Transportation suggestions

Post by **JAJA** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:34 pm

Try renting a car a driving yourself. It’s not a bad drive. The trip from the airport to the freeway south is pretty easy. We always used to get a driver to pick us up but now we would not think of anything but self drive including around BKK. . We found that it forced us to get to know the roads, and once we got to understand our way around a new world opened up for us. I never thought that I would drive in BKK, but now it’s OK. The learning curve can be a bit steep. Once we got lost on a Friday night for about 2 ½ hours. The chief navigator, Mrs Jaja (who is not Thai), was not amused trying to read the Thai street maps at night. I thought we would never see anything we recognised ever again. But we persisted and eventually we got to our destination 5 hours later. But once you get over these learning curves, having your own wheels makes things that much more enjoyable. If you are planning a semi permanent or permament shift, why not take the plunge now?

Post by **PeteC** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:06 pm

In many countries rental companies give big discounts to get cars back to the pool they belong in. I don't know if there is an imbalance of Bangkok cars in HH, or HH cars in Bangkok. I'm not sure if Thailand rental companies even offer one way rentals, but it may be worth looking into. Pete

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Wed May 13, 2009 6:42 am

The minibus service from Bangkok to HuaHin certainly seems good value, quick, frequent, and recommended by a lot of people. I haven't used that particular service (mainly because I hate navigating Victory Monument at the best of times) but other minibus trips have been fine, with some good pit stops on the way.
Petes point about tyres though is a serious one. It's even worth checking tyres on the big public transport buses and flash tour coaches!
Despite being a longer journey I'd still always choose train first whenever possible. It's quite unusual for them to leave Bangkok late, and I would suspect your delay there was maybe due to a late arrival in Bangkok up from Butterworth during the night.
Worth noting though that the Swampy SkyTrain link into Bangkok is due to open on 12th August. It will be much easier to get straight from the airport to either HuaLamphong or Victory Monument which, for most arrivals from Europe, will allow plenty of time to travel onwards to HH in time for lunch!

Post by **bluezephyr** » Wed May 13, 2009 11:55 am

I used the minibus service to Bangkok and back again last weekend.
We had the rear seats on the way up, Bumpy as hell but ok if youre paranoid about your luggage as its right beside you, As suggested wait for another and get a better seat, We had a seat next to the driver on the way back, Much more comfortable

I was a bit worried about a red bull fuelled driver, Both times they did a safe and efficient job.

Post by **STEVE G** » Wed May 13, 2009 12:04 pm

Certainly as Margaret points out; when the train link opens it should make a cheap journey from the airport to Hua Hin and I might give the mini-bus another try.

Post by **johnnyk** » Thu May 14, 2009 1:14 am

bluezephyr wrote:I used the minibus service to Bangkok and back again last weekend.
We had the rear seats on the way up, Bumpy as hell but ok if youre paranoid about your luggage as its right beside you, As suggested wait for another and get a better seat, We had a seat next to the driver on the way back, Much more comfortable

I was a bit worried about a red bull fuelled driver, Both times they did a safe and efficient job.

also known as the certain death seat! did it once, i now prefer to wait a few mins. for the next van.
best seats are mid-back, the area with most protection when it all goes haywire.