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Tuk-Tuk Honest Price Bench
Tuk-tuks in Bangkok have no meter. They quote based on how touristy you look, the area you're in, and what time of day. This tool gives you the typical Bangkok-local fare vs the inflated tourist quote, so you know whether to walk away.
Inputs
What this solves
Three situations where you get ripped off:
- "Today Grand Palace is closed for Buddhist holiday, I'll take you somewhere else" — a 200 THB scam setup that ends at a tailor / suit shop where the driver gets commission.
- "200 THB to Khao San" for what should be 60–80 THB. Polite refusal works; walk to BTS instead.
- Old City → river pier: 100 THB quoted but local rate is 40.
How to read
- Fair price: derived from 2024–2026 tuk-tuk drivers' own postings in Thai Facebook groups and Khao San regulars' reports.
- Tourist price: ~2–3× fair, depending on your visible "tourist score" (camera, sandals, accent).
- Trap price: when the driver offers the "special shop" detour, expected commission payment means quoted price appears low but includes a 30-min unwanted stop.
Limitations
- Actual quoted prices depend on the driver's day — slow day = lower quote.
- Late at night, supply drops and tuk-tuks may demand 1.5× fair.
- Routes not listed will be guessed; better to use a meter or Bolt for unusual destinations.
FAQ
Why don't tuk-tuks have meters?
Historically a tourist trade; meters were banned in 1980s and reinstated informally only for metered taxis. Tuk-tuks remain haggled.
Should I just take a meter?
Yes, for any distance over 3 km. Tuk-tuks are great for 5–15 min joyrides through traffic when you're not in a hurry.
Is the "today closed" scam really common?
Very common near Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Drivers earn 300+ THB commission for every tourist delivered. Verify temple hours on Temple Dress Code tool or TAT website before believing them.