Taxis & Rental Cars

Pre-arranged hotel pickup
Most hotels offer this service at an extra charge. You can contact the hotel directly or travel agency prior to your arrival and inquire as to whether or not the hotel will pick you up and take you to your hotel. Charges for this range from 500-1200 baht depending on the hotel and the destination. You'll provide the hotel with your arrival time and flight information and once you collect your baggage, you exit the airport doors, there is an area where a driver will be holding up a sign with your name on it.

Metered taxi
The airport is one of the few places you can pick up a legitimate metered taxi where you can be sure not to get ripped off. Beware the "taxi mafia" have made it difficult for the unsuspecting visitor to even find this option. Here are the directions to get a metered taxi to your hotel.

Limousine service
Right as you come through the doors after you pick up the luggage, you'll see several counters where you can get "negotiated limousine" service to your hotel. You'll see placards with the rates. Basically, this is the controlled transportation mafia that runs these counters. If you decide to use one of these services, you'll pay for your transportation and be handed a receipt and one of the sales people will walk you out to the curb and you'll hand the receipt over to the driver. Beware that some of the drivers evidently run the "your hotel is closed" routine or will try to get you to take detours to some gem factory on the way there (they get a commission for every person they deliver). Just be firm that you aren't interested in any side trips and that you want to be taken to YOUR hotel , not some other hotel where he can get a "great deal".

Shared mini van
This is probably the cheapest choice if you are a couple or travelling alone. Otherwise a metered taxi may be more cost effective. Basically this is a mini van that holds up to 10 passengers. Once full, the van will drop off passengers directly at their hotel, but not before stopping at a travel agency in order to "confirm"  your final destination. In reality this is merely a ploy to attempt selling you a hotel or tour package, but is easily ignored. This is a popular option with backpackers and budget oriented travelers. You buy your ticket at a counter as you exit baggage claim. A typical fare, for example to Karon, is B180 per passenger.