Thailand - Hire a car or get the transport?
Discussion
Going to Thailand end of October,
Not doing a great deal but the trip is gonna look a bit like Bangkok for a few days, a week down in Koh Chang, a bit of time in Pattaya and then back to Bangkok. 3 of us. 4 at some points.
We are currently flying down to Trat and then on to Koh Chang but that is a lot of faffing about to be honest as I think we're flying back to Bangkok and then moving on to Pattaya, having already flown over it!
So we were looking at getting there in a taxi/minibus thing or just straight up get a hire car on day one and have a car for the whole time. The trip to Koh Chang would probably take all day mind (its about 4.5-6 hours to the ferry and then there is driving on Koh Chang to the hotel).
I know how wild driving can be in Asian countries so I am wondering whether its worth the stress and expense of trying to mix it with the Thai drivers vs letting them do it!
It's probably 6 and two 3's in terms of cost. The hire car is more expensive than the flights but then we'd not be paying out for Taxi's all the time.
Not doing a great deal but the trip is gonna look a bit like Bangkok for a few days, a week down in Koh Chang, a bit of time in Pattaya and then back to Bangkok. 3 of us. 4 at some points.
We are currently flying down to Trat and then on to Koh Chang but that is a lot of faffing about to be honest as I think we're flying back to Bangkok and then moving on to Pattaya, having already flown over it!
So we were looking at getting there in a taxi/minibus thing or just straight up get a hire car on day one and have a car for the whole time. The trip to Koh Chang would probably take all day mind (its about 4.5-6 hours to the ferry and then there is driving on Koh Chang to the hotel).
I know how wild driving can be in Asian countries so I am wondering whether its worth the stress and expense of trying to mix it with the Thai drivers vs letting them do it!
It's probably 6 and two 3's in terms of cost. The hire car is more expensive than the flights but then we'd not be paying out for Taxi's all the time.
Otispunkmeyer said:
Going to Thailand end of October,
Not doing a great deal but the trip is gonna look a bit like Bangkok for a few days, a week down in Koh Chang, a bit of time in Pattaya and then back to Bangkok. 3 of us. 4 at some points.
We are currently flying down to Trat and then on to Koh Chang but that is a lot of faffing about to be honest as I think we're flying back to Bangkok and then moving on to Pattaya, having already flown over it!
So we were looking at getting there in a taxi/minibus thing or just straight up get a hire car on day one and have a car for the whole time. The trip to Koh Chang would probably take all day mind (its about 4.5-6 hours to the ferry and then there is driving on Koh Chang to the hotel).
I know how wild driving can be in Asian countries so I am wondering whether its worth the stress and expense of trying to mix it with the Thai drivers vs letting them do it!
It's probably 6 and two 3's in terms of cost. The hire car is more expensive than the flights but then we'd not be paying out for Taxi's all the time.
If you want to enjoy your holiday, and get around avoiding as much traffic as possible, do not drive yourself. Internal flights are good, even done the overnight buses occaisonally, not that bad. Not doing a great deal but the trip is gonna look a bit like Bangkok for a few days, a week down in Koh Chang, a bit of time in Pattaya and then back to Bangkok. 3 of us. 4 at some points.
We are currently flying down to Trat and then on to Koh Chang but that is a lot of faffing about to be honest as I think we're flying back to Bangkok and then moving on to Pattaya, having already flown over it!
So we were looking at getting there in a taxi/minibus thing or just straight up get a hire car on day one and have a car for the whole time. The trip to Koh Chang would probably take all day mind (its about 4.5-6 hours to the ferry and then there is driving on Koh Chang to the hotel).
I know how wild driving can be in Asian countries so I am wondering whether its worth the stress and expense of trying to mix it with the Thai drivers vs letting them do it!
It's probably 6 and two 3's in terms of cost. The hire car is more expensive than the flights but then we'd not be paying out for Taxi's all the time.
Been 6 or 7 times, usually hire a car everywhere, except in Asia, prefer getting to different places whatever way but driving, and hire a motorcycle when there. Driving at night is not for the feint hearted, mad enough in daylight, but I enjoy it on a bike, just not long distance.
I really enjoy driving in Thailand - its super easy (although Bangkok can be horrifically busy at times).
Signage is fine, Waze works great in Thailand too for directions.
If you want to see more of the actual country, the people, life and wildlife, go for it - their roads are decent and itll be a fun roadtrip.
Signage is fine, Waze works great in Thailand too for directions.
If you want to see more of the actual country, the people, life and wildlife, go for it - their roads are decent and itll be a fun roadtrip.
We’ve just spent two weeks in Thailand (quite part of Koh Samui and in a Villa).
I used Grab and after 4 days I found a good English speaking driver then used him exclusively and simply paid him the cash equivalent of the Grab journey (which was always 400bt regardless of distance!). We used WhatsApp to communicate and it simply didn’t make any sense to hire a car. I have no issue with driving overseas but I’m on holiday and won’t have a beer and drive for example and when a driver is 30 minutes away by message and will do whatever you want, waiting outside shops etc whilst we buy various provisions etc. that suits me and my family.
