Airport taxis in Bangkok
 

I have heard some bad things about taxis in Bangkok, and I am prepared to be careful. However, I haven't heard anything bad about the taxis at the airport. Is there a difference?

I have heard that some taxis at the airport will try and get you to negotiate a fixed price to your hotel. I have no problem with that. If it's a fixed price, they have incentive to get me there as quickly as possible and I know what it will cost. What I'm concerned about is getting taken for a crazy joyride to boost up the fare. Is this an issue? I know I can use my phone GPS to avoid this, but do I need to? I don't want to be the paranoid traveler if I don't have to be.

I have read that it will be about 350 baht from the airport to the downtown area. Is there anything else I need to know?

At the airport, you go outside, tell the nice lady where you want to go, and she gives you a little ticket with the price. It's quite simple, and I've never had a problem. The only "trick" is you have to pay some tolls, but you can ask the nice lady what those will be, as you pay the tolls directly to the driver.

I did have a problem once when the taxi driver was taking me from my hotel to the bus station. He asked me if I wanted to take the highway, but he didn't tell me there would be toll fees. So now that you know to be careful, you shouldn't have a problem.

Make sure the driver turns on the meter (not usually a problem at the airport) and yes, tolls are your to pay - they aren't much.

Once you are in the city, never accept a fixed price - it will always be more than what you would pay on the meter. If a driver starts to drive off without turning on the meter, just tell him to turn the meter on. If he doesn't, get out. In all of my years of traveling to Bangkok (30 years), only once did a driver refuse to turn on the meter.

I once did have a drier who got genuinely lost trying to find my hotel, but that was an exception. In general, you'll find the taxi drivers are pleasant and helpful.

In many, many trips I have never had a problem getting a taxi from the airport counter. In rush hour it is definitely worth the extra tolls for the expressway as it will save a lot of time in traffic. 350baht is about right. I have paid as much as 450 and as little as 250.

As Kathie points out, getting a taxi in the city is an entirely different matter. Many drivers will not turn on the meter. Ask them to turn on the meter (bpert meter krap) if they refuse just get out. If they are moving just tell them to stop (jort tee nee krap) . If you are female replace krap with kaa.

Good idea to download maps of Bangkok to your phone so you can check the route being taken. Taking a circuitous route when you have insisted on the meter, rather than a fixed fare does happen and can result in a fare several time the metered fare.

Most taxi drivers do not speak English so it helps if you learn a few basic Thai phrases or carry a phrasebook.

I take taxis all the time. in town they often don't want to turn on the meter---INSIST or get out. many drivers do not want to leave their part of the city or go to a section that is unfamiliar or involves lots of traffic. Best to always have your hotel write the location out for you. in some sections drivers will refuse to use meters---soi 4 nana and other largely farong areas.

I often ask for a "big taxi" at the airport---SUV. flat rate of 700B into the city. I find taxis at the airport often pull away and do not turn the meter on---INSIST... always cheaper than the flat fee. it is not a problem really.

In Bangkok I would never get into a taxi that is parked. They are generally the scammers. Even if the driver agrees to turn on the meter, how do you know the meter hasn't been 'rigged'?

So always flag down a moving taxi.

Roads can be closed for one reason or another, so drivers might have to take a longer route than you've anticipated. Not much point arguing with the driver if he doesn't speak english.

When you flag down a taxi make sure the palm of your hand is facing down, and it's best not to get in the vehicle until you've got the nod from the driver.

There are some taxi stands in Bangkok which look legit, but are used by scammers.

Thank you everyone!

we have best luck with the yellow and green taxis