Phuket To Khon Kaen

[cerbera]

which bus company do you recommend for this route. how much is it and how long does it take.

Thanks

[LivinginKata]

You would need to take bus first to Bangkok, then catch another bus to Khon Kaen, take at least 20 hours, maybe more.

Why not catch the Air Asia direct Phuket to Udon Thani flight (90 minutes) and take bus from Udon to Khon Kaen (2 hours). Likley the Air Asia fare is cheaper than the bus fares.

[cerbera]

You would need to take bus first to Bangkok, then catch another bus to Khon Kaen, take at least 20 hours, maybe more.

Why not catch the Air Asia direct Phuket to Udon Thani flight (90 minutes) and take bus from Udon to Khon Kaen (2 hours). Likley the Air Asia fare is cheaper than the bus fares.

thankyou that sounds like a much better idea!!!

[afarang]

Another alternative, if you want to take more time, .::Bus to Surat Thani,Sleeper Train to Bkk.. then Sleeper train to Khon Kaen. You see, I hate to fly overland. Enjoy my sleeper train trips a lot. I take a 2ndclass sleeper, non -air, as it does get quite cool rattling along at night. Have a 6 can cooler, for my Changs, but often, if good company is available, will settle down in the restaurant car and enjoy a very pleasant evening.My motto :: Be a brain ,travel by train. Be a pain ,travel by plane.

[katabeachbum]

Patong- Nong Kai non stop, VIP bus leaving behind Jungceylon every week, just jump off in Khon Kaen

or Air Asia nonstop to Udon Thani, and bus or taxi south to Khon Kaen, is it like 120km?

or one flight to BKK and one to Khon Kaen

[LivinginKata]

Patong- Nong Kai non stop, VIP bus leaving behind Jungceylon every week, just jump off in Khon Kaen

Ugggg..... sounds like a never ending/stopping nightmare. And how long does that last ???

Fly and dam_n the cost (not that it's very expensive with Air Asia). Often times cheaper than the bus if you book early.

[katabeachbum]

Patong- Nong Kai non stop, VIP bus leaving behind Jungceylon every week, just jump off in Khon Kaen

Ugggg..... sounds like a never ending/stopping nightmare. And how long does that last ???

Fly and dam_n the cost (not that it's very expensive with Air Asia). Often times cheaper than the bus if you book early.

15-16 hours to Khon kaen at 1500 baht or so

Phuket Udon air asia can cost anything between 600 and 6000, ad 1200 baht for taxi to go south again, or taxi to bus station and then bus

must admit I couldnt go 16 hours in a bus, rather drive it in 12 hours myself

[LivinginKata]

15-16 hours to Khon kaen at 1500 baht or so

Phuket Udon air asia can cost anything between 600 and 6000, ad 1200 baht for taxi to go south again, or taxi to bus station and then bus

must admit I couldnt go 16 hours in a bus, rather drive it in 12 hours myself

Out of interest I checked Air Asia and I was shocked to see almost 6,000 baht if fly tomorrow, but if wait 3 days then it's nearer 1,600 baht. And bus is cheap from Udon to Khon Kaen, why talk about a taxi.

12 hours drive from Phuket to Khon Kaen, in your dreams or a F1 racing car. Must be about 1,600 klicks. Not to mention the 3 tanks of fuel.

[katabeachbum]

15-16 hours to Khon kaen at 1500 baht or so

Phuket Udon air asia can cost anything between 600 and 6000, ad 1200 baht for taxi to go south again, or taxi to bus station and then bus

must admit I couldnt go 16 hours in a bus, rather drive it in 12 hours myself

Out of interest I checked Air Asia and I was shocked to see almost 6,000 baht if fly tomorrow, but if wait 3 days then it's nearer 1,600 baht. And bus is cheap from Udon to Khon Kaen, why talk about a taxi.

12 hours drive from Phuket to Khon Kaen, in your dreams or a F1 racing car. Must be about 1,600 klicks. Not to mention the 3 tanks of fuel.

approx 1600 klick get you to Laos, 1500 to Nong Kai, 1300 to Khon Kaen = 12 hours several times, picture of my F1 below, dirty and just back from Nong Kai

so 1300km is 4000 baht of fuel at these speeds, and we can go 4/5 pluss dog pluss bike. I dont fly much domestic

unless its 1200 baht each, and for a few days only, leaving dog at home

[LivinginKata]

1300 to Khon Kaen = 12 hours several times, picture of my F1 below, dirty and just back from Nong Kai

So let's agree it's 'only' 1,300 Km ... in 12 hours = AVERAGE speed of almost 110 kph. No stops for food & fuel. Insane. I rest my case ...

