Movie beaches, luxury spas, spectacular scenery…these are just three reasons why Koh Samui is so well known and one of the best beach destinations in the world. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, it is the second largest island in the country and attracts around 2.5 million tourists annually. For the person who likes the beach, Koh Samui is the perfect place to start your vacation. After you’ve sunbathed and become accustomed to the warm temperatures, head north until you reach the capital, Bangkok. You will notice a drastic change in the rhythm and atmosphere of Bangkok’s streets, but its people, temples, parks and cuisine will not disappoint you. Thanks to direct air, bus, train and ferry connections, traveling from Koh Samui to Bangkok is very easy.
Travel options from Koh Samui to Bangkok
Raja ferry on its way to Koh Samui © Andmir / Shutterstock.com
The distance between Koh Samui and Bangkok is over 700 kilometers (438 miles), so be prepared for a long journey, whichever means of transport you choose. The fastest way to travel between these two destinations is by plane, and because it’s such a popular route, many flights leave Koh Samui every day. But flights can be expensive, so cheaper options are also popular. If you are not flying, you will need to take a ferry at a certain point of your journey to get to the mainland and from there you will have several options: bus to Bangkok, bus then train or even take a private taxi for the rest of your journey Below we will give you details each option so you can choose the one that best suits your Koh Samui to Bangkok travel plans.
By plane from Koh Samui to Bangkok
Bangkok Airways plane at Koh Samui Airport © islandboy_stocker / Shutterstock.com
The flight from Koh Samui to Bangkok takes only one hour and 15 minutes. That is why air travel is such an attractive option. Even if you add in the time it takes to get to the airport, go through security and collect your baggage on arrival in Bangkok, it will take no more than 3-4 hours to reach your final destination. Being the fastest travel option, the cost of air tickets from Koh Samui to Bangkok is quite high.
Unfortunately, Bangkok Airways has a monopoly on this route. This is because it was this airline that built the airport on the island. If you want to take a direct flight, you can only do so with Bangkok Airways, but the good thing is that there are many departures per day, so it’s easy to find a flight that suits your plans. You can fly from early morning until late at night. While this is an expensive option, in terms of flight flexibility and speed, it is an unbeatable option.
Bangkok Airways Departure Hall at Koh Samui Airport © jeafish Ping / Shutterstock.com
Since Bangkok Airways is the only company operating this route, you can set any prices you want. You can expect to spend several hundred dollars, but you can minimize costs by booking as far in advance as possible. Try to avoid Thai holidays as flights fill up quickly on these dates.
There are several other flight options from Koh Samui to Bangkok. You can fly from Surat Thani Airport or Chumphon Airport. Both are on the mainland, so you’ll need to catch a ferry from Koh Samui first. Ferry connections are pretty good and there are low-cost airlines that fly to Bangkok from both airports, so you can save a lot of money. If you use a booking site like 12Go, you’ll be able to compare available ferry and flight combinations, total travel time and price. It is also a very useful website for finding different travel dates. The flight from Koh Samui to Bangkok will be more expensive on Sunday as weekend tourists will return to the city on that day.
From Koh Samui to Bangkok by ferry, bus and train
If you like to travel to see different places, this might be the best option for you. Traveling by train in Thailand is quite an experience and we recommend doing it at least once during your stay in this Asian country. It is a much cheaper option than flying, but at the same time the slowest way to get from one place to another. Therefore, if you have little time in Thailand, we do not recommend choosing this option. The total travel time with this combination of transports is almost 18 hours.
Bus from Surat Thani Port to Train Station © HGalina / Shutterstock, Inc.
Still, there are many advantages to traveling by ferry, bus and train. You can buy a combined ticket that includes all transportation on the route. It is very easy to purchase these tickets through 12Go. You will depart from Na Thon to Koh Samui and travel by Lomprayah high-speed catamaran. Upon arrival in the mainland, you will board a bus that will take you to Surat Thani Railway Station. This bus is also included in the combo ticket. In the afternoon you will board the train from Surat Thani to Bangkok. Traveling during this time you will be able to enjoy the views before dark and after dawn, but you will be traveling on a sleeper train, so you will also be able to rest at night. There are two options: a bed in 1st class or a bed in 2nd class. Second Class offers less privacy, while First Class has small compartments with sinks. The train arrives at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station around 6:30 AM, so you’ll have a full day to explore the capital.
By bus and ferry from Koh Samui to Bangkok
Lomprayah High Speed Ferry © OlegD / Shutterstock.com
The cheapest way to get from Koh Samui to Bangkok is by bus, which covers most of the journey. You will also need to take a ferry or catamaran to get from Koh Samui to the mainland, but from there you will take a bus that will take you directly to Bangkok. There are several companies that offer such combination tickets, including Songserm, Raja Ferry and Lomprayah, which operate standard ferries, fast ferries or catamarans. The ferry you choose will affect the total journey time, which can take anywhere from 12 to 16 hours.
You also have the option to include pick-up from your hotel in Koh Samui. This is a very practical option, although the ticket price will be slightly higher.
By taxi from Koh Samui to Bangkok
A final option to consider if you are traveling in a group or family is to take a private taxi from Koh Samui to Bangkok. Since you need to get to the capital to get to the mainland, a taxi will take you to the ferry, but this is a very practical way to travel as it can take you straight to the door of your hotel in Bangkok. Although expensive, the price of this option is comparable to the price of a plane ticket. If you choose a 9 seater van and split the price between everyone, it is ultimately an acceptable price alternative.
Therefore, there are four different travel options from Koh Samui to Bangkok. You will have to consider whether you want to save some money or whether the time savings offered by the plane are worth it to decide which alternative is best for you.