Any private hire transport from Donsak to Surat?

[islandguy]

Last time I took the minibus from the Sea Trans ferry port in Donsak to Surat I swore never again! Well, going to Surat again and the best time seems to be after the Lomhrayah ferry's run. Not had any luck finding a car or van to meet us (2 people) and take us into town in a safe and pleasant manner. Does anyone have any suggestions? Welcome to PM me.

[samuijimmy]

Why not book on a VIP bus...? most agencies should be able to set that up... ask for VIP bus service when booking ...

They go to train station, airport etc....or drop off en-route... Songterm can be booked that way, for sure I would think same with Lomprayah.... (both arrive at the same port in Donsak and both fast ferries... )

[islandguy]

Not sure what you mean by a VIP bus. Is that a large bus, 6 or 10 wheels? Or a different class of minibus? With this VIP bus are you one of a random group of people with no say in speed, stops, etc or is it only you and your friend(s)? Thanks for explaining the details.

[samuijimmy]

Not sure what you mean by a VIP bus. Is that a large bus, 6 or 10 wheels? Or a different class of minibus? With this VIP bus are you one of a random group of people with no say in speed, stops, etc or is it only you and your friend(s)? Thanks for explaining the details.

Yes a large bus.... no idea of number of wheels.....but not a mini bus... it would be multi passenger, number of stops could / would vary, but when I went to train station a couple of weeks ago, I think it stopped once, before the train station... next stop was the airport... It's about 70 to 90 kms depending on destination.... about 380 baht including ferry.

I am pretty sure if you really don't want a bus, that you can have someone call a taxi when you arrive at Donsak ask at information desk .... I am not sure you'd be able to control his speed!

Seems to me I did that a number of years ago... cannot remember why now.....

[CaptainS]

After arriving in Donsak you can ask at the counter. As far as I remember its 1700 baht for private Taxi service. (They might also use a van instead of a real Taxi). You can share with more people if you find some.

[samuijimmy]

A Van would be a Mini bus, just what he wants to avoid ! As said, ask at counter in Donsak and order a private taxi car .... it might be a bit of a wait before it arrives...

It might be an idea to get something written in Thai as to what is needed! ....

Quite honestly I think the VIP bus is still the best option The one I got recently, did not drive at excessive speed.... (booked through Songterm) ...

The OP has omitted to say where he wants to go in Suratthanii....

[oldsailor35]

Just did the mini bus run from Surat bus station to Donsak. Sitting in the front seat alongside the driver, i finally got to Donsak feeling about 50 yrs older.............he frightened the hell out of me on three occaisions, twice violently changing lanes, narrowly missing collisions and then on approaching a set of lights at a busy intersection they turned red but he deliberately planted his foot and we sailed through at 70 klm narrowly missing a truck coming from our left. I often wonder just what goes on in the heads of these mini bus drivers. That's the last time for me !

[oldsailor35]

Why not book on a VIP bus...? most agencies should be able to set that up... ask for VIP bus service when booking ...

They go to train station, airport etc....or drop off en-route... Songterm can be booked that way, for sure I would think same with Lomprayah.... (both arrive at the same port in Donsak and both fast ferries... )

Pantip Travel has bus servicebooking, right opposite Police station Naton.

[islandguy]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to catch a late morning flight, and haven't decided whether to stay in Surat the night before, or go direct to the airport, so didn't specify the destination in Surat. The regular minivan I find often dangerously driven and equipped, generally uncomfortable (I'm tall), and rarely honest in it's treatment of passengers (random stops for driver's friends, heavy sales efforts at office by taxis and travel agents, sometimes they finish far away from town). It is more bother than I really want to put up with these days (as a backpacker it was all part of the adventure). The regular bus (VIP?) is a lot better if it is not one of those top heavy monsters that race down the highways, and if it doesn't stop all over the place waiting for more passengers. In the past when I have arrived at Sea Trans port in Donsak late it has only been minivans. I think I have seen the bus such as SamuiJimmy describes when I have been at Donsak earlier in the day, that would be a lot better for me than the minivan has been.

[cornishcarlos]

When do you want this transfer ? I live near Donsak and would happily take you safely to the airport, with any stops enroute...

Hope it is not tomorrow, Thurs or Fri though as I will be in Phuket