How switching islands actually works here
From the outside it often sounds more complicated than it is: a new island, a new ferry, a new driver. After the last few changes I can say how this actually plays out in practice, no theory, just what really happens.
The ferries: booked short notice, cheap
I booked all the tickets through 12Go Asia, sometimes only one or two days ahead. Costs ranged from 9 € for a three-hour stretch to 17 € for a slightly longer one. Waiting times were relaxed, pickup happened directly at the hotel or resort. Once you can reach the driver over WhatsApp, the whole process gets noticeably calmer, no uncertainty about where to wait.
Luggage and the transfer itself
Luggage was never an issue. The drivers took care of everything and made it as pleasant as possible. Some of the time I was in genuinely comfortable taxis, with a cooler box and massage seats. In between there were breaks at 7-Eleven stores. None of it was anything I had to organize myself, it just worked.
Grab: the daily companion
Altogether I spent about 80 to 90 € a month on Grab. Short rides into town sometimes cost just a few cents, a ride to the airport with 30 to 50 minutes of driving time runs 3 to 5 €. If you want it a bit more comfortable, a longer ride costs 10 to 15 €, still cheap. You just enter the address in the app, and if you don't want to wait, you pay a few extra baht and get picked up faster.
What annoyed me
Only once: I got dropped off in the rain because the driver wouldn't pull over to the right side of the street. After that I still had to walk 300 meters. Once in all these past weeks, and I don't want to leave that out.
What I take away from this
The crossings, the Grab rides, the people here, all of it was surprisingly relaxed and friendly. I notice how well I've settled in by now. What sounded like logistics stress at the start has simply become everyday life.