Originally Posted by
Diplomatico
Just spent the last four days in Bangkok and - with one exception - Uber rides were much more expensive than simply taking a meter taxi. Meter taxi to BKK this morning was 295 thb on the meter; Uber wanted a flat rate of 675 thb.
All of my taxi rides in/around town were 50 thb or less on the meter; Uber consistently quoted ranges of 60-100 thb (most of these rides were between 7:00 and 8:00 pm.)
Definitely pays to compare if you have a choice in the matter.
UBER had a promo for Songkran: 100 THB off trips to and from BKK. I always use UBER for BKK and DMK and prefer it from BKK as well, as it is usually more convenient, the about the same price or lower than a taxi (especially from the airports where there is the 50THB surcharge,) and nicer, safer cars and drivers. Last two trips we got new Toyota Camry's. Plus, it was 305THB from BKK to our apartment near On Nut, whereas the usual taxi fare was about 350 with the surcharge. Don't feel sorry for the taxi drivers, they are always full downstairs at the taxi level at BKK or the waiting room at DMK.
It's always 415THB from my apartment to BKK unless there is a shortage of UBER's available, so a little more than the taxi. This goes back to regular pricing with just a short wait, a few minutes. UBER picks up at BKK arrivals level at whatever exit door you select. And, they are there in no time.
Pickups at my apartment are a little slower, usually 10 to 15 minutes, but getting a taxi at my apartment usually involves a shuttle ride to the street, since it's a gated community. Even trips around town have been about what the taxi's charge, especially the ones that won't consider taking you for less that 100THB, sometimes 200THB is their minimum.
Haven't tried Grab but I'm happy with the UBER deal. Plus, I'm usually travelling and stay at an SPG property the first night, so the SPG points offered, though few, make up in part for any price difference.