Airport transfer

Any idea the best and cheapest way to transfer from the airport to a hotel in Patong or Kata area??

What sort of rate would I expect? If it is by taxi, does it run by meter or it is a flat rate? Safe??

How safe and reliable are operators operating along the beach areas which provide island trips n etc??

Any idea the charges for the day trip to PhiPhi and the surrounding islands?? How about a trip to the inside of the cave?? Thanks

Airport transfer

We went to Phuket in February and used the taxi desk inside the airport, which were very good. We paid approx. 600 baht to Bang Tao beach but Patong and Kata are further so you may be looking at double that.

Be careful when booking a trip to Phi Phi, we booked a day trip which included snorkelling, it was a joke. Went we got to the snorkelling area we were told we had an hour to snorkel but there were so many people on the boat (at least a couple of hundred) you can imagine how long it took for everyone to get off the boat then back on again. You probably only get 20 mins in the water. We then had lunch on Phi Phi but only about an hour to wander round so you don%26#39;t see much. A lady I was talking to on the plane home said they had gone to Phi Phi on a motorboat which took 20 people max. and they had ages to snorkel and more time on the island so that might be a better option. Just make sure they are all covered with insurance and its probably better to book some of the trips through your hotel

Airport transfer

The taxi or transportation desk also offers a minivan service.. It costs about 200-300 baht. The minivan takes abit longer to get to your hotel as it will drop off other passengers along the route..

Be forewarned if you take the minivan.. the driver will make a stop at a travel agent mid way to Patong.. The agents will try to sell you sightseeing tours or hotel reservations if you don%26#39;t already have one.. Just tell them, you%26#39;re all set and don%26#39;t need any help..

Check www.sawadee.com to find information and pricing

for ferry service to Phi Phi and other islands.

Slowrunr

We booked our hotel stay through Sawadee and arranged our pick up to and from the airport from our hotel directly through them. They sent a driver so when we arrived and got our luggage- we saw our driver holding a sign with our name on it. Couldn%26#39;t have been easier and hassle free.

As far as reliable operators for day trips I don%26#39;t remember who we used but our hotel had a few recommendations and we found the trips we took were all pretty reasonable. The PhiPhi one was very popular and good. We never booked with anyone who approached us on the beach - only used the one our hotel recommended. When we did take the tuk tuks we always negotiated price before getting in, the same as the taxi.

I forgot to mention on the one trip we took we stopped at %26#39;monkey island%26#39;, and did snorkeling and you can feed the monkeys that come out on the beach...but be careful one woman was bitten that day. I was amazed how many people get really close to the monkeys and try and touch them while taking pictures. They aren%26#39;t all friendly.

Hi Lwhing

Not sure when you are going but we are going in 1 week, and i have booked a driver to pick us up from the airport. The price can range from 400baht to 900baht. Some people choose different drivers and pay a bit more becuase they speak english or have been etc, but we have chosen Manop, he came highly recommended from TA forum.

He is going to charge us 500baht from airport to Karon Beach, bot sure if would be a bit more to Kata, but I still think that he was the best quote I got.

If you are interested let me know and I give you his details

Good Luck

Christina

Agree that it%26#39;s less hassle to have someone there with your name on a card when you arrive - that%26#39;s why we always hire Mr Mor as he%26#39;s a familiar face waiting for us. Personally I would never use the hotel%26#39;s airport transfer or the travel agents - we were quoted 600 b each (four of us) one way. Mr Mor takes all of us for 600b and the Cape Panwa is at the other end of the island. It does depend when you%26#39;re arriving though - obviously if he%26#39;s got a day booking he can%26#39;t do it, but if it%26#39;s an evening flight it could be ok. You can email him on pongkands@gmail.com to book

Thanks for all your help and suggestions on airport transfers.

Does anyone have any good recomendation for good, clean hotels of abt US$50 per nite preferably at Patong. Kata or Karon area??

Need to stay at a convenient place for food, shops and nice beaches so any good suggestions??

Try staying at Baumanburi resort. Rooms are really clean, staff were wonderful, and breakfast was really good. Pool was clean (not like some of the others they have mould around the edges) and they also have a swim up bar. Situated just behind the Patong Merlin (which we have also stayed at) and right near all the markets.

We went in June 2008, and are going back in January,its easy to prepay for a limo (car) they wait for you at the exit with a sign with your name on it. you get in the car and your off, its safe, quick! After a flight you just want to get to the hotel! www.asiareservations.net 699bht yeh you can get it bit cheaper but why dick around just to save a few dollars. Each time you book with this company you get a voucher for discount.

i did phi phi booked through hotel, not sure what company maybe the phuket tropical marine company. we had as many soft drinks %26amp; fruits that we could consume, snorkled for over an hour and swam at the ';beach';(the movie) for a good hour. half the beach was closed as they were filming a comercial, and is OVER populated with tourist once the boats start coming in!the tour guide wouldnt let us touch or go any too close to the monkeys due to them being vicious! but could feed and see them. ps dont pat the dogs, tetnus and 5 rabies shots later! make sure you have insurance!

Travelgurus,

can you please let me know the details for the person you are going through as we are also travelling to Karon in november and would like a hassle free way of getting to the hotel but again at a cheapish price.

There is only 2 of us so a normal car would be fine

Many thanks

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