[katabeachbum]

1300 to Khon Kaen = 12 hours several times, picture of my F1 below, dirty and just back from Nong Kai

So let's agree it's 'only' 1,300 Km ... in 12 hours = AVERAGE speed of almost 110 kph. No stops for food & fuel. Insane. I rest my case ...

well the VIP busses manage +90kmh average, and their braking distance is 4-5 times my.

for both bus and me, ad stops for food and fuel

[Phuket Stan]

1300 to Khon Kaen = 12 hours several times, picture of my F1 below, dirty and just back from Nong Kai

So let's agree it's 'only' 1,300 Km ... in 12 hours = AVERAGE speed of almost 110 kph. No stops for food & fuel. Insane. I rest my case ...

I have made that trip about 20 times in a Ford Escape.....quickest I could do it was 15.5 hours including fuel fill ups and coffees which I had walking around so I could just freshen up a bit...and believe me I was really hoofing it along to cut it out in that time

[hkt83100]

Bangkok Rama IX Bridge to Patong Market - 7:45 hours, but it was a few years ago... Today I guess it would be impossible, even though I am still riding my trusty Opel of those days...

[katabeachbum]

Bangkok Rama IX Bridge to Patong Market - 7:45 hours, but it was a few years ago... Today I guess it would be impossible, even though I am still riding my trusty Opel of those days...

still no problem

Bypass to Hua Hin town usually 6 hours

Hua Hin town to Suvarnabum 4 am exactly 2 hours, makes average speed bit higher than 110kmh, as 4-6 am no traffic

depending on car tho, above poster with Escape reminds me of my 2004 Honda CRV. Underpowered, tiny brakes and lousy handling, couldnt keep these speeds safely

[petercallen]

1300 to Khon Kaen = 12 hours several times, picture of my F1 below, dirty and just back from Nong Kai

So let's agree it's 'only' 1,300 Km ... in 12 hours = AVERAGE speed of almost 110 kph. No stops for food & fuel. Insane. I rest my case ...

well the VIP busses manage +90kmh average, and their braking distance is 4-5 times my.

for both bus and me, ad stops for food and fuel

What VIP bus averages +90 KPH thats about the speed they travel at not allowing for stops which they do regularly

[LivinginKata]

What VIP bus averages +90 KPH thats about the speed they travel at not allowing for stops which they do regularly

On the big highway from Surat up to Bangkok the VIP buses cruise at over 100 kph, more like 110. It's scary seeing them stay in the outside lane just boring their way past the 'slow' moving traffic at very high speed. When ever I see one approaching fast in my rear view mirror then I get out of the way fast (and I usually maintain a 110 speed). I guess that's why they maintain such a high average speed, they scare everyone out of the way.

[katabeachbum]

well the VIP busses manage +90kmh average, and their braking distance is 4-5 times my.

for both bus and me, ad stops for food and fuel

What VIP bus averages +90 KPH thats about the speed they travel at not allowing for stops which they do regularly

they travel at 110-125kmh

they do Phuket town to BKK in less than 12 hours, at least 2 stops a 30-45 minutes, 900km to go

they usually keep 120kmh in right lane, and I see one for approx every 15 minutes, usually have to pass it in left lane, which is fine as long as busdriver and i have agreed on it by both using indicators

[LivinginKata]

they usually keep 120kmh in right lane, and I see one for approx every 15 minutes, usually have to pass it in left lane, which is fine as long as busdriver and i have agreed on it by both using indicators

And I always expect to see at least one of then crashed each time I drive between Phuket and Bangkok.

The inside pass is a scary experience, tried it a few time, these days I prefer to get to my destination safely.

[petercallen]

well the VIP busses manage +90kmh average, and their braking distance is 4-5 times my.

for both bus and me, ad stops for food and fuel

What VIP bus averages +90 KPH thats about the speed they travel at not allowing for stops which they do regularly

they travel at 110-125kmh

they do Phuket town to BKK in less than 12 hours, at least 2 stops a 30-45 minutes, 900km to go

they usually keep 120kmh in right lane, and I see one for approx every 15 minutes, usually have to pass it in left lane, which is fine as long as busdriver and i have agreed on it by both using indicators

Fair enough its about 30 months since i have driven to Bangkok and they were not doing that speed then

i travel at between 90/125KPH which keeps me in the centre lane, and i have never had a VIP bus pass me

[wtk]

Another alternative, if you want to take more time, .::Bus to Surat Thani,Sleeper Train to Bkk.. then Sleeper train to Khon Kaen. You see, I hate to fly overland. Enjoy my sleeper train trips a lot. I take a 2ndclass sleeper, non -air, as it does get quite cool rattling along at night. Have a 6 can cooler, for my Changs, but often, if good company is available, will settle down in the restaurant car and enjoy a very pleasant evening.My motto :: Be a brain ,travel by train. Be a pain ,travel by plane.

really curious why you think this way

my motto is exactly the opposite

[katabeachbum]

they usually keep 120kmh in right lane, and I see one for approx every 15 minutes, usually have to pass it in left lane, which is fine as long as busdriver and i have agreed on it by both using indicators

And I always expect to see at least one of then crashed each time I drive between Phuket and Bangkok.

The inside pass is a scary experience, tried it a few time, these days I prefer to get to my destination safely.

