When a private driver makes sense
A driver is less about luxury and more about removing the changes. Getting from a Sukhumvit hotel to a floating market and then to a railway market by public transport means a mix of vans, songthaews and waiting. With a car you leave when you are ready and stop when you want.
- Groups and families: a van splits well between several people and keeps everyone together.
- Stops outside town: Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong Railway Market are awkward to combine without a car.
- Older travellers and small children: less walking in the heat, no stairs at stations.
- Early starts: a pickup at 06:00 is easy when no bus is running your way yet.
- Not worth it: a single trip between BTS stations at rush hour. Take the train.
Choosing a car or van
เหมารถตู้ กรุงเทพ, as Thais search for it, means hiring a whole van. Pick by bags as well as people: a full van is much more comfortable than a full SUV on a long road.
| Vehicle | Example models | People | Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Toyota Vios, Honda City | 3 | 2 |
| Sedan | Toyota Altis, Camry | 3 | 3 |
| SUV | Toyota Fortuner, Innova | 6 | 4 |
| Van | Toyota Commuter VIP | 10 | 8 |
| VIP | Toyota Alphard | 5 | 4 |
Fares for popular trips from Bangkok
These are one-way starting fares per vehicle, with tolls and fuel included. For a day with the car waiting, or several days, send us the plan and ask for a quote. We price the actual route rather than guess at a daily rate here.
| Route | Taxi | SUV | Van | Alphard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Around Bangkok | ฿650 | ฿950 | ฿1,350 | ฿3,700 |
| Ayutthaya | ฿1,150 | ฿2,050 | ฿2,400 | ฿4,500 |
| Damnoen Saduak | ฿1,400 | ฿1,750 | ฿2,500 | ฿4,900 |
| Kanchanaburi | ฿1,800 | ฿2,350 | ฿2,850 | ฿5,550 |
| Pattaya | ฿1,100 | ฿1,350 | ฿1,900 | ฿4,400 |
| Hua Hin | ฿1,800 | ฿2,200 | ฿2,750 | ฿5,550 |
| Khao Yai | ฿2,000 | ฿2,600 | ฿3,150 | ฿5,850 |
Temple tickets, boats and meals are not part of the fare.
Private driver vs BTS, MRT, bus and train
Be honest about your day. In the city centre at rush hour, a train beats any car. Further out, the balance flips. Public fares change, so check with the operator.
| Private driver | BTS / MRT | Bus or train out of town | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Multi-stop days, groups | Central Bangkok at rush hour | Solo trips to one town |
| Door to door | Yes | No, walking at both ends | No, local ride needed at the end |
| Traffic | Exposed to it | Not affected | Bus yes, train no |
| Luggage | Easy | Awkward at peak hours | Limited |
| Timing | You decide | Frequent | Fixed timetable |
| Cost | Per vehicle, quoted | Per person, low | Per person, lowest |
A Bangkok temple day with a car
The old town shows the limits of a car. A driver can drop you near the Grand Palace, and Wat Pho is a short walk away. To reach Wat Arun from there, do not drive round by the bridge. Walk to Tha Tien pier and take the cross-river ferry. Sources report a few baht, roughly 5 to 8, and a crossing of a couple of minutes.
Ask the driver to meet you on the Wat Arun side, or come back by ferry and meet near Wat Pho. Start early, since the heat and the crowds both build by late morning. Cover your shoulders and knees for the Grand Palace, which checks at the entrance.
Day trips worth the road
- Ayutthaya: old-capital ruins spread too wide to walk comfortably, so a car suits it. Read the Ayutthaya day trip guide.
- Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong: go early for the floating market, then check the train times at the railway market before you set off.
- Kanchanaburi: the River Kwai Bridge and further on to Erawan Falls from ฿2,500 one way. See the Kanchanaburi guide.
- Khao Yai: long for one day, better with a night. See the Khao Yai guide.
- Pattaya and Hua Hin: usually a one-way transfer rather than a day trip. See Pattaya and Hua Hin.
- Further afield: see private taxis across Thailand.
How to book
- Tell us the date, pickup point, stops and number of people and bags.
- Say whether the car should wait or whether you need a one-way drop.
- Give a realistic finish time and allow for Bangkok's evening traffic on the way back.
- Use the booking form or the button on this page. We confirm the price before you travel.
In this guide
Guide
Bangkok to Ayutthaya: how to do the day trip properly
Bangkok to Ayutthaya by private taxi, train or van: road route, fares from ฿1,150, temple tickets and a realistic one-day plan from a local.
Guide
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi: taxi, train or van
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by private taxi from ฿1,800, Thonburi train or minivan: route, fares, River Kwai, Erawan and Hellfire Pass planning.
Guide
Bangkok to Khao Yai: taxi, bus or train?
Bangkok to Khao Yai by private taxi from ฿2,000. Compare the road, Mo Chit buses and the Pak Chong train, and learn what happens at the park gate.
Guide
Day trips from Bangkok with your own car and driver
Day trips from Bangkok with a private car and driver: Ayutthaya, floating markets, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya, Khao Yai and a city tour. Prices from ฿2,750.
Guide
Bangkok city tour with a private car and driver
Bangkok city tour with a private car and driver: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown and Asiatique. Dress code, hours and prices from ฿2,750.
Guide
Floating market tour from Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak, Maeklong and Amphawa
Private floating market tour from Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak, Maeklong Railway Market and Amphawa in one day. Train times, boat costs and prices from ฿3,200.
Guide
Pattaya Day Trip from Bangkok with Your Own Driver
Plan a Pattaya day trip from Bangkok with a private car and driver who waits all day. Route, stops, timings, ticket tips and price per vehicle.
Questions
How much is a private driver in Bangkok?+
It depends on the route and how long the car waits, so charter days are quoted individually. As a guide, one-way trips start at ฿650 within Bangkok and ฿1,150 to Ayutthaya, tolls and fuel included.
Can I hire a van with a driver in Bangkok?+
Yes. The Toyota Commuter van seats up to 10 with 8 bags. One-way fares start at ฿1,350 in Bangkok and ฿1,900 to Pattaya.
Is a driver better than the BTS?+
Not always. For one trip along the BTS or MRT line at rush hour, the train is faster and cheaper. A driver wins on multi-stop days, with luggage, or outside the rail network.
Can the same car do several days?+
Yes, send your dates and route and we will quote the whole trip. Trips across several provinces are common, and the price depends on the distance and overnight stops.
Do fares include entrance tickets?+
No. Fares cover the vehicle, tolls and fuel. Temple tickets, boats and meals are paid separately.
