Where to stay on the way down?

[mogandave]

It looks like I am going to run down to Samui from Bangkok Tuesday, October 14th. As it is a long drive and I have the wife and kid, I am concerned about making the ferry.

I’d like to stop and stay somewhere before the ferry, spend the night, and cross in the morning. What’s a good place to stop? It should be on the way, conveniently located and easy to find.

Thanks for all the replies to my previous post.

[John 1]

Surat just 40 minutes before ferry terminal and plenty of hotels to chose from.

[angryfarang]

I always stay in the Grand Diamond Hotel at Surat and take the first boat over in the morning.

[mogandave]

Thanks, any trouble getting on the first ferry?

[angryfarang]

Sometimes had to wait for the second. I usually leave the GD around 4.30 and get to the ferry terminal for 5.00am. No traffic at that time.

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[CaptainS]

I recently drove from Bangkok to Donsak. Left BKK in the afternoon and got to Donsak at 04:30 am. Lotsa trucks on the way. It took me 13 hours to get from Bangna to Donsak with 3 short stops (total about 1 hour), so prepare for a long trip. Anyone usually does it much faster or is that a normal time?

In Donsak plenty of trucks waiting for the Raja Ferry, they told me I have to wait for the 08:00 am ferry.

So I went to Seatran, also lotsa cars waiting there. They told me they are not sure if I can still fit on the 06:00am, I couldnt, so I luckily made it on the 07:00am one. If there would have been just a few cars more in front of me I would also have had to wait until 08:00 am.

Since you plan to stay overnight nearby and know your times better then me its probably advisable to do a reservation for the first ferry. Not sure how to do that, maybe another member can help on that.

[wayned]

I used to drive from Nakhon Sawan, 250 kilometers north of Bangkok, to Donsak at least once a month. It never took me more than 9.5 hours, but only stopped for gas. At times I was "flying low" as it's almost exactly 1000 kilometers. Roads are dual highway almost all the way. Usually left home about 1900 in order to make the first ferry. Yes, there are a lot of trucks at night, some swerving all over the road for lack of sleep or too much Lao. Was sideswiped once while passing one. I pulled over but he never stopped. I was really lucky as I was almost past him and "floored" it when he hit me. Less trucks in the daytime but more traffic. Always took the first ferry that I could get on for the return in the morning but still never longer than 9.5 hours.

Edited September 30, 2013 by wayned

[Samui Coconut]

I recently drove from Bangkok to Donsak. Left BKK in the afternoon and got to Donsak at 04:30 am. Lotsa trucks on the way. It took me 13 hours to get from Bangna to Donsak with 3 short stops (total about 1 hour), so prepare for a long trip. Anyone usually does it much faster or is that a normal time?

In Donsak plenty of trucks waiting for the Raja Ferry, they told me I have to wait for the 08:00 am ferry.

So I went to Seatran, also lotsa cars waiting there. They told me they are not sure if I can still fit on the 06:00am, I couldnt, so I luckily made it on the 07:00am one. If there would have been just a few cars more in front of me I would also have had to wait until 08:00 am.

Since you plan to stay overnight nearby and know your times better then me its probably advisable to do a reservation for the first ferry. Not sure how to do that, maybe another member can help on that.

I remember being able to book a 'seat' on the ferry in advance for a car....may be no longer possible......

[mogandave]

Anyone know how to book a space in advance?

Any recommendation on which ferry service is better?

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

you can also stay in one of the small "resorts" right at the ferry. have done that on a few occasions, when missing the last boat. Beautiful sunrises out donsak way.

I would suggest getting as far as you can in one shot. As other s have mentioned, it can take HOURS to get form Hua Hin to Chumporn and then Surat what with all the trucks buses and stoplights in EVERY town.

[foggy1]

Ive booked the Raja Ferry before as a return from Samui and u get priority over other traffic and on the return at any time.

Not sure if the same rules apply to the return trip from BKK.

I would try asking a travel/booking agent for the Raja tickets as Im sure somone would do them

The other ferries dont do this unless u have a members card. ( so Ive been told )

[cornishcarlos]

It's about 700km total...

Why don't you leave super early morning and get the late afternoon ferry ?

Driving during daylight on that highway is so much safer than at night.

You can pre book, just google Seatran ferries or Raja ferries...

Have a safe and fun trip.

[mogandave]

Actually, it is about 920 from where we are, but it’s not the dive I’m concerned with, it’s:

1. Having the wife and kid with me

2. Having to make the ferry

3. Having never been there before

I don’t want to drive all day and end up not making the ferry, being pissed-off at my wife, having to look for someplace to stay (while riding around with my now pissed-off wife) and having to eat the first night charge for the hotel I book on the island.

Anyways, I booked the Grand Diamond for Tuesday night, and again for Sunday night, and I will stay on the island Wednesday-Sunday. Was thinking about the Imperial, but might rent a house now.

Thanks!