Escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and venture to the stunning island of Koh Samet for a much-needed weekend getaway. With our expert guide, you’ll discover the quickest and easiest way to get from Bangkok to this tropical paradise. Let’s start planning your dream island escape today!
Located 200km southeast of Bangkok, Koh Samet is a small island that can be reached by boat from one of the piers in Ban Phe, Rayong. To get to Ban Phe from Bangkok, you can choose various transportation options, such as renting a car, hiring a private taxi, taking a minivan, or riding a bus.
Compare tickets to Koh Samet on 12Go:
Koh Samet’s popularity among tourists and locals is due to its convenient accessibility from Bangkok and Pattaya. However, visitors should note that as a national park, an entrance fee is required upon arrival.
Koh Samet National Park Entry Fee
| Adult | Child | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreigners | 200 THB | 100 THB |
| Thai | 40 THB | 20 THB |
Distance to Koh Samet
| Location | Distance to Sri Ban Phe Pier |
|---|---|
| Bangkok | 203km |
| Suvarnabhumi International Airport | 175km |
| Don Mueang International Airport | 215km |
| Pattaya | 82km |
Bangkok to Koh Samet by Taxi + Boat
Booking a private taxi is the best option for a hassle-free trip from Bangkok to Koh Samet and is the option I personally picked when traveling to the island. The ride takes 2-3 hours and costs approximately 2,000-3,000 THB. Alternative transportation options are less expensive but require more time due to several stops en route.
Pre-booking with a private taxi company or using the Grab or Bolt app to order a taxi is recommended instead of hailing on the roadside. Ride-hailing app lets you can pick a specific vehicle type, and they have onboard safety features such as a panic button.
It’s important to note that when using a private taxi, confirm the fare beforehand to avoid misunderstandings or surprises. Also, be aware that the roads can be congested, especially during peak hours, so factor that into your travel plans. Finally, having cash on hand to pay for tolls along the way is a good idea.
Once you arrive at Ban Phe pier, transfer to a boat to Koh Samet.
Insider tip:
Bring some drinks and snacks for the long journey
Bangkok to Koh Samet by Minivan + Boat
If you’re traveling with a group to Koh Samet, a shared minivan is a good option, as it can accommodate up to 10 people. A public minivan costs around 200 THB per person for the 2-3 hour journey to Ban Phe.
You can catch a public/shared minivan from Bus Terminal Eastern in Ekkamai, accessible by BTS, with hourly departures from 7 am to 6 pm. Remember that the minivan may make multiple stops along the way as locals also use this service.
Prefer a private minivan? They can be booked through a travel agency like 12go or Klook, your hotel’s reception, or the Grab / Bolt app. The price will range from 3,000 to 4,000 THB.
An important thing to note is that shared minivans can be cramped and uncomfortable, especially if the vehicle is at full capacity. Also, if you have a lot of luggage, it may not fit in the van or will take up space meant for other passengers. It’s best to pack light when taking this mode of transportation.
Once you arrive at Ban Phe pier, transfer to a boat to Koh Samet.
Insider tip:
You may want to bring a jacket or sweater, as the air conditioning in the minivan can be pretty cold.
Bangkok to Koh Samet by Bus + Boat
The cheapest way to reach Koh Samet from Bangkok is by taking the bus at Bus Terminal Eastern in Ekkamai. Buses leave hourly from 7 am to 6 pm, costing 150 THB per person. The bus journey takes up to 4 hours.
You can buy a package deal that covers a single bus ticket to Ban Phe and a return ferry ticket from Ban Phe to Koh Samet for 280 THB per person.
To reach Bangkok Bus Terminal Eastern, take the BTS to Ekkamai and exit from gate number 2, then walk to the nearest 7-Eleven and turn left.
The bus will drop you off at Nuan Thip Pier, where you’ll find the boats to Koh Samet.
Once you arrive at Ban Phe pier, transfer to a boat to Koh Samet.
Ekkamai to Ban Phe bus timetable
| Route | Timetable |
| Ekkamai to Ban Phe | 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:30, (18:30 – only Friday) |
| Ban Phe to Ekkamai | 7:00, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 |
Koh Samet from Bangkok Airport
Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
Getting to Ban Phe from Suvarnabhumi International Airport is possible by bus or taxi.
Bus
The bus terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) has routes to Bangkok Terminal Eastern in Ekkamai, where you can transfer for a bus to Ban Phe.
Suvarnabhumi also has bus routes to Rayong; once there, you’ll need to get a minivan or taxi to Ban Phe.
Public Taxi
At Suvarnabhumi airport, many public taxi options are available, including private and local taxis. However, if you book a local taxi, it’s essential to check with the driver if they are willing to travel to Ban Phe. Not all local taxi drivers may accept the ride due to the distance. It’s also important to ensure the driver turns on the meter or agrees on a fixed price before starting the journey.
Airport transfer
Several travel companies provide airport transfer services, where they will meet you at the arrivals gate, help with your luggage, and take you to Koh Samet.
Booking an airport transfer allows you to compare prices, choose from different vehicle types, and read online reviews about the service. Klook is my recommended platform for booking airport transfers because it allows you to compare various providers easily.
