How Bangkok taxi fares work
Metered fares have three parts. The breakdown above shows how each one contributes to your estimate.
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฿35
Base fare
Charged once when the meter starts. It covers the first kilometre. Three-row taxis start at ฿40.
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฿6.50 to ฿10.50 per km
Distance fare
Charged at different rates for each distance band. Higher rates apply only to the kilometres within that band.
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฿3 per minute
Traffic charge
Added for time spent below 6 km/h, including stops at red lights.
Bangkok taxi meter rates
These January 2023 rates from the Department of Land Transport apply to regular taxis. They are the default rates in this calculator and the app.
| Distance | Rate |
|---|---|
| First 1 km | ฿35.00 flat |
| 1 to 10 km | ฿6.50 per km |
| 10 to 20 km | ฿7.00 per km |
| 20 to 40 km | ฿8.00 per km |
| 40 to 60 km | ฿8.50 per km |
| 60 to 80 km | ฿9.00 per km |
| Over 80 km | ฿10.50 per km |
| Slower than 6 km/h | ฿3.00 per minute |
Three-row taxis use the same table, but start at ฿40.00.
Each part of the journey is charged at the rate for its distance band, then added to the total. The highest rate does not apply to the whole journey.
Take a 10 km ride with 10 minutes of slow traffic. The base fare is ฿35 and covers the first kilometre. The next 9 km cost ฿6.50 each, which is ฿58.50. Ten minutes below 6 km/h add ฿30, giving an estimated total of ฿123.50.
You can check a fare against the Department of Land Transport's own fare estimator (in Thai).
The app runs the meter while you ride
- A live meter on the map Start a ride to see your route, distance, time in traffic and estimated fare update as you travel.
- See your fare breakdown Check the base fare, distance fare and traffic charge for each ride.
- Keep your ride history Revisit past rides and their routes on a map. Export your history to a file and import it on a new phone.
- Routes stay on your phone GPS tracks and fares are stored on your device and never uploaded. No account needed.
Questions about Bangkok taxi fares
How is a Bangkok taxi fare calculated?
The fare has three parts: a base fare of 35 baht covering the first kilometre, a distance fare with rates from 6.50 to 10.50 baht per kilometre, and a traffic charge of 3 baht per minute spent below 6 km/h.
How much is the starting fare for a taxi in Bangkok?
Under the Department of Land Transport rates of January 2023, the meter starts at 35 baht for a regular taxi and 40 baht for a three-row taxi. The starting fare covers the first kilometre.
Does the estimate include the airport surcharge and expressway tolls?
No. The estimate covers the metered fare only. Airport surcharges, expressway tolls and booking fees are charged separately.
Why can the app show a different fare from the taxi's meter?
MeterTaxi measures distance using your phone's GPS, while the taxi's meter uses wheel rotations. GPS accuracy can be affected by tall buildings and tunnels, so the estimated fare may differ from the meter. Always refer to the taxi's meter for the metered fare.
Is MeterTaxi an official app?
No. MeterTaxi is an independent app. It is not affiliated with any government agency, taxi operator or meter manufacturer, and its rates come from publicly available information.
Start the meter on your next ride
MeterTaxi is free on Android, in English and Thai.
Get it on Google Play