How can I determine taxi charges in Bangkok and what should I know about using the meter?

Apr 17, 2022
2 years ago
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
how do i figure out the taxi charges in Bangkok? i want to know how the charges apply on the meter.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
In Bangkok, the taxi charges are determined by a meter system where the starting fare is 35 THB. The fare increases based on distance: the first kilometer is included, and additional charges are made per kilometer traveled. It's advisable to always insist on using the meter and avoid taxis that refuse, as negotiating fares is likely to result in higher charges. Many users recommend using apps like Grab or Bolt for convenience, although they can be more expensive than traditional metered taxis at times. Tipping is also discussed, especially in light of rising fuel costs, suggesting that drivers appreciate a fair tip considering their operating expenses.
John ********
Flagfall and so much a kilometre, same as everywhere..good if you get the honest taxi driver, always give a good tip
Cyrus *****
Use bolt. its cheaper than Grab.
Chut ******
use Grab
James ********
Good luck
Terary **********
Bangkok Taxi's charge by time and by kilometre. There really isn't a fixed rate per distance. travelling 3KM during heavy traffic will cost more than the same route during light traffic.
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
good to prefer a bike in traffic
Dom *******
Dom *******
@EASY ************
is the company used by locals thai, expats, tourists at the same rates. Best prices, best services with reliable and safe drivers.

Enjoy your trip in Thailand
Sam *******
Get Grab
Baitoey ********
Downlaod Bolt application
Kevin *******
You are fallang! you can afford it ! Enjoy
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin ******
what has falang and affordability have to do with my question?
Kevin *******
Edna *******
@Kevin ******
it’s not a matter of affording it, no one likes to get ripped off.
Chang *****
on the long run: start learning to count in thai. saves a lot! 🙂 and is more fun! 🙂 (y)
Sybren *******
Sybren *******
Sharing a pricelist seemed appropriate here, my Thai girl also did let me know that all taxicompanies should have fixed/same prices. Tuktuk's are almost always more expensive but more fun for some. If traveling alone a motorbiketaxi is always cheap for short distances. Grab prices should not be much different.

My gf grew up in Bangkok buy now lives in Phuket, over there we always use grab instead of a regular taxi.

Greets from Bangkok to all! 😎
Gordon *******
No matter what it’s penny’s anyway 🤷🏼‍♂️
Joe *********
I check the price on grab first, then check with a taxi and negotiate
Srini ******
I was surprised that it was cheaper than grab.. I had very good experiences with taking a Taxi in Bangkok the past few days
Mark *******
Try an app called Bolt. I have been using it in Pattaya and works great. You can select to use cash so no need to upload card details etc.
Terence ***********
Approx 10 bt per km is the going rate
Srini ******
@Terence **********
That's pretty inexpensive
Dream ******
From what i remember, the starting price is 35, the first 1-10 kilo is 5.5 per kilo, 11-20 is 6.5, 21-30 is 7.5 ( figures might be slightly different) . The farther, the higher rate.
Nick **********
@Dream *****
Very minor correction : the first km is included in the 35 bt starting price. And the 7,5 bt is from 21 - 40 kms.

But more importantly : there is also 2 bt per minute extra charge in case speed is not above 6 km/ hr
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dream *****
this helps
Emilio *******
Take a grab
Emilio *******
Usually when u find a few good grab drivers u can call them as ur taxis
Paddy *********
Agree with points here. Ask if they know your destination and say you want meter on. Thats cheaper
****
. Not taking the toll charge expressways( go up? Is the phrase the driver will ask you) may save you money ( peanuts really) but get you stuck in traffic for ages on ground level.Just look firm and confident with taxi drivers in Asia and be very clear re meter ON or don’t get in. Sorted.

Sawadee ka - greeting from a woman- he will think you are an experienced Thai tourist.
Simon *********
..
Nguyễn ********
@Simon ********
I have always thought about it that way, but turns out most of the time going with a random taxi meter is a lot cheaper. whether you go with grab taxi or grab car, it's a lot more (grab car tends to charge more than grab taxi)
Simon *********
@Nguyễn *******
i use Just Grab. This way is cheaper. And as long as you are in a city you get a ride within 5 min
Nguyễn ********
@Simon ********
Just grab is not cheaper. It's an option to find either taxi or car, which ever is available (if you happen to read it)... It's more about quick but not price efficient.
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nguyễn *******
whats the difference between taxi and car in Just Grab? you mean to say even street taxis work for Grab?
Nguyễn ********
@Yuv ****
They have this option since sometimes if you look for grab car/taxi alone, it can take forever without finding any. So they have just grab to make it quick and guarantee your chance to find one that its distance is NEAREST to you. Answer is there isn't any difference in which grab gets you, they give you a price that is almost like grab car, which is more than what you would pay with grab taxi.

