Bus Travel in Thailand – Vacation Tips

[Thailand Explore]

Bus Travel in Thailand – Vacation Tips

 

 

Bus travel in Thailand is one of the lesser-known ways for tourists and expats to get around the country. Since we don’t take the bus very often in our own countries, it is also not our first thought here. But for most Thai people it is the best way to get around at the lowest cost, and it is the same for foreigners. For tourists, it’s a great way to see more of the country during your vacation. For expats, it’s an economical alternative to driving or flying. The key to bus travel in Thailand during your vacation is to get all the right timetable information for where you are going. This is easy to do and you will enjoy your trip so much more when you leave the driving to them!

 

Why use Bus Travel during your Thailand Vacation
Bus travel to almost everywhere in Thailand is very easy from anywhere, especially from Bangkok. All major cities, provincial capitals, and most small towns have a bus terminal. The Government subsidized bus line “BKS” has the best busses and services and are the most safe and reliable. Buses are very cheap in Thailand. A one-way ticket from Bangkok to Khon Kaen, for example, is only 400 Baht. Long-distance trips like this always have a 20 min. rest stop, and water and snacks are provided. Riding a major bus line is also much safer than driving yourself, and you won’t get stopped at police checkpoints. There are very few bus accidents in Thailand. Buses also offer convenience. They go places where you can’t fly, saves you money, and often saves you time as well.

 

 

Five reasons to Travel by Bus in Thailand

1 – Busses in Thailand are Cheap!
The bus from Bangkok to Pattaya is only 120 Baht ($4.00 USD). It is 1,300+ by taxi, and driving there yourself costs 600+ in gas and tolls. To Koh Samui, the bus is only 1,000 baht including the ferry to the island. To Chiang Mai its 700 each way. The bus I regularly take from Bangkok to Nong Bua Daeng in Isaan, a distance of 350 km, is only 300 baht. These prices are impossible to beat. The price of long-distance travel by bus also includes a meal at the rest stop, snacks, and water. What a deal!

 

2 – The bus goes everywhere.
Every town and city in Thailand has a bus terminal. Sometimes that means just a small shelter, but in all towns & cities over 10,000 people, there is a proper bus station with staff. This is great compared to flying, and especially important if you are going home or to family in the country. Often times the nearest airport is nowhere near where you are going, even it is a district capital.

 

Continue reading: https://www.thebeartravel.com/en/bus-travel-in-thailand-vacation-tips/

 

 

[zyphodb]

 

On 10/20/2020 at 2:06 PM, Expat Explore said:

There are very few bus accidents in Thailand.

[geisha]

I can’t believe what I just read ! No bus accidents in Thailand ? How can you say that ?

[geisha]

The publicity was posted in January 2020, so not taking into account Covid 19 and distancing/ hygiene etc. 

[Mario666]

Am I missing something???? Or is someone else "Missing A Few Brain Cells"?

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=bus+crash+thailand&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjGlbvWpcfsAhXEILcAHdcDCXgQ_AUoAXoECBEQAw&biw=1280&bih=610

 

[Mario666]

Nuff Said!

 

[unblocktheplanet]

When I arrived in Thailand 30-odd years ago, there were few provincial airports. I traveled to all 76 provinces by bus & had adventures with locals on every trip.

 

When I graduated to double-decker VIP coaches, I got a brand-new bus to C-M. The dashboard lit up like a 747. Once we were in, the driver couldn't figure out how to open the doors.

 

Our intrepid stew, hiked up her skirts--revealing she was not exactly a she--& jumped out the window to open the doors manually while they figured it out.

 

Be careful who fluffs your pillow, eh!

[hereforgood]

The last 8 weeks I have been traveling the whole country on buses with many company's and have had a great time. In many cases I could have flown to where i was going but I don't want to just get from Point a to point b but rather see everything in between as well.    

[HeijoshinCool]

On 10/20/2020 at 3:06 AM, Expat Explore said:

The bus goes everywhere.

.

Indeed. Mine even went off the road.

 

 

[Grumpy one]

Bus travel is a fantastic way to go

That is if you want to detour by ambulance to the nearest hospital, after the bus driver decides to take a cross country short cut

[Grumpy one]

On 10/21/2020 at 5:47 PM, geisha said:

I can’t believe what I just read ! No bus accidents in Thailand ? How can you say that ?

The writer may be suffering long term memory loss from a previous bus accident

[Speedo1968]

Many years ago the buses used to stop for 30 minute or so at certain eating places giving everyone on board the chance to unwind.    The last few times I used a bus they didn't stop or if they did it was time for a pee only.
Nakhonchai Air often failed to stop at my destination.

Now I live south of Khon Kaen, I use the train ( ok so it has a fixed time limited service but ideal to go for general things in KK ).     The cost is 8 baht as compared with 35 / 40 baht by bus.     By train it takes only 35 minutes to get to KK train station ( assuming no cows or buffalo are on the track - reminds me of the good old days (( circa 1970's )) of train travel in India ) as against a normal bus + a city bus, around 90 minutes.    The train journey has unlimited fresh air and there is more to see out of the window.    KK station is again connected by the city bus.

I have used intercity buses to get to Nakhon Phanom from KK,

From what I understand no more doubledecker buses are allowed to be built and I dread to think what condition the existing ones will be like in 10 years time.

 

As for the minibus, just look at the ceiling and how black it is.   Why is it black ,,,, ??? think a while.