BKK to Pattaya - Best pickup service?

[Bullfrog 2,224]

Trolleys are free at LHR - at least in T2 and T3 which I have used recently. I assume T4 & T5 will be the same

So it's just the tight Northern bastards upto their tricks then...

[lounge_lizard 108]

Just for reference, the motorway toll for a trip from Suvarnabhumi is 60 baht for a pickup truck. I believe it is less (40 baht?) for a passenger car.

I used a taxi today (toll included in the fare). I saw the driver pay with a 100 baht note, and receive two twenties in change.

[atlas2 4,329]

I used a taxi today (toll included in the fare). I saw the driver pay with a 100 baht note, and receive two twenties in change.

 

Yes used to be 2 toll gates of 30 baht.....now just pick up a card at the first and pay 60 baht at the next.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

Yes used to be 2 toll gates of 30 baht.....now just pick up a card at the first and pay 60 baht at the next.

If the Tollgates are opened for free as usual during Songkran will the prices that normally include tolls

knock off 60 Baht from the fare....?????

Edited March 13, 2017 by Bullfrog

[tallguy 1,473]

If the Tollgates are opened for free as usual during Songkran will the prices that normally include tolls

knock off 60 Baht from the fare....?????

555. What do you think?

[Bullfrog 2,224]

555. What do you think?

5555 I think all the flights will crash trying to dodge the flying pigs.....

[jacko 8,813]

So it's just the tight Northern bastards upto their tricks then...

You are right, got hit for a quid access to drop a pal off at Newcastle too!

[teelack 9,627]

Not in my experience. The regular taxis at the departure queue had (last time I used them) a flat rate, all inclusive, 1500 baht fee. It's so much more convenient than schlepping luggage to the parking area with a driver arriving by appointment...also, those drivers are frequently damned hard to find at the "meeting point" of the day.

 

For me, it's just so much more convenient to just grab a cab.

 

Sorry to say but I have to disagree on every point here. This is my experience.

 

1. I order by email and therefore get a guaranteed fare of 1000 baht as well as the contact numbers of the company and driver. When delayed simply email with revised details.

 

2. Taxi or pre order we all have to go to ground floor. Driver has the name on his card and usually takes my trolley to his car. Has only failed once in the last say, ten years. Driver was there but outside the terminal door.

 

3. Mostly drivers leaves their cars on ground floor with the brake off double parked and it is therefore perhaps a couple of minutes from exit three to being on my way to Pattaya.

 

4. Most drivers will have done the homework and know where your hotel is from the details supplied when booking. Many come from Pattaya.

 

5. The queues for taxis can be long and time consuming and normal taxis quickly get lost in Pattaya.

 

6. Bangkok drivers can do all the bad things that ordered cabs can like heading off to their favourite gas station, speeding, going slow or (in one case for me) heading off home first.

 

7. Generally speaking private cabs seem better quality than those from the streets of Bangkok.

 

8.If you happen to leave something in the car it is easy to contact them or them contact you.

 

9. For these reasons plus the 500 baht saving I see absolutely no reason to use a normal cab.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

I have always used Secrets. I have no idea what their current rate is but they have always been there ahead of me at the waiting area and they know their way to and around Pattaya. I have no experience with any other service but have used cabs in Bangkok to go as far as Ayutthaya and back. Very reliable. Not expensive. I forgot exactly how much I payed but it was not a lot.

[MM 6,562]

 

Sorry to say but I have to disagree on every point here. This is my experience.

 

1. I order by email and therefore get a guaranteed fare of 1000 baht as well as the contact numbers of the company and driver. When delayed simply email with revised details.

 

2. Taxi or pre order we all have to go to ground floor. Driver has the name on his card and usually takes my trolley to his car. Has only failed once in the last say, ten years. Driver was there but outside the terminal door.

3. Mostly drivers leaves their cars on ground floor with the brake off double parked and it is therefore perhaps a couple of minutes from exit three to being on my way to Pattaya.

4. Most drivers will have done the homework and know where your hotel is from the details supplied when booking. Many come from Pattaya.

5. The queues for taxis can be long and time consuming and normal taxis quickly get lost in Pattaya.

6. Bangkok drivers can do all the bad things that ordered cabs can like heading off to their favourite gas station, speeding, going slow or (in one case for me) heading off home first.

