Am thinking of travelling from Phuket to Hua Hin, either by bus, or bus then train from Surat Thani.

What's this route like in the daytime, is there much to see?

The alternative is to fly back to BKK and catch a train or bus out if it's going to be a drag. Any suggestions?

I think it is a bit of a drag. If the only reason you're thinking about taking the bus and train is for sights, I'd fly. Not sure what route the bus takes from Krabi but this will be the most interesting part. From Surat, it's flat all the way and about another 7 hours on the train. Bus all the way will be your best bet. For a pretty train journey, take a sleeper (train) from Bkk to CMai...the last 100 or so kilometres through the mountains is beautiful.

If you want to save time and can get a cheap enough flight, fly to Bangers and take the train from the airport to Bang Seu (don't go all the way to Hualampong), from where you can change to a Hua Hin-bound train. Alternatively, take a taxi from the airport to the Southern Bus Station from where buses go every hour or so. You can walk to most hotels/guesthouses from the train station in HH.

If you're loaded, flights have resumed to HH from Bangkok on a little 12-seater thing, but it'll cost you about 2,500 baht.

Sorry, just re-read the title and you're coming from Phuket! The route from Phuket goes past Khao Sok National Park to Surat. Bit up and downy but you won't see much from the road. Don't be tempted with the cheap, non-air con bus either. Go as far as Phun Pin, from where trains go to HH. Not too bad a route actually. Did it once coming in the other direction, but didn't see much.

Phuket to Hua Hin.

Drive. Its a nice trip and only about 8 hours including stops for lunch

No train out of Phuket and you would need to get to Surat Thani for that and that is 4 hours out of Phuket

Thanks for the advice, looks like the bus then.

The "VIP" buses that everybody recommends, are they full recliners or the equivalent of a *National Express coach ?

*British

Phuket to Hua Hin.

Drive.  Its a nice trip and only about 8 hours including stops for lunch

No train out of Phuket and you would need to get to Surat Thani for that and that is 4 hours out of Phuket

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Yes, the drive is nice.Through some lovely lush jungle