yes and no, street taxi works for grab but not everyone, they have to register + turn on the app.

they can work for grab and have that in printed their car but can also turn off their app to become a normal taxi in their free time.
Nguyễn ********
In Bangkok you can just wave 👋 any taxi meter... But there is a down side in waving a random taxi is that you have to show them your destination. Drivers in Thailand can't read map 🗺️, so grab does save you the time to explain it to them.
Hans *************
@Simon ********
not true. taximeters normally cheaper. and Bolt cheaper than Grab..anyway all is very cheap... to cheap!

taximeters same price as many years already, but petrol has become much more expensive.
Craig *******
@Simon ********
not in BKK, last week checked Grab 380, Bolt 290, jumped in metered cab and it was 240.
Nick *********
You agree on a price before you leave or you will be over charged
William *******
I just negotiate a price prior to getting in most of the time and also let them know there is no stopping at any stupid Tailor shops or gem shops , if you get one from airport they will most likely ask you if it’s your first time in Thailand always say no even if it is or you will get scammed
Bruce *********
@William ******
why would you want to negotiate. Ask them to use the meter. Anytime a taxi negotiates you always pay more than if they just use the meter
Dan ********
@Bruce ********
because the first 35 taxis will drive off and sometimes you'll be happy to pay 100 baht, even 150, for a 60 baht taxi ride.
Bruce *********
@Dan *******
I've never really experienced that but then again I mainly use bolts.
Dan ********
@Bruce ********
try it and see. Maybe its as I'm with my Thai Girlfriend, literally 8-10 in a row, as soon as she says, they drive off with the hump. With my ex, they'd sometimes say yes, then not do it, and she'd just get out while stationary, and insisted I leave the doors open.
William *******
@Bruce ********
I don’t I never pay more I’ve done a comparison . 400 baht max to sukhumvit soi 2 from airport , just like when I arrive back I use same taxi guys from my neighborhood then no nonsense ,
Richard *******
@William ******
it’s less than 400 on the meter
Craig *******
Also both Grab and Bolt are more expensive than meter rates, sometimes significantly.
Duncan *******
@Craig ******
may be true at times but it bypasses the BS of having to try to find a taxi that will use the meter and not try to rip you off. Knowing what the cost is upfront and with the driver knowing exactly where you want to you is worth every baht.
Peng *********
@Craig ******
you’re right but for me the main sell with these apps is the convenience and also no “bill-shock” 😂

Absolutely agree with you about tipping. I remember getting drivers who agree to go by meter at 3am outside crowded nightspots. Gladly tipped 200thb for his integrity.
Sybren *******
@Peng ********
Thai do not tip for this reason, a taxi should by law always use his meter and when you got inside they are not allowed to refuse your trip. Why tip somebody to thank them for not scamming you? 🤣🤣
Craig *******
@Peng ********
I also like that aspect of using the app, but had bad experience with Bolt recently- many of the drivers don't know how to use the app and they had great difficulty picking me up, even though both of our locations were clear on the map. I gave up after waiting for 3 drivers and 45 minutes. Jumped into metered cab and it was 20% cheaper than Bolt....and grab is always more expensive than Bolt. Also sometimes bolt is too cheap and then driver complains and guilts you into paying more.
Peng *********
@Craig ******
haven't used Bolt before, I usually drive so its on rarer occasions that i have to use taxi.

I struggled financially at some points in my life so yea I tend to tip (not huge) whenever I can to good service people especially delivery guys and taxi guys.
Craig *******
Consider tipping more generously. I normally don't tip anything more than rounding up to the nearest 10THB, but gas prices are up 50% in past year and meter rates have not increased at all. So drivers are making nothing these days if using meter.
Braulio *********
@Craig ******
Good advice
Russell ***********
@Craig ******
haha ...rounding up to the nearest 10 THB ? unbelievable ... Beggs belief
Craig *******
@Russell **********
you misunderstood....before gas prices shot up I didn't tip taxis (other than rounding up), but now I tip generously because of spike in gas
Russell ***********
@Craig ******
okie dokie ... but taxis are very cheap in Bangkok, i don't know how they even made a living before the petrol increases
Craig *******
@Russell **********
yes I agree, I'm also in a non-touristy area where tipping is extremely rare, drivers are normally delighted to get small roundup LOL. But now if driver is good guy I usually tip 25%
Russell ***********
@Craig ******
it's good to see the appreciation, makes me feel happier to help directly instead of making merit to a Wat
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell **********
coz you think in terms of USD/ Euro and minimum wages in your home countries. Thailand is not that expensive to live.

