Tuk Tuk’s in Bangkok, Tourists love and hate them at the same time. Here’s what you should know about about the Tuk Tuks of Bangkok
Table of Contents
- What Are they?
- Why are Tuk Tuk’s so popular?
- How do I get Tuk Tuk?
- Prices when picking up a Tuk Tuk
- Is a Tuk Tuk ride worth it?
- Conclusion
What Are they?
Basically a Motor bike, with two rear wheels, totalling three wheels, with a stretched passenger seat in the back.
The mechanics is like a motorbike. Rev the engine using handle bars. The brakes are where the handle bars are. And turning is controlled using handle bars, which turns the front wheel, just like a bike.
There are other other forms public transportation in Bangkok, which you might also want to read up on here, like the Sky Trains and Boat Taxi’s. Using a combination of all these are best if you’re in Bangkok for a few days or more. Because there are places that are easier to get to using one or another form of transport.
Why are Tuk Tuk’s so popular?
Short answer is that they are Fun. But also useful, here are some reasons:
- Better in Traffic: Also, they’re better than taxis when in heavy Bangkok traffic. Tuk Tuk drivers can more easily squeeze in between vehicles during heavy traffic.
- Share in the fun: Unlike a motorbike, you can have a group of friends in the back. Meaning that you can share in the fun, as opposed to just having yourself on the back f someone else’s motorbike.
- Extra Safety: When compared to a motorbike, the Tuk Tuk’s are much safer. They cannot go at the high speeds that motorbikes can. They are much more visible than a motor bike. And the wide seating design means that you are VERY unlikely to roll over and fall off.
- They can be Fun, bright, and Loud: There are some Tuk Tuk drivers who add a lot of extras on thier Tuk Tuk’s. Neon lights, giant speakers, flashy signs and more.
- Speed racing Fun: Lastly, though more dangerous so not recommended by this page. Is that the fun and loud Tuk Tuk drivers will, usually at night, race around the Khao San road area. This is simply for fun. They will do it if you ask them. Though you should hold on tight and they are pros and like to take sharp turns to give you a thrill.
How do I get Tuk Tuk?
Use them as Tour Guides
Firstly, if you want to experience Tuk Tuk in Bangkok, and learn about the city. Then there are Tuk Tuk Bangkok tours that you can choose. They’re safe, low cost, and you’ll learn a lot about the city in a fun transportation. Here’s an example of a Tuk Tuk Night tour by WanderSiam. They’ll take you Wat Arun, Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Flower Market, The Giant Swing, and China Town for a meal.
Pick up on the wide walk
Just like a normal Taxi. You can pick up Tuk Tuk’s on the side walk. Just wave them down.
Usually the best places to find Tuk Tuk’s are in the touristy spots, where there’s a lot of pick-ups and drop-offs. Or outside places of interest, including bars, malls, museums, etc.
When you pick up a Tuk Tuk like this, they usually do not want to travel far. So make sure that you’re not going to the other side of town if you want them to agree to take you. This is because they’re engines are like a motorbikes engine, so they’re not happy with going long distance, like a ordinary car taxi would.
If you’re going on a longer journey, then a ordinary Taxi is best.
Prices when picking up a Tuk Tuk
So you might have heard of others misfortunes with the Bangkok Taxi Scams, here’s how to avoid them.
With Tuk Tuk’s the tricky part if the price for sure. Namely, because they have NO Meter’s to work off of.
Here’s some tips and insights:
- They will ask for a very inflated price: Two main reasons for this. Firstly they expect that you will negotiate them down, even a little. Secondly, it’s a like “fun tax”. Tuk Tuk’s are not generally used by the locals if they can help it. It’s like a tourist attraction part of Bangkok. Just as you would pay to go into a theme park, a Tuk Tuk is providing a Bangkok open air theme park experience. This might sound strage, but it’s true, locals do not use Tuk Tuk’s unless they can help it, or unless they get they get roughly the price a taxi meter would charge, which generally doesn’t happen outside of normal circumstances.
- You need to decide how much you are willing to pay: When negotiating, try to get a feel for how much you’d be willing to pay for the Fun, comfort, experience. And try to the the Tuk Tuk drive to agree to that price. In most cases they will at least try to get to your price. If you find that you are asking way to low, then maybe up your price a little. After you’ve tried a few times with different drivers.
- Check out price on apps, or roughly what you paid for a similar journey: These are the best ways to gauge what is a reasonable price. But with a Tuk Tuk, you will have to add some % on top of the reasonable price, for the “fun tax”.
Is a Tuk Tuk ride worth it?
I would say yes. I have used them a number of times for various reasons.
For a visitor to Thailand its best to try them just once. You’ll enjoy the ride, the thrill of going at speed in an open air vehicle. And if you’re using them at night, then there’s even more opportunities to enjoy the Tuk Tuk, as the roads will be open, and they might race for you.
Whilst you will pay more, there are advantages and more fun to be had.
So I would highly recommend trying them, even if it’s just once.
Or you can book a Tuk Tuk tour if you want to explore Bangkok and do it in a Tuk tuk.
Conclusion
Tuk Tuk’s in Bangkok are fun.
They’re safer than motorbike taxis, and faster to get around in Bangkok than an ordinary Taxi would be.
Whilst you will pay higher for the use of them. There are many advantages to using them.
If you are looking for a hassle free experience, then using them as a tour of Bangkok will give you peace of mind, less hassle, and a lot of cultural experience.
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