artyguy

November 22 of this year....
If I done my research correctly there are three airports that you can jump off to the islands: Samui, Krabi and Phuket. Starting from Chiang Mai. And have five nights to relax before going back to Bangkok for three nights. Then home.

Struggling to BALANCE tranquil beach experience with logistics of getting from Chiang Mai to a island in one day. I discovered Bangkok Air has one non-stop to Samui, where the rest of their flights have one stop as it does to Krabi. And one non-stop to Phuket. All arrive late afternoon. But discovered that Asia Airlines provide flight, land and ferry to the islands. Might be the best option?

1) Concerns are weather conditions at this time of year, are some islands better suited for good weather then others?

2) logistics of getting from the airport to a boat to one of the islands.

Can anyone advise what might be a nice balance of logistics time wise and a island that offers tranquility, along with (my fantasy of a simple cottage with hammock on the beach).

Kathie

"island" is unclear. Phuket is an island, Koh Samui is an island, Krabi is on the mainland. Where are you headed to? Taking a boat or ferry to another place necessarily lengthens and complicates your trip, only you low if it is worth it to you.

I was unaware that Air Asia would coordinate transport to a ferry. Look at that carefully. Air Asia, while a good budget airline, is not known for facilitating onward travel.

Your fantasy of "a simple cottage with hammock on the beach" necessarily requires that you be far off the tourist track, meaning it will take time and effort to get there.

rhkkmk

YES aa DOES OFFER A SERVICE TO THE FERRY from the local airport, but then you will need a taxi to the main parts of samui... not worth the savings, imo..

weather should be fine..

rhkkmk

btw, I would go to only one beach and Phuket makes sense as you can fly from chiang mai on AA direct to Phuket..

find a nice place there..

Hanuman

Kathie here's the link for Air Asia island transfer service: http://www.airasia.com/th/en/our-con...transfers.page

Haven't use them yet but seems OK.

Kathie

Thanks for the link - that does look good. Of course, third-party providers are used for the transfers, and depending on how much time I had, I might be concerned about that.

For an off-the-beaten track place, Koh Lipe might fill the bill. Be aware that if you choose such a place you will have limited services available - not a lot of bars, restaurants to choose from, the only meal service may sometimes be at your lodgings. There are always trade-offs.

November is NOT a good time to visit Koh Samui - an average of 11 inches of rain in November (the monsoon is moving into that area, so it is likely to get worse as the month goes on). You are better off on the other side of Thailand- Andaman Sea rather than Gulf of Thailand. The monsoon is changing in November, so in the second half of the month, you should have good weather there.

Prachuap

Fly Krabi then go Koh Lanta. They have cotttages on the beach.

Book one of the AA packages.

artyguy

Thanks everyone for your response. Prachuap, can you suggest a place that has cottages on the beach? Only if you have one in mind of course. I have been researching and mostly found "resort" style places. And it does appear that flying to Krabi via AA to Koh Lanta is becoming the way to go. Hopefully by Nov 22nd, the weather will be lovely on the Andaman Sea.

Prachuap

Nov is a good time. I was there in Nov and weather was perfect. Everything opens up in Nov.

Are you looking for a bungalow or a bigger cottage?

Have a look here

http://www.kantiang-bay.com/accommodation

For snorkelling I recommend a trang islands tour.

artyguy

Leaving Chiang Mai November 22.

I checked out Koh Lipe and found a few places that fit the bill for what I'm looking for. The challenge is getting there from Chiang Mai.

If I took Air Asia I'd get to Hat Yai around 9:45am. Looking online for transport to Pak Bara is no problem. But getting there in time for a boat to Koh Lipe looks impossible within the time frame. The speedboat leaves at 12noon. And there doesn't seem to be another afterwards? So wonder if any of you folks have a schedule or knowledge of how frequent the boat leaves Pak Bara for Koh Lipe?

Am I driving myself crazy trying to make this happen? Obviously going to Krabi and staying there would be easier... but wouldn't have the same island vibe I'm looking for.

Any thoughts? Much thanks

crellston

http://www.travelfish.org/transport/...un/ko_lipe/all

Have you considered Koh Yao noi or Koh Yao Yai. Accessible from both Krabi and Phuket and probably a lot easier to get to.

http://www.travelfish.org/islands.php

Kathie

As I said earlier " Your fantasy of "a simple cottage with hammock on the beach" necessarily requires that you be far off the tourist track, meaning it will take time and effort to get there."

Yes, it will take time to get to Koh Lipe and will likely mean an extra day in transit. Only you can decide if it is worth it to you.

Prachuap

Lipe is a very small island and far from mainland.

I would do Lanta given the info you have given.

Lanta has great food and Kantiang Bay is a very nice spot. I have ridden the whole island and KB is the nicest bay.

I would leave Lipe for next time.

crellston

http://www.globalgrasshopper.com/des...-travel-snobs/

flygirl

What a great thread - something I am trying to sort out, as well.

After I leave BKK, would it make sense to visit Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, leaving Krabi for last? This would also be November but the first half not the second half.

Thanks, and sorry to hijack.

Kathie

If you are traveling in the first half of November, I'd leave to beach time until the very end of your trip. The later you are in November, the more likely you will get good weather.

artyguy

Thanks everyone. Well I found a lovely resort called Lipe Beach Resort. Check out the website. http://www.lipebeachresort.com
The reviews on TripAdvisor were really good. Got a front row bamboo cottage too! $55 a night.

So crazy as I am... I'm going to Koh Lipe lol

On my return I have a choice to fly Thai Air and land in Suvarnabhumi or fly Air Asia and land in Don Mueang. If all things are equal and getting to the city is important which do you suggest?

In addition Air Asia is really cheaper but will carry on be allowed? Or all get's check in? Will be with a backpack that could fit over the seat if there is space available. Does anyone know about Air Asia?

Well thanks for charting me through all these options and toward a amazing vacation.

Cheers

Kathie

Air Asia has strict baggage limits. You can buy extra allowance, and it is less expensive if you buy it online in advance. Read all about it at the Air Asia website. They give maximum dimensions so you can figure out if your backpack will fit.

Taxis are easy and relatively inexpensive from either airport. Don Mueang is actually a bit closer to the city.

flygirl

Given that I will be flying from place to place I better sort this out as well. I won't have merely a backpack - likely two carryon sized suitcases (to split the weight - one gets checked) and a large camera bag. Thanks Kathie!

artyguy

Here is another wrinkle I'm discovering. Trying to determine about getting a van or private taxi from Hat Yai Airport to Pak Barra Pier and then the boat to Koh Lipe. There is a website to book this: http://thaibeachtravellers.com/transport/hat-yai

Anyone with experience doing this? I suspect high season I should buy my tickets before they sell out. I also read they add extra boats in high season. But now there isn't a schedule. Perplexing it is trying to arrange these details without having a live person to speak to. So grateful for this site to at least sound of this. Thanks