7. Generally speaking private cabs seem better quality than those from the streets of Bangkok.

8.If you happen to leave something in the car it is easy to contact them or them contact you.

9. For these reasons plus the 500 baht saving I see absolutely no reason to use a normal cab.

I said (paragraphs added):

 

1) Not in my experience.

 

2) The regular taxis at the departure queue had (last time I used them) a flat rate, all inclusive, 1500 baht fee.

 

3) It's so much more convenient than schlepping luggage to the parking area with a driver arriving by appointment...

 

4) also, those drivers are frequently damned hard to find at the "meeting point" of the day.

5) For me, it's just so much more convenient to just grab a cab.

 

1) I gave my experience. Can't see how you can disagree with that unless you were with me.

 

2) You disagree that the fare is 1500 baht? What is it then? Granted, I haven't taken a metered taxi in 6 months. Has it changed?

 

3) I've never seen a private hire double parked in the roadway, rather than using the parking lot. That's got to be convenient. Who are these scofflaws you ride with?

 

4) I don't need a driver that knows Pattaya, since I know where I live and can give directions.

 

5) I've been lucky I guess...never had a long queue when I arrive. I have spent much more time looking for a private driver, and in fact, one time there was no driver at all (Mr. T...after which I stopped using private hires from the airport).

 

6) I've had a private hire stop off to visit a friend or relative...not sure what the reason was, but it was a good 20 minute detour. No tip, obviously.

 

7) In general, the private hires are better cars. That's been my experience as well.

 

8) Yes, I suppose so. Hasn't been an issue for me.

 

9) Let's just say the 500 baht savings is obviously a benefit of your private hire.

 

Note that I am not saying that taking a metered taxi is better for anyone but me. My experience leads me to take that path and I gave my reasons why, based on my experience.

[teelack 9,627]

1) I gave my experience. Can't see how you can disagree with that unless you were with me.

I am not disagreeing with your experience. Its the conclusion that your way is the best.

2) You disagree that the fare is 1500 baht? What is it then? Granted, I haven't taken a metered taxi in 6 months. Has it changed?

Agree that you paid 1500 baht and that this is the going rate.

3) I've never seen a private hire double parked in the roadway, rather than using the parking lot. That's got to be convenient. Who are these scofflaws you ride with?

Never said that it was in the roadway but if you look in the ground floor of the parking building you will see then double parked.

4) I don't need a driver that knows Pattaya, since I know where I live and can give directions.

I always need a driver that knows Pattaya as I believe do most visitors. Most visitors could not give directions.

5) I've been lucky I guess...never had a long queue when I arrive. I have spent much more time looking for a private driver, and in fact, one time there was no driver at all (Mr. T...after which I stopped using private hires from the airport).

Being lucky is a great asset in life.

6) I've had a private hire stop off to visit a friend or relative...not sure what the reason was, but it was a good 20 minute detour. No tip, obviously.

7) In general, the private hires are better cars. That's been my experience as well.

8) Yes, I suppose so. Hasn't been an issue for me.

I have read here of both forgetful and losing stuff out of pockets such as the odd passport.

9) Let's just say the 500 baht savings is obviously a benefit of your private hire.

Well lets also say that in my case it is 2000 baht a year for what I believe to be a superior service

Note that I am not saying that taking a metered taxi is better for anyone but me. My experience leads me to take that path and I gave my reasons why, based on my experience.

Note. Like you I am simply responding to the question in the best and most honest way that I know how. Because the question has been asked I therefore assume that the OP neither knows Pattaya or enough Thai to give instructions to a driver.. The response was for his benefit, not mine..

[jacko 8,813]

6) I've had a private hire stop off to visit a friend or relative...not sure what the reason was, but it was a good 20 minute detour. No tip, obviously.

 

They don't seem to see anything wrong in this do they?

 

Even the buses from Rung Ruen do it. Many a trip to Bangkok or back has taken much longer than necessary due to this, despite them claiming it is a direct service. I can appreciate letting people off for the BTS rather than sitting there doing walking pace to Ekamai down Sukhumvit. But last trip about 35km out he came off the Expressway into traffic jams to let a Thai couple off and it added 30 minutes by the time we got back on again, then bloody well did it again a few miles further.

