markg1

Has anyone done this trip? We're thinking about spending three nights in Krabi at Tuubkaak resort and then another three nights in Phuket at the New Racha Resort. How long is it between the two cities? Thanks all for your help.

Lyndie

Planning on the same type of trip so printed out a bus transfer sheet from www.sawadee.com/transfer.htm-looks like the air cond bus takes 3 hours and costs around 120 baht pp. which is OK for us or you could fly Thai, PB or Air Andaman-30 min flight. Do a google search for detailed info. Good luck.

JamesA

Flights ceased several years ago, they only in fact operated for a very short time. It is an easy 3 hours drive, I would suggest getting a car+driver from where you are staying and I would take the opportunity to do Phang Nga on the way instead of paying for a tour there from either Krabi or Phuket as the road goes very close to where you can take a mlong-tail boat around Phang Nga. I would ask the hotel reception to find a driver for you as they all have brothers, uncles etc who they use on a regular basis. Now if you are going to the Racha you need to get a boat so you had better check with them what times tgheir boats operate and make sure the driver knows this too so he can plan the schedule. There is some scenary on the way which makes the drive reasonably interesting, it's a single road until past Phang Nga when it turns into a dual highway. Not that many places to stop on the way so unless you want to do the drive straigh thru non-stop take a few snacks with you. If you need to stop for 'facilities' then look out for blue and red on white signs for PTT Filing stations as they have the best facilities but they are all squat downs (take tissues and water with you). You do get a chance to see local towns and villages on the way and if your other journeys are by air then it gives you a chance to see a little of Thailand on the way. At a very very rough guess I should say about $75 for the day. I would not use the bus unless you are on a very very tight budget, by the places you are staying I guess not. I would leave mid morning, stop at Phang Nga on the way ( taking care to keep Passports etc with you ) and plan to be at the boat pick-up mid afternoon.

Lyndie

Ooops sorry for the incorrect flying alternative-my colleague flew this route and I blame him for the misinformation!

James A-why not use the bus? Just interested?

JamesA

Lyndie, the buses are comparitively 'ok', they have air-con but often freezing or the opposite! You would have to taxi into krabi town for the bus, and then taxi or tuk-tuk again from Phuket Town Bus station to get the boat, the buses also often drive at crazed speeds. If you are on a budget then they are very good value, but if with baggage and not on a tight budget car+driver travel will be far more comfortable and interesting.

Lyndie

Thanks James A for the clarification. We travel very light, luggage wise! We are actually doing the reverse-Phuket to Krabi. The estimated cost of US75 for a car/driver is almost what we'll pay at In on the Beach (looks really good-tks!) for one night so that is why we are hesitant to pay so much for transfers. I'm most grateful for the intelligent info you continually provide & many thanks once more!

JamesA

I guessed that if Markg was staying at the Tubkaak and then Racha resort $75 won't seem too much!
Now if you are getting the bus 'from' Phuket to Krabi they leave from Phuket Town Bus Station(Blue & White Buses), you shouldn't have to book, please don't get caught out by travel counters offering 'mini-van' trips as these are 9 seater Toyota Mini-vans and are they 'cramped' or what when 3 sitting together, they are fast and very uncomfortable, I often see full loads of travelers 'stuck' inside these things and then wonder why they didn't take the normal standard bus that all sensible locals take, but of course they would not know so it's not their fault. So don't get caught on that one. If you happen to be in Phuket Town before your journey pop-along to the Bus station and check out the times of buses, they should be reasonably frequesnt, I am totally 'wild guessing' at perhaps every couple of hours, try and travel during the day. In krabi town there will be local pick-ups with seating in the back that will take you where you are heading to as the beaches are not in Krabi Town itself.

Lyndie

Thanks James. The Phuket mini-bus fiasco info is very helpful and not something one would know or expect! We found some great info on sawadee.com re local buses so will use them. We were in Railay in Apr 2004 so know what to expect in Ao Nang or Krabi town. Phuket looks very different but we wanted to check it out for a planned extended sojourn next year. Keep safe, well and happy!