Best way to get to KL/Penang from Koh Phangan

[soil]

We have 2 adults + 2 kids. End goal is Medan (direct flights from KL, Penang, and one a day from Bangkok Don Muang). Currently on Koh Phangan, check out on 2nd.

Air Asia from Surat Thani to KL and from there to Medan seems ok but the flight is 1pm (too early!) on the 2nd, and no flight (or fully booked on the 3rd).

There's a flight from Don Muang to Medan at 18:15 on the 3rd, so we could do that, total cost is around 22,500 THB for 4.

Train probably fully booked from Surat Thani to Butterworth and not very sociable hours.

Penang to Medan around 5,000 THB for 4.

So was thinking about a car+driver (probably a van, we have a lot of luggage) from Surat Thani to Penang. Is this possible? Ideas of costs? Or do we have to split at Sadao and get another car in Malaysia?

[HooHaa]

firefly goes from samui to penang, but not cheap. i think flights are around 3 pm.

EDIT: it appears there are no sunday or monday flights

Edited July 31, 2015 by HooHaa

[PoorSucker]

Firefly flies from Samui to Penang and KL

http://www.fireflyz.com.my/

[soil]

sorry I should add the Ko Samui flights are super-expensive, so I am not really interested

[PoorSucker]

sorry I should add the Ko Samui flights are super-expensive, so I am not really interested

You can get very cheap flights with Firefly, if you book 2-3 months in advance.

[islandguy]

Lomphrayah ferry

Phangan (Thongsala Pier) 07:15 Suratthani (Airport) 10:45 800

800 refers to cost, 800 baht. Should be a large bus at Donsak to go to airport.

Seatran ferry

Route : Koh Tao-Koh Phangan-Koh Samui-Donsak-Andaman

Koh Phangan Donsak

08.00 10.30

If you arrange a taxi at Donsak you have enough time to get to the airport, but do web check in prior to leaving. There will probably also be a shuttle, but I wouldn't chance it myself. What you save on lower fare with Seatran you will likely spend on taxi but you leave later. Should be quite a savings on airfare going Surat to KL to Medan with Air Asia over other choices. Remember that in KL airport, while it is efficient, you will have to go into and out of Malaysia and it is a long walk. Don't book too short a time between flights. Try to get one of the electric shuttles for your family if they are not all busy with elderly pilgrims

Edited July 31, 2015 by islandguy

[islandguy]

Note: You will have to arrange the taxi in advance at Donsak, there are usually none waiting. Lomprayah seems a lot better to me.

[flyingdoc]

Take the ferry from Koh Phangan to Donsak and the minibus to Surat Thani then the direct flight to K.L. No problem at all ! Far cheaper too ! 1600 hrs flight with Air Asia.

[recom273]

.. Damn phone app

Edited July 31, 2015 by recom273

[recom273]

You might look to charter a van from a Samui travel agent - all the way, I have no idea if it's possible.

You wouldn't get all the way to Sadao before a transfer, you would do that in Hat Yai.

Contact Cathay guest house to see what they can do for you, they are a long standing ticket agent in HY.

If you got a regular van, say 350b per person I don't know where they will drop you, maybe contact Banana GH in Penang to arrange an airport transit.

I'm sure Cathay have a private van service to pick you up from HY bus station and onwards to Penang. Seems like something a Malaysiian family would take advantage of. Failing that try the front desk at Sakura hotel in HY.

[soil]

Take the ferry from Koh Phangan to Donsak and the minibus to Surat Thani then the direct flight to K.L. No problem at all ! Far cheaper too ! 1600 hrs flight with Air Asia.

Sold out Surat Thani-KL on the 3rd, and the 2nd I don't think we can make. We are looking at leaving Koh Phangan afternoon, because we are going to full moon party and don't really want to be leaving Koh Phangan in the morning.

[Mole]

There's also Krabi-KL.

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

According to Lomprayah timetable, you can take the first 07:15 catamaran, then be in Krabi downtown 12:30, plenty of time to get on the late 17:10 AK861 flight.

Also Phuket-KL

With the first 07:15 catamaran, you'll be in Phuket downtown 15:00, plenty of time to catch the 21:40 AK823 flight. If you're lucky and the bus drives fast and you arrive earlier than scheduled, there may even be time to catch the 17:10 AK827 flight.

Edited July 31, 2015 by Mole

[sketcher]

There's also Krabi-KL.

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

According to Lomprayah timetable, you can take the first 07:15 catamaran, then be in Krabi downtown 12:30, plenty of time to get on the late 17:10 AK861 flight.

Also Phuket-KL

With the first 07:15 catamaran, you'll be in Phuket downtown 15:00, plenty of time to catch the 21:40 AK823 flight. If you're lucky and the bus drives fast and you arrive earlier than scheduled, there may even be time to catch the 17:10 AK827 flight.

The lomprayah bus to Phuket will also be able to drop you close to the airport so no need to go to Phuket Town. Will still need a taxi though but the stop is at a shop that can do it.

[islandguy]

Make sure you don't end up on the slow bus to Phuket. Makes about 20 stops. This is one that after you board at the ferry they have you transfer in Surat town. A long trip. Sounds like going to Krabi on the 3rd and then flying from there might suit your schedule. Is that flight available?

[Mole]

Lompraya always use their own vans and buses driving directly to destination.

Edited August 1, 2015 by Mole

[soil]

So we took the 5pm Seatran ferry. Supposedly 2.5 hours but actually longer as they turned the engine power down after leaving Koh Samui, perhaps because it was night? Then got taken by a bus and then two songthaews to a bog standard Thai hotel where we are staying the night. Need to figure out how to get to Penang tomorrow still.