Independent Transport to Bangkok from Laemchabang Port

[Giddy Lynn]

Hello folks

Just joined this ace forum and hope you can help. Our ship is arriving in the port around 13.00 hrs and staying till 19.00 hours the following day. Reading all the reviews on how long it takes to get to Bangkok we have decided to book a Hotel and stay overnight so we can see the sights. Does anyone know how much taxis cost to the city and is it better to get one from the port or are there any further out of the port? Or is there any other forms of transport. Many thanks

[Shorex]

Do not under any circumstances wait until arrival and then just get a taxi into Bangkok. You will be ripped off to an astounding degree. Look at Trip Advisor or just google "Laem Chabang to Bangkok private transfer". One such company is My Driver, owned by Sixt, a reliable company we have used in several locations, both domestic and international.

[FlyerTalker]

One factor you always have to consider with longer distance taxi rides is the return trip for the driver. Not just are you paying for the trip, but there is the implicit cost of the return for the driver. Which is why they often won't use a meter. A good example is in the NYC/NJ area, where drivers from one jurisdiction can't pick up a return passenger going the other direction. So, in effect, you pay a round trip rate for a one-way journey.

[John Bull]

Hi, and welcome to Cruise Critic,

 

Yes, overniting in a Bangkok hotel makes a lot of sense - its been done by ourselves and many many other cruisers.

 

There's no suitable public transport, and ships' on-your-own transfers are only there and back same-day

 

Taxis available at the port are in a cartel, cruisers who haven't made arrangements are a captive clientele and get screwed, anywhere between 50% and 100% more than pre-booked transfers.

 

There are also metered taxi outside the port, but the port is huge & you could be berthed a couple of miles from the gate. Like metered taxis worldwide, they're great to hail for short local journeys but would be expensive for a fare to Bangkok.

 

So, as Shorex has mentioned, it is important that you fix up a private transfer in advance. There are stacks of operators on the 'net, do shop around, and do check out independent reviews before booking.

The taxi cartel has no control over pre-booked transfer operators, or over cars bringing folk back to the ship.

 

Those offering transfers over the 'net will give a discount for cruisers booking both ways. But booking the return car through your Bangkok hotel will also work out cheaper, so I doubt it'll make much difference whether you book one way or both ways over the 'net.

 

My figures are way out-of-date, but the balance is about the same. Taxis at the port wanted 4700 baht for a one-way "including a tour" but were being negotiated down to 4300 for a simple one-way transfer. Over the net the quotes were 2400 to 2800 one-way, or 4000 - 4500 both ways.

Our taxi back to the ship, fixed by our hotel, cost 1700. The driver turned out to be a former cruise ship crewman.

Metered & liveried taxis hailed in the street in Bangkok are suitable only for short hops within the city.

 

JB :)

[Giddy Lynn]

Thank you all for your advice, much appreciated.

[newport dave]

When we visited on Celebrity Millennium, they did an 'Overnight on your Own'. Dropped us off 1st day in the centre by massive shopping mall, can't remember name. Picked us up the next day from the same place.