Phuket transfer question
 

Greetings from steamy Bangkok. Just got back from a fabulous first day with Tong. Trip Report is being worked on - may take a while to make it to the Internet though.

We're heading to the Phuket Marriott Beach Club in a few days and I'm starting to wonder about getting there from the airport. We've got a lot of luggage so a normal cab will not work - do they have vans? Or am I better off booking something thru the Marriott?

Thanks!

I know there are vans available. I'm not sure how to book them in advance. I expect you could ask for a van at the taxi stand, but you might have to wait for one. See how much the Marriott would ask for a transfer. Unfortunately, hotels generally charge 3-10x the rate of private limo services.

Maybe a local knows of a limo service in Phuket similar to AAC. (Limo services offer larger sedans and vans)

Unfortunately, the 'mafia' still runs transport at Phuket airport. No outside providers allowed. I would go to the taxi counter and ask let them know you have a lot of luggage. I think they have a number of the pick-up conversions like Chiang Mai in Phuket as well. These will take a lot of luggage.

Also, I'm not sure if the taxis in Phuket use NG, so they'll have more of their trunks available than taxis in Bangkok.

Statefan,

I normally just negotiate the local transportation in Phuket upon arrival but being a Thai I can get a pretty good deal. If you want to prearrange transportation without using the normally expensive hotel option then perhaps you can try one of these companies that I found on the net(note that I've not used any of them before):

http://www.phuket-trips.com/airport-transfer.htm
http://www.phuket.com/info/phuket-airport.htm

This might be the most economical option:

http://www.airportbusphuket.com/

Tong must know someone in Phuket so why don't you ask her as well if she can arrange a van to take you to your hotel?

Thanks everyone. I will ask Tong first - don't know why that never occurred to me.