Hi, A friend said he used to fly from Surat to Penang to do his visa runs. I have had a look but can't find anybody that does. I found some that fly from Hat Yai but you go up to BKK first then down to Penang. Cheers in advance :jap:

You will have to route via Bangkok from Surat. Otherwise it might be worth considering Firefly or MAS from Phuket direct.

Wikipedia says that Surat Airport is also the Wing 7 Airforce base. Maybe a friend of Dunc's used to have direct access to military planes to back his visa runs? But, jokes aside, it seems that direct flights to Penang from Surat are not available.

A couple of years ago it was possible to fly Samui-Penang with firefly.

Now firefly only flies to KL (Subang)

Looks like my friend will have to go to Phuket - Penang then. I will ride down the next time I have to go.

Looks like my friend will have to go to Phuket - Penang then. I will ride down the next time I have to go.

that doesn't make much sense actually. it takes ages and is costly.

he'd better take the train or a Bus to Hat Yai, and from there another train (Butterworth Express) or Bus / VIP-Bus to Penang / Georgetown.

takes ages too, but much cheaper than flying (plus saves the expensive Taxi fare at Penang airport)

We did a ride Samui-Penang this spring on our Yamaha Mio. Stopped overnight in Had Yai, otherwise quite an enjoyable experience.

Looks like my friend will have to go to Phuket - Penang then. I will ride down the next time I have to go.

that doesn't make much sense actually. it takes ages and is costly.

he'd better take the train or a Bus to Hat Yai, and from there another train (Butterworth Express) or Bus / VIP-Bus to Penang / Georgetown.

takes ages too, but much cheaper than flying (plus saves the expensive Taxi fare at Penang airport)

Written by somebody that doesn't ride a bike ?

Not everybody is in a rush to get anywhere. The ride down is very nice, you can stop where and when you want and you are not stuck in a mini bus with lots of other people driven by a lunatic. It also isn't that expensive either.

Surat Thani - Hat Yai THB 240 (aro 3 - 4 hr)

Hat Yai - Penang THB 300 (aro 4 hr with border stop, Sadao)

Done it many times - no problem.