Getting from BKK Airport to Pattaya
Sep 16th, 2009 | 07:11 AM
#1
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Getting from BKK Airport to Pattaya
I am a single female and will be arriving at the BKK Airport and need to get to Pattaya. I am thinking of taking a private taxi. The less expsensive ones are Mr. Taxi and Dream Transport or Taxi. Does anyone have any experience with these or other companies. The latter two companies want 1000-1100 Baht. If I book the transfers through my hotel, they are closer to 2700 Baht, which is over double. Please let me know your experience with these or other drivers. I did read there were taxis at the airport but not sure how easy to get one.
Sep 16th, 2009 | 09:55 AM
#3
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Hotel transfer prices are always at least douoble a taxi price. I don't know those taxi companies, but you can easily get a licensed taxi at the airport. There is a taxi line and it is all very easy and very orderly.
If you want a larger, more comfortable car, you can opt for AOT a "limo" service right at the airport or AAC, the one I usually use. It will be more than the price of a taxi, but you'll be in a larger sedan (typically Mercedes) rather than a toyota corolla. The limo price will be more than a taxi and less than the hotel transfer.
If you want a larger, more comfortable car, you can opt for AOT a "limo" service right at the airport or AAC, the one I usually use. It will be more than the price of a taxi, but you'll be in a larger sedan (typically Mercedes) rather than a toyota corolla. The limo price will be more than a taxi and less than the hotel transfer.
Sep 16th, 2009 | 12:42 PM
#4
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Sep 16th, 2009 | 07:20 PM
#6
Joined: Apr 2009
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I can't give a personal recommendation for any particular company but.....
If you choose to get a taxi on arrival at Suvarnabhumi here are some pointers....
firstly don't listen to the touts - even though they have "ID" cards etc etc go outside to the taxi booking tables - there are plenty of taxis waiting.
THe "standard" price for a taxi from the airport is 1300 baht.
Your negotiation skills may be able to reduce this........note: -
You will need to agree the price before you set off as they won't use a meter.
They may then ask for tolls - an extra 100 baht approximately.
Limos - make sure you see the actual limo you are hiring - some are well past their sell-by date - these are run by the touts.
A limo desk should provide you with a modern car (Toyota Camry or similar) - Volvos and Mercs tend to be the very old models!
If you think they are driving too fast - (the motorway limit is 120km) - tip them 100 baht to keep below that speed.
THe journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. there are 2 routes - the Motorway 7 and the "Flyover Expressway" - route 34
They will stop about halfway to give you a "loo" break - (you might buy them a bottle of soda).
SAFETY - there have been reports over the years of dodgy behavior - but they are pretty rare - I'm afraid there really isn't any advice except behave confidently (not aggressively0 and use the same common sense you use at home.
coming back from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi the fares start at 800 baht.
If you choose to get a taxi on arrival at Suvarnabhumi here are some pointers....
firstly don't listen to the touts - even though they have "ID" cards etc etc go outside to the taxi booking tables - there are plenty of taxis waiting.
THe "standard" price for a taxi from the airport is 1300 baht.
Your negotiation skills may be able to reduce this........note: -
You will need to agree the price before you set off as they won't use a meter.
They may then ask for tolls - an extra 100 baht approximately.
Limos - make sure you see the actual limo you are hiring - some are well past their sell-by date - these are run by the touts.
A limo desk should provide you with a modern car (Toyota Camry or similar) - Volvos and Mercs tend to be the very old models!
If you think they are driving too fast - (the motorway limit is 120km) - tip them 100 baht to keep below that speed.
THe journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. there are 2 routes - the Motorway 7 and the "Flyover Expressway" - route 34
They will stop about halfway to give you a "loo" break - (you might buy them a bottle of soda).
SAFETY - there have been reports over the years of dodgy behavior - but they are pretty rare - I'm afraid there really isn't any advice except behave confidently (not aggressively0 and use the same common sense you use at home.
coming back from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi the fares start at 800 baht.
Sep 17th, 2009 | 04:53 AM
#7
Joined: Aug 2007
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Your choices for transportation to Pattaya depend on when you arrive at the airport. If you arrive late at night then your best option may be to get a taxi.
However, if you arrive during the day hours you can also use Bell Travel. Bell Travel is located on the bottom level near door 8. Bell Travel is a transportation service that uses a bus to get you to Pattaya (safety in numbers on a bus from a known transportation provider) and in Pattaya switch you to a van to deliver you to your hotel. The price is 200 baht! They also do a return to the airport but this is limited to daytime, earliest pick-up is around 6 a.m. Bell Travel will pick you up at your hotel, switch you to their bus at the Pattaya bus station and then transport you to the airport. The bus takes under 2 hours to get to the airport and for 200 baht a bargain!
