Is there a bus or another way to get to Tesco from Patong beach other than by Tut Tut. I am a bit limited on how far I can walk so am hoping for a bus even if we have to go into Phuket and back out again to Tesco.

Take the public bus from Patong and get off at the back door of BigC, and it's about a 5 minute walk down the road, past the back of Phuket International Hospital, road exits just opposite Tesco.

I read in your other topic that you are handicapped, so maybe that 5 minute walk is too much for you, so just go into BigC carpark (back entrance) and the pink local buses park there. maybe they can get you to Tesco.

Thanks Malcolm but my husband and he is a big fit walker did this trip and said I wouldn't stand a chance and he was exhausted. Was wondering if I caught the local bus at Patong Beach and got off at Phuket terminal then caught another bus out to Tesco. Is there a local bus that goes that way. Quite an exercise planned just so we don't have to keep paying the Tut Tut's. Might as well just enjoy Jungeceylon, but there is just something about Tesco that I love. The food hall included. Although last time in Patong we went to a food hall that is now on the top floor of Ocean Plaza on the Beach Road and it was fantastic.

As far as I know there is no bus to Tesco, it only goes as far as Big C. Excellent foodhall there BTW.

Thanks for your help, looks like one trip to Tesco and that is it. Will have to go through the haggle about how much we have to pay to get there, then only spend a couple of hours and I always want to spend more time there. But added up if you keep going the stuff you buy is not cheap adding in the Tut Tut cost.

I would expect it to be 400 Baht for the tuktuk, maybe 500.

No in the last 4 or 5 years we have been going out to Tesco we can't get it less that $600 Baht. Then we have to have almost an argument to get it at that price. Hence the reason I am trying not to have to go through this haggling that I just don't seem to want to be bothered about anymore.

600 Baht sounds like too much IMO. Did you check the price lists they all have (but are quite often not willing to show)?

Thanks for that info stevenl no I didn't know anything about a price list and will certainly be asking for it when we go in June. I have been asked for 200 Baht just to go from the Patong Merlin to Jungceylon, that is why I now go by bus. It's pretty bad when you can't walk long distances then have to pay so much. Might just as well stay around the pool having a drink and something nice to eat. But thanks for you help and info.

Yes, sounds to me they are using your situation to ask more.

There are standarised fares, and these fares you'll normally find at the tuktuk assembly points, and quite often as well in the tuktuk itself. They will show these fares to people if they are asking the standarised fares, but of course won't show them if they are asking more.

C'mon Steven you are dreaming. Standardised fares ... get real. they just demand the highest fare they think they can extract. And that's the honest harsh truth ...

Yes Alex, it is exactly as I wrote. Which is also the same as you wrote.

There are standardised fares but that does not mean they'll stick to these fares. If they are asking more they won't show these fares. If they're asking the standardised fares they'll show these fares.

So yes, there are standardised fares but they will ask for more if they think they can get away with it.

Patong-Kata e.g. the standard fare is 400 baht.

Thanks Steven and Alex sounds like I have been tricked with the Tut Tut's for all the years I have been visiting the place. One trip I will never forget was going into Phuket town and we just wanted to go the the shops not any markets. The driver was pretty cross with us and let us out and we did pay him. Only to find we didn't know where we were or anyone that could help us out. We had to end up with a another Tut Tut to get us to Phuket. It's all a bit scary. Anyway once again thanks for all your help, will get a taxi provided by the hotel, no hassles and airconditioned as well. And I agree that the people know I have difficulty walking so take advantage of the fact I have to pay to go anywhere.

Yes joan_r I really understand your plight. About the best advice is to seek out a decent taxi driver and keep his card (and that's not so easy although there are some recommendations here on this forum) or hire a car. Its' my impression that many many tourists are getting this message as I see many many more tourists renting a car.

Sorry to keep bothering you all with my stories, but my daughter contacted one of the Taxi drivers recommended on this forum to pick them up and take them around in Phuket. She was happy with the arrangements but some time later she got an email from America with some story that he was over there and short of money could she assist and send some money. We were all really shocked and thought I don't think we will use the services again. I am reluctant to use these services myself, the taxi at the Hotel I think might be better, no contact details, no phone no's and no emails addresses supplied.

Joan, Daj the driver had his email account hacked a couple of years ago and everyone on his contact list received emails asking for money etc etc. A lot of people with Yahoo accounts had this happen to them at the time. I know of 3.

So do not let that put you off hiring a private driver, if everyone thought like that they would soon be out of business.

Big C have a huge board with all the taxi/tuk tuk prices back to various areas, I took this photo in August last year, from Big C to Patong is 350baht. So I would imagine that from Tesco is the same or very close to these prices.
Cathy
Sorry for some reason I cannot upload the photo showing all the prices.

Thanks Cathy you have been my helper many a time in Phuket. Yes we wondered what it all meant with Daj. We did think perhaps a disgruntled employee might be the cause but we were a bit scared to make any further email contact. I didn't mention it at the time on the forum in case I effected other peoples plans but it has been good to here from you as to the reason.

Joan, as soon as Daj realized he changed his email address, so all is good now. We have a friend who is a Catholic nun and I received an email from her saying she had been robbed and was stranded in the UK or something like that & to send money, I rang her straight awayas knew it was a bit suss lol, her email had also been hacked.
Cathy