Private drive or bus: which should you book?

When a private car and driver beats an intercity bus, and when the bus is the smarter choice. A practical comparison for travel in Thailand.

A bus ticket is cheap and frequent, but it runs terminal to terminal on a fixed timetable. A private drive costs more but takes you door to door on your schedule. Here is how to choose.

Book the bus when

• You are travelling solo or as a couple on a budget.
• Your origin and destination both have bus terminals.
• A direct or one-transfer route already exists.
• You are happy to travel on the operator's timetable.

Book a private drive when

• You are a family or group with luggage — the per-person cost drops fast.
• Your pick-up or drop-off is far from any terminal.
• You have an early flight or an awkward departure time.
• You want to stop along the way or carry bulky items.

How a private drive is booked

Drop a pin for your pick-up and drop-off, or search a place by name. Say how many passengers and bags, pick a vehicle, and leave a phone number. A driver confirms the trip and the fare, usually within about an hour.

On many trips a bus for the long leg plus a short private drive at the end is the cheapest comfortable option.