Bangkok, taxis : information and tips
Taxis are one of the most convenient ways to get around Bangkok. Taxis offer a good alternative for visiting the capital. Overview of the information and tips.
Taxis and colours
Bangkok is one of the capitals that can boast of having a very large number of taxis. It is estimated that there are over 100,000 taxis in the capital alone. Generally, taxis are Japanese automatic cars such as the Toyota Corolla. Unlike New York with its yellow taxis, taxis in Thailand are blue, yellow, pink, green, white, and yellow.
Most of the drivers rent their vehicles and offer their services for days with working hours of 10 to 12 hours. The number of trips in a day is relative and, as several drivers admit, the number of trips is between 10 and 30. For the drivers, the working conditions are trying with heavy traffic, permanent stress and strong competition between the drivers.
These taxis are the most numerous in the capital. They are omnipresent and all charge the same prices. However, in recent years, new companies have set up shop. Their services are often of better quality, the vehicles are new, and the prices vary greatly.
Taxi companies
All Thai Taxi
Yellow Hybrid Taxi
All Thai Taxi is known for the training of its drivers. Here, they are professionals who drive the customer with one motto: we do not refuse a customer, whatever the destination.
This company has also decided to have hybrid vehicles with Toyota Hybrid Prius cars.
The price is normally the same as the usual taxis, but with a much better quality of service.
To order a taxi :
- with the app,
- by calling the 1624 hotline
- on the street.
EV Taxi VIP
The third option with the same company is the electric car and VIP service. These vehicles are mainly found at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.
The service is of high quality, but you have to pay for it. For information: Official website
Cabb drivers
This is a VIP taxi service. The vehicles are recognisable as English Cabb. The service here is excellent, the vehicle is very well maintained, it’s the 5 star taxi service in the capital. The only drawback : The website is in Thai - Official website.
To book a Cabb, you have to give 2 hours notice before the trip:
- either through the CABB application or
- call +66 2 026 8888.
Taxis vs tuk-tuk
Besides public transport - bus, BTS, BRT and metro - the main competitors of taxis are tuk-tuk. Tourists love them, they are part of the postcard, the little experience that everyone likes to do. However, taxis have many advantages. It is the most preferred type of transport for the locals.
Safer, less tiring, less in contact with exhaust fumes, it also has the enormous advantage of not wasting time negotiating. With it, there is no big discussion about the price, in each taxi there is a meter.
Price of a taxi ride
Taxis have a meter with a defined fare. The fare is fixed and normally requires no transaction between the customer and the driver.
Rates were changed in November 2022:
- The starting price is THB 35 for ordinary vehicles (engine size 1,600 to 1,800 cc) and THB 40 for large vehicles (over 2,000 cc).
- Price per kilometre:
| From 2 to 10 km | From 10 to 20 km | From 20 to 40 km | From 40 to 60 km | From 60 to 80 km | Over 80 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.50 THB per km | 7 THB per km | 8 THB per km | 8.50 THB per km | 9 THB per km | 10.50 THB per km |
To know the price of a race in advance, you can go to this site which calculates the price of the race. Practical and very useful for planning your trips.
To tip or not to tip! It’s up to you… but it’s not uncommon for the driver not to give change for 2 or 3 baht. For long trips, when the traffic is difficult, it is appreciated to give a little something!
Three things to remember:
Sometimes drivers offer to take the highway. If you accept, you have to pay the toll.
In traffic jams or if the vehicle does not exceed 6 km/h, there is an additional charge of 2 baht per minute.
When taking a taxi directly from the airport, there is an additional charge of 50 baht.
Practical taxis, but difficult communication
Communication with drivers is not always easy if you don’t speak Thai. The drivers are willing to help, but it often happens that no one understands each other. The best thing to do is to use your imagination… and your mobile phone for translation and GPS.
This communication difficulty should not become an excuse to pay extra. To avoid problems, it is important to read the practical advice below
Practical advice
- A taxi is available when you see the red light in the left corner of the vehicle.
- If a taxi driver sets a price before the start of the journey, Do not accept.
- Always ask for the meter to be set at the start of the journey.
- Many taxis wait near major tourist centers. They tend to set their prices. It is better to walk away and get others.
- If you have luggage, some drivers may charge extra, Do not accept.
- Some drivers may accept the fare, but do not know the route… It is therefore necessary to make sure that they know where they are taking you.
- Remember to write down the address on your mobile phone or in a notebook, in Roman letters or Thai script.
- Don’t be offended if many taxis refuse to take you to the given address. If you insist, you will eventually find one.
- Always bring enough change. 1000 baht notes are often refused. You will be asked to change money in a shop.
- The number of free taxis decreases significantly when it rains.
Safety tip :
Be very careful when opening the door. Motorbikes, scooters, bicycles, etc. are used to driving between vehicles, overtaking on the right as well as on the left.