In 2007 and 2008 I spendt at least 4 days a month on HW between Hua Hin and Phuket, and during past 8 years I have covered +50k km/year average in TH. Never seen a crashed VIP bus on Highways, only in towns. 2 crashed parked in Patong presently. Driver fell asleep after 15 hours of single driving

Seen plenty of crashed cars/pickups and lorries tho, surprised of how many single accidents off the road, playing with phone or falling asleep I assume

[katabeachbum]

well the VIP busses manage +90kmh average, and their braking distance is 4-5 times my.

for both bus and me, ad stops for food and fuel

What VIP bus averages +90 KPH thats about the speed they travel at not allowing for stops which they do regularly

they travel at 110-125kmh

they do Phuket town to BKK in less than 12 hours, at least 2 stops a 30-45 minutes, 900km to go

they usually keep 120kmh in right lane, and I see one for approx every 15 minutes, usually have to pass it in left lane, which is fine as long as busdriver and i have agreed on it by both using indicators

Fair enough its about 30 months since i have driven to Bangkok and they were not doing that speed then

i travel at between 90/125KPH which keeps me in the centre lane, and i have never had a VIP bus pass me

well they did, but as you travel at same speed as they do, they dont pass you, you dont pass them

Only travelled by VIP to BKK once, in 2003 before i got my first car here and planes where full, and it was less than 12 hours back then to

[petercallen]

Actually i have passed buses regularly, but i cannot remember any bus passing me

The only way to get a accurate average speed is to zero your trip meter and take a note of the time you leave

Then divide the KLM traveled by the traveling time

I did this on a trip to Cha Am, one coffee stop, one meal stop, and two stops to stretch my legs, traveling

mostly between 110/125KPH, my average speed was 81 KPH

I do not believe anyone can average 160KPM on Thai roads

[katabeachbum]

Actually i have passed buses regularly, but i cannot remember any bus passing me

The only way to get a accurate average speed is to zero your trip meter and take a note of the time you leave

Then divide the KLM traveled by the traveling time

I did this on a trip to Cha Am, one coffee stop, one meal stop, and two stops to stretch my legs, traveling

mostly between 110/125KPH, my average speed was 81 KPH

I do not believe anyone can average 160KPM on Thai roads

or read your gps, where distance is accurate, your trip is not

average 160kmh? thats a tough one at german autobahn in daytime, possible in TH for an hour (HW7/9) but not for 500km upwards

[terak69]

Rawai to Phuket 1380 km's last month - loaded pick up & stopped overnight in Hau Hin, got 1 speeding ticket, 400 baht, but reduced to 200 when gf accepted the fine from passenger seat !!! Drove 7-8 hours both days

I not think any safe driver could do in 12 hrs - ting tong mak mak

Udon to KK, 76 baht by local a/c bus, or 100 baht on VIP bus

Khon Kaen OK but only 5 farang bars !!

[afarang]

Another alternative, if you want to take more time, .::Bus to Surat Thani,Sleeper Train to Bkk.. then Sleeper train to Khon Kaen. You see, I hate to fly overland. Enjoy my sleeper train trips a lot. I take a 2ndclass sleeper, non -air, as it does get quite cool rattling along at night. Have a 6 can cooler, for my Changs, but often, if good company is available, will settle down in the restaurant car and enjoy a very pleasant evening.My motto :: Be a brain ,travel by train. Be a pain ,travel by plane.

really curious why you think this way

my motto is exactly the opposite

Socialisation, I enjoy good company on the train. Always have, always a pleasant experience. ,Been travelling on Thai trains since 1977,NEVER flown internal ,NEVER will. Boring, Boring ,Boring.I have travelled on every line in Thailand, all 10 of them. Always enjoy the long distance night sleepers, Have fun. ,I repeat ,Be a brain ,travel by train.

[LivinginKata]

Rawai to Phuket 1380 km's last month - loaded pick up & stopped overnight in Hau Hin,

Rawai to Phuket via Hua Hin must be the long long short-cut ...

[terak69]

Rawai to Phuket 1380 km's last month - loaded pick up & stopped overnight in Hau Hin,

Rawai to Phuket via Hua Hin must be the long long short-cut ...

Dunno any other way - across bridge, head North

[terak69]

Rawai to Phuket 1380 km's last month - loaded pick up & stopped overnight in Hau Hin,

Rawai to Phuket via Hua Hin must be the long long short-cut ...

Dunno any other way - across bridge, head North

http://maps.google.c...F-8&sa=N&tab=wl

deliberate mistake has been noted

Edited July 19, 2011 by terak69

[LivinginKata]

Rawai to Phuket 1380 km's last month - loaded pick up & stopped overnight in Hau Hin,

Rawai to Phuket via Hua Hin must be the long long short-cut ...

Dunno any other way - across bridge, head North

Oh, I usually head south from Phuket Town to get to Rawai, which is a the very south end of Phuket Island. Just read your post again, and correct.

Edit/// aaahh... the penny has dropped :jap: