Train Or Bus To Ko Samui

[moforila]

Whats the better option for traveling to Ko samui?

Train or Bus ?

Or any thing other?

[Disco]

Whats the better option for traveling to Ko samui?

Train or Bus ?

Or any thing other?

The train is cool, only done it from Samui to Bangkok, I would recommend you get the best carriage available and is a nice scenic option

Bus (no thanks, not a chance)

Bangkok Airways is the quick, if expensive option

[Billfo]

Whats the better option for traveling to Ko samui?

Train or Bus ?

Or any thing other?

It depends on your budget really but forget the bus, don't get me wrong, the buses are generally nicer than many western buses I've been on but its nothing compared to a nice comfy bed on a sleeper train! I travelled about 4 or 5 times on the sleepr train and I'd fully reccomend it. You can get 2nd class air con, which is fine, for around 600 baht. Or if you wanted to really treat yourself you can get 1st class sleepr for around 1600 baht, only ever been 1st class once before I returned to sunny England, 1st Class was great, but I would always choose 2nd class unless I was treating myself! If you get the train you will need to go to get the boat from the train station to Ko Samui, you can book all this with a travel agent before you go.

Saying all that, if your only there for a short holiday and you have money to spend, get the plane. I flew from Bangkok to Samui and it cost me about 3,000 baht. You might be able to get it cheaper but as far as I know only Bangkok Air fly from Bangkok to Samui so they have a bit of a monopoly on the route & prices.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Don't do the train through the day, 12 hours sitting on an inferior airplane seat is not an enjoyable experience, done it once, never again!!

Edited December 7, 2006 by Billfo

[think_too_mut]

Whats the better option for traveling to Ko samui?

Train or Bus ?

Or any thing other?

BKK Airways plane.

By a bus (they drive like crazy) or train (you may use it to save on hotel and still have a rest after the flight, while getting there) you still have to catch a ferry to the island.

Before that, how do you get to the train or bus station after the flight? Another nightmare. And you may miss the train and still have to sleep somewhere. An another nightmare.

BKK Air + rent a car on the island would be my best bet if I had to come onto the stage straight after the long haul flight. BKK Air flies there 20-30 times a day, they own the airport, nobody else flies there.

I would go (as I did) with a car if I had 1 night to rest after the plane into BKK.

[game4shame]

Whats the better option for traveling to Ko samui?

Train or Bus ?

Or any thing other?

I always fly.

ok, BKK air are a bit of a rip off but the flight's only 1-1.5 hours and you will arrive fresh. if you're a bit short on funds the first and last flights of the day are discounted (B2000 iirc).

I tried the sleeper train once. only fan carriages available at the time. I caned a few big changs to knock me out then I woke in surat thani in a pool of sweat.

never tried the bus but ive heard it's numb.

fly if you can afford it.

check here:

http://www.bangkokair.com/

[curber]

We have travelled a number times to Samui using both...we prefer to travel at night so we use the train ..We use 2nd class sleeper fan I don`t like the aircon because it is usually is jammed at high and is really cold ..don`t miss the bar car it is a unique experience.The busses are fairly comfortable and gives you a good view of surrounding countryside. You can combine bus and boat,bus to Chumporn, boat from there to Samui,boat is nice when the water is calm,probably not that great right now.If you are not really interested in a long trip where the scenery ...although very nice does become a little boring after a time..Bangkok air flies into Samui...not cheap but gets you to the beach a lot faster.Enjoy your trip.

[Lite Beer]

Easy. Take the night train. If there is 2 of you go 1st class. Private carriage for 2. Stewards come round with beer and menus. Nice beds. About 1,500 Baht each. including bus to port and ferry to Samui.

[ourmanflint]

I have to disagree most strongly....

do not get a ferry/train combo from Khao San road whatever you do!!

If you get the train which is OK organise it yourself if possible, buy the tickets from Hualompong yourself, 2nd class is OK , !st class is better and only an extra 200 baht each I think for 2 people. (Trains leave at approx 5-6 pm.) and you get your own apartment , great if you're travelling with a girlfriend! ( I think it's the rocking that does it! ) Also make sure when you get off the train that you buy a ticket for Donsak and the car ferry to Samui, or Phangan.( don't worry there are tons of buses at the train station) Please don't get shunted onto one of the many overcrowded smaller boats that run from the river in Surat Thani, nasty and very dodgy. This is where all the backpackers from Khao san road end up.

MY CHOICE:

Having said all that, for 750 baht I think, you can get the government super VIP buses 24 seat , really comfortable, leaves at 7.30 pm from Southern Terminal. This would be my choice as there's no changing buses or anything you get dropped off on Samui itself, and I guarantee you'll be on the first ferry to Samui in the morning, which means you'll be there at least 4 hours more likely 6 hours !! ahead of everyone on the train ferry combo.

[bmanly]

I've done it both ways and prefer the 2nd class sleeper train overnight to Surat Thani, then a short bus ride to the ferry terminal then ferry. But wait, you can get a VIP coach from Koh Samui back to Morchit bus station on the return. I found that by luck, it leaves from Nathon (the main town) drives onto the ferry and then drives to Morchit overnight. So you can go by train and come back by VIP coach.