After trying the City Line a couple of weeks ago, today I thought that I would try the Express Line from the airport into BKK (Makkasan).

90 baht one way. The first drawback is the frequency the train runs, i.e. every 35 mins, which means quite a wait if you just miss one. I had a twenty minute wait.

It normally takes me about 40 mins in a taxi door to door the hotel in Soi 19.

The Express train is more comfortable, and far less busy than the City Line one, which seems to be used by commuters. Nice quick journey into BKK.

i didn't realise that there was an MRT station close to Makkasan, that goes to Asoke. Would have made my journey a lot quicker.

As it was, to get a taxi, you have to exit through the barriers, descend to the first floor, then go back up to the third floor.I had to wait about ten mins for a cab, then got stuck in horrendous traffic. Landed Suvarnbhumi 11:30, arrived hotel Soi 19 about 13:45.

I think that I will stick to taking a cab in future.

The taxis charge meter or try to negotiate?

The taxis charge meter or try to negotiate?

They are meter taxis (although there are a few scums also but until now, I arrived about 20 times in Bkk and only had this experience once). Only thing is that you have to pay 50 Baht surcharge, which is announced, because the taxis have to pay this amount for the right to wait in front of the airport.

They are meter taxis (although there are a few scums also but until now, I arrived about 20 times in Bkk and only had this experience once). Only thing is that you have to pay 50 Baht surcharge, which is announced, because the taxis have to pay this amount for the right to wait in front of the airport.

But no problem for me, if my wife is not able to pick me up, because we live close to an expressway exit in Tanyaburi area, so no traffic jam normally except for the Lam Luk Ka expressway exit area. It's about 45kms door to door and costs me some 350 Baht incl. the airport fee (plus another 60 Baht for the toll).

A bit of both. I have had guys offer to do it for an all inclusive price (to include expressway fees), but I normally ask them to switch on the meter, then they tell you that there are two expressway tolls to pay.

I had a case with me this time, and definitely should have taken the taxi. Of course, if you live close to Makkasan, then things might look different.

Well, I don't know how it is by taxi from Suwannabhumi to Bkk downtown as Suwannabhumi was opened when we already had our house. From Don Mueang it took about thirty minutes by taxi to Asoke and you had the choice of taking the elevated expressway or stay on the ground, which normally did not take more than ten minutes more than the expressway choice. On the other hand, the toll there was still cheap, not like it is now (no idea why they increased the toll on this section for close to 100%!).

no idea why they increased the toll on this section for close to 100%

Maybe this is a typical example of PPP, once the guarantee time is over, they do whatever they want..... and for sure not to the benefit of the customer....

A bit of both. I have had guys offer to do it for an all inclusive price (to include expressway fees)' date=' but I normally ask them to switch on the meter, then they tell you that there are two expressway tolls to pay.

I had a case with me this time, and definitely should have taken the taxi. Of course, if you live close to Makkasan, then things might look different.[/quote']

Which would mean that the "official" stall at the beginning of the taxi lane is worth nothing. Normally, this should ensure that only "clean" guys are taking the job. Actually, last time, my wife could not pick me up due to her work and studies, so I had to take a cab and it went perfectly! also, before we had the car, it was ok as I mentioned before. Only once, a guy made troubles but finally turned on the meter (which costed him about 3kms)

BTW, I found out that there is one way of cheating popping up more and more. The meter also counts the driving time (which it only should do when the cab is standing). I noticed that there is a significant increase in this habit, more and more taxi drivers obviously are manipulating the meter. But as it is "only" less than 20 Baht from our place to Bkk downtown (30kms), I don't complain - but when I get into a cab with this system, there is no tip.

Those boys know all the scams...