I'm looking to rent a 7 seater car (Forturner/Innova or similar) for 8 days ex Bangkok Airport (BKK) - Oct 13 to Oct 21.
So far the best deal I can find is an Innova through Budget for about $480 AUD. I've tried playing with codes and booking sites but can't find anything better - any leads welcome!
Would you prefer to be a passenger in Thailand?
Unless you are in the bottom the 5% of drivers in Australia you are better off to drive yourself in Thailand.
Yip, would rather be a passenger. Driving would be super stressful…Thais drive through red lights, youre surrounded by motorbikes, the roads have potholes and lots of the signs are only in Thai.
There is different set of conventions when driving in Thailand that trump the actual road rules. If you are smart enough you will pick these up very quickly, if not don't hire a car. Driving does require more vigilance and awareness and it makes you a better driver.
Of course if you prefer to sub contract your safety out to someone with likely less skill and a fatalistic attitude be my guest.
I've been driving in Thailand for many years, cars and motorcycles, it really isn't that hard and very convenient for what I need to do.
Ignoring for a moment that for $480 AUD you could just about hire someone to drive you around for the duration of your trip, even if you consider yourself the best of drivers in the west, you still want to think twice about driving in Thailand.
City and freeway driving in Thailand vs the west are completely different experiences… to the extent that you really need to un-learn everything you learned in driver training to drive effectively. There are road rules, but they effectively overlaid with a rule-of-the-jungle style of driving. I've largely come to the conclusion, that since I didn't learn in that environment, I'll never have the kind of instincts that it will take to be comfortable driving in and around Bangkok. Hell, just crossing the street took me months to get used to.
There are also other issues not directly to do with driving to consider… if it's your first trip and you aren't familiar with the way things work, then you may be in for some interesting experiences.
Ignoring for a moment that for $480 AUD you could just about hire someone to drive you around for the duration of your trip, even if you consider yourself the best of drivers in the west, you still want to think twice about driving in Thailand.
Why is everyone terrified of driving in Thailand, I have driven and ridden throughout Asia and will continue to.City and freeway driving in Thailand vs the west are completely different experiences… to the extent that you really need to un-learn everything you learned in driver training to drive effectively. There are road rules, but they effectively overlaid with a rule-of-the-jungle style of driving. I've largely come to the conclusion, that since I didn't learn in that environment, I'll never have the kind of instincts that it will take to be comfortable driving in and around Bangkok. Hell, just crossing the street took me months to get used to.
Well, we are completely different people then, Sure it's busy and congested and a bit mad, but I love it.
I'm going to Thailand around that time too, but I'm not renting a car though.
Try looking up deals on Klook. Also, try Skyscanner, I remember there's a car rental lookup tool there.
And maybe try this one too:
Cheap Car Rentals Worldwide
https://www.economybookings.com/
You sure you want to drive in Thailand?