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#1
25-06-2007, 15:03
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Patong to Koh Samui by bus/car?
I'm time rich and cash poor, so can't really justify the expense of flying. Has anyone done the journey by bus? If so, what's it like? I'm guessing not much fun.
Also, anyone know if it's possible to hire a car in Patong and drop it off where the ferry to Koh Samui departs from? 
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#2
25-06-2007, 15:21
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#3
25-06-2007, 15:25
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Anyone have any idea about buses from there, well Surat Thani actually to Phuket, ie How Long, how frequent and how much??
__________________
Memory...a side affect of being sober...
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#4
25-06-2007, 16:12
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I have mini bussed it before.. Always say I wont again..
In fairness it could be as simple as 4 or 5 hour journey (I can drive Surat in 3 on a clear day) but its always a hassle.. The bus takes you to surat and drops you.. Then to boat port then drops you.. often your sat for hours at bus stops and depots.. The agents ALWAYS say non stop bus but its always been a lie so far. I have always booked a complete package of minibusses and boat ticket (and bus to hotel on other side) and IIRC it was 650 baht a couple of years back.. So even with inflation I would expect 800 tops. What with all the stop and things its a full day travel.. Leave at 7 ish and be on Samui at hotel by dark. Another thing thats annoying is they tend to have a minibus with its 11 seats and sell every seat without any consideration for luggage or bags. As its a backpacker route and the economy travel option theres often people with lots of bags and simply no space to put them. The driver trying to ram my bags around and slam the boot on them with laptop and camera etc in one wasnt making me happy. Is a pleasant enough drive if self hire tho.. Was thinking of a Samui and KPG run for a few days myself.
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
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#5
25-06-2007, 19:24
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I did a few of those when living on Samui. Guess it was around 200 Baht one way. Can’t remember the exact time it took, but try to take the early bus so as not to get stuck in Surat for the night after the last ferry has left. The bus was non-aircon, but with all the windows open it was really no problem. Oh, and try to get seats in front as the latter part is quite bumpy.
If you’re not experienced in driving in Thailand I would not recommend that option. Also, most of the cheaper rentals do not do pick-ups. Last time I checked, Budget and Avis have a three day minimum rental-period which would cost just as much as a return plane ticket. The organized tours are a bit more expensive, but perhaps worth it due to less hassle. Although the minibuses can be REALLY cramped. You might figure in Krabi (and maybe even Lanta) on the way back, then boat to Phuket.
__________________
I think I mentioned to Bob [Geldof] I could make love for eight hours. What I didn't say was that this included four hours of begging and then dinner and a movie. - Sting
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#6
25-06-2007, 20:01
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Done it twice and not doing it again. The minibus leaves Patong early like 7 in the morning so just pack your bags before you go out the night before. Then stay out and go straight to the bus, the day on the bus is a complete waste of time, you'll be on the bus for 5-6 hours and stop for food here and there and then be stuck in waiting rooms for many more hours. Then the ferry which actually is the best part, you might want to we awake for that. The rest of the trip is only good for sleeping.
Took a minibus once and a real bus once, they are both crap..actually prefered the minibus beacause it was 1 hour less waiting and never had to change bus. They have a bus called VIP bus, this one has AC and is a direct route to Surat Thani, both times I have booked the VIP bus never managed to get on one...well well....=)
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#7
25-06-2007, 20:37
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Agree. Not really one of those memorable moments. I guess it depends on how long you’re here for. I stayed on Samui for a few months and did not want to dosh out 6K + for a return ticket by plane. You lose 2 full days so if you’re on a short holiday, better off take the plane. I, however, had plenty days to spare plenty more I’d rather spend my Baht on.
__________________
I think I mentioned to Bob [Geldof] I could make love for eight hours. What I didn't say was that this included four hours of begging and then dinner and a movie. - Sting
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#8
26-06-2007, 13:34
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How do you mean lib? If you've booked the seat it's yours, isn't it? Then again, it is Thailand I suppose... After doing some research I've decided on the govt VIP buses that go from Phuket town, which is a pain to get to, but they are frequent, comfortable and reliable. I got the minibus from the airport once and will never do it again - being cramped in with a load of students was bad enough for an hour, let alone 5. God knows how people put up with those one day monthly visa runs. I don't know about anyone else, but I find travelling around in Thailand to be very difficult. I was in New Zealand before coming here and the contrast in terms of organisation of transport is marked.
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#9
26-06-2007, 16:29
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@Dame, I booked the VIP bus but the first time the VIP bus turned out to be a minibus....the 2nd time the VIP bus was a big bus but no AC and I had to change bus halfway. So not the VIP bus again....
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#10
26-06-2007, 23:13
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Dame , you must remember that the transport is way less exp. than NZ and for SE Asia , VERY well organized... if you havent got the $ to fly, YOU have to relax, chat and make it Sanuk (fun) and put up with it...
__________________
Memory...a side affect of being sober...
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#11
28-06-2007, 21:40
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via Krabi
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Theres a coach (PP Family) from the Krabi Ferry Port direct to Donsak, ie you don't have to go via Surat Thani. From this Krabi hub you can also get the boat to Koh Lanta or songtow(sp) to Ao Nang then boat to Phuket. OK journey, you get what you pay for.
__________________
It's Just A Question Of Thai/me 
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#12
09-07-2007, 02:07
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700 Baht it was for me.. Taxi from lamai to harbour -> boat -> bus to Patong
9 Hours in a total... 2900 baht for flight phuket -> Samui 1 Hour in a total
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#13
09-07-2007, 04:50
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The problem when I was there was that the flights were fully booked. I arrived on the 17th and the next available flight was on the 22nd. I could get on some waiting list but took the bus instead. This was in January.
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#14
09-07-2007, 11:47
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Yeah, same for me.. i had to take the ferry to phuket from samui due to fully booked planes, but i managed to get a seat on the way back to samui 4 days later...
- so if your planning flying, book in good time...
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