Anyone done it ? Long way I know but fly from Pattaya too much & not frequent enough looking to go end may

Yes, I went by coach and boat from Pattaya to Samui, although it was about 3 years ago. Booked and caught the coach at the bus station on Pattaya Nua (North) and found it a very comfortable inexpensive trip. I think the ticket included the coach and ferry boat. At that time the cost was 25% of the very expensive airline ticket.

Also, the coach is very comfortable with reclining seats and seemed to be driven at a sensible speed, unlike the mini-buses. The ferry boat was very basic, but did give me the opportunity to spend a few hours on deck in the fresh air, in contrast to the comfortable, but enclosed long trip in the air-conditioned coach. If I went again to Samui, I wouldn't hesitate to take the coach from Pattaya.

Why not fly to Suratthani from BKK on Air Asia.....less than THB 1000 and bus/ferry to Samui is around THB 350....

Best to fly to Suratthani then get bus and boat can be done in less than 8 hours the other way will take the best part of 16+ hours and will not be any cheaper !

Best to fly to Suratthani then get bus and boat can be done in less than 8 hours the other way will take the best part of 16+ hours and will not be any cheaper !

–Almost about same price with VIP-bus (+ferry) from Bangkok to Samui.

Air Asia Bangkok (DM) to Surat Thani is about 900 baht and they have a bus/ferry shuttle service (think combo-ticket).

Lomprayah has an so-called Express bus from Bangkok, via Hua Hin, to Chumphon and catamaran-ferry (via Tao and Phangan) to Samui, a bit faster than bus and normal ferry, and a bit more expensive; think around 1400 baht and about 11 hours travel time.

Yes, I know 2500 THB one way is a lot, but compared to all the hassle and the trip taking all day by bus and ferry, I would prefer paying for the short flight from U-Tapao. Of course if you like snoozing off on the bus or like to look at endless highwayside sceneries and don't mind the trip taking most of the day, be my guest.

Thanks for info might fly to Surat save waste time

Listen to Moon Shadow.... fly!!!!!!

Go by bus for what?.... save about 200/300 baht if u r lucky and maybe pay more than flying..... Absolute nightmare to boot.

Thanks for info might fly to Surat save waste time

Why not get the train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, think it is about 800 baht each way for second class sleeper.

I went to Samui in October for a week, wife and I got a first class cabin which worked out about 1200 baht each.

Train goes about 7 in the evening and arrives about 7 in the morning and there is a bus from the station to the ferry.

Best bet from Pattaya would be bus to the airport, airport link to Makahan(?) and metro to the railway station.

If one loves trains, one can take the train from Pattaya to Hua Lamphong

Pattaya at 1420, arrival time in Bangkok is 1825.

Will cost 31 baht.

038 429 285

Then to connect to the '85' to Surat Thani leaving at 19:30 on an air conditioned sleeper carriage. Arrive at 07.16.

If one loves trains, one can take the train from Pattaya to Hua Lamphong

I have been on that train, from Chonburi into Hua Lamphong and wouldn't recommend it.

It is 3rd class, very slow and unreliable, arrived about 7pm.

It was at a time when it got dark about 6pm and as all the windows were open, the carriage had every species of insect found in Thailand by the time we arrived.

If one loves trains, one can take the train from Pattaya to Hua Lamphong

I have been on that train, from Chonburi into Hua Lamphong and wouldn't recommend it.

It is 3rd class, very slow and unreliable, arrived about 7pm.

It was at a time when it got dark about 6pm and as all the windows were open, the carriage had every species of insect found in Thailand by the time we arrived.

I wrote "If you love trains....." .

Though definitely understand your objection.

I did 3rd class Bangkok to Ayutthaya for fun and didn't mind it.

what a living hell that would be.

at least cut the bus rip by taking the lomprayah or seatran from chumporn.

its miserable still, but id rather spend the time on a boat at this time of yearthan a bus (given the water is calm - it can be vicious in monsoon season)

best rule of thumb in thailand is if given a choice between bus and plane, chose life and fly.

Edited March 3, 201610 yr by HooHaa