Taxi in Laem Chabang

Do you think it's easy to get a taxi in Laeem Chabang and negogiate for a tour to Pattaya?

Do you think it's easy to get a taxi in Laeem Chabang and negogiate for a tour to Pattaya?

Taxi drivers at the pier alongside the ship in Laem Chabang are in a cartel, & their prices are a rip-off. It's a huge industrial port, a long walk to the port gate (I think the taxis at the gate are metered but they may not speak English) & an even longer walk from the port gate to the local community - the port is very isolated.

For a simple one-way transfer to Pattaya, it's easy enough to negotiate on the pier. Agree the price before you get in (USD are OK) - although the price will be higher than it should be, it's only a 20 minute drive so the excess will only be a few dollars - perhaps $6 per person instead of $4.

Easy enough to get a taxi back to your ship from Pattaya.

But for anything more than that - a local tour or a transfer to Bangkok or the airport - you need to pre-book over the 'net with a well-recommended operator. There's no suitable public transport and the cartel at the pier, knowing you have no choice, will fleece you.

The town of Pattaya itself is pretty limited. An evening on Walking Street is ...... errrr ....... an education ;). But daytime there's little of interest other than beach & shops.

I've seen on these pages that folk have enjoyed pre-booked tours in the Pattaya area (elephant rides & such).

But really the draw is Bangkok, & well worth the two-hour journey.

Not contemplating Bangkok? Been there before?

JB :)

Is the Laem Chabang port very far from Bangkok? 3 hours each way with traffic?

Is the Laem Chabang port very far from Bangkok? 3 hours each way with traffic?

About 80 miles, hopefully no much more than 90 minutes.

But traffic can be very heavy & 90 minutes is way too tight for a return to the ship - to allow for delays you need to leave the city about 2.5 hours before back-on-board time, some would say 3hrs.

JB :)

About 80 miles, hopefully no much more than 90 minutes.

 

But traffic can be very heavy & 90 minutes is way too tight for a return to the ship - to allow for delays you need to leave the city about 2.5 hours before back-on-board time, some would say 3hrs.

 

JB :)

My parents were on the Legend of the Seas recently and during the port call at Laem Chabang, the ship left without 3 independent passengers who couldn't make it back on time from Bangkok. The jams can be horrific.

You can book Blacklane Limo Service (blacklane dot com) for a one way trip or by the hour. We have used them throughout SE Asia on our last cruise and they were wonderful. Professional and reliable, taking all the stress out of our Port visits.

Also check to see whether there is a shuttle running from Laem Chabang to Pattaya. On our stop there a couple of years ago the shuttle passengers off at a hotel just back from the beach and picked up in the same spot.

Just be aware that Pattaya is somewhat on the 'seedy' side so for a day trip in Thailand it is definitely not a highlight IMHO.

I can't remember if the ship ran a Bangkok on your own type tour where they provide the transport (at a cost of course) and once there you do your own thing. We have been to Bangkok a number of times so didn't investigate that option but it would be worth checking out if you are interested. That way, as long as you make the bus back :D you don't have to worry about the traffic as the ship will wait.