Bus to Bangkok.

[Basil B]

Thinking of spending a few days on Samui end of April, travelling from BKK and returning to BKK.

Was thinking of over night on the train but as I understand there is a lot of hanging about, especially returning by train, so now thinking of flying but also intend to do some scuba so prefer not to fly back or I will have to do 36-48 hour nofly interval after last dive.

Any suggestions on return, possibly by bus, preferable fast but maybe stops at places of interest.

[samuijimmy]

Look at this website, it gives various choices... Personally I would choose the Lomprayah route...Leaves Maenam and goes via Chumpon, as it is a scenic route stopping at the islands... then a "VIP" bus to BKK

The buses don't really stop at places of interest ..... usually just a place to buy some food etc.....

Look here, it also lists alternative ways.... other than Lomprayah...

http://www.welcome-kohsamui.com/LomprayahTimetable.html

Going via Donsak, is not very eventful, it's a longer ride on which ever bus you get to BKK... a little cheaper... some offer discount prices if booked two or three days in advance!

Agree with the train idea, it can be a long wait at the station in Surrat, and there is not much of interest in the train station area.... it often arrives late in BKK although the sleeping beds are not too bad!

Edited January 28, 2015 by Rooo

[PoorSucker]

Fly down with airasia, they have a fly-bus-ferry combo via SRT or NST for good value.

The Lomprayah bus from Chumpon to BKK is not a VIP bus, just foreign tourists opts for this route.

Locals take the 999 or Sombat bus, they have three business class seats per row, much more comfortable, but requires some basic spoken Thai.

[samuijimmy]

Fly down with airasia, they have a fly-bus-ferry combo via SRT or NST for good value.

The Lomprayah bus from Chumpon to BKK is not a VIP bus, just foreign tourists opts for this route.

Locals take the 999 or Sombat bus, they have three business class seats per row, much more comfortable, but requires some basic spoken Thai.

What I meant by "VIP bus", it is not a mini van! I have never found the Lomprayah buses too bad....

The choice is having a scenic boat trip to Chumpon, which is much closer to BKK, or spending a lot more time on the bus from Donsak....

[Basil B]

I think it is going to be Lomprayah Cat/bus via Chumpon.

I presume they only Bangkok set down is at their depot in Banglampoo?

Thanks for the info guys.

[samuijimmy]

I think it is going to be Lomprayah Cat/bus via Chumpon.

I presume they only Bangkok set down is at their depot in Banglampoo?

Thanks for the info guys.

Had to look up Banglampoo!

Yes better known as Khao San Road.... not the most desirable area of BKK~ ! (some may disagree!)

There will be lots of Taxi's around to get you where you need to go!

[Amusements]

Personally I would use Air Asia as PoorSucker suggested. Quicker, safer and not expensive.

However if you decide on getting a bus make sure you do not leave anything of value in your luggage!

[Basil B]

I was planning on flying down direct to Samui with BKK Air, it was the return that I was pondering over, but thanks for the advice.

[Mole]

On the way back, this is what you can do. Take the morning catamaran to Ko Tao, then hang out there for a few hours, then take their afternoon catamaran to Chumphon and their bus back to Bangkok. Mind you that Lompraya buses will be 2 storey buses and seats are tightly situated, so it will not be a comfortable ride. Their buses aren't so very well maintained and nearly every time I've ever used their services, their buses would have some kind of problem along the way.

In the old days, they allowed you to just buy 1 ticket from Samui to Bangkok, then hang out in Tao for free and then take the next catamaran to Chumphon. But this won't work anymore and you must buy separate ticket from Samui to Tao, then from Tao to Bangkok.

Lompraya Timetable:

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

Another less costly option and smoother ride is to take the VIP bus from Nathon to Bangkok. The VIP buses will give you plenty of legroom and big seats and more comfy ride than Lompraya buses. But of course you won't get to hang out at Ko Tao.

Lompraya will drop you off in Khao San office only while the VIP buses will drop you off at either southern or northern bus terminal. This you'll have to chose which bus to get on to end up where. Closes to downtown Bangkok would be the northern bus terminal which is a short bus ride to BTS skytrain and MRT subway.

Edited January 30, 2015 by Mole

[Basil B]

Just to update...

I took the train in the end.

I purchased a combo ticket at the main station in Bangkok nearly two weeks in advance.

I booked a one way ticket Surat to Bangkok with the Ferry/Bus Combo, Specified a lower bunk 2nd class A/C, but I did not specify which train, I was ticketed on the 86 leaving at 18:37.

But during the ticketing process the lady had handed me a leaflet detailing using the High Speed Cat to Chumphon and then train to Bangkok, after reading it I now wish I had booked that, though it shows arrival at Chumphon at 16:00 but not departing until 21:00 3&half hours hanging around Chumphon.

Anyway had a Lomprayah combined ticket, High Speed Cat & Bus to Surat, this did not specify date or time, so day before departure I went to the Lomprayah web site for timings it showed the 15:30 sailing with bus connection arriving at 18:00 hrs, but when I check in at the High Speed Cat the lady was berating me telling me I should have got an earlier sailing as no guarantee that the bus would arrive in time and I may miss my train.

As it happened the bus arrived well before 18:00hrs giving me plenty of time to catch my train.

Edited May 9, 2015 by Basil B

[samuijimmy]

Just to update...

I took the train in the end.

I purchased a combo ticket at the main station in Bangkok nearly two weeks in advance.

I booked a one way ticket Surat to Bangkok with the Ferry/Bus Combo, Specified a lower bunk 2nd class A/C, but I did not specify which train, I was ticketed on the 86 leaving at 18:37.

But during the ticketing process the lady had handed me a leaflet detailing using the High Speed Cat to Chumphon and then train to Bangkok, after reading it I now wish I had booked that, though it shows arrival at Chumphon at 16:00 but not departing until 21:00 3&half hours hanging around Chumphon.

Anyway had a Lomprayah combined ticket, High Speed Cat & Bus to Surat, this did not specify date or time, so day before departure I went to the Lomprayah web site for timings it showed the 15:30 sailing with bus connection arriving at 18:00 hrs, but when I check in at the High Speed Cat the lady was berating me telling me I should have got an earlier sailing as no guarantee that the bus would arrive in time and I may miss my train.

As it happened the bus arrived well before 18:00hrs giving me plenty of time to catch my train.

Nice to get some feedback on experiences.... Thank you !