Car Hire
You can also rent a car from one of the car rentals companies like Hertz, Avis, or Budget located in the arrivals area of the airport to get to Ban Phe.
Once you arrive at Ban Phe, you can park your car at one of the pier car parks and retrieve it upon your return from Koh Samet.
Once you arrive at Ban Phe pier, transfer to a boat to Koh Samet.
Don Mueang (DMK)
If you are traveling from Don Mueang to Koh Samet, the most convenient option is a direct taxi to Ban Phe. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) and then transfer to a bus heading to Ban Phe. Please note that no direct buses are from Don Mueang to Ban Phe.
Once you arrive at Ban Phe pier, transfer to a boat to Koh Samet.
Ban Phe Pier to Koh Samet
To reach Koh Samet Island from Ban Phe, you must take a boat from one of three piers: Ban Phe, Nuan Thip, or Phe. Several types of boats are available, including the slower wooden ferry, the fast ferry, and the speedboat.
Fast Ferry to Koh Samet – Catamaran Boat
The fast ferry run by Khokaew Phitsadan has an airconditioned cabin and can hold up to 74 passengers. The 10-minute jounrey from Ban Phe Pier to Na Dan Pier (Koh Samet) operates every day of the week from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Tickets cost 150 THB/person one-way and 300 THB/person return.
If you intend to bring a motorbike on board, it’s an additional 50 THB per trip. Motorcycles are also hirable on the island.
Koh Samet Fast Ferry Timetable
| To / From Ban Phe Pier | Onward | Return |
| Na Dan Pier | 7:30, 9:30, 11:30, 14:15, 17:00 | 8:15, 10:30, 12:30, 15:45, 17:30 |
Koh Samet Fast Ferry Price
| To / From Ban Phe Pier | Single | Return |
| Na Dan Pier | 150 THB | 300 THB |
Slow Ferry to Koh Samet – Wooden Boat
The wooden ferry found at Nuan Thip Pier has drop-offs at various locations on Koh Samet, including Na Dan Pier, Ao Wong Duan, Ao Wai, and Ao Kui. The journey takes around 40 to 45 minutes and costs 50 to 100 THB for a single ticket and 100 to 200 THB for a return.
Koh Samet Wooden Boat Timetable
| To / From Nuan Thip Pier | Onward | Return |
| Na Dan Pier | 7:00 – 18:00 – Hourly | 7:00 – 18:00 – Hourly |
| Ao Wong Duan | 9:30, 13:30 | 08:30, 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:30 |
| Ao Wai | 11:00, 12:00 | 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 |
| Ao Kui | 09:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30 | 09:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30 |
Koh Samet Wooden Boat Cost
| To / From Nuan Thip Pier | Single | Return |
| Na Dan Pier | 50 THB | 100 THB |
| Ao Wong Duan | 70 THB | 120 THB |
| Ao Wai | 100 THB | 200 THB |
| Ao Kui | 100 THB | 200 THB |
Speedboat to Koh Samet
Shared speedboats operate from Nuan Thip Pier and can hold up to 10 passengers, only leaving the pier when full. The speedboat will take passengers to their desired beach on the island.
Prices range from 200-500 THB single and 400-1000 THB return.
It’s possible to get a private speedboat at Phe Pier with prices ranging from 2,000-3,000 THB, depending on the time of day. These speedboats operate 24/7 and can be helpful if you’ve missed the last ferry.
Nuan Thip Pier
Koh Samet Speedboat Timetable
| To / From Nuan Thip Pier | Onward | Return |
| All Koh Samet beaches | 09:00, 10:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 | 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 |
Koh Samet Speedboat Boat Cost
| To / From Nuan Thip Pier | Single | Return |
| Hat Sai Kaew | 200 THB | 300 THB |
| Ao Wong Duan | 300 THB | 600 THB |
| Ao Wai | 400 THB | 800 THB |
| Ao Kui | 500 THB | 1000 THB |
FAQ
How to reach Koh Samet by train?
Two trains run from Hua Lamphong Bangkok station to Pattaya. Train #997 is the rapid weekend service, while #283 is the slower weekday service.
How far is Koh Samet from Bangkok?
Koh Samet is located about 168 km from Bangkok, and while there are no direct flights to the island, it is still easily accessible. The journey from Bangkok to Koh Samet typically involves a 200 km drive followed by a 7.5 km boat ride, which takes around 2-3 hours.
How to go to Koh Samet from Pattaya?
To get to Koh Samet from Pattaya first get a taxi or minivan to Ban Phe Pier, then transfer to a direct boat service to Koh Samet.
How much is a taxi from Bangkok to Koh Samet?
A taxi to Koh Samet will cost between 2,000-3,000 THB with a journey time of around 2-3 hours.
Summary
To reach Koh Samet from Bangkok, several transportation options, including bus, taxi, or private hire car, cater to different budgets.
If you are traveling in a group, booking a private minivan in advance can accommodate up to 10 people and pick you up from your residence in Bangkok.
For those who want to explore more of Thailand, you can hire a car from one of the airports and park it in Ban Phe.
For a luxurious trip, you can opt for a private taxi from Bangkok and a speedboat to the island from Ban Phe.