Anyone done Bangkok to Phuket via Bus?

[Eazy_Sleazy]

Thanks for the advice/replies. Cheers!

[reflections]

Hey Lap how can you take a train from the Phillipines to Phuket?

[rxpharm]

(laputanegra @ Apr. 29 2010,03:43) i did enjoy my train and bus trip down south during my first time in thailand. lots of things to see though sometimes it gets boring especially  when everything is just green but its nice to try atleast once.

Reflections - she flew to Thailand, and then took the train/bus down south.

For the OP, I haven't done a bus trip to Phuket, but I have done a VIP bus trip to Chiang Mai a couple of times when I was on a budget during my early years of visiting LOS.

As most have commented, if you are only on a short visit, it's probably best to fly. If you do take a bus, don't take a regular public bus. That long a trip would be quite difficult. A VIP bus is better, but it's still a long time on the bus!

[laputanegra]

(reflections @ Jun. 13 2010,06:52) Hey Lap how can you take a train from the Phillipines to Phuket?

there was a newly built train that goes under south china sea all the way to the gulf of thailand.

[Lefty]

I took the bus both ways Bkk-Phuket on my first visit to Thailand in 2002. Other than being a long trip, it was fine. Good highway all the way as I recall. I'm a big person and the seat wasn't too cramped for me to be comfortable while in transit. I had a beautiful lb with me, which made it a lot more tolerable too. I'm not one to generally sleep on planes or buses, but I was able to on that trip.

[reflections]

I know only kidding of course lol

[Tuck]

There is a VIP bus from MoChit Bus Terminal (SOUTH)

800-1000 baht, clean, fast and big seats. They have decent stops along the way for dinner with meal included (though you'd pass).

If you have time to kill it isnt that bad. I didnt have any issues and the girl didnt either.

[Road Runner]

I've driven maybe 30 times the 800 km. from Bangkok up to my girlfriends hometown on the Mekong River and back.  The last 300 km from Khon Kaen is on two lane roads.

On average two times each way I would come round a bend or up to the top of a hill and find a long distance bus in my lane trying to overtake another vehicle.
I even had one who was about 300m away in the other lane and he just pulled out and started driving towards me flashing his lights and blowing his horn!    

I've been driving a little while and I'm not easily phased but some of these guys were driving in a fashion that I regard as close to criminal irresponsibility.

My girlfriend would avoid travelling on buses for the same reason. She had at least one experience where the driver ran out of road and ended up in a rice paddy.

In short  -  the bus from Bangkok to Pattaya is probably the best cheap way to travel as it's all dual carriageway.
But if you are doing really long distance trips which will involve two lane roads I would consider your safety along with your comfort and wallet.

RR.

[Eazy_Sleazy]

Follow-up....did the bus from Pats to Phuket. I did the first leg from Pats to Hua Hin (last bus around 6pm)...5 hrs to Hua. Nice bus with the AC cranked on high and the volume maxed out on repeat Thai DVD movies. Non stop bus with a toliet. Bring your MP3 player and a bag of beer with ice--you'll do fine.

5 hrs later....They drop you off in the middle of Hua Hin around 1130pm. Not good if you don't know Hua Hin very well...especially if you haven't pre-booked a hotel. Luckily I found a nice place and stayed there for 2 nights--did the backpack thing and was able to move faster.

Next day found a travel agent that had a long list of destinations via bus...booked one to Phuket. No bus stop, just met in the middle of town (the drop off point, at the "clock tower"). Hot as hell--the sun had no mercy!!! Glad to get out of Hua Hin...it was overpriced with a lame nightlife and no decent restaraunts.

Got on the bus to Phuket the next AM, and it was crammed with everyone's seat lowered back and feet in the air, as if they were first class wannabes.....crappy seats, oh well TIT. One stop half way at a break stop...a lot of Malays hanging out.

They tell you it's "9 hrs" from Hua to Phuket....but that does not do justice to everyone else having to stop at their stop prior to getting into town....so it actually took 11 hours to get from Hua Hin to the Phuket bus station (10-15 stops later). Then to Patong.... is haggling with taxi drivers to get you there (about another 20-30 minutes).

Scenery is quite boring the entire way...the last few hours closer to Phuket it's quite nice (big mountains and jungles). I did find 100 BT on the beach at Hua Hin. Phuket was awesome--no perverted TR, I had my old lady with me. I flew back to Utapao via BKK Airways. I can't remember the exact cost for the bus etc...but if you want to save about $200 total (take the bus)...otherwise, bottomline, just fly....ES

[PigDogg]

Thanks for all the detail Eazy Sleazy!!!!!

But I am not sure how it saves 200 USD. Bell Bus from Patts to airport is 200 baht. Some Air Asia flights are in the 1200 baht range once the various surcharges are added in. Then whatever it costs to get from the airport to Phuket.

But hey, I am all for saving money as aI have lots of time to kill.

[anicon]

 ..for me this would be a no brainer,  $79 R/T frm BKK to Phuket in 1hr 20mins vs 11 hrs plus on a bus flying is the way to go, & will eliminate any bus ride horror stories..    ..with the promo rate right now (for Nov when I'll be there) the airfare is a good value for the money.. the only way you could get me on any ride that long thru Thailand it would have to be LBs' only with a bar, shower & S/T room!  

.. Air Asia Schedule in Nov, BKK to HKT.. CHEAP!
(signup on their website & all flights listed have the promo rate)