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Public Transport
Sun, Sea, and Smiles: Navigating Southern Thailand
12-18 days depending on the islands you go to
If you book transportation that will drop you off anywhere other than your hotel, you will need to take a taxi.
However, the hotel may provide this service, and public transport and taxis are usually available at the drop-off location.
Also I suggest installing the Bolt and/or Grab apps, which work similarly to Uber just in case.
HUA HIN
2-3 nights here
You can choose from several transportation options, such as bus, van, taxi, or train. The travel time can vary depending on traffic, with road travel taking 4-5 hours.
Buses depart from Southern Bus Terminal or Ekkamai, and the fare is around THB300.
Vans and taxis are also available, costing around THB2,000 and THB3,000 respectively.
Trains leave from Hua Lamphong station and take approximately 4 hours, with a cost of THB200 for 2nd class seats
. Note that traffic can be heavy on weekends.
Bell Travel operates VIP24 buses directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hua Hin, departing every two hours from 7:30 a.m.
Use the Asian Public Transport links as you go to book your Transportation with ease.
Hua Hin is a seaside town located about 3 hours south of Bangkok. It's known for its beautiful beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and delicious seafood. Some popular activities in Hua Hin include visiting the Hua Hin Historic Railway Station, the beach and the Hua Hin Night Market.
These links throughout the process are important!! you need to use them.
They tell you what to do in the area, getting around and what areas to book your accommodation!
So you should use them throughout.
Click the links below to discover more about Hua Hin, including hotels and what to do!
Chumphon
2 nights here
To travel from Hua Hin to Chumphon, you have several transportation options to choose from. These include a bus, train, van, or taxi.
For a faster trip, we recommend taking the train. However, if you prefer a more relaxed and budget-friendly experience, you may want to consider taking a bus.
The cost of your transportation will depend on the mode of transportation you choose. Train tickets are generally more expensive than bus tickets.
The distance between Hua Hin and Chumphon is 122 miles (196 km)
The travel time from Hua Hin to Chumphon can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. Generally, it should take between 4 to 5 hours, so quite a journey.
Throughout your trip, we recommend using the Asian Public Transport link below. I find it to be reliable and cost-effective. While I do receive a small commission when you use these links, it is at no extra cost to you. You are welcome to use an alternative website, but it is unlikely to be cheaper. As my service is free, using these links is a way to show your appreciation :D
Chumphon is located on the Gulf of Thailand. It is known for its long coastline with beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush vegetation. The province is a popular destination for eco-tourism and water activities such as diving, snorkelling, and fishing. Chumphon is less touristy than other destinations in the region, and it's a great place to experience real Thailand.
Click below for more on Chumphon, including hotels and tours!
Ranong
1-2 nights here
Transportation Options from Chumphon to Ranong
Ranong is a small town located in the southern part of Thailand, close to the border with Myanmar. It's known for its hot springs, waterfalls, and scenic views. Some popular activities in Ranong include visiting the Ranong Hot Springs, the Ranong Mineral Springs, and the Tong Paya Waterfall
Click below for more on Ranong, including hotels and tours!
Khao Lak
Spend a night here before Koh Surin or Similan Islands
Do both if you have time.
From Ranong to Khao Lak, you'll need to hire a taxi, which takes approximately 3 hours. The provided link suggests a cost of around 100 US dollars, in reality, if that seems too high, you should be able to ask your hotel in Ranong to arrange a taxi for you. This should cost around 2500 baht, which is about half the price. Alternatively, you can also try using a ride-hailing app once you're in Ranong.
Worst comes to worse you can just use this link when you're there if you can't get a lift.
Unfortunately, this area is limited!
Khao Lak is a destination that offers a range of accommodations, from high-end resorts to affordable options. Although it has become increasingly popular among tourists in recent years, it still maintains a relaxed and low-key vibe, in contrast to more developed destinations like Phuket.
You can use one hotel as a base for the islands, leaving your luggage with them to pack lighter. Most hotels offer this service!
Click below for more on Khao Lak, including hotels and tours!
Koh Surin
Do a day tour or even better camp for 3 nights
Koh Surin is a group of five islands located in the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand. The islands are known for their white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and diverse marine life, making them a popular destination for snorkelling and diving. The islands are also home to the Moken, an indigenous sea-gypsy community that lives in traditional stilt houses on the island. The islands are part of the Mu Koh Surin National Park, which was established to protect the natural resources and marine life in the area.
Click below for more on Koh Surin, including hotels and tours!
Similan Islands
Khao Lak
Its worth spending 2 or 3 nights here even if you aren't doing the islands nearby
The area is also home to several luxury resorts, as well as budget-friendly options. Khao Lak has grown in popularity as a tourist destination in recent years, but still manages to retain a more laid-back, low-key feel compared to more developed destinations such as Phuket.
Click below for more on Khao Lak, including hotels and tours!
Phuket
Definitely get a tour around the islands here, if you're not staying on Phi Phi Island
Spend 1 night here if going to Phi Phi Island
2-3 nights here if you don't go to Phi Phi Island
You can take either a van or a taxi:
Taxis are often more expensive, whereas van tickets are a more cost-effective option but it's worth noting that taxis are not as expensive in Thailand compared to many parts of the world.
The distance between Khao Lak and Phuket by land is approximately 47 miles (75 km).
The travel time varies based on the method of transportation you choose. In general, the entire journey should take about 3 hours, taking into account factors like traffic and road conditions.
or
There are local buses that travel along Highway 4 between Khao Lak and Phuket. These buses are also known as fan buses. They start from Bangkok and run all the way down to Phuket but I wouldn't use them if you don't have to, a fan is not enough to keep cool. You can stop these buses at any point along the road, but there are some popular spots where people wait for them. Some of these spots have little bus stop shelters with benches to sit on.
For these regular public buses, you don't need to book tickets in advance. You can just hop on, mention your destination, and take a seat. Someone will come to you to collect the fare and issue a ticket. The fare to the Phuket bus terminal is approximately 120 THB.
A lot of the transport between Khao Lak and Phuket goes to Phuket Airport, which is great because you can watch the planes come in close on the beach. So, either go to the airport and then get transport to your hotel or find transport that goes directly to town.
Phuket is a popular tourist island in Thailand known for its beautiful beaches, diverse activities, attractions, and nightlife. It offers outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkelling, diving, and paragliding, and it's also a hub for sailing, cruising, yachting, and boat charters. There are many tourists here who visit the islands nearby.
Click below for more on Phuket, including hotels and tours!
Phi Phi Island
2 hours from Phuket
2-3 nights here
If you don't want the big nightlife, just get a tour around the islands in Phuket instead of staying here
Book a ferry below!
Phi Phi Islands are a group of small islands located in Thailand, in the Andaman Sea. They are known for their stunning landscapes, turquoise waters, and white sand beaches, making them a popular tourist destination for beach-goers, divers, and backpackers. The main islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, offer a variety of activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, and snorkelling. The islands are also famous for their vibrant nightlife scene, with bars, clubs, and restaurants lining the beaches.
Definitely get a tour here to explore the islands!
Click below for more on Phi Phi, including hotels and tours!
Back to Phuket then
Bangkok
Phuket to Bangkok is about 14 hours by bus! A long day but you can get a plane for 1 hour and 30 minutes
That concludes the trip! Do you still have time? Then check out another trip!
There are lots of great places to visit in Thailand.
Have a great holiday!
