Thailand - Bangkok Airport Transfer
Discussion
We’re (the wife and I) going to Thailand next week, initially staying in Bangkok (Millennium Hilton) for 3 nights.
What are the taxis like from the airport. Is it wise to book in advance or are there an abundance of decent taxis and how much should I expect to pay.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
What are the taxis like from the airport. Is it wise to book in advance or are there an abundance of decent taxis and how much should I expect to pay.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Don’t bother booking ahead. It’s a well organised system there. Follow the signs down to the lower levels (escalators and elevator available). There are short distance local taxis and ones to the city available and queuing lines are marked to the ticket machines. Take a ticket and you will be directed to the next available taxi from the ones parked opposite. There is a small airport tax to pay on top of the fare. Generally the drivers are fair but will sometimes quote a fixed fee. Can’t remember exactly how much but not a lot more than 500 baht or so. These days I take the airport line train from the airport basement as it’s so fast and efficient so long as your hotel is not too far from a BTS station.
There is evena Grab stand if you prefer that, but as said, the official taxi rank operates well.
The train system is superb as well. Something like £2 to get to Chinatown.
WHen you are in Bangkok, be sure to use the "water bus"/ canal boat system if going to MBK/Paragon shopping area. It's a superb part of the Bnagkok experience.
The train system is superb as well. Something like £2 to get to Chinatown.
WHen you are in Bangkok, be sure to use the "water bus"/ canal boat system if going to MBK/Paragon shopping area. It's a superb part of the Bnagkok experience.
Griffith4ever said:
There is evena Grab stand if you prefer that, but as said, the official taxi rank operates well.
The train system is superb as well. Something like £2 to get to Chinatown.
WHen you are in Bangkok, be sure to use the "water bus"/ canal boat system if going to MBK/Paragon shopping area. It's a superb part of the Bnagkok experience.
Please advise what the Grab Stand is. The train system is superb as well. Something like £2 to get to Chinatown.
WHen you are in Bangkok, be sure to use the "water bus"/ canal boat system if going to MBK/Paragon shopping area. It's a superb part of the Bnagkok experience.
Grabbing the train is perfectly fine if you don't mind lugging your bags up/downstair and walking to the hotel, but don't underestimate the hot and humid condition in Bangkok. Since there is 2 of you, the price difference isn't much for a taxi (you may sit in some traffic during rush hour) and you will arrive relatively fresh at the hotel front door.
chip* said:
Grabbing the train is perfectly fine if you don't mind lugging your bags up/downstair and walking to the hotel, but don't underestimate the hot and humid condition in Bangkok. Since there is 2 of you, the price difference isn't much for a taxi (you may sit in some traffic during rush hour) and you will arrive relatively fresh at the hotel front door.
Many thanks for all the comments. However there is more chance of me buying a small Electric SUV than getting Mrs 131 Sport to go on a train following a long flight with our cases. 
0mikebradford said:
I understand not wanting to use the train from the airport.
However don't rule it out for moving around the city generally.
It's one big loop. Easy to navigate, cheap, regular and fast.
It goes to most of the major areas.
Sounds like good advice. Whilst Mrs 131 Sport is in charge of things on this trip, for our 3 days in Bangkok what would you recommend we do/ see. However don't rule it out for moving around the city generally.
It's one big loop. Easy to navigate, cheap, regular and fast.
It goes to most of the major areas.
Another alternative is private airport transfer. Beats the queues and a driver will greet you. Do a search for ‘kkday BKK transfers’
For taxi rides in Thailand we generally use the Grab app, as we’ve heard horrendous stories about meter taxis taking longer detours etc. There is a dedicated Grab stand as mentioned at BKK. Grab will give a price, ETA, an trail etc.
For taxi rides in Thailand we generally use the Grab app, as we’ve heard horrendous stories about meter taxis taking longer detours etc. There is a dedicated Grab stand as mentioned at BKK. Grab will give a price, ETA, an trail etc.
Apart from eating / visiting the food courts in the various shopping centres, my fav touristy activity was the bike + canal tour as it's a good escape from the busy Bangkok centre. Basically you cycle to visit a few site of interest, then you + bike go on a chill boat ride, then off to cycle again + a lunch stop along the way.
Rob 131 Sport said:
mikebradford said:
I understand not wanting to use the train from the airport.