Just a thought.
I used Grab and after 4 days I found a good English speaking driver then used him exclusively and simply paid him the cash equivalent of the Grab journey (which was always 400bt regardless of distance!). We used WhatsApp to communicate and it simply didn’t make any sense to hire a car. I have no issue with driving overseas but I’m on holiday and won’t have a beer and drive for example and when a driver is 30 minutes away by message and will do whatever you want, waiting outside shops etc whilst we buy various provisions etc. that suits me and my family.
Just a thought.
Taxi from BKK to Pat is about 1500thb (£35). Then use Grab when you get there.
However if there are 3 or 4 of you then a car might be better, depending on how much moving round you plan to do in Pattaya.
The roads and driving are fine tbh, but just watch out around junctions for people trying to get off / on last minute and also when in town the mopeds of which there will be 1000s. Literally.
October the weather should be good too so no floods to drive through etc.
However if there are 3 or 4 of you then a car might be better, depending on how much moving round you plan to do in Pattaya.
The roads and driving are fine tbh, but just watch out around junctions for people trying to get off / on last minute and also when in town the mopeds of which there will be 1000s. Literally.
October the weather should be good too so no floods to drive through etc.
Internal flights are definitely the way to go for longer travel.
Quick and cheap, think Ryan air standard.
The road networks poor in parts, think outer villages, so avoid long journeys.
When at destinations taxis can be cheap and convenient if only for the Aircon. We preferred them to tuktuks in phuket as they were good value.
Had an app similar to uber there.
It was so humid the tiny additional cost over tuktuks was worth it just to get cool.
Avoid taxis in Bangkok as the traffic means they're generally slow.
Rail system in bangkok is good.
If your more up for it you can get rides on the back of scooters and bikes, which cut through the traffic easier.
Quick and cheap, think Ryan air standard.
The road networks poor in parts, think outer villages, so avoid long journeys.
When at destinations taxis can be cheap and convenient if only for the Aircon. We preferred them to tuktuks in phuket as they were good value.
Had an app similar to uber there.
It was so humid the tiny additional cost over tuktuks was worth it just to get cool.
Avoid taxis in Bangkok as the traffic means they're generally slow.
Rail system in bangkok is good.
If your more up for it you can get rides on the back of scooters and bikes, which cut through the traffic easier.
mikebradford said:
Avoid taxis in Bangkok as the traffic means they're generally slow.
Rail system in bangkok is good.
If your more up for it you can get rides on the back of scooters and bikes, which cut through the traffic easier.
You are not wrong on the taxi front in BKK. Only to be used when really needed.Rail system in bangkok is good.
If your more up for it you can get rides on the back of scooters and bikes, which cut through the traffic easier.
Scooter taxis are the best if there is no MRT/BTS handy. Very cheap too. I dont think I ever paid more than about £1 for a scooter ride.
x5tuu said:
nikaiyo2 said:
Please dont take this the wrong way but why Pattaya? Have you been before?
Exactly, its grim AFAbsolutely grim, full of Russians at the moment drink driving around in pickups and putting the locals out of business. No redeeming feature whatsoever.
If you have to be near Pattaya try Bang Saray to the south by about half an hour. Decent selection of bars etc. U Pattaya is a nice hotel with a decent on site restaurant.
nikaiyo2 said:
Please dont take this the wrong way but why Pattaya? Have you been before?
Don't ask me. I wasn't too sure about it either but the Wife has chosen it and she likes planning these things. I've seen a few videos and also a few YT channels that centre around these places and its exactly what I thought it would be and involves exactly the kind of people who I thought it would be.
We have just gone for an Air BnB place and were planning on beach/water park/chilling out. Its got a little private pool and a bigger shared pool amongst the villas. Only there 3 days. With a 4 year old we won't be out during the evenings really so not likely to run into the more seedy stuff. Then again, maybe its just going on all the time!
ETA: Just looked at the place she's booked.... I think we might be not near the walking street or Soi 6. Certainly not walking distance. We're on the beach front at Jomtien.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 12th August 13:46
Otispunkmeyer said:
nikaiyo2 said:
Please dont take this the wrong way but why Pattaya? Have you been before?
Don't ask me. I wasn't too sure about it either but the Wife has chosen it and she likes planning these things. I've seen a few videos and also a few YT channels that centre around these places and its exactly what I thought it would be and involves exactly the kind of people who I thought it would be.
We have just gone for an Air BnB place and were planning on beach/water park/chilling out. Its got a little private pool and a bigger shared pool amongst the villas. Only there 3 days. With a 4 year old we won't be out during the evenings really so not likely to run into the more seedy stuff. Then again, maybe its just going on all the time!
