Jan 3, 2015, 2:56 am
Last edit by: IluvSQ
READ THIS FIRST:
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Taxi at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
BKK Terminal Map
Source: AOT
MAP KEY
❶ Arrival Gates - Level Two
❷ Immigration
❸ Baggage Claim Carousels
❹ Customs and Exits to Landside Terminal Area
❺ Elevators/Escalators to Ground Floor Level One
❻ Numbered Exits to Outside (taxi queues are near exits 4 & 7)
WHAT TO DO
Taxis accept cash only. There are ATMs and currency exchangers inside the terminal.
BASE COST
TOLLS
SAMPLE FARES FROM BKK TO...
Amounts are approximate and will vary with traffic, specific drop point, etc.
FARE CALCULATOR TOOLS
Reasonably accurate fare estimates are available from a number of websites and apps. These services provide estimated base fares only. Calculations do not include traffic, tolls, airport fees, etc. Reliability varies - use at your own risk.
FAQs
Q: Should I use the hotel's airport transfer service instead of a taxi?A: It depends on your comfort zone, budget, time of day, number of people/bags, etc. In general, the cost will probably be about two to three times the typical taxi fare, or more. If you are relatively new to Asia, it might be a bit overwhelming, and you might find it reassuring to see someone holding a sign with your name as you walk out of baggage claim.
Q: Is it best to take the expressway or surface streets?A: Depending on your destination and time of day, surface streets might be quicker and/or shorter. However, expressway tolls will usually add less than THB 200 to the trip (see above), so you may wish to defer to your driver.
Q: What types of scams should I watch for?A: The most common thing you'll encounter is taxi drivers who do not want to use the meter. They will often ask for a flat fee that is usually much higher than the meter would register. If a driver refuses to use the meter, it's best to exit the taxi and get another. Do not get angry or argue with the driver. If a driver demands more money on arrival at your hotel, wait until your bags have been offloaded from the vehicle, then seek out a porter or other hotel employee to assist you. Again, do not get angry or argue with the driver. A driver may say there is a THB 50 fee to go to the airport. There is no fee to go TO the airport. If the fee is mentioned at the outset, get out and flag down a new taxi. If it is mentioned upon arrival at the airport, remove all your belongings from the taxi and calmly state that there is no such fee while handing over the metered amount. If the driver is insistent, offering to call over a police officer to assist will usually put an end to the discussion.
Q: What is the most common meter scam?
A: Very often, when you enter the taxi, the meter is obscured with a rag or towel, so you do not see that it has been running prior to your entrance,
and is now well over 100 Baht. Always ensure that you observe the driver starting the meter.
Q: If the driver does scam me, how much money are we talking about?A: Usually no more than THB 200-300, which is about USD 7-10
Q: I think I still have other questions...A: Just hit the reply button and get feedback from other helpful FlyerTalkers who take Bangkok taxis regularly!
Q: This all sounds like hassle. Is there some way I can use a small amount of money to make that go away?A: The AOT limo stands before and immediately after customs are trustworthy, although their initial quote will be for their most expensive vehicle. Ask for the Isuzu SUV. You'll be looking at 1,050THB / $33.50 to the center of town, inclusive of all fees and fares, and a small increment on that for a sedan. Credit cards are accepted. You will get a printed receipt before you get in the taxi. The vehicle will be well-driven, clean, and will have seatbelts.
Special thanks to FlyerTalker c_9 for building this wikipost.
This is a member-maintained wiki. FlyerTalkers are invited to update, add missing information and make corrections as needed. Thanks for helping out!
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Taxi at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
BKK Terminal Map
Source: AOT
MAP KEY
❶ Arrival Gates - Level Two
❷ Immigration
❸ Baggage Claim Carousels
❹ Customs and Exits to Landside Terminal Area
❺ Elevators/Escalators to Ground Floor Level One
❻ Numbered Exits to Outside (taxi queues are near exits 4 & 7)
WHAT TO DO
Taxis accept cash only. There are ATMs and currency exchangers inside the terminal.
- Take an elevator or escalator down to the ground level.
- Follow the signs to one of the two taxi queues outside of the terminal on Level One.
- The taxi queue attendant will ask your destination and write it on a taxi slip. UPDATE: There are no longer attendants to write your destination at BKK. You get a slip from a touchscreen kiosk which directs you to a parking stall number where you meet your car/driver.
- The larger part of the taxi slip is yours to keep, the smaller part goes to your driver. Be sure to keep your taxi slip as it contains information you will need if a problem arises. Do not give your portion of the taxi slip to the driver, even if he asks for it. UPDATE: There is no portion of the new slip from the kiosk to give the driver.
BASE COST
- Airport Fee - THB 50 per taxi levied from the airport (never to the airport)
- THB 35 - flag drop through 1km
- +THB 5.50/km for kilometers 1+ through 10
- +THB 6.50/km for kilometers 10+ through 20
- +THB 7.50/km for kilometers 20-40
- +THB 2 per minute waiting or standing in traffic (less than 6kph)
TOLLS
- THB 75 to city center (two toll booths)
- THB 60 to DMK
SAMPLE FARES FROM BKK TO...
