The islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are well-known and increasingly popular, but they are far from Bangkok and require a full-day trip to reach them. With Koh Samet, everything changes. Located in the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samet is much closer to Bangkok. This makes the island perfect for a weekend getaway or if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a few days and feel like spending some time on the beach.
Visit Koh Samet and enjoy spectacular white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and a much calmer environment than on islands like Koh Samui in much less time than it takes to get there. Here are the different ways to travel from Bangkok to Koh Samet.
Flights to Koh Samet from Bangkok
Since Koh Samet is only 220 kilometers (137 miles) southeast of Bangkok, traveling by plane doesn’t make much sense. Koh Samet is a small island without an airport, and the closest one (U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport) to the mainland has no flights from Bangkok because there is no demand.
Taxi or private van from Bangkok to Koh Samet
Taxi in Bangkok © Kushch Dmitry / Shutterstock, Inc.
The relatively short distance between Bangkok and Koh Samet makes traveling by taxi or private van not outrageously expensive, especially if you’re traveling with family or a group of friends. This is the most practical option as the service you choose will pick you up from any hotel in Bangkok and take you directly to Ban Phe Port in Rayong. The trip takes approximately 3 hours, but does not include the ferry ticket to the island. You will need to purchase it once you reach Ban Phe, and as there are no round-trip purchase discounts, it is recommended to purchase one-way only in case there are any changes to your plans.
Ferries do not run at night, but if you arrive after they have finished, there is a speedboat available. The boats run 24 hours a day and have the advantage of being able to leave you directly where you want to go, instead of stopping at a public port. This is a more expensive option than the ferry, but it takes about half the time to cover the route.
Bus and ferry from Bangkok to Koh Samet
Tourist Buses in Thailand © Rolf_52 / Shutterstock, Inc.
A much cheaper option, which for some is no less convenient or practical than private transport, is van Travel Mart in Khao San. You can buy a combined bus and ferry ticket for a very low price departing from Khao San Road. A bus or van will take you to Rayong and Ban Phe Port. You will already have a ferry ticket to Koh Samet, where you will arrive in approximately 30 minutes. The entire journey takes around 5 hours and vans or minibuses usually leave Bangkok in the morning.
Van, minibuses and buses from Bangkok to Koh Samet
Bangkok East Bus Station, 2 min. walk from BTS Ekkamai Station © Narin Nonthamand / Shutterstock, Inc.
If you like the idea of traveling by van from Bangkok to Koh Samet, you can catch one at Bangkok East Bus Terminal (Ekkamai BTS). Vans will also take you to the port and are an inexpensive option. If you are in the south of Bangkok, you can go to the south bus terminal and take a minibus to Ban Phe. They usually leave every two hours and are slightly more expensive than vans.
There is a regular bus service between Bangkok and Koh Samet. These buses also depart from Bangkok’s East Bus Station (Ekkamai BTS) and cost similarly to vans. The journey may be slightly longer due to stops along the way, but it usually takes around 3.5-4 hours to reach Ban Phe Port. You can buy a ferry ticket when buying a bus ticket.
If you live near Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Station, you may also want to consider the latter option, although buses that depart from Mo Chit do not go all the way to the port, but end up in Rayong. But this is not a big inconvenience because you can get to Ban Phe with songthaew for a minimal price. If you compare the time it takes to travel from Bangkok to another departure point with a bus in Mo Chit, this alternative may be more convenient if it is the nearest bus station.
Entrance fee to Koh Samet National Park
It is worth noting that Koh Samet is within the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, which means that any visitor to the island must pay an entrance fee to the national park upon arrival. Like most such tickets in Thailand, the price is minimal compared to western prices and as usual, foreign tourists pay more than citizens.