Train To Surat Thani

[madog]

sick of getting fleeced by bk airways so thought no hurry take the train option (plus the moneysaving) booked the express air con sleeper from bk 19.30 arrives back o 6 ish (4800) return for me and the missus. whats the best way to go from there to get to samui - cost / times / type of boat / bus

any help appreciated !!

Edited February 13, 2008 by madog

[Lite Beer]

sick of getting fleeced by bk airways so thought no hurry take the train option (plus the moneysaving) booked the express air con sleeper from bk 19.30 arrives back o 6 ish (4800) return for me and the missus. whats the best way to go from there to get to samui - cost / times / type of boat / bus

any help appreciated !!

When the train arives at Pun Pin (Surat) Station there are buses waiting to take you to Donsak ferry port. Journey time around one and a half hours. The ferry to Nathon takes 90 minutes. The price for the bus including the ferry ticket is around 300 Baht.

Enjoy the train . It is fun.

[Samuian]

The transfer buses are either of "Seatran" or "Phantip"...

[TonyMontana]

Two things to remember;

Dont forget to visit the restaurant car - good food and cold beer.

Make sure you dont end up on the Songserm bus and ferry.

Have a nice trip!!!

[Khun Jean]

Or take a taxi. It was a while ago (2 years). When you get out of the trainstation to the right. Some parked vehicles that offer this service. I paid 400 baht for 3 adults and 2 children and a lot of luggage.

Drops you off at Don Sak where you can take the ferry. (not easy with luggage, you can get a bus that goes to Nathon, your luggage stays in the bus)

Anyone knows how to get that bus? in Don Sak?

[TonyMontana]

I did the trip last week.

Paid a minibus 350 Bt straight to Donsak.

The Phantip(1970) bus takes you all the way to Nathon for 250 Bt,

but stops in Surat Thani lto oad/unload transfering passengers.

Therefore it takes minimum one hour extra compared to the minibus.

Both prices includes the ferry.

[Boo]

Enjoy, I used to love the train. good fun.

[madog]

thanks for all your help im sure it will be of some use

[mssabai]

Big up the train! Bottom bunk with someone warm to cuddle up to please!

Have been told that air con can be verrrrrry cold though so bring some extra layers.

[BigC]

sick of getting fleeced by bk airways so thought no hurry take the train option (plus the moneysaving) booked the express air con sleeper from bk 19.30 arrives back o 6 ish (4800) return for me and the missus. whats the best way to go from there to get to samui - cost / times / type of boat / bus

any help appreciated !!

When the train arives at Pun Pin (Surat) Station there are buses waiting to take you to Donsak ferry port. Journey time around one and a half hours. The ferry to Nathon takes 90 minutes. The price for the bus including the ferry ticket is around 300 Baht.

Enjoy the train . It is fun.

when u arrive at suratthani becare fully not to get coaught up with the herd of other forangs. they go on the BIg boat thing. it is all one big mistake. you need to seperate from the forangs find a taxi and get one who is willing to take u to the sea tran office in surathani. u then pay for your ticket at the seatran office that encludes the bus to the pier.

when u leave samui to bangkok. after u buy your ticket. keep the ticket stub. that is your pass for a free bus to the tran station. when u arrive at don sak. ask the way to the sea tran bus. or you will get kid napped lol.

bus from bangkok leaves from Moo chit bus station goes straight to samui. i wouldn;t book in the travel shops or you wil get pushed into taking the seenic forang route tour. good luck

[chiliwasabi]

Big up the train! Bottom bunk with someone warm to cuddle up to please!

Have been told that air con can be verrrrrry cold though so bring some extra layers.

Yeah the A/C is definitely too cold. That's why I always take the sleeper with fan option. You stick you head out the window (with due care of course) and have a good look around and enjoy the scenery before the beds are folded down.

Edited February 20, 2008 by chiliwasabi

[cneuy3]

Big up the train! Bottom bunk with someone warm to cuddle up to please!

Have been told that air con can be verrrrrry cold though so bring some extra layers.

Yeah the A/C is definitely too cold. That's why I always take the sleeper with fan option. You stick you head out the window (with due care of course) and have a good look around and enjoy the scenery before the beds are folded down.

Can someone give me information of purchsasing tickets for this train online?

I'm looking to book the train on March 2nd. If this information isn't available then a couple of questions.

1) Will I have any trouble booking the train early on the 2nd for that night?

2) What is the cost for one ticket to get a compartment with a bed/etc?

Thanks.

[Super Hans]

Any able to help going the other way - from Samui to Bangkok? The local travel agent says "Railway 500baht", which looks a bit excessive to me. Is there a way of doing it independently? I hate minibuses with a passion, so would rather avoid an organised trip and do it by government bus. Do they go from Donsak regularly?

[Lite Beer]

Big up the train! Bottom bunk with someone warm to cuddle up to please!

Have been told that air con can be verrrrrry cold though so bring some extra layers.

Yeah the A/C is definitely too cold. That's why I always take the sleeper with fan option. You stick you head out the window (with due care of course) and have a good look around and enjoy the scenery before the beds are folded down.

Can someone give me information of purchsasing tickets for this train online?

I'm looking to book the train on March 2nd. If this information isn't available then a couple of questions.

1) Will I have any trouble booking the train early on the 2nd for that night?

2) What is the cost for one ticket to get a compartment with a bed/etc?

Thanks.

1st Class compartments have 2 beds in so you would have to share or book 2 tickets. Cost around 1,279 Baht a ticket

2nd class have around 50 beds in. Costs around 600 Baht.

These tickets go quick so you would have no chance with 1st class.

Maybe a chance with 2nd class.

Look here. Click on the Southern line. Bangkok to Surattani.

http://www.railway.co.th/English/Time_HTML.asp

Edited February 20, 2008 by Lite Beer

[Lite Beer]

Any able to help going the other way - from Samui to Bangkok? The local travel agent says "Railway 500baht", which looks a bit excessive to me. Is there a way of doing it independently? I hate minibuses with a passion, so would rather avoid an organised trip and do it by government bus. Do they go from Donsak regularly?

The government bus goes from Nathon to the train station in Phun Pin. Cost around 280 Baht.

They are timed to coincide with trains to Bangkok.

[mssabai]

Any able to help going the other way - from Samui to Bangkok? The local travel agent says "Railway 500baht", which looks a bit excessive to me. Is there a way of doing it independently? I hate minibuses with a passion, so would rather avoid an organised trip and do it by government bus. Do they go from Donsak regularly?

The government bus goes from Nathon to the train station in Phun Pin. Cost around 280 Baht.

They are timed to coincide with trains to Bangkok.

I was told this too but last time I took it it stopped in Surat and we had to get a mini bus. I was with a Thai person and they weren't able to find out why this was - maybe lack of other people getting the train? Anyway, minibus was no bother and cost about 50 baht I think...