VIP Bus Hua Hin to Phuket

[LLSO]

Esteemed Board Members,

I am trying to find out about a VIP bus from Hua Hin to Phuket. Thought we would pop down for a few days before the kid is back in school and the rates double after Nov. 1. I know there is supposed to be one and was wondering if anyone has used it and what it is like, cost , comfort,etc.
Thanks in advance

LL
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"Relax said the nightman we are programmed to recieve. You can check out any time you like but you can never leave"

[DawnHRD]

Haven't used it myself, but we did use it to send loads of dry dog food down to Phuket just after the Tsunami. They let us send the food for the price of 1 ticket which was either 700 or 900 baht then. The bus was always pretty punctual and it went from the clocktower. It's an overnight journey & the bus looked OK, aircon, reasonably comfy. We booked through Western Tours.
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[JD]

I booked 2 return tickets to Phuket using the 24 seat VIP aircon bus last year (August time). Collected from the Clocktower, Hua Hin at 9.30pm (coach starts out from Bangkok) arrived in Phuket about 6.00am next day.

Good comfortable reclining seats, movies, (all in Thai), drinks, and snacks, stop off for food on the way (price included), then lights out for an easy slow drive down to Phuket to arrive first thing in the morning, slept pretty much all the way.

Costs if I remember correct was about 3,000 Bht for two return tickets. Very easy and relaxed way to arrive. The return did put us back in Hua Hin (Clocktower) at 3.00am though (arrives Bangkok 6.00am). Not many taxis about to take us home.

Booked tickets through an agent opposite the bus station by the level crossing on Chomsin Road. The agent was even at the Clocktower to meet us, give us our tickets and wait for the coach with us.

On arrival in Phuket Town, watch out for the taxi drivers, after a few coffees we approached one to take us to Karen Beach, he wanted 1,000Bht, he asked my wife why I was laughing so much, she explained we’ve just come from Hua Hin for 750Bht and it always makes me laugh when locals think we are Tourists and try it on. Settled on 200 Bht and I gave him 250.
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[Norseman]

You can buy your tickets in Bus Station No. 2, (close to the northern railroad crossing).
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[webmaster]

I have to agree with JD's post for using the VIP 24 Bus to Phuket. After living 5 years in Hua Hin we finally moved to Phuket and taken the VIP 24 bus rides a few times. It's the best public transportation to accommodate someone who can manage without smoking for 4 hours (not me! ONLY 5 packs a day).

The cost is roughly around 1,000 Baht per person 1 way and the details as JD has posted. There are more than 10 agents selling the tickets for this trip (no names given Admin and Mods) in Hua Hin.

It's better to have a booking with a hotel which will pick you up from the bus terminal otherwise the local tuk tuk guys will charge you a silly amount - be aware - or you can just take a small walk to the main road and get a very reasonable taxi price (air-con) for 1/3 of the tuk tuk prices.

Make sure you make your return booking 24 hours ahead cause there are only 2 companies running the VIP 24 busses and they are pretty much booked well ahead of departure times.
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[Stu-Pot]

Have used the service a few weeks ago.

Leaves from the main Bus station. Cost was roughly 1000 baht as mentioned before.

Times vary, but i departed HH at 22.00 hrs and arrived into Phuket town about 06.00 hrs.

Comfort was reasonable, if you can relax and/or sleep on a bus.

Would recommend it as a very afforable way to get to Phuket

[LLSO]

I just want to Thank all of the mebers who replied with some great information.

LL
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"Relax said the nightman we are programmed to recieve. You can check out any time you like but you can never leave"