samui magazine

Driving from Phuket to Koh Samui This 5 hour drive takes you from one tropical island to another island world that is very, very different

And the drive is a pleasant one, through the beauiful scenery of Phang Nga, across the mountains of the peninsula, and past the busy town of Surat Thani..... and there are all kinds of stop-offs along the way.

Samui is Thailand’s third largest island and a fantastic place to spend at least three or four days. Before setting off from Phuket decide if you want to get there on the same day or travel at a slower pace and arrive the following day. The car ferry at Don Sak is very busy all year round – waits of up to four hours are not uncommon – so it’s advisable to leave Phuket very early in the morning if a swift passage is what you’re after.

There are three options available for the drive there. The first is to take the westbound Route 4 through Khao Lak National Park and then head east on Route 401 through Khao Sok National Park towards Surat Thani and Don Sak. Although the 401 is very mountainous and can be hard driving, this route takes in the majestic coastline of Khao Lak and the equally stunning rainforest of Khao Sok. Both places have a range of accommodation options and are highly recommended for a stopover along the way, but since Khao Sok is about halfway to Samui, it may be the more convenient option.

The second, and longest, route is to take the eastbound Route 4 and drive through Phang Nga and Krabi before heading north on Route 403 and Route 41 to Surat Thani and Don Sak. Dramatic karst formations and mangrove swamps all make for great viewing along the way. The road is relatively flat for much of the journey and Krabi is an ideal location for an overnight stop.

The final, and quickest, route is again eastbound on Route 4, but then taking the 4118 at Thap Put to connect with the 401 to Surat Thani. The route should pose no problems and afford a pleasant cruise through villages and farmlands well off the tourist trail, but road signs are not always very clear on minor roads and it’s very easy to miss the turning in the first place. So keep a sharp eye out and have the confidence to carry on driving even though there may be no obvious clues as to where you are.

Always aim to get to Don Sak early in the morning. It’s about an hour’s drive from Surat Thani and well signposted. There are between 8 and 10 ferries a day, which stop running at around 10pm. Passage for a car and two adults will be around 600Baht and the crossing takes two hours. Be warned – there is no accommodation in Don Sak. If you think you can’t make the ferry then spend the night at Surat Thani – there’s plenty of accommodation options available in this large provincial town. Contact the Tourist Office at 5 Talat Mai Road (near the Wang Tai Hotel) Tel (077) 288818, if necessary.

By Terry Blackburn