I have used Bell Travel to and from the airport several times without any problems. For other travelers who arrive during day hours there 2 other bus companies that deliver to Pattaya and Jomtien. One bus company leaves from the airport, near Bell Travel and Airport Express Bus, at the terminal. A different bus leaves from the little bus station at the airport, price is around 110-115 baht.
I have been able to just sign up for this bus at the airport just after landing (day arrival.) If there is a little wait involved there is a real cheap food court only a minute away on the same level. Couple links:
http://www.belltravelservice.com/
http://www.paradise-pattaya.com/pattaya-travel.html
Good luck.
However, if you arrive during the day hours you can also use Bell Travel. Bell Travel is located on the bottom level near door 8. Bell Travel is a transportation service that uses a bus to get you to Pattaya (safety in numbers on a bus from a known transportation provider) and in Pattaya switch you to a van to deliver you to your hotel. The price is 200 baht! They also do a return to the airport but this is limited to daytime, earliest pick-up is around 6 a.m. Bell Travel will pick you up at your hotel, switch you to their bus at the Pattaya bus station and then transport you to the airport. The bus takes under 2 hours to get to the airport and for 200 baht a bargain!
I have used Bell Travel to and from the airport several times without any problems. For other travelers who arrive during day hours there 2 other bus companies that deliver to Pattaya and Jomtien. One bus company leaves from the airport, near Bell Travel and Airport Express Bus, at the terminal. A different bus leaves from the little bus station at the airport, price is around 110-115 baht.
I have been able to just sign up for this bus at the airport just after landing (day arrival.) If there is a little wait involved there is a real cheap food court only a minute away on the same level. Couple links:
http://www.belltravelservice.com/
http://www.paradise-pattaya.com/pattaya-travel.html
Good luck.
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Sep 17th, 2009 | 05:43 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
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KW says: "Limos - make sure you see the actual limo you are hiring - some are well past their sell-by date - these are run by the touts.
A limo desk should provide you with a modern car (Toyota Camry or similar) - Volvos and Mercs tend to be the very old models!"
Well, I don't know what limo services you've used, KW, but in recent years I've used either AAC (my old fave) or AOT. In both cases the cars used were late-model Mercedes , or in one case, a late-model BMW.
The only limo desk at BKK is AOT (unless the airport authority has allowed other companies in the last 9 months). AOT uses late model Mercedes sedans or Mercedes vans.
In the old airport there used to be a company that offered Camrys or Volvos, but I haven't seen them in recent years. I'm sure there are cheap limo companies that offer old cars, but I haven't run into any of them. Under no circumstances should you use a taxi or limo offered by a tout.
A limo desk should provide you with a modern car (Toyota Camry or similar) - Volvos and Mercs tend to be the very old models!"
Well, I don't know what limo services you've used, KW, but in recent years I've used either AAC (my old fave) or AOT. In both cases the cars used were late-model Mercedes , or in one case, a late-model BMW.
The only limo desk at BKK is AOT (unless the airport authority has allowed other companies in the last 9 months). AOT uses late model Mercedes sedans or Mercedes vans.
In the old airport there used to be a company that offered Camrys or Volvos, but I haven't seen them in recent years. I'm sure there are cheap limo companies that offer old cars, but I haven't run into any of them. Under no circumstances should you use a taxi or limo offered by a tout.
Sep 18th, 2009 | 12:19 AM
#10
Joined: Mar 2003
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AOT do use 3-4 year old 7 series BMW's but at 6000baht for a trip to central Bangkok, I'd be wanting a Stretch. I dont think they would use these cars for the Pattaya trip very often and I would hate to think what they would charge. You are much more likely to be offered a Camry for this trip and it would still be in the 2500 baht range.
I have seen their fleet of Merc's and most looked to be 5 year old plus. Not quite old and clapped out but not really "late" models either.
I have seen their fleet of Merc's and most looked to be 5 year old plus. Not quite old and clapped out but not really "late" models either.
Sep 18th, 2009 | 04:36 PM
#12
Joined: Mar 2003
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Yes Bob, 6000 for the return trip is what they quoted in their "flagship" BMW. Of course there are much cheaper options.
It is important that you realise that the cars they offer are not the "Limo" service that you are likely to expect. Their cheaper cars in the 700-800 baht range to central Bkk one-way are generally Camry's or Nissan's. They are only a little more comfortable than a 300-400 baht taxi but they do provide more luggage space. There are quite a few public taxi's that use mid sized station wagons now but the drivers will try to get a few baht more and you may need to wait a bit for one to come along.
It is important that you realise that the cars they offer are not the "Limo" service that you are likely to expect. Their cheaper cars in the 700-800 baht range to central Bkk one-way are generally Camry's or Nissan's. They are only a little more comfortable than a 300-400 baht taxi but they do provide more luggage space. There are quite a few public taxi's that use mid sized station wagons now but the drivers will try to get a few baht more and you may need to wait a bit for one to come along.
