Thailand forum

Phi Phi Family run a ferry-bus-ferry service island to island - http://www.phiphifamily.com/
A small caveat here. There have been lots of complaints of thefts from luggage in the underbus storage area of coaches put on by private travel companies between Krabi and Surathani (and KSR and Surathani) So to be safe don't leave any valuables in your luggage - have them in your carry pack in the cabin.

You will find that any small travel agency on Phi Phi can sell you a similar ticket using other operators, usually involving minibuses between the Krabi pier and Donsak.

You can do it pretty easily independently - catch a ferry to Krabi town, a songthaew up to the bus station, a bus to Surathani and then a songthaew or minibus out to Don Sak (if you leave PP late in the day, you can get the night-ferry from the Surathani town pier at around 23oo)

Sorry, hit the enter key too fast. If you do want to do this through an agency, any travel agent in Phuket will sort it out for you, just specify you do not want to travel with Phi Phi Family.

Marni, I think the Railay/Ton Sai area of Krabi is better for a 1-2 day stay than Phuket - and Krabi town is better for an overnight stop than Phuket town.

I think Phuket and Krabi otherwise are about equal for access to Phi Phi from Bangkok. BUT, if you want to use the train - for sure Krabi is closer to Surathani. I personally reckon a direct bus Bangkok to Krabi is the go - but not if you can't sleep on buses and don't like to miss your zzzzs.

Going back to Phangan, I would not go through Phuket. This is an inverted L shaped route, much further than the direct route thru Krabi. Of course, if you want to check out Phuket as you pass thru, that's different.

Somtam's mention of Phi Phi Family problems emphasises my line on underbus thefts - but once again there are alternative minibus operators which you can line up on Phi Phi - plus as explained, you can do it yourself by public bus from the Krabi town bus depot. Just a bit more time consuming.
I reckon I'd go the minibus - done this the opposite way Phangan and Samui to Krabi and Trang a number of times. The main downside of the minibus is there is less comfort if it is full.

I am thinking of doing the same. I have been reading some posts here and would like to know.

1. what are the difference between government bus and mini bus?
2. does the bus usually make stops in between Phuket to Surat Thani /Donsak? Or all the way?
3. somtam2000, what is the difference between taking the bus to Surat Thani and then ferry to Samui vs taking the bus to Surat Thani, then transfer to Donsak, then ferry from Donsak to Samui? What are the time difference between the two route? I would like to minimize transfers as little as possible because transfers may confuse me.
4. what type of bus should I take to minimize theft?

Thank you.

1 Govt bus is big comfortable coach - minibus small, cramped .. uh ... minubus!
2 Yep, usually at least one stop by a roadside restaurant/store mit toilets etc
3 Few of the day ferries go from Surathani itself. Most from the Donsak area (Surathani is quite a way upriver from the coast). The night ferries go from the Surathani town pier - my favourite way of accessing Samui.
4 Govt bus - plus I've never had problems of theft on minibuses - your gear is always stowed behind the back seat or on top - kinda in view. Note on ANY bus I always have my valuables in my small day pack which I keep with me.
5 Dunno how much more expensive the private operators are - but you can go to Phuket bus station and buy a govt bus/ferry ticket right on to the islands which is pretty simple.

Hi DJ Miss Tracy ... Why not spend NYE in Phuket !!!

I was planning for Full Moon Party NYE however changed my mind due to rains in Samui.
And its not a real full moon party on 31st Dec ... The real full moon is on 21st Dec ...

Airfare will be expensive and spending time in travelling will be a waste

I think Phuket will be a safe bet ...