Airport transfer in Malaysia and Thailand

[Berlin]

Hi everyone, I'll be going on a nice trip to Asia over the upcoming Xmas and NY holidays and all I have left to organize is booking our airport transfers in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Bangkok. I remember from my backpacker days that simple taxis in those locations are a pain ("No sir, no meter, meter broke" and endless haggling on the fare...) and don't mind paying extra for a proper private limousine to pick you up at the airport but what hotels offer is usually way overpriced.

Has anyone here experiences with any private limousine companies in either of those locations? I pretty much only need a reliable company that offers safe cars with a friendly driver. No need for a sparkling new Merc or similar but I don't want to load my suitcase on a Tuk Tuk either if I can avoid it... Any hints would be very much appreciated!

 

[markis10]

KUL - Get the train, its easy, quick and cheap.
LGK - Taxi desk will organise a cab on arrival for fixed price, easy.
BKK - Limo is the go.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

KUL - Get the train, its easy, quick and cheap.
LGK - Taxi desk will organise a cab on arrival for fixed price, easy.
BKK - Limo is the go.

Agree on all three.

The train in KUL is great fun, clean and quick. It's an actual dedicated airport train not a dirty hot Sydney Rail special that happens to pass by the airport. Note the train runs from KL International not the LCC (30c green bus between LCC/KUL) and also the train takes you to KL Sentral where you still need a taxi but you are on the edge of downtown so a short ride (bus/train also available but taxi is cheap)

Taxis are fine in LGK - fixed price so no issues, and BKK has many Limo company desks at arrivals - choose one with a displayed price or even ask your hotel for a recommendation (some have discount deals).

 

[Hvr]

The train in BKK is ok if you know here you're going and that is easy enough to work out.

BKK taxis are generally ok from the airport and you're given a paper with their details so you can complain if you have any problems. If you think you've been ripped off ask the hotel before you pay them. Any decent hotel will ensure you only pay the correct fare.

If you really want a limo at BKK wait until you've cleared immigration and go to the desk and haggle. Far cheaper than booking airside (if they actually get there).

 

[sergeyvzn]

train in BKK is the best, forget about the limo/taxi/bus unless you want to sit in a traffic jam for 2-3 hours going from the airport into the city.

Driving into town is OK while you're on the freeway but as soon as you off it turning onto a street, it's choco

The train connects with MTR, very easy and very quick

 

[JohnK]

Taxi from BKK airport is not really a hassle. Ask for the meter to be turned on or walk out. The train is relatively simple if you know where you are going even with luggage.

For me it is not cost that is an issue it is a feeling of being ripped off. There is no way I am going to pay some rip off merchant 800 baht to get me to the same place a taxi will take for me for <400 baht. And I don't care that it is only ~AUD13 difference.

Once you get out of Bangkok and Pattaya the tuk-tuks are ridiculously expensive. If I need to go somewhere where it is only a ~10-15 minute walk then I will walk instead of paying 100+ baht for the privilege of being ripped off by a tuk tuk driver.

 

[PineappleSkip]

In KL it depends what part of town you want to go to. The airport train deposits you at KL Sentral station, from which its a monorail, rapid transit or taxi ride to wherever, unless your accom is there (there are a Hilton and an Aloft adjacent KL Sentral).

There are various fixed price taxi/limo options also available at KUL, you just tell them where you're going and buy a voucher at the relevant counter in the airport before boarding. See
http://www.klia.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14

The train has a further advantage over the taxis etc. of no traffic, a consideration if travelling in peak hours.

Cheers skip.

 

[markis10]

The train has a further advantage over the taxis etc. of no traffic, a consideration if travelling in peak hours.

Cheers skip.

Its a consideration outside of peak as well given no taxi will get you into the CBD in 28 minutes like the train for MYR$35, there is a taxi rank at the exit of the train in Sentral if the LRT is not your style and your not staying at Le Merid/Hilton/Aloft (and St Regis next year).

 

[NM]

The only time I would consider not using the train at KUL is:

• if I was arriving at a time of night when the train does not operate
• when I am staying at Petaling Jaya

Anywhere in down-town KL and I will take the train Airport Ekspress to Sentral and then a teksi from there to hotel.

 

[PineappleSkip]

To each their own I guess. Yes, train is defo the quickest way to downtown KL any time. However if staying somewhere where the train meant multiple transfers (train then taxi) some might prefer to just do the taxi.

That said we actually like the train. Mrs Pineapple is staying at Aloft KL as I type. Choice was based on getting MH135 back to BNE and maximising sleep time before the flight. Another train bonus!

Cheers skip