Driving To Samui - Car Ferry Details

[corkman]

Hi all,

I plan on driving to koh samui in the near future, and hence will obviously need to get the car ferry.

Am I right in thinking that a ferry departs on the hour, every hour, from both Don Sak and Nathon.

Furthermore, am I correct in thinking that the Don Sak pier is the best one (only one?) to go to?

Do I need to pre-book or anything like that?

Can anyone advise the charges (smal car)?

Any hints, tips, or otherwise would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

CM.

[acht72]

<P>Hello there. No problems ferries sail regularly from both ports which are only a short distance apart, you cant book in advance, I pay about 550 baht for my pickup& 2 people each way for the 1.5 hour trip<BR></P>

[corkman]

<P>Hello there. No problems ferries sail regularly from both ports which are only a short distance apart, you cant book in advance, I pay about 550 baht for my pickup& 2 people each way for the 1.5 hour trip<BR></P>

Thanks for that. What time do they start at in the morning? I will be driving down from Bkk, so I am trying to decide should I leave afterwork on Wednesday (assuming an 8hr drive+1hr coffee breaks) so I would arrive at Don Sak at dawn..... or else go to bed early and get up early and arrive at Don Sak at lunch time.

Is 8-9 hours a realistic travel time? Once I am at the outskirts of bkk shall we say.

[Rooo]

<P>Hello there. No problems ferries sail regularly from both ports which are only a short distance apart, you cant book in advance, I pay about 550 baht for my pickup& 2 people each way for the 1.5 hour trip<BR></P>

Thanks for that. What time do they start at in the morning? I will be driving down from Bkk, so I am trying to decide should I leave afterwork on Wednesday (assuming an 8hr drive+1hr coffee breaks) so I would arrive at Don Sak at dawn..... or else go to bed early and get up early and arrive at Don Sak at lunch time.

Is 8-9 hours a realistic travel time? Once I am at the outskirts of bkk shall we say.

From Dongsak, the first Seatran ferry is 6 am, Raja ferry should be the same. They are both in the same vicinity.You can't book on Seatran.

Raja you can buy a VIP ticket ( return ticket), that gets you in the VIP line, from both points.

From BKK 8-9 hours should be sufficient.

[corkman]

<P>Hello there. No problems ferries sail regularly from both ports which are only a short distance apart, you cant book in advance, I pay about 550 baht for my pickup& 2 people each way for the 1.5 hour trip<BR></P>

Thanks for that. What time do they start at in the morning? I will be driving down from Bkk, so I am trying to decide should I leave afterwork on Wednesday (assuming an 8hr drive+1hr coffee breaks) so I would arrive at Don Sak at dawn..... or else go to bed early and get up early and arrive at Don Sak at lunch time.

Is 8-9 hours a realistic travel time? Once I am at the outskirts of bkk shall we say.

From Dongsak, the first Seatran ferry is 6 am, Raja ferry should be the same. They are both in the same vicinity.You can't book on Seatran.

Raja you can buy a VIP ticket ( return ticket), that gets you in the VIP line, from both points.

From BKK 8-9 hours should be sufficient.

Thanks for your reply.

VIP ticket - does this give me (in my car) some kind of priority boarding the boat, and a nice comfy air con lounge to sit during the crossing?

Is there a need to pre-book i.e. does it get really busy, or will it be fine just to turn up?

Cheers,

CM

[Rooo]

You can not pr book on Raja & Seatran that facility is gone, replaced by membership card holders.

At Raja, there is 2 lines. Normal one, which can extend quit a bit & you have to wait if it's busy. VIP line if tickets are available depending how busy they are, gives you priority boarding, you might have to wait an hour.

Air con, there are some areas on Raja, Seatran all interior areas are air con, plus you can get a foot massage.

[corkman]

You can not pr book on Raja & Seatran that facility is gone, replaced by membership card holders.

At Raja, there is 2 lines. Normal one, which can extend quit a bit & you have to wait if it's busy. VIP line if tickets are available depending how busy they are, gives you priority boarding, you might have to wait an hour.

Air con, there are some areas on Raja, Seatran all interior areas are air con, plus you can get a foot massage.

Thank you for this info - very greatfully received (as is everyones help).

Well I will definitely take which ever option gets me on board and accross the water with the minimum of fuss, and waiting, possible.

At the moment, I estimate that we will arrive at the port at about 2pm. If anyone can recommend a strategy for the quickest / best way to get on board then it would be greatly appreciated.

Does the ferry get busier / less busy later in the day? i.e. is there any particular advantage to getting there, say, before lunch etc.

On the subject of lunch - once we arrive and get a ticket, do we then have to sit in the car, queing - or can you simply part up and head off for lunch while you wait for the boat to arrive? Indeed, are there facilities / ammenities for lunch etc. at the port, or would you recommend catch some lunch, before arriving at the port?

All things being equal (on the waiting / queing / getting on board front), we would opt for the most comfortable option - price (within reason) is not a problem.

Many thanks in advance.

CM

[Rooo]

I know that Seatran have a nice coffee shop & some meals in the outside restaurant .Driver only in the car to go on ferry, passengers walk on. As for waiting in the car, depending what time you get there, Remember the ferry arrives around the half hour & they might start loading soon after, so if you are not in your car, they just go around you.

Raja terminal, haven't been there for a couple of years, but they were doing some extensive work on the terminal facilities (restaurant & toilets ). I think they would be operational by now & can almost guarantee they would have food.

Maybe as you suggested , have a meal prior to getting there. First time always a bit stressful, but it should be ok.

Good luck.

[corkman]

THANK YOU

Well thanks to all, for all your replies. I followed all your advise, suggestions, and comments and the trip went nice and smooth - without a hitch...... all exactly as planned and advised.

So thanks again!