Bangkok To Samui

[stephanbkk]

Hi All -

Driving on Sunday from Bangkok to Samui. Anybody have any ideas...suggestions? I have gotten the number of the ferry companies of the net and will call them for car reservation but was hoping somebody could tell me what to expect as far as driving time and such. Any links out there that I'm not finding?

Thanks your help!

[pluto_manibo]

Driving time....Its about 666 km to Surat Thani from Bangkok, after Surat you drive another 100 km to Donsak..where you can get a ferry to Samui. I would leave early in the morning, about 4:30 a.m. The road from Bkk up untill Hua hin, is the worst part IMHO, Afterwards it gets more pleasant...

[taxexile]

watch out for the speed traps around prajuap and chumpon.

[VTR1000]

Hi All -

Driving on Sunday from Bangkok to Samui.  Anybody have any ideas...suggestions?  I have gotten the number of the ferry companies of the net and will call them for car reservation but was hoping somebody could tell me what to expect as far as driving time and such.  Any links out there that I'm not finding?

Thanks your help!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm presuming you know the way out of Bangkok and the route south. Depending on how you drive BKK to Surat is about 7/8 hours. I normally do it in around 6 1/2

or less if I'm on the bike but I don't drive slowly . Make sure you take the Surat turning at the 'COOP' or else you'll be heading down to ThungSong and Hatyai.

Once in Surat follow the road all the way through Phunpin, past Tesco's until you see a 'Big C' on the right followed by a big intersection with lights. Follow the sign for Nakhonsithammarat which turns to the right, keep going for approx 20mins and you'll see the sign for Donsak and the ferry terminal to the left. The ferry terminal is 22km's down that road. Personally I'd use Raja ferries as they seem to have a much better schedule with boats going every hour. No need to book in advance.

I'd say, for an average speed drive, allow 9 hours for the trip including stops and BKK traffic. Also as the previous poster said there are a few speed checks - Huahin bypass, Luang Suan and Chumpon seem to be the most regular ones so have a couple of reddies at hand just in case .

Hope this helps.

Edited April 8, 2005 by VTR1000