Raja Ferry to Koh Samui!

[Tatler]

I have looked for information about Raja ferry will not much luck !! I have a few questions for you knowledgeable people of Koh Samui..

1) Can i book my date and time for taking a car from Don Sak to Samui in advance??

2) If no for question 1 then how long is the waiting time at Don Sak??

3) Cost for a car, 2 adults and 2 small children??

4) A hotel in Lamai with swimming pool and A/C for under 1500 baht a night??

Thanks for your replies in advance...

[sbk]

Hi Tatler, I've edited your topic title to show that you are interested in the Raja Ferry to Samui, hopefully you'll get more response that way.

[Tatler]

Thanks SBK, hasn't worked yet

[Lite Beer]

4.

Some Lamai hotels.

http://samui.sawadee.com/hotels/lamai.html

[Rooo]

You can't book Raja in advance.The only way to get on the ferry in a decent time & avoid a long wait is ,when you get there book a VIP ticket, it simply means a return ticket with an open date.This will entitle you to join the VIP line & get on the ferry before the one way ticket holders.Mind you,it could be a one ferry wait there too.Same applies for return leg, just make sure you go to office & present your ticket & pay.

Good luck.

[Tatler]

Thanks for the good info on the ferries Rooo

[Rooo]

No probs,enjoy your stay.

[gusG]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=168596

This thread might give you some more help, not Raja Ferries, but Seatran , which you can book.

Edited March 19, 2008 by gusG

[gusG]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=174644

And this one as well. Sorry the link seems to be broken.

Samui Ferry Fares To Rise, look for this topic further down the page.

Edited March 19, 2008 by gusG

[Rooo]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=168596

This thread might give you some more help, not Raja Ferries, but Seatran , which you can book.

Sorry Gus,thought you could only book Seatran from Samui.My blunder.

Edited March 19, 2008 by Rooo

[Tatler]

Cheers and cheers!!

[Nollie1212]

I have looked for information about Raja ferry will not much luck !! I have a few questions for you knowledgeable people of Koh Samui..

1) Can i book my date and time for taking a car from Don Sak to Samui in advance??

2) If no for question 1 then how long is the waiting time at Don Sak??

3) Cost for a car, 2 adults and 2 small children??

4) A hotel in Lamai with swimming pool and A/C for under 1500 baht a night??

Thanks for your replies in advance...

I usually try to take the seatran ferry - its nicer. (its about 1-2 km away from raja, but they go to different ports on Koh Samui). I only take the Raja Ferry if I am going to go to Koh Phangan. I dont know about booking a car on the raja ferry- I have booked a car on Seatran before - I believe it was around 320 B for the car and 110 for each adult passenger - if you dont book the car, you could wait 1-2 hours - from my experience, the wait is especially long in the morning because of all of the workers/suppliers going over to Samui (7-9am). good luck, have fun!

Edited March 20, 2008 by Nollie1212

[dwoon]

Sorry Roo, I didn't quite get that last part about "you go to office & present your ticket & pay."

Can you help to clarify on this bit? The VIP ticket is a return ticket with an open date which entitles one to join the VIP line. Isn't the return ticket already paid for? Is there another fee to pay on the return leg using the VIP ticket?

And another clarification.... the VIP ticket entitles one to queue in the VIP line.... that is only for the return leg or does it also apply for the outward trip too? (i.e. both ways)

Could you be so kind as to advise the price of the tickets?

Thanks for your assistance. I trying to gather all the necessary info before my trip in Jan 2009.

BTW, is there any such thing as Chinese New Year closures in Koh Samui? Or is it just another day w/o any festivities?

You can't book Raja in advance.The only way to get on the ferry in a decent time & avoid a long wait is ,when you get there book a VIP ticket, it simply means a return ticket with an open date.This will entitle you to join the VIP line & get on the ferry before the one way ticket holders.Mind you,it could be a one ferry wait there too.Same applies for return leg, just make sure you go to office & present your ticket & pay.

Good luck.

[Rooo]

Sorry Roo, I didn't quite get that last part about "you go to office & present your ticket & pay."

Can you help to clarify on this bit? The VIP ticket is a return ticket with an open date which entitles one to join the VIP line. Isn't the return ticket already paid for? Is there another fee to pay on the return leg using the VIP ticket?

And another clarification.... the VIP ticket entitles one to queue in the VIP line.... that is only for the return leg or does it also apply for the outward trip too? (i.e. both ways)

Could you be so kind as to advise the price of the tickets?

Thanks for your assistance. I trying to gather all the necessary info before my trip in Jan 2009.

BTW, is there any such thing as Chinese New Year closures in Koh Samui? Or is it just another day w/o any festivities?

You can't book Raja in advance.The only way to get on the ferry in a decent time & avoid a long wait is ,when you get there book a VIP ticket, it simply means a return ticket with an open date.This will entitle you to join the VIP line & get on the ferry before the one way ticket holders.Mind you,it could be a one ferry wait there too.Same applies for return leg, just make sure you go to office & present your ticket & pay.

Good luck.

