Driving from Chaiyaphum to Samui

[chefseph]

Hi all,

I will be driving from chaiyaphum to samui and know it's around 1200km.

I plan to divide the trip in 2 with an overnight stay somewhere along. Any advice/recommendation where I should stop for the night?

Also what time should I be looking at arriving at donsak pier in order to avoids problems with boarding the ferry? Would arriving around 3 pm be enough time to board a ferry should they be busy? I don't want to miss the last one and have to spend the night in my pickup.

If it's any worth I should arrive don sak pier on Monday afternoon.

Cheers!

[lopburi3]

Maps Google says 1051km total and time of 15:11 minutes driving/ferry so expect either Hua Hin or Prachuap Khiri Khan would be best overnight option - Prachuap is 7:55 from start and good food/hotel so that would be my choice to overnight.

Sorry but do not know best time to meet ferry.

[Gulfsailor]

Ferry availability depends on when you are planning your trip. Around Chinese New Year a lot of tourists and Thais head to and away from Samui. It is not uncommon to wait 3 or more ferries around these peak travel dates.

But there are a few affordable hotels/motels close to the pier, should you need to wait until the next day to catch the ferry.

[Birdman]

You can make a booking for the ferry.

I drove from/to Samui many times from distances like that and I never planned how far I will come, just decided on the way. But always quite further than HH. After Chumphon there is a nice and cheap hotel next to the highway for instance. Sometimes I drove until Surat Thani.

Don't drive in the night. It's very strenuous.

[Rooo]

You can book Seatran Ferry on line a few days ahead.

http://www.seatranferry.com/en/services/ticket.php

[chefseph]

Thanks all for replying. I think I'll drive to chumpon (around 800km) spend the night. Then leave early morning to donsak (around 300km) so should arrive around midday.

@birdman, I agree 100% night driving is tiring, many Thais prefer to drive long distance nighttime because of traffic I guess. But it definitely ain't for me! Distances seem double whenever I drove at night!

Do you have the name of the hotel after chumpon you mention?

Thanks to all once again.

[samuijimmy]

Along the highway, watch out for signs like this..... The signs are only in Thai, but very good value, clean for about 300 to 400 baht...

even a covered area for the vehicle (bike in my case!!)

[cornishcarlos]

Along the highway, watch out for signs like this..... The signs are only in Thai, but very good value, clean for about 300 to 400 baht...

even a covered area for the vehicle (bike in my case!!)

Haha... Classic Jimmy

Its true though, the highway curtain motels are good value...