ETA: Just looked at the place she's booked.... I think we might be not near the walking street or Soi 6. Certainly not walking distance. We're on the beach front at Jomtien.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 12th August 13:46
We have just come back from Koh Samui and quite a few friends questioned why there, it's noisy and well, a bit s
t.We hired a great large villa with a large pool so we had a lot more freedom to do what we wanted and and when we wanted. 10 minutes walk to a quiet beach with loads of decent hotels and restaurants, jet skiing etc. A main strip with again loads of decent food/drink. We did the elephant sanctuary, hired a large boat for the day and got spoiled rotten, hired a driver and did the sights and temples. I even went karting about a dozen times with my karting mad son!
Apparently the local mayor/top dog has decreed there will be no prostitutes and such like in that area and what he says goes.
It will be interesting to see how it pans out, but I'm sure you'll be fine.
Otispunkmeyer said:
We're on the beach front at Jomtien.
Should be fine down there. You will see a lot of Farangs with their birds but down in Jomtien its going to be ex-pats rather than tourists.Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 12th August 13:46
Beach is nice and has clean (ish!) water
There is a night market next to Copa (you wont miss it the biggest tower block on the front) and a few nice places to eat down on Soi 7.
Baht bus if you want. (circular pickup bus route)
Jomtien is not massive, so its defo somewhere you can relax, there are not many bar girls.
Few gents clubs but they wont have girls wearing not a lot outside them - just looks like any other club.
HoHoHo said:
I'm sure it will be fine.
We have just come back from Koh Samui and quite a few friends questioned why there, it's noisy and well, a bit st.
We hired a great large villa with a large pool so we had a lot more freedom to do what we wanted and and when we wanted. 10 minutes walk to a quiet beach with loads of decent hotels and restaurants, jet skiing etc. A main strip with again loads of decent food/drink. We did the elephant sanctuary, hired a large boat for the day and got spoiled rotten, hired a driver and did the sights and temples. I even went karting about a dozen times with my karting mad son!
Apparently the local mayor/top dog has decreed there will be no prostitutes and such like in that area and what he says goes.
It will be interesting to see how it pans out, but I'm sure you'll be fine.
Koh Samui has some nice bits. That’s the thing with Thailand isn’t it. One street will be seedy as hell and full of absolute scum and then a 5 minute walk away you can find paradise. The rural parts of Koh Samui are so peaceful. Lay Lagom is such a pleasant spot to wile away an afternoon.We have just come back from Koh Samui and quite a few friends questioned why there, it's noisy and well, a bit s
t.We hired a great large villa with a large pool so we had a lot more freedom to do what we wanted and and when we wanted. 10 minutes walk to a quiet beach with loads of decent hotels and restaurants, jet skiing etc. A main strip with again loads of decent food/drink. We did the elephant sanctuary, hired a large boat for the day and got spoiled rotten, hired a driver and did the sights and temples. I even went karting about a dozen times with my karting mad son!
Apparently the local mayor/top dog has decreed there will be no prostitutes and such like in that area and what he says goes.
It will be interesting to see how it pans out, but I'm sure you'll be fine.
Jomtien has a few lady bars but it’s not too bad.
djc206 said:
HoHoHo said:
I'm sure it will be fine.
We have just come back from Koh Samui and quite a few friends questioned why there, it's noisy and well, a bit st.
We hired a great large villa with a large pool so we had a lot more freedom to do what we wanted and and when we wanted. 10 minutes walk to a quiet beach with loads of decent hotels and restaurants, jet skiing etc. A main strip with again loads of decent food/drink. We did the elephant sanctuary, hired a large boat for the day and got spoiled rotten, hired a driver and did the sights and temples. I even went karting about a dozen times with my karting mad son!
Apparently the local mayor/top dog has decreed there will be no prostitutes and such like in that area and what he says goes.
It will be interesting to see how it pans out, but I'm sure you'll be fine.
Koh Samui has some nice bits. That’s the thing with Thailand isn’t it. One street will be seedy as hell and full of absolute scum and then a 5 minute walk away you can find paradise. The rural parts of Koh Samui are so peaceful. Lay Lagom is such a pleasant spot to wile away an afternoon.We have just come back from Koh Samui and quite a few friends questioned why there, it's noisy and well, a bit s
t.We hired a great large villa with a large pool so we had a lot more freedom to do what we wanted and and when we wanted. 10 minutes walk to a quiet beach with loads of decent hotels and restaurants, jet skiing etc. A main strip with again loads of decent food/drink. We did the elephant sanctuary, hired a large boat for the day and got spoiled rotten, hired a driver and did the sights and temples. I even went karting about a dozen times with my karting mad son!
Apparently the local mayor/top dog has decreed there will be no prostitutes and such like in that area and what he says goes.
It will be interesting to see how it pans out, but I'm sure you'll be fine.
Jomtien has a few lady bars but it’s not too bad.
I've been to better in Thailand and around the world but it was perfectly acceptable and we had a great time.
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