Bang Saphan Yai

Train

Bang Saphan has a train station and they are proud of it, so buses are frowned upon in these parts. Also, for logistical reasons, the train is usually the best way to go. There are six departures a day heading south to Chumphon or north to Prachuap Khiri Khan whilst there are 7 Bangkok trains daily.

Bus

To get to Bang Saphan Yai from Bangkok, you'll have to look for Bang Saphan Tours at the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), which will drop you off in town. Departures from 07:30 to 23:00. A word of warning: you might want to avoid the regular buses which run up and down highway 4 (Petchakassem Rd) even though they supposedly stop at Bang Saphan. The highway is 10km outside of town, so you'll have to catch one of the irregular songthaews from the market, or pick up a motorbike taxi. From town, a taxi to your guesthouse should cost no more than 40B, or call the guest house and they'll most likely pick you up for free.

Leaving Bang Saphan, it's a lot easier to arrange transportation to get out to the highway -- again, the staff at your guest house or bungalow may even do it for free if you let them know your needs ahead of time. Once on the highway you can try flagging down any bus since even a Hat Yai bus will drop you in Chumphon or Surat Thani if they have available seats.

Buses to Bangkok leave across from the Rama Inn. You can buy tickets at the blink-and-you'll-miss-it 'station' (Tel: (032) 691 267) right next door to the Rama itself. There are ten departures daily from 06:00 to 23:00. A ticket to Bangkok costs 275 THB. There are minivans leaving for Chumphon between 06:30 and 08:00 daily. The 'terminal' is hard to spot, so you'll want to scout it out in advance. It's on the road that leads to the southern beach--300 metres from the traffic light on the main road, on the right, up on a small hill. There's usually an ordinary bus parked on the street in front of it.

Getting Around

Getting to your guest house from town by motor-bike taxi should cost 40THB during the day, or 80THB at night, but you'll have to bargain hard. Call ahead, and most places will come and pick you up. But unless you're planning to hole up in a bungalow and laze the days and nights away, or you stay at a place like the Coral Hotel that offers daily excursions, getting around Bang Saphan is challenging without a motorcycle. Almost everywhere you stay, motorcycle rentals will be available, usually for 200THB a day. The easiest thing to do is rent one from Tae Restaurant as soon as you get off the train -- just turn right as you leave the train station and you'll find it a 200 metres down on the right.