travel help

[outanabout]

just looking for an idea on best and cheapest way to travel from phuket to singapore... i arrive in bangkok start of july and then fly home from singapore so need to make our way to singapore over a 5 week period.

been thinking of this

bangkok -chiang mai - bangkok-pattaya- islands 4 full moon party-phuket

does that sound best way ?

then whats best way to get from phuket to singapore ?

thanks for any help.

[crocodilexp]

Tiger Airways (or Air Asia). They often have extremely cheap discount tickets.

I don't think anything overland would come out less expensive, but you could try a bus to Surat and then a train for the experience.

Btw, Phuket is an overpriced shithole overrun by scammers and package tourists. Some nice nature left (not Patong), but it's poor value and a lot of hassle. if you look at Thailand tourism-related news, 50% of the stories are about scams and trouble in Phuket.

Skip Phuket and Go to Krabi or Phi Phi instead... or if you're feeling adventurous and want to go off-the-beaten-track, find some nice out-of-the way beach village along the train line (I went to one in Prachuap Khiri Khan province a year ago -- quiet, wonderful time, and only 800 baht/night for a resort with a pool right at the beach).

[Mr Earl]

Malaysia Air sometimes has reasonable airfare to Singapore.

Since you have 5 weeks you could allow a week to travel the scenic route to Singapore.
Take the the train from Bangkok to Hatyai. Then cross the border to a town on the south-east Thai/Malay border called Sungai Kolok. From there you can take the "Jungle Railway" train through the Malaysian interior (where you can stop at the stunning Taman Negara national park - the world's oldest primary rainforest) and eventually end up in Kuala Lumpur to transfer on to Singapore.

You aren't missing much by skipping Phuket. Though Patong beach is a really nice beach and has some interesting wildlife.

[Thetyim]

^^
I agree with Croco

[outanabout]

cheers folks

probably only stay in phuket for 3 nights or so.

its four 23yr old fellas so heard its good for bit of partying.

how far is the island for the full moon party from pattaya ?
and is phi phi near phuket or pattaya.. have heard thats worth visiting aswel so cheers for mentioning that.

dont mind travelling abit by train so thats good shout.

[Thetyim]

^
It's near Phuket
You can get a ferry from Phuket or Krabi

[rickschoppers]

If it were me, I would only spend enough time in Phuket to catch a ride to Phi Phi. Phuket was great about 20 years ago, but has become too expensive. After spending some time on Phi Phi, make your way over to Koh Samui and see when the next Full Moon Party is at Koh Phangan. Get over there early and enjoy some quiet time and find a good vantage point to watch the onslaught of party animals. Lots of entertainment and it is always good to know the lay of the land before the craziness starts. Mozy up to Bangkok for a day or so and then start thinking about how you would like to get to Singapore.
My personal preferences to visit in Thailand would be:

1. Phi Phi Island
2. Full Moon Party Koh Phangan
3. Chiang Mai
4. Koh Samui
5. Korat
6. Pattaya
7. Bangkok
8. Phuket

I am sure other posters have their own preferences of what to see and where to go, but if you are 24, you should enjoy the top 4 and be pretty much partyed out.

[blue]

5 weeks , go by train ,its good fun .
Night sleepers etc .
phi phi ? i don;t get it , accommodation is twice as much in Phuket ,big shanty town too .
I`would not try and cram too much in , or it will seem like you are always packing and unpacking ,

[KAPPA]

I disagree - Phuket has it all. Patong for bar hopping / whoring, Phuket Town has history and Sino/Portuguese architecture along with good shopping . Southern beaches have the north EU flavored businesses, Kamala with the Swedes, Surin is very trendy with the younger set while the Bang Tao area is more UK and USA, North Bang Tao is a better beach if you like Nature, Mai Khao is even more deserted, (ask Hannah Bucklund, butchered at high noon. )
It's a big island and the north has areas that are very quiet. It also has an international airport with flights to EU and Other Asian destinations including Japan and Korea allowingone to bypass the horror of the Bangkok Airports

[Marmite the Dog]

I suggest you buy a map of Thailand to start with.

[aging one]

I agree with this post. I would also suggest you use google as you dont seem to have a clue.

I suggest you buy a map of Thailand to start with.

[FarangRed]

South in Phuket is nice, Karon, Kata and Nai Harn

[KAPPA]

That is a real attraction of Phuket, to me , anyway-different areas have totally different vibes. And all within an hour drive. It also has a lot of smaller utterly gorgeous beaches some of which can be found totally deserted, if you know where to stop on the road , park and walk down to them- especially between Layan and Nai Thon beaches.

If you want varied nightlife, Phi Phi and the full moon parties will grow old, but for 24 yo guys...maybe not. Give yourselves a week in Phuket as also many excursion type of things go karts, water parks, bungy jumping.
If nature is more your thing, why not spend a couple of weeks in Malaysia, too.I have not seen it but I understand the parks are incredible.

Cheapest way to Singapore from Phuket is flying.