Most convenient way from Pattaya to Koh Samui including visa run?

[wump]

Hi, maybe you guys have a better idea how I could do this trip.

My initial thinking was flying from U-Tapao to KUL (1,400 Baht) and back to Samui with Airasia's island transfers (1,500 Baht)... but unfortunately these flights are only every 2 days on the same day and I don't really waste 2 days in KUL. Flying back from KUL with Bangkok Airways for 11,500 Baht is not an option.

I could probably fly from Bangkok to KUL to come back on the same day but then again there is no buses from Pattaya to Don Muang. And anyway, the Airasia flight leaves in the morning so I'd probably still arrive in KUL too late.

I could also fly from U-Tapao no Udon Thani, and stay there a day for the visa run, but is there any flights to Surat Thani from there?

Just doing a van run and coming back to Pattaya is not really an option, I need to leave town by airplane.

Any advice is appreciated.

[rwdrwdrwd]

Take a look at http://www.fireflyz.com.my/ for the direct flights from Penang to Samui. Maybe you could fly to penang with AirAsia and then to Samui with Firefly

[lostinisaan]

If the way from Pattaya to Don Muang is your only problem, please be aware that it’s relatively easy to get to Don Muang, no idea when your flight is.

Please see:

http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Pattaya/Bangkok-Don-Muang-Airport-DMK

[wump]

Thanks for the useful replies.

[ikbenhet]

Getting the visa from the embassy will take two days, or do you mean to do a border run?

[wump]

Just a border run.

I checked last night. Could leave Pattaya early morning and go to Udon Thani for 850++, do a border run in Nong Khai and fly from Udon to Don Muang for 950++, then on to Surat Thani with island transfer for 1390++.

But I guess I'll just go for the suggested Penang route, leaving from Don Muang in the afternoon for 2,500++ and fly back directly to Samui the next day for 3,900++. A lot less hassle and travel.

[wump]

Does anyone know if Bell Travel would go to Don Muang? I mean they go to Bangkok hotels, right? What if my hotel was next to the old airport?

[kingstonkid]

Wump not sure where or how but I am sure that there are minivans that could get you to Don Muang from Pattaya. I go from Rangsit to Rayong and have no difficulties.

Trip is not expensive and usually quite fast LOL