Best route from Chiang Mai to Koh Phagnan
Replies: 3 - Last Post: Nov 18, 2012 8:49 PM Last Post By: Captain_Bob
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Best route from Chiang Mai to Koh Phagnan
I'm meeting up with my friends in Chiang Mai at the end of December, and then we'll go together to Koh Phagnan. The current route I'm looking at is to take two overnight trains, one from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and the next night from Bangkok to Koh Samui, and then a ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phagnan. However, I'm wondering if it would be easier to take the train to Bangkok and then catch a domestic flight from there to Koh Phagnan. Any recommendations? Will it be hard to get a space on the trains at this time of year?I probably would have chosen an island that's a little easier to get to from the north, but my friends have their hearts set on Koh Phagnan and had already booked a hotel.
1
HiIf you have time it's fine to do overnight train from CM to Bangkok and Buy Bus+Ferry to Phagnan. (http://www.lomprayah.com) use Lomprayah would be easy to get there.
Or fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (Airasia/Nok Air) and train / or take Bus to Surat Thani.
Perhaps flight directly to Samui and ferry to Phagnan by BangkokAir if you don't mind their ticket fare.
2
The fare from Bangkok to Koh Samui at that time of the year is likely to be horrendous if you dont book ahead. I wouldnt leave it for too long before booking either a flight or train.Have a look at Air Asia to Surat Thani then buying a bus/ferry ticket to Koh Phangan on arrival. Air Asia sells them but for more than you'd pay buying off one of the touts. Its one time where the touts come in handy as they'll get you on the right bus and ferry.
3
Ko Phangan is a huge drawcard for new years eve, especially for the budget backpacker crowd who invade the island by the thousands for what is probably the biggest party of the year. In other words, get there any way possible and be thankful you've already booked a hotel.Cheapest way is overnight bus to Bangkok, then another one to Surat Thani followed by transfer to the pier at Don Sak and ferry to Ko Phangan. All-in should cost about 1500 baht. Beware on south-bound tourist buses, keep any valuables with you! Trains meanwhile are likely to be full but if you can find an opening State Railway of Thailand (at the station) sell combined train/ferry connections to the island. Next up the list is any flight to Surat Thani with a stop in Bangkok, then connect to the ferries via transfer desk at ST airport. Top of the price list is flight to Ko Samui but it's very expensive and fills up quickly in peak season. Ask travel agents in Chiang Mai to fill in the details.
