To go from Koh Phangan to Bangkok, you have two different routes by land: either you go to Chumphon and then Bangkok, or to Surat Thani and then to Bangkok. As Chumphon is northern than Surat Thani, it makes more sense, maybe, but it wasn’t my route.
I decided to go from Koh Phangan to Surat Thani and from Surat Thani to Bangkok. As I have been in Surat Thani several times, I know what the town is like and how to move. Chumpon is less touristy, let’s say, and I wouldn’t know where to go to get where I want to. I opted to go to the “safe” place. But I could have saved myself some money on this journey… Anyway, I decided to do things my way, which doesn’t mean it was the best.
I have done a trip from Surat Thani to Bangkok before by bus.
There are tickets available directly to Bangkok, so you can buy a ticket from Koh Phangan to Bangkok, and everything is already arranged for you. You don’t have to worry about any steps in between. I chose the hard option, though, and all the steps were done on my own. Could have been unlucky, but all went as I had planned.
Buy a ticket from Koh Phangan to Bangkok HERE!
I split my journey from Koh Phangan to Bangkok into several different parts, and I don’t recommend you do the same. But I’ll share how I did it in case it might be convenient for someone else.
Koh Phangan to Surat Thani
I bought my ticket directly at the Lomprayah office because I thought that buying it directly from the company would be cheaper. I was wrong. It ended up being more expensive. Dumb move. Go to the pier instead and search for the small counters selling tickets from Koh Phangan to Surat Thani. I saw later some offers for almost half the price I paid. Or simply buy it ONLINE!
picture dos preços
Another, possibly dumb decision to save money was not buying the ticket directly to Surat Thani train station, because that’s where I wanted to go. But I wanted to hop on a night train, and I would be there very early, so I thought of doing it my way, and like this, I wouldn’t have to wait for long hours at the train station where nothing is going on. Even though I paid more in the end, I didn’t have to be bored at the station. My choice was:
.a ticket from Koh Phangan to Thalad Kaset market
.a local bus from Thalad Kaset market to Surat Thani train station
.a train ticket from Surat Thani to Bangkok
This way I would have the chance to go to Surat Thani night market, where I have been before and know has some yummy food.
I’ll say it once more. It is way easier than this to go from Koh Phangan to Bangkok.
I went from Koh Phangan to Tapee pier. The ferry trip was pleasant. We stopped at Samui first and then moved on. The journey was smooth and not that long. I think about 2h. Once at Tapee pier, I had a transfer to Thalad Kaset market. I paid 100bh for this transfer. I have been in this market before, and I know it is near the night market area, and even though it was only about 3.30 pm, there were already some food stalls where I stopped to have some Thai food and buy mango sticky rice, of course, haha.
Local bus to Surat Thani train station
At about 4 pm, I went back to Thalad Kaset market to hop on the local bus to Surat Thani train station. The ticket is 20 bh, and the trip lasts about 50 min. I knew it was cheap, but it was still cheaper if I had bought a ticket directly from Koh Phangan to the train station. Anyway, I was able to walk around and still enjoy the breeze on my face along this local bus ride, where I am the only foreigner. I prefer it this way.
At about 5 pm, I was at the train station hoping they would still have some tickets from Surat Thani to Bangkok that same day on a bed. The journey from Koh Phangan to Bangkok was far from ending…
Train from Surat Thani to Bangkok
How lucky was I? From the several trains to go from Surat Thani to Bangkok that night, there was only 1 bed available, and it was the most expensive ticket I could get, an air-conditioned bed. I took it anyway. I surely prefer fan to AC, but having a bed was actually my priority. I’m not the same as 7 years ago when I could sleep just anywhere. Now I have trouble sleeping that easily, and for me, a good night’s sleep has a major impact on my day. Even though it was not a good night’s sleep, it was way better than sitting for 10h during the night or trying to get a bit of floor on the 3rd class wagon. And, this is just a short vacation, I’m not in the mood for that type of adventure in this case.
So, I was thrilled to find out that there was still a bed for me, and I paid 840bh for it. Usually, the train tickets sell out, especially a bed one, so I don’t encourage you to leave it for the last minute as I did. The bed was very comfy and large. Two people could fit there very easily. I don’t know if they sell tickets for 2, but a couple would fit there perfectly. The temperature wasn’t that cold as the curtain helps maintain the cold outside. They provide a nice blanket, so it was just fine. Of course, the train is noisy all journey long, but it is still quite a nice way to go from Surat Thani to Bangkok. Comfier only by airplane. Night buses in Thailand suck, so I wasn’t down for that option- way too used to Vietnamese buses. The train arrived just in time in Bangkok.
Even though the train arrived in Bangkok after 7 am, at 5 am, the train staff were already waking up the passengers and dismantling the beds and converting them into seats. So annoying… I thought I would be able to sleep for longer… That’s why I would have liked to depart on a train later than I did, but as the only option available, I have nothing to complain about. That 1 bed available was a perfect alignment for me.
Around that time, there were also some locals shouting as they tried to sell their products. Honestly, I don’t know if the later trains don’t convert the beds into seats that early, too… I think they might. There are nice toilets on board and a sink. I think it is, in general, a pleasant way to travel.
Once in Bangkok, there is the MRT and buses to connect to the city, so it is easy to go wherever you want to. I have been in Bangkok many other times, so I wasn’t down to explore. I simply went to Chatuchak market, which is huge and where I can spend a day strolling around.
This journey was the most complicated one you can get from Koh Phangan to Bangkok, but I have learned some lessons and still managed to do it as I wanted.
