Train travel and connections to islands!
Replies: 6 - Last Post: May 22, 2012 8:07 AM Last Post By: whysoserious
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Train travel and connections to islands!
Hey guys, my first trip to thailand is coming up soon. i've planned thus far to land in bangkok around july 8th, i want a night or two enjoying bangkok then i want to move south and see some islands.IS IT BETTER TO... go to Ko Samui and Kp pha ngan first? or the andaman side?(phuket, ko phi phi, etc)
i have a few days on each and i would like to make the best of my time, as i am leaving roughly the 20th. so i need to be back in bangkok around then.
I am planning on taking night busses/trains to utilize as much time as possible. can someone help me with finding bus route from bangkok? is flying an option? i have a so-so budget considering the short stay.
i see a lot of nasty comments here, this is my first question, so please refrain from any of that. i am seeking ADVICE, not a trip planning service
thanks everyone
ricky
1
You can fly to either Koh Samui or Phuket. From Samui, there are ferries that go to the other islands in the vicinity. The same is for Phuket (ferries to Phi Phi and what not).One thing to keep in mind is the monsoon will be going strong on the Andaman side in July. You could get rained out. You might want to keep it to the gulf.
If you choose to go to the gulf first, you can take a train down and hop on the ferry to one of the islands.
4
Islands are islands, and seeing as you only have a short trip, in my opinion you are better off sticking to either the Gulf side or the Andaman side instead of trying to do both. Even though it isn't far between the two as the crow flies, nonetheless there is a lot of time wasted moving between one side of the country and the other.At that time of year, you are most likely to encounter the better weather on the Gulf side. The three islands there - Tao, Samui and Pha Ngan - have plenty on offer to easily fill the time you have available. Diving, snorkelling, partying, hiking, quiet beaches, party beaches, scenic beaches, motorbiking, chilling in a hammock ... what do you want to do?
5
You can book a sleeper train from Bangkok down to Surat Thani. You can buy a ticket which includes a bus from the station to the pier and a ferry out to the island of your choice. The trains are very comfortable and you can book online up to 60 days in advance on this website http://www.thailandtrainticket.com/InTrainThailand.aspx.There is also a lot of information here: http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#Ko%20Samui.
6
hey thanks for all the useful info everyone! and just to clarify.. im a 21 year old, looking for great scenery, maybe some temples in addition to the islands, and ofcourse i'd like to find a party or two. i have the ability to leave the second week of june and return the last week. i'm not seeing any red flags on the weather just yet for those dates.thanks again everyone,
ricky
