Phuket Airport Taxi Situation

[Buadhai]

What's the taxi situation like at the Phuket Airport these days? Are they plentiful and metered or does Mafia Mayhem still prevail?

 

[LiquidDivingAdventure]

How could it be anything but mayhem..??? lol Long live tuk-tuks...!!!

 

[limbo]

Once you walk outside of the arrival terminal, hang a right and about 30-40 meters away will be the metered taxis. They're more or less at the end of the sidewalk. Never had a problem with them, they will always put the meter on, just confirm before you get started that they know where you want to go.
Do not get any other taxi from touts or private owned or from the airport booking areas, they're all overpriced.

 

[Buadhai]

You know, I've been to Phuket airport maybe 20 times (arriving and departing) in the past few years and have never seen an actual taxi at that meter taxi stand. Maybe I've just had bad luck or bad timing.

 

[Quero]

The taxi situation is okay if you get a metered taxi. Be careful to stipulate that you want the meter ON though, as they try to "negotiate" the price by not turning the meter on. I've had to make them take me back to the taxi rank when already in the car they refused to turn on the meter....

 

[Buadhai]

I know how to deal with a taxi. What I'm not comfortable with is sitting at the airport for an hour or two waiting for one to arrive....

 

[Quero]

I know how to deal with a taxi. What I'm not comfortable with is sitting at the airport for an hour or two waiting for one to arrive....

Oh, I see. I almost mentioned that, but thought with the reference to the "mafia" you were asking about prices. The availability of taxis is a function of the time of day, mainly. Late night arrivals are problematic; daytime arrivals are okay.

 

[Buadhai]

Good news. Thanks!