Meter taxis in Phuket

[ch1ldofthemoon]

I`m coming down to phuket,early December,for a couple of days. Can anyone confirm that the `Meter Taxi` rank is still outside the airport terminal,in the car park. Also,what am I looking at paying,to go to Karon beach?
Thanx for any help..

[kingwilly]

I didnt think any of the taxi's in phuket used their meter.

quite a number of hotels will do airport pick ups.

I imagine that price is 200baht... or am I thinking of Koh Samui?

[SandMike]

A hotel in Patong has quoted me 600 baht from the airport - probably a bit more to Karon

Patong Pearl Resortel : Patong Bungalows hotel in Phuket Thailand.

[Norton]

A hotel in Patong has quoted me 600 baht from the airport

You can book the taxi just before you leave the airport building. Think there are 2 booths. The 600 baht sounds about right but haven't been there in a while.

[killerbees]

From some website: Transportation at Phuket Airport: Latest Information on Buses and Taxis for Travelers to Phuket

Transportation Options at Phuket Airport

1. Airport Bus Service

The airport bus service provides an alternative for budget travelers who do not wish to spend around 500 – 700 Baht on an airport taxi. Airport buses depart from just inside the airport exit gate, about 200 meters from the arrivals terminal.

These orange and grey buses run at hourly intervals between 6.30am and 8.30pm, and cost a maximum of 52 Baht to the bus terminal in Phuket Town. The whole trip from the airport to Phang Na Road takes around an hour and there are drop off points along the way at the Nai Yang intersection, Heroines Monument, Tesco-Lotus and Big C.

Having reached Phuket Town, travelers then need to board a local Songtaew (local communal taxis) to get to Phuket’s main beach resorts, Kata, Karon and Patong. Songtaews cost around 30 Baht, depending on the destination. Therefore the whole journey from north to south will cost around 80 Baht. A trip from Phuket Town to Karon, for example, costs 25 Baht. However, Songtaews do not run in the evening.

Return airport buses start at 5.30am and run until 9.30am, from the bus terminal in Phang Na Road, just across from the Royal Phuket City Hotel.

2. Airport Limousine - Non-metered Taxis

With the local government decision in December 2007 to offer additional transportation services, passengers will now have a choice of two non-metered taxi companies, encouraging healthy competition and therefore providing a better service to customers. The new company, Phuket Mai Khoa Co Ltd will join the established Phuket Limousine and Business Service Cooperative (PBC) in offering transportation to passengers. A typical fare from the airport to the main beach resorts in the south is around 700 Baht.

3. Airport Metered Taxis

These legitimate metered taxis are a welcome addition to Phuket International Airport, as they are cheaper than the airport limousines. The average fare to the south of the island is around 400 Baht. They are harder to locate, due to friction with the existing limousine company, who understandably tries to protect its interests (and prime position) at the airport.
Walk out of the arrivals hall and go passed all the taxis touts at the front of the building. The metered taxi stand is off to the side, and the yellow and red taxis are parked round the corner. There is a flat charge of 100 Baht , which is normal practice when departing from Thailand’s major airports. State your destination, and you will be issued with a receipt and assigned a driver. This receipt also acts are as a complaint slip should you be overcharged or experience a problem. This way drivers are held accountable and are more inclined to give good customer service.
The Phuket Gazette reports that local government has committed to giving metered taxis a special desk in the arrivals hall, and will allocate them several spaces at the front of the arrivals terminal. Only time will tell if this actually materializes.

4. Airport Pick Up Service

Another option is to make prior arrangements for an airport pick up through your hotel or resort. This may prove a little more expensive but guarantees you a ride and saves you having to run the gauntlet of taxi touts outside the arrivals building.
5. Car Rental

There are also a number car rental companies situated within the arrivals terminal and it is possible to negotiate discounts if renting long-term or during low season.
Your range of options depends very much on how much you want to spend and what time you arrive at the airport. If arriving late at night or early in the morning, then choices are more limited.

The official Airports Authority of Thailand website includes detailed information on Phuket International Airport.

