Advice For Driving From Samui To Hua Hin

[livinthailandos]

I sure it could be posted somewhere on thai visa for this forum but instead i'll post it in here for obvious reasons. I am asking for advise, suggestions or information on driving from donsak to hua hin. I do realize I"ll pass through suratthani though.

1. how long is the trip driving there ( I don't plan on going by bus or train no thanks )

2. I saw that you wind up taking the 401 then the 4 to hua hin, is this still the same or have things changed

3. what are road conditions like? are there 2 lanes on each side like the way it is going to phuket by the new highway

4. Anything I should look out for

5. Your experiences getting there by driving, train, or bus

anything you guys out there can provide would be helpful thanks

[StatlerandWaldorf]

I sure it could be posted somewhere on thai visa for this forum but instead i'll post it in here for obvious reasons. I am asking for advise, suggestions or information on driving from donsak to hua hin. I do realize I"ll pass through suratthani though.

1. how long is the trip driving there ( I don't plan on going by bus or train no thanks )

2. I saw that you wind up taking the 401 then the 4 to hua hin, is this still the same or have things changed

3. what are road conditions like? are there 2 lanes on each side like the way it is going to phuket by the new highway

4. Anything I should look out for

5. Your experiences getting there by driving, train, or bus

anything you guys out there can provide would be helpful thanks

I recently drove from Krabi to Hua Hin then onto BKK after a 1 night layover so much of the journey is similar to the one you will make.

The roads are mostly dual carriageway (2 lanes each side) and you can keep up a reasonable speed throughout the trip. I reckon 6 hours should be enough for the journey.

Things to watch out for - all the other drivers! on this one drive I saw 3 major accidents 2 of them involving only a single vehicle (or so it seemed). Always watch out for motorcycles or pedestrians walking on the road in the overtaking lane near the central reserve, they often don't pay attention to the speed of approaching vehicles and may cut across the road without bothering to look.

My advice. Leave yourself plenty of time for the journey and take it easy.

As for buses, I don't like to put my life and the lives of my family in the hands of these maniacs.

[churchill]

I sure it could be posted somewhere on thai visa for this forum but instead i'll post it in here for obvious reasons. I am asking for advise, suggestions or information on driving from donsak to hua hin. I do realize I"ll pass through suratthani though.

1. how long is the trip driving there ( I don't plan on going by bus or train no thanks )

2. I saw that you wind up taking the 401 then the 4 to hua hin, is this still the same or have things changed

3. what are road conditions like? are there 2 lanes on each side like the way it is going to phuket by the new highway

4. Anything I should look out for

5. Your experiences getting there by driving, train, or bus

anything you guys out there can provide would be helpful thanks

Easy Drive - dual carriage the whole way - you by pass Surat Thani - about 6/7 hours door to door

[maccaroni man]

if you catch the 9 or 10 oclock ferry you should pull inot hua hin by 17 or 18:00 hrs. this is driving at around 120kph. i set my trip ometer for 160km for breaks just to stretch and grab a drink etc. smooth trip easy drive and as others have posted keep an eye on anything moving.

[CDNinKS]

Easy Drive - dual carriage the whole way - you by pass Surat Thani - about 6/7 hours door to door

Be sure not to miss the turn to by-pass Surat.......if you don't you get stuck driving thru town and that will add time and frustration

[sionapiorwerth]

I sure it could be posted somewhere on thai visa for this forum but instead i'll post it in here for obvious reasons. I am asking for advise, suggestions or information on driving from donsak to hua hin. I do realize I"ll pass through suratthani though.

1. how long is the trip driving there ( I don't plan on going by bus or train no thanks )

2. I saw that you wind up taking the 401 then the 4 to hua hin, is this still the same or have things changed

3. what are road conditions like? are there 2 lanes on each side like the way it is going to phuket by the new highway

4. Anything I should look out for

5. Your experiences getting there by driving, train, or bus

anything you guys out there can provide would be helpful thanks

once off the ferry, make sure the 8 or 9 oclock this will get you there about 5 or 6 evening time.

keep and eye out for the turing for krabi after you ehad for surat its only 15 minutes before this popos up, and the southern bypass route will take you faster, dual all the way, its a long straight road.

look for the chumporn turn off - as its a long road you may miss this, then its dual all the way, its a nice drive - have a great time

John