Thinking of going down on the overnight sleeper train from BKK, should I book in advance or can I just turn up at Hua Lamphong with no pre booked ticket? When does this train leave?

Is it best to book the boat trip with the train ticket together?

Any advise on best way to travel there (and back) very welcome.

Also any recommendation for accommodation welcome too, looking for something mid range with air-con, hot shower and comfy bed not to far from the beach, but no need for high end indulgences.

What are the different area's like? ideally something with some low key night life, nothing too wild like Koh Phangan but not totally dead in the evenings.

Many thanks in advance for any advise.

For Koh Tao:

http://www.lomprayah.com/E/route.htm

Many thanks for the link, but I would really love to take the sleeper train down, is there any package for this?

I have been many places in Thailand by car, bus and air but the only train's I have been on are the BTS and Airport link, so would like to try the longer ride train.

Any advise about that?

cheers

Many thanks for the link, but I would really love to take the sleeper train down, is there any package for this?

I have been many places in Thailand by car, bus and air but the only train's I have been on are the BTS and Airport link, so would like to try the longer ride train.

Any advise about that?

cheers

Longer train rides only gets as far as Suratthani. Need to make arrangements from there to get to the islands.

cannot I not get a boat from chomphon?

cheers

http://www.thailandtrainticket.com/ sell train + boat packages from BKK to Tao, Phangan & Samui. You'd probably best reserve early since it's songkran. Seems to be around 1.000 baht one way.

I think that their prices include transportation from Chumphon railway station to Lomprayah pier but not 100 % sure, best ask.

Definitely book a seat/sleeper. Even out of season it can be busy.

Great, many thanks for the advise and links

What about the area's on Koh Tao to stay, is it all much the same with regard to things to do, anything recommended to see? what is the best way to get around the Island?

I wouldn't mind doing a 'fun dive' any recommended dive shops for this?

cheers

I wouldn't know anything about that as I'm on Pha Ngan, haven't been to Tao ever... I'll keep an eye on this thread though as I'll want to visit Tao at some point.