Bangkok Travel Forum

there is a group of 8 of us travelling to Thailand in Jan 2009.

We plan on staying 4 nights in Bangkok, then fly down to Phukett for 5 nights while travelling around to the smaller islands, then we want to head over to Ko Samui and spend another 5 nights there and then head back up to Bangkok to drop off one of our group memebers as they have to fly home early and then we want to head up north to Chang mai and Rai for about a week. we need to know what is the best way to get around each place i.e Phukett to Ko samui and how long does it take to travel between each places...

Last week I went from Phukett to Phi Phi, 2 hours by ferry, then 2 hours by ferry to Krabi. Took the bus from Krabi to Surathani, which cost 60 Bahtn (about 2 dollars) and took 3 hours. If I had taken a minivan, it would have cost a little more but taken much less time, as the bus stops often. The ferry from Surathani to Samui takes about 1 1/2 hours, cost somewhere around 5 dollars. I know you're asking about travel from Phukett to Samui, but it should roughly be the same trip crossing the penninsula. You can also get cheap flights from Bangkok to Phuket, Phuket to Samui, and Samui to Bangkok. Check air asia or thai air.

The bus ride from Phuket to Donsak Pier was about 5.5 hrs with 2 short stops,longer than i expected but the scenery along the way was beautiful and yes the ferry ride was about an hour or so from Surrathani to Samui.I flew from Samui to Chiangmai Bangkok Airways,probably around 3 hrs or less,but i cant remember because I slept for most of it.Service was good,meal included and times were precise.Samui airport is really beautiful.You could always catch the day or night train to/from Chiangmai/Bangkok.I loved the sleeper trains.

Another option I think is from Samui,ferry to Chumpon or Hua Hin (not sure exact location but around those parts) then train it back to BKK;I know ferry and train can be done from islands in Gulf of Thailand to BKK,just have a look.There are so many options,cost effective and time efficient.Just depens what you are after.

A big group of you,in peak season;Im assuming you have booked accommodation atleast.If you havent yet im sure there are many agencies/hotels that will include transfers to and from???