Also taxi drivers earn a lot more in western countries than those in Asian ones. driving taxi can support your family very well in western countries. in Asia, its not really a job of choice.
Russell ***********
@Yuv ****
yes i know that ?? i think in £'s ... what is your point exactly as you seem confused ?
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell **********
just saying wages are ok by Thai standards. they are set by the taxi associations. cant comment on Uber/Grab.
Craig *******
@Yuv ****
drivers are getting killed by price of gas. Fare from my BKK condo to GF office in Samut Sakhon 240THB, same as last year. Driver will burn 4L, gas price up 13THB per liter, so his cost is up by 52THB in last year yet no price increase. It's cruel not to tip right now, just do the math.
Russell ***********
@Yuv ****
Thai standards are very low Sir
Howard *******
Use grab app
Liam ********
I personally use a app called bolt you know what your paying before you start
Carlos *********
I just use this simple equation and then add 6.276%!
Bruce *********
@Carlos ********
what does it say about me that I can actually understand this
Dwight ***********
@Liam *******
Bolt is all i use and cheaper than Grab 👍
Brandon ************
@Dwight **********
not always cheaper. I always check both apps because Grab is cheaper sometimes. Also Bolt always takes at least twice as long for a car to arrive so if I'm in a hurry it's Grab as well.

Bolt is also the only app I've had a driver call me and ask where I'm going and how much I'm willing to pay. When I told him I'd pay what the app said he told me to cancel.
Derek ***********
Dwight ***********
@Brandon ***********
wow never experienced a driver doing that maybe because i use their motorbikes 90% of the time 🤷‍♂️
Jo ********
Grab App
Russell ***********
cheap cheap … i think they apply 35tb straight away when coming away from the airport & it increases very very slowly, although you pay Motorway tolls for a faster journey, say 2 x 50 tb … from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok centre approx. 200 tb 30-45 mins
Peng *********
On licensed taxis there’s a small chart stuck onto the passenger windows sometimes that breakdowns the fare system.

There are some 3rd party sites that share this information but I haven’t seen an updated one from a brief google search.

***************************************


Some reference if you need
Kool *******
@Peng ********
you haven't seen an updated one because taxi fares haven't changed in over ten years.
Peng *********
@Kool ******
I didn’t want to make that claim without factual knowledge but good to know!

Personally I feel that taxi drivers in Bangkok have improved since the competition introduced through ride-hail apps ie Grab. I find myself going straight to book a ride from Grab and never thinking to flag down a taxi in the last 3 years.

Everyone has surely had their share of taxi horror stories but I sincerely feel that those are just black sheep in the industry that shouldn’t be used to judge on a whole.

I find it most important to have empathy when taking taxi, if your journey takes much longer than usual due to traffic condition and the driver still maintains a pleasant disposition, give the driver a tip, time is their opportunity cost. We all have difference financial ability but 20-50thb shouldn’t cause a huge dent on your finances so give a good driver a little something for his effort.
Kool *******
Just read the cost chart in the taxi. If they don't use the meter then do not take them. Have them stop right away and get out. There is always one close behind them you can get that will use the meter. You can basically go anywhere in Bangkok for under bt150
Marc ********
@Kool ******
I did use the meter. Unless the meter was manipulated but it was almost 500b
Kool *******
@Marc *******
then the taxi driver was ripping you off. The entrance to the expressway is just down on soi one, from Nana on soi 4, and then a straight shot to the airport, with the one toll charge, it should be under bt300.
Marc ********
@Kool ******
But I used google maps too. He used the correct way🤷‍♂️

Long way it was cheap. Then near the airport it was much more.

I had the feeling the meter was manipulated. But I am not going to start an argument or fight over 500b/15USD.

300b/9 USD you say it should have cost. Ok 6USD too much yeah not worth it.

But airport to Nana was metered taxi too and was about same price.
Bruce *********
@Marc *******
do yourself a favor and download bolts or grab. They usually end up being cheaper.
Kool *******
@Marc *******
but that very attitude is why tourists get ripped off constantly.
Marc ********
@Kool ******
my point is just you cannot go anywhere from in Bangkok for under 150b with a meteref taxi. Even if it is no ripp off. Bangkok is pretty big you know.

