We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

8 posts
2 helpful votes
Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

I'm trying to figure out which taxi service to use while I'm in Bangkok. I'll mostly be using taxi when I'm traveling to and from the airport. I know Uber is available in Bangkok. Is there anything better and cheaper option in Bangkok.

Also should I use Taxi to travel to Pattaya? I'll go in the morning and will come back in late evening.

Bangkok, Thailand
7 posts
89 helpful votes
1. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

Uber is more or less the same price as a taxi but much more reliable. There is a bus that leads to khao san road and a airport train which leads downtown. The train can be a little inconveinent as depending on your destination, you might have to take a taxi anyways. For a day trip to pattaya i think a taxi is your only choice.

Penryn, United...
2,316 posts
241 helpful votes
2. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

for getting to pattaya & back there are plenty of minivans and buses that go there and back

Ekkamai BTS is a good place to leave from and return to

under 300b round trip

France
711 posts
73 helpful votes
3. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

From bangkok to pattaya, Hotel to’ Hotel will take a minimum 3 hours depending on traffic both ends. Public transport even more . Especially Christmas time.

Berlin, Germany
Destination Expert
for Bangkok, Berlin, Thailand
27,790 posts
56 helpful votes
4. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

Metered taxi, properly handled. Inexpensive and easy to find.

Vancouver, B.C.
2,828 posts
94 helpful votes
5. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

Maybe I'm just having some bad luck but my experience with the taxis here hasn't been great.

Came from Bkk via the airport rail link to Phaya Thai station.

Needed to go to Tara Place which according to the reviews should be between 75-95 Baht.

Took about 6 or 7 taxis who quoted between 150-250 before finding one that would use the meter. Cost was 117 Baht and I still tipped. This was around 3PM.

Coming back tonight around 6PM from Siam was the same issue.

Used Grab but 4 drivers refused to pick us up because of the traffic.

Tried flagging down a few taxis and was quoted 250-300 Baht.

Finally after 40 minutes a Grab driver picked us up. Cost was 158 and I gave him 180.

I'm sure most taxi drivers here are decent but the ones I've encountered so far want to scam you. :(

Cheshire, United...
4,088 posts
109 helpful votes
6. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

Do not ever ask the price of a taxi ride. That leaves you open to a rip off. Just say destination and if the driver nods his head get in. If he does not turn on the meter immediately, or if he begins to quote a price get out and wave down another moving taxi. Definitely avoid using a taxi that is parked near an expensive hotel or a tourist attraction . Get one passing by in a major road. If you begin by asking prices the driver will think you are a newcomer tourist who does not know how to use taxis. Parked taxis should be avoided as they are waiting for a gullible customer. Always wave down a moving one which has the light inside on ( it says WANG which is Thai for unoccupied.) A few may try to cheat you by quoting a fare or pretending the meter is broken but eventually you will find an honest one who will use the meter. I usually say "CHAI METER KHRAP" which means " Use meter please". If he thinks you know a bit of Thai he will assume you have been in Thailand a long time and he will be less inclined to try to cheat you. I hope you have better luck next time !

1 post
2 helpful votes
7. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

Dont waste your time with taxis, go with the tuk tuks, they are able to manoeuvre around traffic and cheap. They might tell you to go to a store to see suits though so just watch out for that!

Bangkok, Thailand
5 posts
19 helpful votes
8. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

Hi welcome to Bangkok in advance!!

I would suggest you to use Grab rather than Uber to call taxi cuz mostly of local taxi driver are joining this app.

And for Pattaya you take public bus at Eakamai Bus terminal. This terminal is right next to Eakamai BTS station.

Vancouver, B.C.
2,828 posts
94 helpful votes
9. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

I never asked for a price. I showed the address in Thai and they all started quoting an amount.

I have used Grab here already, I used it yesterday to go from the hotel to Phaya Thai station.

Why accept the fare if it's not worth it to you? The Grab drivers here are just slightly better than the taxi drivers.

I was on Phayathai road so there was a lot of taxis.

There was 2 scam taxi drivers there parked and trying to get a fixed fare.

Hopefully today will be a better experience.

Massachusetts
24,897 posts
10. Re: Which Taxi services to use in Bangkok

"Also should I use Taxi to travel to Pattaya? I'll go in the morning and will come back in late evening."

Why not spend the night there? Long commute for a short visit. Anyway, tbus ride from Ekamai bus terminal is not expensive. (Just over 2 hours.) Pattaya forum will have more specific information.

---------

"Dont waste your time with taxis, go with the tuk tuks,.."

For most tourists tuk-tuks are more expensive than meter taxis. Use a tuk-tuk for the heck of it but use a meter taxi to get to places not near the Skytrain.

When I need a meter taxi I wave a moving taxi over. I avoid any parked taxis because often they want a flat rate. I don't get in a taxi unless the driver agrees to use the meter. Most do but if not I say thanks and wave a different taxi over. (And have small bills and coins when using meter taxis in the city area - no big bills!)

Good luck.

© 2025 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.