Yes the ticket is paid for, you just present it & they give a card with a # & boarding time.You only have to pay for passengers.I would honestly avoid Raja now, they are so old & smokey.Better bet to go via Seatran,you can book through any Ayudya Bank (the yellow one).You book exact departure date & time,a much better experience then Raja.Again that only applies to car & driver,have to pay seperately for passengers.

Edited November 13, 2008 by Rooo

[mattias33]

If you are a member of seatran you can book also with the mobile. Cost for the member ship is 1000 baht, and you are suppose to be able to use that for bookings allthough i never succeded with that.

2 months ago we arrived in donsak, 4 in the afternoon and all boths were full. We were told to stand by and "hope for the best". My wife took the mobile, called in a booking for the 6 o clock ferry and we passed the whole line of "hope for the best"-people and went straight in trought the prebooked lane. All tricks are aloud, only imagination sets the limits!

Only downside with the ferry is they take about 10 cars to much. You have to be prepared that you get some scratches on your car, they are so close that getting in and out is a real hassle. Suppose they all do that in Thailand, maybe?

Price is 320 plus 100 for passengers, children free. Passengers have to walk to the boat. Only the driver is aloud in the car. On donsak side that is..

Good luck.

[goldfish]

Also found raja too racist. Being farang meant being told to come back in an hour or so to buy a ticket, wasn't allowed to purchase one when busy. This always caused traffic problems with all the thais who'd parked behind beeping their horns 'cause they had a place on the ferry. Had this happen too many times.

Be a little careful buying things on a seatrans ferry. Last journey had to pay for a coffeee with a 500baht note. It was early in the morning so wasn't really paying attention, it was the nervousness (maybe just an awareness) from the cashier that had me checking the change. She handed over the missing 100baht quick enough for us both to know it wasn't a mistake

[dwoon]

Thanks all for the feedback & advise.

However, I don't have any Thai bank account to allow me to do the advance Seatrans booking. Moreover, I'm not even in Thailand or even close to it.

Guess my easiest option is to just keep my fingers crossed when I reach the Raja terminal (maybe around 3pm?) Any idea how long it takes to drive from Sadao to Donsak? I'm being safe & intend to hit the Thai immigration at 8:00am, just when they start operating.

Cheers.

Sorry Roo, I didn't quite get that last part about "you go to office & present your ticket & pay."

Can you help to clarify on this bit? The VIP ticket is a return ticket with an open date which entitles one to join the VIP line. Isn't the return ticket already paid for? Is there another fee to pay on the return leg using the VIP ticket?

And another clarification.... the VIP ticket entitles one to queue in the VIP line.... that is only for the return leg or does it also apply for the outward trip too? (i.e. both ways)

Could you be so kind as to advise the price of the tickets?

Thanks for your assistance. I trying to gather all the necessary info before my trip in Jan 2009.

BTW, is there any such thing as Chinese New Year closures in Koh Samui? Or is it just another day w/o any festivities?

You can't book Raja in advance.The only way to get on the ferry in a decent time & avoid a long wait is ,when you get there book a VIP ticket, it simply means a return ticket with an open date.This will entitle you to join the VIP line & get on the ferry before the one way ticket holders.Mind you,it could be a one ferry wait there too.Same applies for return leg, just make sure you go to office & present your ticket & pay.

Good luck.

Yes the ticket is paid for, you just present it & they give a card with a # & boarding time.You only have to pay for passengers.I would honestly avoid Raja now, they are so old & smokey.Better bet to go via Seatran,you can book through any Ayudya Bank (the yellow one).You book exact departure date & time,a much better experience then Raja.Again that only applies to car & driver,have to pay seperately for passengers.

[loiner100]

Thanks all for the feedback & advise.

However, I don't have any Thai bank account to allow me to do the advance Seatrans booking. Moreover, I'm not even in Thailand or even close to it.

Guess my easiest option is to just keep my fingers crossed when I reach the Raja terminal (maybe around 3pm?) Any idea how long it takes to drive from Sadao to Donsak? I'm being safe & intend to hit the Thai immigration at 8:00am, just when they start operating.

Cheers.

I would allow 6-7 hours to be on the safe side, that includes time for a couple of comfort breaks.

My advice (like others before) would be to try Seatran first, the two ferry terminals are less than three minutes apart at Donsak.

[mattias33]

The drive itself is 3,5 to 4 hours. You add your own brakes to that time. Plus a little for eventual trafficjams and mistaces. For instans there is a place in Nakhom sri thammarat where i 3 times now happen to miss a small road to the right and instead go into some military area. My wife have to always show me the way around there. No western signs. And i dont read Thai, real pity. I bet the military must be used to crazy farangs comming there al the time so they will probably help, hahaha.

Anyway, 6 hours should be good time.

[Rooo]

Thanks all for the feedback & advise.

However, I don't have any Thai bank account to allow me to do the advance Seatrans booking. Moreover, I'm not even in Thailand or even close to it.

Guess my easiest option is to just keep my fingers crossed when I reach the Raja terminal (maybe around 3pm?) Any idea how long it takes to drive from Sadao to Donsak? I'm being safe & intend to hit the Thai immigration at 8:00am, just when they start operating.

