sndraco

Hi

I will land in BKK (Suvarnabhumi airport) on Sat July 28th at 11 pm.Flight back from BKK is at 7:35 pm on Aug 2nd.

I want to go to Koh Tao and do my advanced scuba cert on Monday and Tuesday. I have a couple of q's re: getting to Koh Tao

1. Bus route. I believe I can get the Lomprayah buffet ticket, and take the 6 am bus from Khoa San, to Chumphon, take ferry (included) to Koh Tao and then tues night or Wed take ferry to Koh Samui (included). Couple q's.

A. It says on the site, that Thailand long holidays, ticket is not valid. How do I find list of long holidays.
B. Is there a convenient way to buy it from US and also ensure I have a seat on the bus
C. Is the pickup location in Khao San well marked.

2. Flying route. Thai Airways discovery pass or Solar to Chumpon.

It doesnt look like that gets to me Koh Tao much earlier, likely early afternoon vs. early evening.

Q's. How do I know if I buy the discovery pass, I can get on a flight (ie do I book the seat on flight needed when I buy the discovery pass?) The website has lots of qualifiers.

In terms of Koh Samui, is it worth for a day and a half or so, or just stick to Koh Tao with maybe a day trip to Kho Pha Nan. (I will be done with scuba tuesday evening or night), so Wed and part of Thu are free till I leave from BKK.

Thanks

Shri

JamesA

You pretty much have it right, if you take the Lomprayah at 6 am that gets you on Koh Tao at 1445 ( 2.45 pm ), you can book online. The Buffet ticket, well, you would only want that if you were going onwards to Koh Samui, but anyway you do not have much time and honestly I would stick with Koh Tao, take time to visit Koh Hang Yuan.
As you are flying out at 7.35 pm on Tuesday I would suggest you just stick with Koh Tao.

Now, if you take Solar Air that will get you onto Koh tao at the same time, i.e 1445 hours, it means you leave Bangkok later, but, it is going to cost a lot more and you won't get any more time. Note it is only a 19 seater so tight on baggage.
Koh Tao can be busy possibly by now so be sure you have accommodation booked. Not sure, but it looks like it will be popular this year.
Getting back, you can leave Koh Tao Wednesday afternoon on Lomprayah and be in Bangkok just after midnight Wednesday, again, if you use Solar Air you would have to leave Koh Tao in the morning. Otherwise ferry to Koh Samui and flight to Bangkok on Thursday, or, go to Koh Samui Wednesday if you wish, but check ferry times.

Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways ( most flights ) to Koh Samui is another option and then ferry to Koh tao.
Perhaps think about doing that on your return because you possibly could do that on Thursday, but ensure you have plenty of time before your 7.35 pm departure.
Discover Pass are for I think minimum 3 sectors, so does not help you.

For future trips to Koh Tao note than from October 1st Nok Air will be doing a daily flight at 0830 from Bangkok - DMK to Chumphon, bigger plane ( 34 seater ) . That will still only get you to Koh tao at 1445 . Return Kohtao to Bangkok doesn't work on that as it is a 1000 departure from Chumphon.
But worth noting if you are heading to Koh Tao again in the future

JamesA

That should be Koh Nang Yuan ( forgotten how to edit this )

Lomprayah Bangkok :
http://www.lomprayah.com/E/images/map/map-kaosarn.gif

I don't know what style you travel ( budget / mid range / luxury ) but if you can track down a suitable hotel nearby that would be ideal.
Solar Air shows ok for Sunday 29th, departs at 1000, THB 2,900 ( that is about USD 97 ) all the way to Koh Tao.
As long as they 'are' flying from Don Muang ( DMK airport ) you can overnight at the Amari which has a walkway into the airport, that is about THB 1,290 / USD 43 a night. But if you chose that option do check which airport ( BKK or DMK )

sndraco

Thanks

I was going to the do the buffet on lomprayah as have option to go to Samui for Wed and half of Thursday as option to return to Bangkok were better from Samui and its only 150 baht more.

Any tips on how to buy the Lompraya tix and get reservation on the 6 am bus (esp. from US)

RE: Discovery pass since its $280, its actually not that bad as one way from Samui to BKK is about $160 already but

Hotelwise since I am planning to scuba, seems like most of the scuba places have their own accomodation so should be set.

Thx

Shriram

Hanuman

Do note that in Thailand August 2nd is a holiday, actually from the 2nd - 6th. You might find it hard to get a bus ticket.

StanKase

The buffet is fair to poor. If you want some sicial kife then Koh Samui is wortyh flying to to to maximize your time there. But we found it too crowded and that was 6 years ago. by now it likely is mobbed. Go to Koh Tao for 304 days and accomplish your objective and get in a few dives.

sndraco

Buffet is not available anymore so will just buy the bus+ferry ticket.