Taxis @ BKK
 

Those that use ordinary taxis from Suvarnabhumi will want to know that the taxi queue has finally been moved up to the second level. Just head straight outside once you exit customs. There's no signs (that I saw) as yet about this until you get outside.

What I did see is a step up in the pressure by AOT's 'Limo' service, with lots of their staff waiving "Airport Taxi" signs in your face as you exit customs.

Hi Michael-

Is it like it was at Don Muang where one gets into a line and goes to a kiosk where you tell them your hotel?
Do the airport taxis use the meter or expect a flat rate? Last year (at DM) we somehow ended up in a taxi who expected a flat rate rather than use the meter...
Just wondering what to expect.

The system is similar, although there's still no booths for the queue manager like there is at DM. There's just some ropes marking the area.

You join the queue, which I have yet to see more than 5 or 6 people ahead of me (unlike DM where they could be very long), tell the guy where you're going and he gives you a yellow slip you take to the line of drivers.

Taxis from the queue are supposed to use their meters. If you get one that refuses to use it, threaten to call the tourist police (toll free - 1699).

thanks for this info...

Thanks Michael!
My girlfriends and I are arriving on Sat 11/17...I arrive after them and will just catch a cab outside of the terminal. I was under the impression that 3 people with baggage would be tight in a regular cab and was going to suggest to them a car service.. is AOT legitimate and comparable in price? I also have read about a company called Airport Associates...not sure how they compare?
I would welcome any suggestions!

The problem with regular taxis is that almost all of them have been converted to run on NGV, and that tank takes up half the trunk, leaving space for only one or two small bags. There are a few pick-up conversions (look like SUVs) used as taxis, but you can't count on one being in the queue when you get there.

A group of 3 with luggage would be better off using one of the limo services. AOT is certainly legitimate. It's only their tactics to get customers that I don't like. You'll pay 2 or 3 times the cost of a taxi to use a limo service.

I think several people here use AAC (Airport Associates) and swear by them. You have to make a reservation in advance to use them, and the price is about the same as the AOT service.

I've used the AOT car service once. It was 2 or 3 times more expensive than a taxi, and somewhat more expensive than AAC limo. However, on this 1 occasion, the drive in the AOT car was extremely comfortable, with none of the hair-raising driving that I have often had in taxi rides to/from the airport.

Thank you! I think we will go with AAC!

Michael-
Can you (or anyone else here) tell me if there is somewhere in the arrival area to get change for the inevitable large bills that we'll get out of the ATM?
I wanted to make sure we have small bills for change for the taxi.
In DM there was a small market/restaurant in the arrival area near the ATMs where one could buy water or something to break a larger bill.

Thanks!

Kristina-if you're going to take a taxi to the ROS, you can get small bills from the front desk upon arrival.

Yes, there's some bank exchanges and small shops on the arrival level, and even more shops, including a convenience store, one level up.

After arriving in Bangkok, how do I let the drivers know I want to get to the Royal Orchid Sheraton? Just say the hotels name and they understand it ? (thats what I was assuming, but someone at work got me stressed that they will not).

When we went last year there was a person at the front of the line that had a notebook with all the major hotels in it. We just pointed to our(marriott riverside) and they wrote it on a piece of paper to give to the driver.

Awesome! Thanks.

For a metered taxi, there's a guy at the front of the queue. You just tell him where you want to go and he will make sure the taxi driver knows it.

BTW, emailed the ROS from their website and asked for a map and directions in Thai for the taxi driver. They sent me one in both English and Thai within about 12 hours!

I was advised to get a taxi van for our family of 6. Is this still an "ordinary taxi" on the 2nd level??
Thanks

There is no such thing as a taxi van. You will have to use the 'limo' service to get a van. The counter for them is right outside customs.

I have taken several taxis from the new airport. I have never had a problem getting the drivers to use the meter.

Most of the fares to the downtown hotels will come to somewhere near 350 baht. This price covers all passengers you can safely stuff in, plus the 50 baht surcharge, probably two small tolls and the meter fare. You pay the driver after you arrive at the hotel. Have small bills available if you expect to get change back! You may be asked to pay the tolls, this is okay, the price is clearly marked on the toll booth sign, you just don't include that toll in the final price at the hotel.

You can print a copy of the hotel address off the internet to make it easier for the taxi sign up person to tell the driver where to go. There are several hotels with similar names, to avoid any mistakes I would have something in writing.

(In town when you use a taxi tell the driver to use the meter, it is cheaper than bargaining the ride! There are probably thousands of taxi cabs in the city, if a driver refuses to use the meter get a different taxi! Grab a moving taxi off the street, parked taxi cabs more often want to bargain. Meter taxi rides are cheaper than tuk-tuks too!)

I prefer to keep my valuables inside the taxi with me not stuffed in the trunk. Same for planes, buses and trains keep valuables with you or near your seat - not out of sight!

AVOID THE TOUTS IN THE ARRIVALS HALL UNLESS YOU WANT TO PAY MORE FOR RIDES INTO TOWN!

Has anyone heard of or used the taxi service at Thailand-Huahin.com. There is a link to Pong who quoted me a minibus for 1,000B from BKK to downtown. This is 250-300 less than AOT or AAC. False deal?