The copyright of the article Transportation at Phuket Airport in Thailand Travel is owned by Gill Hart. Permission to republish Transportation at Phuket Airport in print or online must be granted by the author in writing

I usually took the local buses from Talad Sod in Phuket Town. It takes a lot longer but I was on a budget. Now I just drive my own bike.

I think the last time I came into the airport I took a metered taxi... the guy used the meter but there was an extra "airport charge" or something like that and it bumped the price up by a substantial sum. Try for an airport pick-up from your hotel or see if you can find a couple of other people going to Kata or Karon and join up with them. Good luck.

[Happyman]

it is 500 + 100 "airport tax!" to Chalong

Same the other way if you book by phone !

[EmperorTud]

Meter taxi to Karon will be about 450THB I reckon.

Walk outside of the airport building, avoiding all touts and look around for the meter taxi rank on the left.

You'll save 200 - 300THB over the other taxis on offer.

[ch1ldofthemoon]

I have used the meter taxi`s from the airport 4-5 times,in the past.The last time was 2 years ago. I was asking,`cos I read something in the phuket gazette last year,that meter taxi`s were moving into the terminal(thx KB). I always found the meter taxi`s about 150/200 Baht cheaper than the airport limo`s. Got a minibus once,never again.Airport to karon beach 3 1/2 hours! I was the last to be dropped off.
I cant imagine me ever getting the bus. Thanx for all the replies.

[richie22]

The meter taxi booth has moved from the car park and is now on the right as you exit the arrivals door and will probably be about 600 to karon

[richie22]

Just noticed it say's I'm in Pattaya Fck know's why it said Karon beach last week

[Butterfly]

try renting car, definitely worth it, the local mafia is pretty nasty

Karon to Patong Beach, one way is 400 THB if you look like a fucking tourist

[Sammyg]

I am in thailand right now and got a meter taxi from the airport to kata beach. 450 BT
Walk out of the airport turn right you can not miss the taxi stand. Get the drivers phone number so you can use him back to the airport. You pay 350 Bt for the ride plus an extra 100 Bt to the driver.

[kingwilly]

Karon to Patong Beach, one way is 400 THB if you look like a fucking tourist

Taxi from Airport I am in thailand right now and got a meter taxi from the airport to kata beach. 450 BT Walk out of the airport turn right you can not miss the taxi stand. Get the drivers phone number so you can use him back to the airport. You pay 350 Bt for the ride plus an extra 100 Bt to the driver.

evidently so...

[vanalli]

The airport bus is pretty handy. If I'm getting a taxi I usually turn right out of the airport and go and see if the regular cab guys are over by the booth, although often it's been hijacked. the taxi situation has always been a bit of a mess.

[JoGeAr]

Apparently we have a lot of newbies in Phuket !!



Welcome one and all.

[phuketbound]

The meter taxi booth has moved from the car park and is now on the right as you exit the arrivals door and will probably be about 600 to karon

Yes, this is what I remember. I was there a year ago, and you have to go to your right when you get out of the airport. If you arrive later at night, then be careful that they put on the meter. They can try and rip you off, as they did to me last time. I was told that there are barely any metered taxis anymore. You'll pay around 600baht or more to Karon.

[richie22]

Apparently we have a lot of newbies in Phuket !!



Welcome one and all.

Cheers JoGeAr and a Happy New Year.
Got a bit pissed off with the other poular Phuket forums.So fkin PC and anal more like an old boys network than forums and the same old questions rehased every few months.

[richie22]

Fck I have moved to Chang Mai now.News to me

[davearn]

yep the going price is 600 baht but you wanna get back it's 1000. Arseholes. I went to Patong for 300 and had many beers and got taxi to airportfor 600. 100 baht cheaper.

[corvettelover]

turn right as you walk out of airport push the touts out of the way as you go 60 meters walk taxi booth 350 baht plus 100 baht for driver.
return can be booked from your accomodation 600 baht.
price has been same for last two years as i travel there reguarly.
little mermaid off roundabout normally 495 night with breakfast all ammenities and full stocked fridge great place. close to all of karon, enjoy

Little Mermaid - Welcome