at President and am wondering the best way to reach the hotel.

Prior posts suggest metered taxi as the best alternative but is that a good option that late at night? Also will the currency exchange be open at that time of the night?

thx in advance.

The currency exchanges seem to be open all night so no problem there. There are 2-3 as you leave the customs area.

You can take the taxi for THB200-300 + tolls or a TG airport limousine for THB700.

Metered Taxi is IMHO the best way to go. Simply get in the line (queue) just outside the doors of the terminal. It is a ramp which leads to a ticket booth where the people serving the queue will write down the name of the hotel and give it to the next taxi. There normally is no lack of taxis at all hours in Bangkok. There should not be any problem getting a taxi when your flight arrives. Ignore the 600 baht touts who try to get you into their cars. Your baggage, even 4 suitcases and a carry on will fit in the taxis.

You will pay an additional 50 baht for the chit writing from the airport. On return, you do not pay the fee. Normally taxis are 200 baht or less to Siam, Silom or Sukhamvit. The use of the expressway is really not necessary except during the day. Normally tipping is rounding up to the nearest 10 baht. Be sure to have small bills, 20s, 50s and 100s. Taxis will have difficulty making change for 500s and 1000s. Also be sure that the meter is turned on. If one of the drivers sneaks one by you, give him 250 baht + expressway tolls maximum. Do not argue and the driver will not either.

opushhomes: Looks like I have been paying too much for a taxi ride back to the airport, as I assumed that the 50 bhat extra was more or less an "airport access fee", applicable both ways. So, it is not charged from city to airport? If not, then several taxi drivers have gotten a fair early morning tip from me.

Bangkok is not Singapore. There is no premium for going to the airport early in the morning. My advice is to always insist that the driver use the meter. It is not necessary to negotiate a fare to the airport in a taxi with the "meter taxi" sign on top.

Taking the out-of-towner for something extra is a sport in Bangkok (Always done with a smile). In New York, it is sometimes done with a snarl. Now, I'm sure to get flamed.

I do always insist on the meter. Most times it os started without a problem, but last pn my return to the airport on week's trip I had to insist with one driver.

As far as the 50 bhat surcharge, I assume that it is not applicable 24 hours a day if driving TO the airport, regardless of the time of your flight?