Is it cheaper to hire a driver or own a car in Thailand for occasional travel?

Cars are dirt cheap here to run petrol tax and insurance so much cheaper than Uk

Check out carzuno/one2car/Thai baht & sold for cars,.

According to my 15 year experiences in Thailand if not using often renting car in Thailand always better buying car.

Like this car 200,000 b.

Bus

I owned a car when I first came to Thailand but not for the last 10 years, taxis and public transport is as quick and a lot cheaper in the long especially in and around Bkk

Cars are more expensive in Thailand but car ownership costs around the same (higher initial cost balanced out by slower depreciation on the asset value, cheaper tax, insurance, maintenance, parking, speeding fines, etc). If you care about safety, you definitely shouldn't hire a local driver as driving standards are awful here and professional drivers are among the worst. In reality, you will end up driving more than you expect because things just aren't set up to be walkable and when it rains, it rains so hard you will get soaked wet through in seconds.

Including car depreciation a taxi will work out cheaper in the long run, especially if not used every day. I use my car once a week to go distances over 5km, usually to Tesco. I have a Honda Click for daily shopping to and local Big C etc. I get 50km to the litre.

I drive to the beach 4 times a year or Issaan once a year. I have had my Toyota Ativ 1 year and 1 month, only driven 5,800km. I use the car if I have to drive into central Bangkok about 20km away and get 20km/litre in the city.

If you stay in Phuket in the rainy season its very convenient to have a car, even a used older car. But please buy a popular car model, as spare pates are cheaper and garages easier to find. Adapt to the local market. I drive here a small Toyota Vios and I am quite happy with it.

Me and my husband we come back to Thailand for 5 months. We decided to bought second hand car cost 100,000 b. Finally I can bought 85,000 b from someone in Bangkok and drive to Phuket. Yes it’s not beautiful as new car but I think it’s worth more than rent. And safe more than ride motorcycle.

Just some thoughts.

First thing to consider in Thailand is: type of vehicle and usage of it. Cars are "luxury goods" and are taxed accordingly eg. I bought a Subaru XV new in Thailand. Cost around 1.2+m baht and therefore 30% more than the same vehicle in Australia.

Anything with an open bed however (Hilux, Ranger etc) is a different category and is cheaper than Australia by a decent margin, but heavier on fuel of course.

Second hand vehicles of any type are outrageously expensive when compared to home country prices.

The choice is yours.

Especially if any shops/ restaurants and to some degree bars (won’t drink and drive) are all within a reasonable walking distance to our home. ....When comparing costs don't forget that if you rent a home in an area such as this it's going to cost you a lot more. Having a vehicle gives you options and you don't have to haggle with a driver every time you want to go somewhere and during the high season have to wait for long wait times to find an available driver. Consider this also, when you buy a vehicle and maintain it properly and later want to sell it you will recover at least 50% of your investment.

Not based just on costs as much but i find tbe car driver idea better for all sorts of reasons .

There is no public transport to talk about. The freedom in transport anywhere, anytime that you describe is only achievable with car, unless motorcycle is an option (don't forget the rain period though).

There are taxis of different kinds. They work in town but not outside.

I have chosen to have a car since I must keeo times nearly every day. I have tried the taxi and rental car combination but to have the freedom this is too expensive.

No disrespect intended but I'm not sure Thailand is the right place for you having read this

Your hiring a driver supports a family. Your depreciable "asset" (liability actually) wastes away.

Shopping at multiple stores at the same time is difficult without a car, but one at a time is easy (returning by Tuk Tuk or taxi in BKK). If you do get a car, you may find it difficult to get Liability Insurance with your desired coverage ceiling.

@Linz ***********

:

Car ISUZU Highlander;

Year costs:

Nmbr 1 insurance 17,000฿

Tax 4,000฿

Service 2x 2,000฿ average

So about 25,000฿ a year = about 2,100฿ a month.

Petrol B7 about 36฿ a litre.

With 20.000km a year and 12km a litre = 60,000฿

So 5,000฿ a month.

So a total of 7,100฿ a month.

Ofcourse a smaller car would cost a bit less.

A daytrip with a taxi w'll be around 2,000-2,500฿

Maybe rent a car ? 1,000-1,500฿ without fuel ?

So if you want that e.g. once a week it seems to me (also notice this only now with writing this) that there is not SO much difference in DRIVINGcosts in owning a car comparing to the above (renting a car/taxi)

Maybe renting a car/taxi first and see where it leads ?

But...you have to buy a car first. Mine (new) was about

900,000฿. Second hand maybe you can get one for about 300,000฿ which also will be at least 10 years old.

I live in a village where for almost everything you need a car. Should I live in e.g. Bangkok, Phuket tourist area, Pattaya, I think I would not have bought a car. Even if you then need a taxi for some occasions, they are rather cheap comparing to European countries.

So I think it's also a bit depending for your situation and what you are willing to pay for your freedom.

At least you have an idea I guess. Good luck with you decision.

I am considering the same thing for when i move there next year. I want to get a second hand car as i want to do a few road trips and see some of the country i havent seen yet. Once i settle though i am more inclined to ride a scooter but that works for me as i ride them a lot and i am single. It's actually exactly the same as i have in Australia . My car hardly gets used and i use my scooter most of the time. But i keep the car ( and i get free rego being a pensioner ) for rainy days and longer trips. I love having both.

@Linz ***********

Owning a car is definitely cheaper than grab or hiring a car to drive you this is just from September of this year last year I spent $12k on grab

Cars are expensive in Thailand .

You have worked out actual cost well , cars are expensive always look at actual cost and depreciation, the cost will be similar in Thailand , depending very much on which area you decide to reside .

Thailand is now to expensive for living. Holiday ok and go back Home sure.

Dont forget Sickness Insurance baht up for 1 Month.

In phuket taxi situation is bad and a car is required

Get a motorbike for short trips, take Bolt for the rest..

Get a car.

Find a place. Work out how much youre paying for cabs/public transport over a month. Work out if that will be normal usage. Compare that to cost of car and fuel. Job done?

If you can afford it get one if you want one. If you cant don't bother. I live in Pattaya don't need one don't want one. In UK get 2 don't need 2 but want 2 can afford 2 for 2 months a year. Ha ha a lot of 2s. I'm not allowed 2 girl friends.

I use my car probably once a week, but wouldn't be without it.

Get a car

Cars cost the same in Thailand as UK from new but depreciate less. 99% are on long term finance so hold their value far longer. If you are only doing occasional trips then it's far cheaper to rent taxis or drivers as needed.