Big Bus

The front entrance is easy to spot with the large green covering

I've mentioned getting to Bangkok before and given helpful tips on how best to travel, but I realised the other day I've not explained about the big bus.  I know it's a bit silly calling it the "big bus" as it's just a normal bus but it is obviously different to the mini-buses you can go on. 

I prefer the big bus as I don't get so travel sick / claustrophobic and you can take your luggage on it.  Now that might also sound a bit mad, but if you travel on a mini-bus and have more than a small back-pack, they charge you an extra seat which of course doubles the usual price of 200 baht for a single to Bangkok.

The main bus station here is Chan (opposite the lake) has a bus that goes direct to and from the airport, but there are limited times it goes and this can be inconvenient depending on your flight times as the trip takes roughly four hours. 

The bus station I like to use is opposite the Bangkok Hospital.  It has a bus at 10:45 which is a civilised time to leave, it can drop you at a taxi rank to get to the airport or you can continue all the way to Bangkok and Ekkamai (or Eastern) bus station.  There is another bus at 3:45pm that also does the airport drop and other "Bangkok only" buses.  My advice is to check at least the day before so you get the right time and you can book your seat (my preference is either behind the driver or to his left at the front) in advance.

The bus station itself has some good facilities.  There's a lovely lady that works on the counter who speaks good English.  She also gives the bus driver (who presumably isn't as good at English) a piece of paper with your seat number and destination in Thai so that he doesn't forget to drop you off if you're stopping before Bangkok.  The price of the ticket includes a sealed cup of water and a small pack of wafer biscuits - a nice touch. 

There are toilets here (but you have to check the ladies as, of the three, only one is sit down) as well as showers - though you'd need to have your own towel to make the most of this.  There's also an impressive array of seating from wide wooden benches to chairs.  There's a large outdoor seating area as well as the waiting room which has ceiling fans and a TV but of course, the channels are all in Thai.  There's a variety of shops around if you need something to eat and the booking office also has savoury snacks and drinks for sale.