Bangkok To Hatyai By Bus

[WillyL]

Most of the time, I used to fly from Bangkok to Hatyai, but because of the complications of the new airport and also the distance, I would like to go to Hatyai by VIP bus.

The few times I took the bus from Bangkok to Hatyai, the departure time was in the late afternoon and arrival in Hatyai was in the early hours of the next day.

I was wondering whether there are any buses which depart in the early morning and arrive in Hatyai in the evening and whether there is any website where I can view the time-table of buses departing from Bangkok.

Appreciate help from other members. Thanks

[lomatopo]

It looks like all of the VIP (24 seat) departures are late afernoon to evening.

กรุงเทพฯ-หาดใหญ่ (ค) Bkk-Had Yai

1,065 fare in THB

954 distance in kM

12.00 duration in hours

17.00,18.00,19.00, 20:00 departure time from Bangkok

16.00,17.00,18.00 departure time from Hat Yai

There is a Standard (47 seat) bus departure ex-BKK at 07:00

http://www.transport.co.th/999_timebussouth48.html

[Berty]

Jeez, that's a hel_l of a long way!!!

[tartempion]

12 hours in a bus?

I travelled a lot between bangkok and Chumpon by bus/train because Andaman Air stopped flying that route. A 6 hours ride, more than enough.

Bangkok Hat Yai, I'd rather fly

Edited November 8, 2006 by tartempion

[WillyL]

Thanks everyone for your help.

As I have said, I used to fly to Hatyai from Bangkok - about 1 hour and 15 minutes and cost about 1,900 (One-2-Go) or 1,600 bahts (Nok Air). But because of the hassle of travelling to Suvarnnabhumi, the checking in and the waiting, I have decided to travel by bus.

Actually the bus ride is not so tedious: seats are quite comfortable (I have seen people sleeping all the way); there will be a stop for a lunch which is included in the fare, and other toilet stops. Buy some tid-bits and bring along a IPod, MP3 or portable DVD player and the journey is quite pleasant.

When you reach your destination, you just get off the bus, hop on a tuk-tuk and be in the hotel in 10 minutes time.

I am looking forward to my trip to Bangkok in about two weeks time. Will be going to Cha-Am for a few days, then to Poi Pet, back to Bangkok before going to Hatyai. I really love travelling in Thailand.

Cheers everyone.

[scatalyst]

Have you thought about taking the train?

Leaves BKK about 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon; arrives Hat Yai about 7:00am the next day. I recommend 2nd class sleeper. You can actually sleep in a bed rather than trying to sleep in a bus seat all night. Price is about the same or a little less than your bus tickets (not sure about the exact price these days though). You arrive in the center of town and can probably walk to your hotel. Very easy, convenient, comfortable, inexpensive. Just be sure you bring along a good book.

[WillyL]

I have taken a train from Bangkok to Hatyai and Bangkok to Chiang Mai before. I travelled by first class with my gf. It is very comfortable as you have a small compartment to yourselves and at night the steward will convert the couch into bunker beds. However, the fare for first class is almost the same if not more than the plane ticket.

Actually, I have not made up my mind yet. After all the advice from kind members, I may still fly to Hatyai. I will decide when I arrive at the airport and see whether all the negative postings on the new airport are true.

Thanks.

[tartempion]

>But because of the hassle of travelling to Suvarnnabhumi, the checking in and the waiting, I have decided to travel by bus.

I don't see what's different here compared with other airports on the planet, Dong Muang to start with. The new airport is a missfit in my view, but it functions, so what?

It's a one hour flight compared to 12 hours on a bus/train, up to you.

[dantilley]

>But because of the hassle of travelling to Suvarnnabhumi, the checking in and the waiting, I have decided to travel by bus.

I don't see what's different here compared with other airports on the planet, Dong Muang to start with. The new airport is a missfit in my view, but it functions, so what?

It's a one hour flight compared to 12 hours on a bus/train, up to you.

More like 18 hours. The OP must have some real strong feelings against the new airport to go for that option instead...

[MiG16]

the ride (bus) is roughly 12 hours I believe. the train maybe a good alternative PROVIDED there are no delays (which does tend to happen a fair bit!)

[lopburi3]

2nd class sleeper on train is half the price of first class and more comfortable in my opinion (as you sleep in line with the rails).

Bus is a very long trip and there is only one stop on 24 seat VIP (rather early in the trip). Of the 4 times I used bus South, 2 times had roadblocks that required multi hour detours across farmland and removal of burning tires/visits to wake up police (and no food for a very long time). Although I agree the seating is comfortable (and had better luck on North bound trips) it would not be my first choice.