Not relevant here if the cab driver scammed me from Nana to BKK or not.
Nick **********
@Marc *******
I disagree. : unless you seek out the worst combinations, 2 points in Bangkok will many times be connected by less than 150 baht taxi meter fare, like Kool Breeze posted.

Traffic will affect the cost of course.
Marc ********
@Nick *********
I couldn't disagree more. BKK to DMK is even with Google maps estimated 1 hour drive.

No bloody way you can drive in a metered taxi for 1 hour for less than 150b

Stopp tell me BS
Nick **********
@Marc *******
BS ??

Your reply is completely besides the point : BKK to DMK is NOT a 2 average point combination in Bangkok.

BKK to DMK has NOTHING to do with taxi ride within Bangkok. BKK isn't even in Bangkok.

So why are you strawmanning by bringing up a completely different issue which has nothing to do with what we are talking about ?
Marc ********
@Nick *********
BKK is not Bangkok?
Nick **********
@Marc *******
BKK is not in Bangkok, but in Samut Prakan province, which is a province adjacent to Bangkok.

DMK is in Bangkok, in Don Muang district at the Northern border of Bangkok with Pathum Thani province.
Luc ********
@Marc *******
bkk airport is samut prakan
Marc ********
@Kool ******
But even if I take a taxi with my thai gf she dealt with the driver. And going to her place from the airport was also about 500b.

Or if you go from BKK to DMK with a metered taxi it will be more than 500b for sure. It's a long drive
Marc ********
@Kool ******
Yes I know. But why would I chose to have problems with a cab driver and I need to catch a flight?

And the first drive was not much cheaper either so I didn't have any proof
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
exactly. people need to convert the baht to their currency and then trigger the right emotions. so if anyone is getting scammed for 50baht, think they are getting ripped by 50usd. 50baht may not sound a lot, but the taxi driver expectations are set wrong and they start feeling that ripping off is actually ok. its actually not.
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc *******
thats another big issue. meter manipulation. there is no way to find until you reach the destination. although you can record the journey, calculate the actual fare, refuse to pay and file a complaint. not sure if thats easy.
Marc ********
@Kool ******
Then try to pay less than 150b Nana Plaza to airport😅
Kool *******
@Marc *******
just as with everything in life there are extreme exceptions to everything. There are much faster, and cheaper ways to the airport than a taxi the whole way, and at about bt90, even for a hansum man like you from Nana.
Martin *********
@Kool ******
...well said mate.
Jake ********
@Kool ******
what are the 90bt ways from Bangkok to the airport (suvarnabhumi)
Bruce *********
@Jake *******
you can take the BTS SkyTrain from anywhere on sukhumvit directly to the airport for 44 baht.
Kimball *************
@Bruce ********
The Sukhumvit BTS line doesn’t go directly to the airport. You have to transfer to the Airport Rail Link at Phaya Thai. The cost on the Sukhumvit Line will depend on the length of your trip but will likely be in the range of 40 to 50 Baht. The cost of the full trip on the Airport Rail Link is 45 Baht from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi.
Bruce *********
@Kimball ****
maybe I didn't elaborate but this was what I was referring too. It's the cheapest way to get to the airport if you're on sukhumvit.
Kool *******
@Jake *******
take a short under bt50 taxi ride to the Makkasan, or Ratchaprarop airport link BTS station, then bt40 to the airport in the terminal on the bottom floor. It is very fast, with room on the train for luggage.
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
somehow i always preferred the BTS metro. i love to watch the Thai go about their lives and the random convo with strangers.
Kimball *************
@Jake *******
BTS to Phaya Thai then Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi.
Jake ********
@Kimball ****
thank you
Marc ********
@Kool ******
But we are talking about metered taxi right?

No way you can drive a distance like that for under 300b
Kool *******
@Marc *******
like I said, there are exceptions to everything. If you are going from Nana to the airport regularly it would be of concern, but for taking taxis around Bangkok under bt150 is normal. But then again from Nana you will be hard pressed to find a taxi that would even use the meter...lololol.
Yuv *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
are there any toll charges within bangkok? and these are included or over and above the fare?
Bruce *********
@Yuv ****
you can always tell them to not take any toll routes. It'll take a couple of minutes longer but you'll save 50 baht for each toll.
Nigel *********
@Yuv ****
what he said. Toll charges are not included.
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