.

Then I told the conductress on the way back I wanted dropping at Rhong Poh, which is on Sukhumvit just before the Hwy 36 junction. When I got off I realized that just because of me, 60+ people had been taken on a confusing trip to Laem Chabang rather than whizzing to the end of the motorway.

 

I use Mr T from the airport, and so far so good in many many years, although I do have to go to the car-park. I like the security of knowing I have a ride waiting. But like MM, he only has to let me down once and he loses my business. The drivers often seem familiar with Pattaya, and I too can give basic directions to my home.

Edited March 18, 2017 by jacko

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

They don't seem to see anything wrong in this do they?

 

Even the buses from Rung Ruen do it. Many a trip to Bangkok or back has taken much longer than necessary due to this, despite them claiming it is a direct service. I can appreciate letting people off for the BTS rather than sitting there doing walking pace to Ekamai down Sukhumvit. But last trip about 35km out he came off the Expressway into traffic jams to let a Thai couple off and it took 30 minutes to get back on again, then bloody well did it again a few miles after getting back on.

Then I told the conductress on the way back I wanted dropping at Rhong Poh, which is on Sukhumvit just before the Hwy 36 junction. When I got off I realized that just because of me, 60+ people had been taken on a confusing trip to Laem Chabang rather than whizzing to the end of the motorway.

 

I use Mr T from the airport, and so far so good in many many years, although I do have to go to the car-park. I like the security of knowing I have a ride waiting. But like MM, he only has to let me down once and he loses my business. The drivers often seem familiar with Pattaya, and I too can give basic directions to my home.

 

yes agreed it takes just once but the airport has other options as you all have noted, from the bus to a yellow taxi.

[TheFiend 1,181]

In the past I've used taxi's to and from the airport but nowadays always use the Bells Bus service to Pattaya.

[MM 6,562]

In the past I've used taxi's to and from the airport but nowadays always use the Bells Bus service to Pattaya.

You're lucky to get in during Bell bus operating times! I always arrive after they've shut down for the night.

 

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[JONPAT 222]

In the past I've used taxi's to and from the airport but nowadays always use the Bells Bus service to Pathe taya.

The 18th of June I tried Bell Bus for morning of 26th June, no seats left until late afternoon. Can not wait 8 hours for a bus. I thought sure a week in advance would be enough time; no luck at Bell Bus.

[valentinoxxx 4]

The 18th of June I tried Bell Bus for morning of 26th June, no seats left until late afternoon. Can not wait 8 hours for a bus. I thought sure a week in advance would be enough time; no luck at Bell Bus.

 

Just use http://airportpattayabus.com/v1/airport-to-pattaya/ and take a Songthaew from Tha Phraya stop or get off at one of their other two drop off points. 120 baht plus whatever you want to pay for a songtheaw/motorcycle taxi to your accommodation.

 

Otherwise you can book a taxi from Mr T or the like.

 

 

 

[Goldpanner 399]

I dont know if this has been mentioned but I noticed this on the Bell Bus Website

 

• From Suvanabhumi Airport to Pattaya, Bell can not accept walk-in customers. Advance booking via website only!!! (Announced Sept 20th, 2016)

[valentinoxxx 4]

 

I dont know if this has been mentioned but I noticed this on the Bell Bus Website

 

• From Suvanabhumi Airport to Pattaya, Bell can not accept walk-in customers. Advance booking via website only!!! (Announced Sept 20th, 2016)

 

 

 

It's not a problem. If you haven't booked and don't have a way to book on arrival, if you ask nicely the have an iPad. You can book there and then.

[nkped 1,208]

Just use http://airportpattayabus.com/v1/airport-to-pattaya/ and take a Songthaew from Tha Phraya stop or get off at one of their other two drop off points. 120 baht plus whatever you want to pay for a songtheaw/motorcycle taxi to your accommodation.

 

Otherwise you can book a taxi from Mr T or the like.

 

 

 

Excellent service but if you arrive in the evening, I would have a plan B in case they are sold out for their remaining buses.

[valentinoxxx 4]

Excellent service but if you arrive in the evening, I would have a plan B in case they are sold out for their remaining buses.

 

If they are sold out there is sure to be someone else in exactly the same position as you. So you can share a taxi.