Hey All,

I'm leaving in two weeks and I'm so excited. When I first fly in on Wednesday I'm going to check out KSR, but I'm only gonna stay there one night.

Then I'm going into central bkk, to sightsee and shop (taking your advice about doing the shopping before the beach).

Then Friday I wanted to take the overnight train to Koh Samui (I did book a spa - the Health Oasis on Maenam; reasonably priced and with all the treatments I want) Anyway, I went to check seats on the train and *GASP* all the first and second class sleeper cars are booked! I'm assuming this means bought and paid for; not just reserved. Could I be mistaken?

Unless I decide to fly, I'm going to have to take a second class seat. Hmmm... I'd hate to miss the train experience. Plus I'm going to have to fly from Koh Samui up to Chaing Mai for the second part of my trip.

So all that being said, my question is for those of you that have ridden the train. What did you think of the second class seats? Are they comfortable enough for a 10 hour ride? I think I can make it but I wanted your advice.

Do any of you know if you can book train tickets from the airport anywhere or do you have to go to the train station?

Thank you so much... this forum is awesome and has been so much help.

"Ten years' searching in deep forest; Today great laughter at the edge of the Lake." - Soen

Have a look again! The train doesnt start in Suratani it starts further south.

What date are you leaving Samui? I hope its not already booked out as we are going to book our 1st class sleeper when we get there for travelling back to BKK on the 8th of june.

There is a lot of sleepers but only 18 1st class so i cant see them all being booked out in low season so far ahead.

Den.

Also if they are all booked try the"Seatran Discovery" option

leaves twice a day from Samui 8.00am and 1.00pm.

The ferry leaves Samui at 1.00pm with a stop at Koh Pangang then Koh tao for pickup and drop offs, then arrives at Chomphon pier at 5.30 pm, then by bus to Hou Hin,then cotinue on bus to Bangkok arriving at 5.00 am next day!

This combination ticket only costs $35.00AU

Look up Seatran ferries Bangkok.

Little bit more grueling than the sleeper train but maybe just as good if not better than the 2nd class train seat, It does take a bit longer as the train option combo ticket leaves Samui at 5pm and gets you to BKK at 8am.

Den

You have got me all worried about it now!

But the way I see it is there is two trains leaving Suratani to BKK every day with 1st and second class sleepers.

Train 86 departs Suratani at 18.22pm and arrives BKK 5.35 am next day and Train 84 departs Suratani at 20.47pm and arrives BKK 8.00 next day, and its hard to imagine both have no sleepers available?

Unless you are leaving Samui on a Thai holiday?

Den.

Beer in the afternoon dont work!

I thought you were going from Samui to BKK

Sorry looks like it could be full BKK to Suratani.

Den

If it is booked out check the Sprinter, this is a rapid train with fewer stops and has seating like a plane, so you can recline in AC comfort. I took the Sprinter once from Surat to BKK (reverse of what you want to do) and it was OK.
I think the Sprinter is a shorter journey, so it shouldn't be 10 hours. Anyway, Sprinter would be better than 2nd class seating.

Thanks everyone...

Yes, I want to take the train/ferry combo from BKK to Koh Samui. I'd be open to do the reverse, too if could find tickets. I don't mind the extra time it takes to travel.

I'll check out sprinter.

Cheers,
-J

Also you can get a vip coach combo ticket from BKK if you are stuck! The vip coaches only hold around 24 people,I havent been on one before but have read that they are quite comfortable and make less stops on the way.

Den