Amounts are approximate and will vary with traffic, specific drop point, etc.
- City Center - THB 170-200
- Grand Palace - THB 215
- Don Mueang Airport (DMK) - THB 290
- Hua Hin - THB ___ (typically a negotiated flat fee)
- Pattaya - THB ___ (typically a negotiated flat fee)
FARE CALCULATOR TOOLS
Reasonably accurate fare estimates are available from a number of websites and apps. These services provide estimated base fares only. Calculations do not include traffic, tolls, airport fees, etc. Reliability varies - use at your own risk.
- Bangkok Taximeter
- Easy Taxi (app, android)
- Grab Taxi (app, all devices)
- Taxi Auto Fare
- World Taximeter
FAQs
Q: Should I use the hotel's airport transfer service instead of a taxi?A: It depends on your comfort zone, budget, time of day, number of people/bags, etc. In general, the cost will probably be about two to three times the typical taxi fare, or more. If you are relatively new to Asia, it might be a bit overwhelming, and you might find it reassuring to see someone holding a sign with your name as you walk out of baggage claim.
Q: Is it best to take the expressway or surface streets?A: Depending on your destination and time of day, surface streets might be quicker and/or shorter. However, expressway tolls will usually add less than THB 200 to the trip (see above), so you may wish to defer to your driver.
Q: What types of scams should I watch for?A: The most common thing you'll encounter is taxi drivers who do not want to use the meter. They will often ask for a flat fee that is usually much higher than the meter would register. If a driver refuses to use the meter, it's best to exit the taxi and get another. Do not get angry or argue with the driver. If a driver demands more money on arrival at your hotel, wait until your bags have been offloaded from the vehicle, then seek out a porter or other hotel employee to assist you. Again, do not get angry or argue with the driver. A driver may say there is a THB 50 fee to go to the airport. There is no fee to go TO the airport. If the fee is mentioned at the outset, get out and flag down a new taxi. If it is mentioned upon arrival at the airport, remove all your belongings from the taxi and calmly state that there is no such fee while handing over the metered amount. If the driver is insistent, offering to call over a police officer to assist will usually put an end to the discussion.
Q: What is the most common meter scam?
A: Very often, when you enter the taxi, the meter is obscured with a rag or towel, so you do not see that it has been running prior to your entrance,
and is now well over 100 Baht. Always ensure that you observe the driver starting the meter.
Q: If the driver does scam me, how much money are we talking about?A: Usually no more than THB 200-300, which is about USD 7-10
Q: I think I still have other questions...A: Just hit the reply button and get feedback from other helpful FlyerTalkers who take Bangkok taxis regularly!
Q: This all sounds like hassle. Is there some way I can use a small amount of money to make that go away?A: The AOT limo stands before and immediately after customs are trustworthy, although their initial quote will be for their most expensive vehicle. Ask for the Isuzu SUV. You'll be looking at 1,050THB / $33.50 to the center of town, inclusive of all fees and fares, and a small increment on that for a sedan. Credit cards are accepted. You will get a printed receipt before you get in the taxi. The vehicle will be well-driven, clean, and will have seatbelts.
Special thanks to FlyerTalker c_9 for building this wikipost.
This is a member-maintained wiki. FlyerTalkers are invited to update, add missing information and make corrections as needed. Thanks for helping out!
Catching a taxi at BKK and general Thailand taxi discussion
Feb 24, 2014, 5:43 pm
#91
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Unless very large bags they should be able to fit in the trunk.
Feb 24, 2014, 11:16 pm
#94
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Depends upon how the driver goes. He could have simply chosen a less direct route which resulted in the higher fare. Knowing the distance on the meter is important.
If dealing with an Innova then there's definitely no problem. I've also put bags in the front but for a big bag that could interfere with the driver....
If dealing with an Innova then there's definitely no problem. I've also put bags in the front but for a big bag that could interfere with the driver....
Feb 24, 2014, 11:34 pm
#95
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
...turned on the meter, and drove the other way (Asoke bypass) to avoid the first tollway...
...199 on the meter at BKK
...199 on the meter at BKK
As for 250, I have an opinion on these fares that are close but over. As dsquared37 mentioned recently, some meters count minutes and add 'waiting' time to the fare even though the entire journey is at highway speed. This can add 30THB to a 20 miinute ride (1.5THB/minute). Sound about right?
Feb 24, 2014, 11:40 pm
#96
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA(sia)
Posts: 5,181
The thing is that these guys know visitors won't argue over BHT50 discrepancy, and there is always the possibility of a rate increase since my last trip which I may not be aware of.
Feb 25, 2014, 12:37 am
#97
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No rate increases in several years.
