billsein

Hi all,

I plan to go to Krabi and Phuket from Penang. My plan would be:

Day 1: Take train (or drive) from Penang to Padang Besar in the morning -> Take the train to Hat Yai
-> Local bus to Krabi -> Songthaew to Ao Nang.
Day 2: Explore Krabi
Day 3: Take the local bus to Phuket -> Bus to Kata.
Day 4: Explore Phuket
Day 5: Local bus from Phuket to Hat Yai
Day 6: Back to Penang

My question are:

1. Is it better if I take the mini van from Hat Yai to Ao Nang? I found that it might be more convenient since they'll send me straight to Ao Nang instead of me taking the songthaew from bus station in the town to the beach, but of course is expansive though.

2. Is it possible for me to take a train straight to any cities closer to Krabi, then from there I take local bus to Ao Nang?

3. Can anyone advice me about the cost? I allocate minimum of 1000 Baht for the transportation in Thailand. Will it be sufficient? Or should I add more?

4. Where should I stay in Phuket? I plan to stay in Kata since most people said it is more quiet then Patong. I'll be travelling with my mother, and we're both not fond of any night activities (except for night stroll along the beach). But, we love to shop for local products and try local foods since we both really love Thai food!

Can anyone advice me on this. This will be like my third overseas trip together with my mother, and we always did this 'backpackers' style. lol.. So, don't worry about her age and what not since she also loves hopping on and off the local buses and trains.

crellston

It is a long time since we last did that trip and it was in the opposite direction. But I do recall deciding that it was easier (and nicer) getting the ferry between Hat Yai -Langkawi- Penang and possibly a little quicker.

i am sure you have seen the site but, if not http://seat61.com/Thailand.htm has some really useful info.

I think that it would be easier and faster to get off the train at Surat Thani rather than Hat Yai. it is a bigger city and there will be more transport options buses, minibuses, share taxis.

A minibus from SuratThani to Krabi will likely cost around 250pp, a public bus half of that. 1000 baht shouldn’t be too far out, perhaps a little more. i vaguely recall some operators including sorngthaews to individual hotels in the cost of the tickets.

Take care in Southern Thailand, i think there are still travel warnings in place for land travel around the border with Malaysia!

billsein

Hi crellston,

Thanks so much for your suggestion. Are you Malaysian by the way?

I've looked into the possibility of taking train straight to Suratthani. But couldn't find one from Padang Besar though. Maybe the discontinued it? I don't know. Nevertheless, thanks for the idea.

By the way, do you know that if it is possible for me to take the ferry from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi and then go to Phuket (or vice versa).

Regads,
Bill

crellston

Hi bill - no I am English not Malaysian but have spent a lot of time travelling in that part of the world.

I am pretty sure it is possible to get a ferry or speedboat from Krabi to Phi Phi - just google for ferry companies. Do double check the routes are direct though as some providers are inclined to tell you what you want to hear!

billsein

Hi crellston. Thanks so much. Well, we've decided not to go there for this trip. Maybe will be going for a separate trip just for Phi Phi in future. I've done few research and found out that it'll be better for me to stay there and go to the Maya Bay early in the morning to avoid the crowd. That's why for this trip, we decided to focus on enjoying the Ao Nang and Patong at the most! Getting massage, eat, eat, eat..