In short: which to choose, and when
- Grab (or Bolt): price shown in advance, destination already known to the driver, card payment possible. Best on arrival, at night, in the rain, or if you do not speak Thai.
- Metered taxi: hail it in the street when the red light is on. Often economical outside rush hour, as long as the driver accepts the meter.
- Tuk-tuk: an experience more than a means of transport, to negotiate before you get in.
- Motorbike taxi: for short trips through traffic jams.
The metered taxi: fare and rules
The red light behind the windscreen shows a taxi is free. The meter starts at 35 baht for the first kilometre (40 baht for large taxis), then 6.50 baht per kilometre up to the 10th, 7 baht up to the 20th, and more beyond. When stopped or below 6 km/h, the meter adds 3 baht per minute. A ride booked by phone costs 20 baht more, and rides from the airports have a 50-baht surcharge.
- Tolls: motorway tolls are paid by the passenger; the driver usually asks you to pay them up front, and they are added to the meter.
- Tip: not compulsory; rounding up to the next 5 or 10 baht is the custom.
- Before getting in: say "meter, please", show the destination (preferably in Thai, on your phone) and check that the meter starts at 35 baht.
When the driver refuses the meter
Near tourist sights, hotels, stations and shopping malls, some drivers refuse the meter and quote a fixed price, often higher, or turn down a short ride. Rules require the meter. Say "meter": if the driver refuses, close the door and take the next taxi. To complain, note the licence plate and call 1584, the Department of Land Transport line. The usual traps are detailed in our guide to scams in Bangkok.
Grab and Bolt: the benefit of a quoted price
Grab and Bolt work in Bangkok. You enter the destination, see the price before ordering, and pay with a saved card or in cash. At rush hour, when it rains or when an event lets out, prices climb and waits get longer. The apps offer cars, taxis and motorbikes.
- Check before getting in: the licence plate and the driver's name shown in the app.
- At the airports: follow the pick-up point shown in the app rather than accepting a driver who approaches you in the hall.
- Without data: a local SIM card or an eSIM helps a lot; otherwise, book from the airport or mall wifi.
Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis
The tuk-tuk has no meter: negotiate the price before you get in. It often costs more than a taxi for the same distance, but the experience is fun on a short ride. Refuse any ride at a very low price that comes with stops at gem shops or tailors: it is the most common scam.
Motorbike taxis wait at street corners, recognisable by their numbered vests; the prices to nearby destinations are often posted. They weave through traffic but are riskier than a car. The passenger must wear a helmet.
Comparison table
| Mode | Price | Advantage | Pitfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metered taxi | 35 baht first km, then 6.50 baht/km | Often economical outside rush hour | Meter refused near tourist sights |
| Grab or Bolt | Price shown when you book | Known price, no haggling | Surge at rush hour and in the rain |
| Tuk-tuk | To negotiate | Experience, short trips | Shop stops, inflated price |
| Motorbike taxi | Depends on destination | Fast in traffic jams | Risk, insist on a helmet |
Fares seen in October 2026; distance, traffic and time of day change the total.
When not to take a car
At rush hour, on weekday mornings and late afternoons, a car can take much longer than the train. For an appointment or a dinner at a set time, prefer the BTS or MRT (see BTS or MRT in Bangkok) or the boat, and keep the car for quiet hours or trips with luggage.
Going further
All the ways of getting around are described in our guide to transport in Bangkok. To reach your hotel on arrival, read Bangkok airports; to estimate your spending, the budget for a trip to Bangkok.
