Transfers From Bangkok Airport

Q: I am struggling to find cheap and reliable airport transfers from Bangkok Airport to a hotel in the city centre. Prices quoted are in US dollars and very expensive. I am aware of the train and meter taxis but I do not want to be ripped off. Can you help? - Elaine Delange

A: The most reliable transfers are those organised by the hotel where you are staying, but I agree that these can be overpriced. The new skytrain service from the airport to central Bangkok is efficient and costs only 150 baht (R37) and the taxi trip from the station to your hotel should be less than 100 baht (R25). The total cost for two people should be around 400 baht (R100). However, I have found that the meter taxi service from the airport to your hotel is very reliable. Make sure you get your taxi from the official stand outside the terminal and not from a roving agent. Your destination will be recorded by the agent, a driver allocated to you and you will be given a "receipt". This slip of paper is proof that your driver has paid the 50 baht surcharge for the airport. You will refund it to him when you pay your bill on arrival - it is not reflected on the meter. Some drivers will try their luck and try to agree a fare upfront and not use the meter, but they will back down if you insist they switch on the meter. To make matters easier, have a selection of Thai banknotes for payment and a copy of a map to your destination in Thai (taken from the Internet). It will also ease matters if you agree upfront to pay for the tolls on the highway, which come to 70 baht (R17). Your journey should come to 250-400 baht, to which you add the 50 baht airport surcharge and the toll fees of 70 baht. The total cost should be 350-550 baht (R85-R137). If you really do not want to go by meter taxi, then you can take the airport limousine service. This can be booked in advance (www.newthaiairport.com) or on arrival. The cost is usually around 1000 baht (R250) for a medium sized car taking up to three passengers. You pay for this service upfront and it is very reliable. (1/5/11)