Feb 25, 2014, 9:06 pm
#98
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I was at Asoke yesterday. I don't normally go there. I noticed for the first time that they have created a path for traffic to get through the intersection westbound on Sukhumvit. (It may have been there a lot longer, but this is the first time I saw it.) Basically as you approach Asoke from the East, you turn Left but then they have a set of traffic cones allowing you to immediately u-turn around the obstructed intersection and continue westbound on Sukhumvit. Only 1 lane, but it shouldn't be too slow.
Feb 25, 2014, 11:20 pm
#99
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As seanthepilot mentioned, the highway adds distance onto the trip. Probably not 50 baht but possibly 10-15 and if the meter is ticking up for time then you'll easily hit 250.
Feb 26, 2014, 5:47 am
#100
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 819
Leaving my hotel on Sukhumvit last week, I got the doormen to call me a taxi, agreed to the meter, jumped in and was off...
A hundred meters down the soi, he starts bargaining for 450THB. I told him to take me back to the hotel. "OK, OK, meter," he says and I agree. Not even another 50 meters and he's spewing some of this fixed price stuff again, so I made him turn around and send me back to the hotel.
Hotel staff was happy to call another cab. Again, agreed on the meter. We were barely out of the parking lot when he demands 500THB. It was an easy U-turn right back to the hotel entrance to try another cab.
This one, turned on the meter, and drove the other way (Asoke bypass) to avoid the first tollway. Because of the protest detours and the normal Rama IX traffic, the meter was 89THB when we reached the motorway entrance.
199 on the meter at BKK, plus 25THB for the one toll. I gave him 300THB. We were both happy. (total 325THB)
I'm a bit tired of these taxi games. But, if you have extra time, it's worth switching cabs.
A hundred meters down the soi, he starts bargaining for 450THB. I told him to take me back to the hotel. "OK, OK, meter," he says and I agree. Not even another 50 meters and he's spewing some of this fixed price stuff again, so I made him turn around and send me back to the hotel.
Hotel staff was happy to call another cab. Again, agreed on the meter. We were barely out of the parking lot when he demands 500THB. It was an easy U-turn right back to the hotel entrance to try another cab.
This one, turned on the meter, and drove the other way (Asoke bypass) to avoid the first tollway. Because of the protest detours and the normal Rama IX traffic, the meter was 89THB when we reached the motorway entrance.
199 on the meter at BKK, plus 25THB for the one toll. I gave him 300THB. We were both happy. (total 325THB)
I'm a bit tired of these taxi games. But, if you have extra time, it's worth switching cabs.
Feb 26, 2014, 6:23 am
#101
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Well my one and only experience going out of town to the airport. Just went to the street and tried a couple of cabs before one finally just switched on the meter without any argument. I just said meter - OK he said. The cabbies who hang around hotels are I think more likely to playing games. Luckily in Bangkok there are more than enough cabs so finding one is not hard.
Feb 26, 2014, 7:53 am
#102
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 819
Actually I thought his original post was sarcasm. Even in terrible traffic, airport to downtown has never been anywhere near what he quoted.
Possible thought. Some posters have said they have encountered hot meters more than once. I've never had one and I estimate I've taken 3-5,000 taxi rides in Bangkok. But the descriptions of actual hot meter rides all seem to start at the airport, and I never take a taxi at the airport. So I'm wondering if that's the difference.
For those who have had the problem, did you pick up the cab at the airport? Or am I making too many assumption?
Possible thought. Some posters have said they have encountered hot meters more than once. I've never had one and I estimate I've taken 3-5,000 taxi rides in Bangkok. But the descriptions of actual hot meter rides all seem to start at the airport, and I never take a taxi at the airport. So I'm wondering if that's the difference.
For those who have had the problem, did you pick up the cab at the airport? Or am I making too many assumption?
The taxidrivers playing games quoted a rate at around 600 THB.
Last edited by William S; Feb 26, 2014 at 8:02 am
Feb 26, 2014, 2:48 pm
#103
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York City
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Posts: 65
Going to Soi 8 off Sukhumvit Rd, usually take a cab, but was considering using the airport link to avoid whatever traffic mess is caused by protests, Figuring Asok would be more of a bottle neck than usual, but it sounds like there's not a lot of complaints of traffic on Sukhumvit Road? (Land at 7pm)
Feb 26, 2014, 3:05 pm
#104
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Going to Soi 8 off Sukhumvit Rd, usually take a cab, but was considering using the airport link to avoid whatever traffic mess is caused by protests, Figuring Asok would be more of a bottle neck than usual, but it sounds like there's not a lot of complaints of traffic on Sukhumvit Road? (Land at 7pm)
Feb 26, 2014, 3:06 pm
#105
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Well my one and only experience going out of town to the airport. Just went to the street and tried a couple of cabs before one finally just switched on the meter without any argument. I just said meter - OK he said. The cabbies who hang around hotels are I think more likely to playing games. Luckily in Bangkok there are more than enough cabs so finding one is not hard.