Thighlander Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Should I just go to Arcade Bus Station? Never approached it from CNX. I heard about 6 hours by bus. Is that correct? Any cheap/clean accommodation recommendations? Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinky Bill Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 I've done it in 6.5 hours by car without any breaks and going pretty hard. No idea how long the bus takes but I'm sure it would be at least 8 or 9 hours. Don't take my word on it though, I've been wrong once or twice before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ta22 Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 depending on what you see travelling is , best way is of cos Walk there , second best way is cycle there third best is ride a bike fourth is drive up fifth is take a local bus . last of cos is take inter flight . . i drove up to nong kai last month took me more then 10 hour , cos i keep stopping for view Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotlost Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 I normally drive it in about 8 hours with a couple short stops for fuel and food. The bus from Chiang Mai to Khon Kean are reportedly shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanxangBillybob Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 As far as buses, here are some options... Sombat Tour 053-304153-5 Leaves 9 p.m. arrives in Khon Kaen 7 a.m. 504 Baht (Price may have changed a bit) Issan Tour 053-246111 Call for current departure times and price. Phuluangsaansport 053-304316 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotlost Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 I've done it in 6.5 hours by car without any breaks and going pretty hard. No idea how long the bus takes but I'm sure it would be at least 8 or 9 hours. Don't take my word on it though, I've been wrong once or twice before. What kind of jet were you flying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinky Bill Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 I've done it in 6.5 hours by car without any breaks and going pretty hard. No idea how long the bus takes but I'm sure it would be at least 8 or 9 hours. Don't take my word on it though, I've been wrong once or twice before. What kind of jet were you flying? Done it a lot quicker on the bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotlost Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 I've done it in 6.5 hours by car without any breaks and going pretty hard. No idea how long the bus takes but I'm sure it would be at least 8 or 9 hours. Don't take my word on it though, I've been wrong once or twice before. What kind of jet were you flying? Done it a lot quicker on the bike. If your butt held up on a bike I could believe the 6.5 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaimiller Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Ive done it in 7 hours in the car with no stops, but usually takes me about 8 hours. A good clean hotel is the Khon Kaen orchid near the main hospital, I think it was 550thb/night last time i went in march. Khon Kaen Orchid Hotel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinky Bill Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 (edited) I've done it in 6.5 hours by car without any breaks and going pretty hard. No idea how long the bus takes but I'm sure it would be at least 8 or 9 hours. Don't take my word on it though, I've been wrong once or twice before. What kind of jet were you flying? Done it a lot quicker on the bike. If your butt held up on a bike I could believe the 6.5 hours. 7 hrs 15 mins Hua Hin to Chiang Mai (start to stop inc. fuel stops) Edited October 11, 2010 by Blinky Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I know this post is way old but I dont drive enough round thjis country and if Im planning on leaving next year I wanna collect up some routes to try. Ive done Chiang mai to Chang dao, Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and Pai and they are all quite simple... are the rest of the routes normally this easy from Chiang Mai. Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai.. anyone got any idea how to drive there and perhaps some sites to check out on the way...? Its either this one or to Bangkok but Im not sure I wont die in that traffic :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiamondKing Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 (edited) DK Edited October 13, 2010 by DiamondKing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiamondKing Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Planning a trip to do visa run Vietienne early next month if anyone is also planing to go Dk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotlost Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 (edited) I know this post is way old but I dont drive enough round thjis country and if Im planning on leaving next year I wanna collect up some routes to try. Ive done Chiang mai to Chang dao, Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and Pai and they are all quite simple... are the rest of the routes normally this easy from Chiang Mai. Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai.. anyone got any idea how to drive there and perhaps some sites to check out on the way...? Its either this one or to Bangkok but Im not sure I wont die in that traffic :-) Chiang Mai to Khon Kaen. Take the super highway south, highway 11 to Phitsanulok about 5 hours, good highway allot 4 lane divided, some construction around the Den Chai area. At Phitsanulok pick up Highway 12 east about 3 hours to KK. Highway 12 is a very scenic drive Mountains beautiful, National Parks, rivers waterfalls The Lom Sake area is referred by the Thais as Switzerland. Highway 12 is mostly a 2 lane highway but very good road with some four lane areas and passing lanes, but always be aware for the unexpected. When I leave CM I usually stop at a PTT station in Den Chai for coffee and a break 2.5 hours then I drive on and stop at another PTT on 11 just before the 12 turn off in Phitsanulock. I advise you to top off your tank at this point before going east as fuel can be hard to come by until Chum Prae on 12. Most people drive this in about 8 hours with no problem. Edited October 13, 2010 by gotlost Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 mmm that lake sounds interesting, wonder why they call it Switzerland...? Cheers :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotlost Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 (edited) mmm that lake sounds interesting, wonder why they call it Switzerland...? Cheers :-) Could be that the mountains remind he Thais of the alphas but I thank it is because allot of Swiss have married and invested in the area. There are some nice resorts in the area and you can not help but notice the Swiss influence. Edited October 13, 2010 by gotlost Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 (edited) ahh ok, by the way is google maps any good? Is it reliable etc as the directions look very clear...? Edited October 14, 2010 by james24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinky Bill Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 ahh ok, by the way is google maps any good? Is it reliable etc as the directions look very clear...? As good as any if not better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Thats great news, now I can really start drving round Thailand, gonna do Khon Kaen either tonight or tommorow :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinky Bill Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Enjoy. I think the roads are great throughout Thailand. Some are a bit busy but generally no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotlost Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 On Highway 12 pass Lom Sak on your left just pass the the national park which has a huge turtle statues as their mascot, is good rest stop. It is called Route 12 Cafe, built on the design of the old Route 66 cafes in the USA. Old fuel pumps, motor bikes, good coffee stop and great views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Cool that does sound interesting, Im quite looking forward to it, Ive hear there's lots to see I agree with the roads in Thailand, they do seem to be quite direct, unlike U.k which is a maze in some places I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotlost Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Cool that does sound interesting, Im quite looking forward to it, Ive hear there's lots to see I agree with the roads in Thailand, they do seem to be quite direct, unlike U.k which is a maze in some places I think. On 12 between Wang Thong and Lom Sake there is a river on your right side. This time of year it will be running full but after it goes down there will be some serious white water rafting. Numerous resorts and restaurants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 (edited) cheers guys, I just had a thought, Im doing this on my bike and if, god forbid anything happens who should I call..? Ive always wondered this but as this is the biggest journey Ive done yet, any advice...? Also if its too much for me, can I get a train back..? Im guessing there is no direct route.. Thanks again guys P.S Just noticed I will be going past Sukothai, Ive always wanted to go there, it looks like a simple turn off, perhaps I go throuhg it, or is it out of the way a bit...? PPS Nope thats look wrong actually, but there does seem to be interesting provinces on the way though, dont mid taking my time :-) Edited October 14, 2010 by james24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotlost Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 cheers guys, I just had a thought, Im doing this on my bike and if, god forbid anything happens who should I call..? Ive always wondered this but as this is the biggest journey Ive done yet, any advice...? Also if its too much for me, can I get a train back..? Im guessing there is no direct route.. Thanks again guys P.S Just noticed I will be going past Sukothai, Ive always wanted to go there, it looks like a simple turn off, perhaps I go throuhg it, or is it out of the way a bit...? PPS Nope thats look wrong actually, but there does seem to be interesting provinces on the way though, dont mid taking my time :-) Sokothai is about 100 kilometers west of Phitanulok. Excellent road will worth the trip. The Historical Park is worth the trip and there are guest house and resorts in the area. BTW they charge farang price to enter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 lol should have guessed :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Hi again Just a quick thing, can i get a train back if I want...? Is there a direct route or is it not possible..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheGuava Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Hi again Just a quick thing, can i get a train back if I want...? Is there a direct route or is it not possible..? Is not possible. Because train lines go to Bangkok, there is no transfer from North Eastern Line to Northern line. (Well, there is at Bang Pachi but that's almost at Bangkok). If you like rail you could take bus to Phitsanulok and then train to chiang Mai, but its much slower than bus all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james24 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Cheers for your help guys. I made it there and back in one piece, just! Was beautiful and was quite shocked to see the big waterfall about half way there, was really beautiful. Had to rush back but I think I saw most of Khon Kaen in one day. Alot busier than I thought, I thought it was like a little village. Anyway guys next trip is already in the making as driving for that long on your own really clears the head, well except when someone tries overtaking you on a blind corner Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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