However don't rule it out for moving around the city generally.
It's one big loop. Easy to navigate, cheap, regular and fast.
It goes to most of the major areas.
Sounds like good advice. Whilst Mrs 131 Sport is in charge of things on this trip, for our 3 days in Bangkok what would you recommend we do/ see. However don't rule it out for moving around the city generally.
It's one big loop. Easy to navigate, cheap, regular and fast.
It goes to most of the major areas.
Check out the Malls, they're huge and varied.
They have huge food courts, we've never done the cheescake factory so tried eating there.
I was very impressed. Had an extremely good burger, and the deserts lived upto expectations.
The grand Palace, which is also next door to the temple of the green Buddha, effectively one place.
Your then fairly near Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Thep
kol ( giant Buddha )Depends where else your going but you soon tire of seeing giant Buddhas
Chatuchak Weekend Market
It's genuinely vast, we really enjoyed walking round it for the variety of Tat on show.
Nana Plaza
Sex area party zone. Even if not your thing it's visually intresting.
Get a traditional Thai massage from a legitimate place. Usually they're tucked away so google them.
I'm not into massages as I find them boring. However had a couples one for an hour. It felt more like a sports massage so really did me some good considering the amount of walking we did.
Rob 131 Sport said:
mikebradford said:
I understand not wanting to use the train from the airport.
However don't rule it out for moving around the city generally.
It's one big loop. Easy to navigate, cheap, regular and fast.
It goes to most of the major areas.
Sounds like good advice. Whilst Mrs 131 Sport is in charge of things on this trip, for our 3 days in Bangkok what would you recommend we do/ see. However don't rule it out for moving around the city generally.
It's one big loop. Easy to navigate, cheap, regular and fast.
It goes to most of the major areas.
- Grand Palace - you have to really
- Get a grab / bolt to "Steve's Cuisine" for a nice affordable dinner sat on the river edge. Don't underestimate how good "Grab" cabs are. Meter taxis are a pain in the arse. If you get a TukTuk agree the price first, do it once.
- Go to Thanon Rambuttri for a foot massage whilst you have a cold pint of draught Chang , watching all the tourists. Then eat in Soi Rambuttri. Avoid Koh San road unless you want to lose your hearing.
- Arrange a boat (long tail) tour of the Bangkok river and canals - A must really.
- You can do a day trip to Ayutthaya - the original capital of Thailand - basically a temple day. Well worth it if you like temples / history.
- Say no thank you to everyone in a Tuk Tuk that offers you a free ride or tells you the grand palace is closed.
We went earlier this year, family of 4.
Taxi from airport to centre is super easy, as above, follow the signs in arrivals, take a ticket and get in the taxi with your number on it.
Was around £20 if I remember correctly, which seemed high but OK as it was late evening & we got the bigger car for 4 of us.
Highlights of Bangkok for me was the street food markets around the edge of Lumphini Park (and the lizards in the park), the long boat trip around the canals, a walking tour around Chinatown and surrounding areas, and dinner in Condoms and Cabbages (look it up!) - all very good fun.
Taxi from airport to centre is super easy, as above, follow the signs in arrivals, take a ticket and get in the taxi with your number on it.
Was around £20 if I remember correctly, which seemed high but OK as it was late evening & we got the bigger car for 4 of us.
Highlights of Bangkok for me was the street food markets around the edge of Lumphini Park (and the lizards in the park), the long boat trip around the canals, a walking tour around Chinatown and surrounding areas, and dinner in Condoms and Cabbages (look it up!) - all very good fun.
The official taxi rank will sometimes quote a fixed price, refuse that and make sure they put the meter on. You’ll also likely need to pay for a toll road but it’s very cheap, just make sure you have some cash on you. I’m sure you can avoid the toll but not worth it for the time saved (others may know better than me)
Traffic said:
Go upstairs to departures, flag a driver down who is dropping off and get a fixed price, they will be happy to do a deal. Done this 3 or 4 times in the past..
Yes, that's what I do - usually much quicker than the queue in the basement.As someone else said, usually about 500 baht
You'll need cash OP, there are loads of cash machines in the airport. Take out a large amount because there's a per-transaction charge of about a fiver.
Also worth getting a local SIM at the airport - assuming that you don't have an e-sim
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