Using a private driver/Comp.
 

What experience have you had with using a private driver/company to take you from the airport to Sukhumvit? After such a very long trip we are not sure we want to deal with the taxi problems. Is this alternative a lot more expensive? We are not staying at a hotel so cannot use their help.

That's a 20-40min drive depending on traffic. I was a first timer to BKK in Dec 06. Took 5 Sukhumvit-ish to airport taxi rides during my 3wk stay. No problems. Paid 300baht plus/minus 50. For reference, hotel "limo" was 2000. To undercut that, Fodors has good references for a few drivers in BKK. Search for "Ratt". I hired her sister in Chang Mai. They are good people.

At the airport there are car services that range anywhere from B700-1000 - either get them at the counter or with the folks roaming the halls when you exit with your luggage.

My first trip to Bkk in 1979, used Thai Limo (car service) at old DM airport for B450 when the taxi ride was B120. Have taken a taxi ever since and I make 2-3 trips a year.

A taxi to Sukhumvit will cost under B300.

Taxi problems from the airport are not as common as they are from places in the City. Drivers from the taxi stand/queue have their license numbers written on a paper that is given to you as you are assigned a car.

The only Taxi problems you're likely to encounter from the Airport is if the driver doesn't know exactly where to take you.

Having the phone number of a Thai person (from the hotel, etc) handy. Make the motion of talking on the phone and borrow the taxis hand phone to help him with directions. He'll be happy to lend you his phone if it makes the trip quick and easy.

There is a decent company, www.julietaxi.com that offers prebooked rides to/from BKK, it's 400Baht for the standard car that takes 2-3 people and 600Baht for a Volvo thattakes 3-4 people.

If you go up to the departure level (level 4), it is very easy to get a taxi that is dropping someone off without having to wait in any line. You will also save some money. Our condo is located off Sukhumvit, nearby Emporium, and I generally only pay 175 Baht for the fare, plus 25 Baht for one toll-way. It takes 20-25 minutes late-night when there's no traffic. Never had a problem doing this.

Driver for the day?
 

Yesterday, I was running errands all day long. When I added up the day's taxi and BTS totals, I got to wondering if there is a better way.@:-)

Does anyone know how much a taxi or private car charges for the day?

I'm sure it's more than I paid, but worth it.

A private vehicle with driver should be between 1200 and 1800 Thai Baht per 8 hours depending on the vehicle plus gas. They will fill the gas tank before you start and then fill it up again after your trip. Make sure you are with the vehicle when they first fill the tank.

Randy and Ning

I just used these guys and they were great. It was 800 bhat but we were 4 with lots of bags

I used these people, who were very good
http://www.orientalescape.com/servic...gkok.html#car1