Cheers.

Sorry Roo, I didn't quite get that last part about "you go to office & present your ticket & pay."

Can you help to clarify on this bit? The VIP ticket is a return ticket with an open date which entitles one to join the VIP line. Isn't the return ticket already paid for? Is there another fee to pay on the return leg using the VIP ticket?

And another clarification.... the VIP ticket entitles one to queue in the VIP line.... that is only for the return leg or does it also apply for the outward trip too? (i.e. both ways)

Could you be so kind as to advise the price of the tickets?

Thanks for your assistance. I trying to gather all the necessary info before my trip in Jan 2009.

BTW, is there any such thing as Chinese New Year closures in Koh Samui? Or is it just another day w/o any festivities?

You can't book Raja in advance.The only way to get on the ferry in a decent time & avoid a long wait is ,when you get there book a VIP ticket, it simply means a return ticket with an open date.This will entitle you to join the VIP line & get on the ferry before the one way ticket holders.Mind you,it could be a one ferry wait there too.Same applies for return leg, just make sure you go to office & present your ticket & pay.

Good luck.

Yes the ticket is paid for, you just present it & they give a card with a # & boarding time.You only have to pay for passengers.I would honestly avoid Raja now, they are so old & smokey.Better bet to go via Seatran,you can book through any Ayudya Bank (the yellow one).You book exact departure date & time,a much better experience then Raja.Again that only applies to car & driver,have to pay seperately for passengers.

You don't have to be a bank customer to book /purchase the ticket.

[dwoon]

Okay.... I'll go check if there's an Ayudya Bank here in Singapore and enquire.... though I seriously doubt they provide this service, even if they have an overseas branch here.

[Rooo]

Okay.... I'll go check if there's an Ayudya Bank here in Singapore and enquire.... though I seriously doubt they provide this service, even if they have an overseas branch here.

Sorry I didnt read your OP correctly.Then try to go to one once you hit Thailand.Anyway good luck & have a safe trip.

[sbk]

recd this info from a frustrated poster unable to upload.

but he believes this price list could be out of date

[churchill]

Also found raja too racist. Being farang meant being told to come back in an hour or so to buy a ticket, wasn't allowed to purchase one when busy. This always caused traffic problems with all the thais who'd parked behind beeping their horns 'cause they had a place on the ferry. Had this happen too many times.

Be a little careful buying things on a seatrans ferry. Last journey had to pay for a coffeee with a 500baht note. It was early in the morning so wasn't really paying attention, it was the nervousness (maybe just an awareness) from the cashier that had me checking the change. She handed over the missing 100baht quick enough for us both to know it wasn't a mistake

This applied to everyone not only Farangs ! You had to wait until you were issued a queue ticket for the next ferry before you could pay .

I now use Seatran and if you prebook and arrive 30 minutes before departure , good service .

You can book a return on Raja but you still may have to wait 1 boat - but on the return trip as long as you arrive 30 minutes before departure you get on the next boat .

If on arrival at donsak and you book a return and they tell you the next ferry is in 2 hours and cannot wait - you can then book your 1st night hotel ( I think I was given one in chaweng for 1000baht , which I didn't use )along with the ferry ticket , which means you are bumped to the front of the queue and next the next ferry .

Edited November 14, 2008 by churchill

[goldfish]

Was told numerous times to come back in an hour to be able to buy a ticket. Thais who arrived after were given tickets, hence the vehicle problems. I'd lean against a tree and then witness many thais who'd arrived after getting frustrated at the single car which wasn't moving. I put this down to racism as being the only farang there, every time, and being the only car not joining the ferry

[dwoon]

Arrrggghhh..... guess travel agents are of no help, even when I enquired and willing to pay them the premuim to do the booking.

Read the reply I got:

Thank you very much for your e-mail.Regarding to the seatrans ferry booking.

Now they changed the system you don't have to boook in advance take your car there and get on the queue.

Best Regards,

Ms. Tatsani Aromsawang(Kaew)

Travel Consultant

Address: 44 Samsen Rd. Pranakorn, Bangkok Thailand 10200.

Phone: 0-2629-4262

Fax: 0-2629-1563

**email removed per forum rules**

[dwoon]

Can anyone advise what are the bank's operating hours on a Saturday? Probably will head to one in Hatyai, to book the afternoon tickets.

Thanks.

Okay.... I'll go check if there's an Ayudya Bank here in Singapore and enquire.... though I seriously doubt they provide this service, even if they have an overseas branch here.

Sorry I didnt read your OP correctly.Then try to go to one once you hit Thailand.Anyway good luck & have a safe trip.

[PoorSucker]

Can anyone advise what are the bank's operating hours on a Saturday? Probably will head to one in Hatyai, to book the afternoon tickets.

Most bank offices are closed on Saturdays in Thailand.

[dwoon]

Thanks....

Can anyone advise what are the bank's operating hours on a Saturday? Probably will head to one in Hatyai, to book the afternoon tickets.

Most bank offices are closed on Saturdays in Thailand.