| Thai Airways flies from Bangkok Airport to Phuket about 16 times per day from app. 7 to 19 hours in 80 min., and at 21.30 hours.
The fare for economy class can vary very much: typical rates are from 1815 Baht to 2725 Baht (= app. 41 to 62 Euro).
Bangkok Airways flies eight times per day for 2390 Baht to 4675 Baht.
About 40% cheaper is Air Asia , but the baggage allowance is only 15 kg (Air Asia's surcharge is 160 Baht/kg) and they fly from the old Airport Don Muang.
The fare for Return Flights generally is twice the oneway rate
By bus to Khao Lak
From Bangkok highway H4 (with 4 lanes until Chumphon) runs 787 km until Khao Lak. The ac-nightbus takes about 11 hours due to several breaks to take a meal (mostly included in the fare) .
The comfortable ac-nightbus from Phuket Central Tour departs at 18.50 and at 19.00 hours (6.50 and 7 p.m.) from the Southern Bus Terminal . If you want to make sure, you buy the ticket at the terminal in the morning and go sightseeing until departure.
We do NOT recommend the cheaper busses without air-conditioning.
The fare is 720 Baht (to Takua Pa and to Khao Lak). As the bus continues to Phuket, you remain seated until Khao Lak. Around 7 a.m. you alight either at the junction to Bang Niang Beach (= KM 62,1) or at Nang Thong Supermarket (= KM 59,6) at the junction to Nang Thong Beach.
Pickup-Taxis should be around to take you to the resort for 100 Baht, otherwise you may ask in any shop.
The more "expensive" alternative: The extremely comfortable VIP-Bus "999" to Phuket has only 24 seats, three in one row. It starts at 17.30, 18 and 18.30 hours, takes about 11 hours to Khao Lak and has a fixed rate of 1045 Baht to Phuket and to Khao Lak. The last VIP-bus at 18.30 hours is recommended, it arrives around dawn.
By train to Khao Lak
From the main station in Bangkok (Hualampong) you take a night train to Surat Thani (Phunpin station). There you get the connection by Phuket-Bus No.465 to Khao Lak. Tickets are for sale on the right (to the south) of the station at a table in front of Sintawee Coffee Shop for 120 Baht (ac 160 Baht) only during daytime.
The only day train, a Sprinter , leaves Bangkok at 8.05 a.m. and arrives in Surat Thani at 16.30 hours. There is no connecting bus towards Khao Lak.
For the most comfortable class, 1st class sleeper with ac , the fare is 1279 Baht.
The cheapest class, 3rd class seat , costs 397 Baht with ac, 297 Baht with fan.
We recommend the trains in bold face. Prices are in Baht. Update: November 20, 2014
| Train No. class |
Bangkok |
Surat |
Fare: 2nd class ac |
Fare: 2nd class fan |
Fare: 2nd cl. seat |
Fare: 3rd cl. seat |
. |
dep. |
arr. |
upper bed |
lower bed |
upper bed |
lower bed |
ac |
Fan |
Sprinter 43 (ac)
2nd class (seats only) |
8.05 |
16.45 |
|
|
|
|
578 |
|
No connection by bus. Taxi to Khao Lak for 2500 Baht (fixed rate), app. 2 1/2 hours |
| Rapid 171 (ac) 1,2,3 |
13.00 |
0.22 |
698 |
788 |
438 |
478 |
558 |
278 |
Special Express 35
(ac) 1st + 2nd class |
14.45 |
1.23 |
758 |
848 |
|
|
|
|
Special Express 37
(ac) 1st+2nd+3rd class |
15.10 |
2.00 |
758 |
848 |
498 |
548 |
478 |
298 |
| Rapid 169 (ac) 1,2,3 |
15.35 |
3.45 |
698 |
788 |
438 |
478 |
558 |
278 |
| Express 83 (ac) 1,2,3 |
17.05 |
4.24 |
718 |
808 |
458 |
498 |
438 |
298 |
| Rapid 173 1,2,3 |
17.35 |
5.48 |
698 |
788 |
438 |
478 |
418 |
278 |
| Rapid 167 1,2,3 |
18.30 |
6.23 |
698 |
788 |
438 |
478 |
418 |
278 |
Connection with 2nd cl. ac-bus 465 at 7.50 a.m., arrival at Khao Lak 11.50 a.m. (140 Baht) |
| Express 85 1,2,3 |
19.30 |
7.06 |
718 |
808 |
498 |
548 |
438 |
298 |
Connection with 2nd cl. ac-bus 465 at 7.50 a.m., arrival at Khao Lak 11.50 a.m. (140 Baht) |
Sprinter 39 and 41 (ac)
2nd class (seats only) |
22.50 |
8.05 |
|
|
|
|
578 |
|
Connection with 2nd cl. ac-bus 465 at 8.50 a.m., arrival at Khao Lak 12.50 hours (140 Baht) |
More busses from Phunpin to Khao Lak at 10.00 (ac), 11.10 (ac2), 12.00 (ac2), 13.20 (ac2) and 14.20 (ac2)
(all departure times may change without notice) |
On the Website http://www.asia-discovery.com/train.htm you may order your ticket within 60 days (Service charge 200 Baht). They are delivered to your hotel in Bangkok. On demand they will be sent to your home country by DHL (at the additional DHL fee).
|
About Richard Doring