How to get to Koh Samet from Chiang Mai and Bangkok – A quick guide to the transportation options

Looking for the perfect escape from Bangkok? Koh Samet is a dreamy island getaway where both expats and locals retreat for long weekends and holidays to soak up the fresh air and unwind from city life. With its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, and relaxed atmosphere, it’s no wonder this island is a favorite.

After over a decade of traveling in Thailand, I finally made my way to Koh Samet! My journey started in Chiang Mai, and while it took almost a full day, the trip was surprisingly straightforward. In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about getting to Koh Samet, whether you’re coming from Chiang Mai or Bangkok. Let’s dive in!

Getting to Koh Samet from Bangkok

By bus or mini van and ferry

This is the most budget-friendly option. It’s not the quickest and it might not be the most comfortable, but it’s cheap and easy.

If you want to take an air-conditioned bus, you can catch it from Mochit Station, or from Khao San Road. From Mochit there is a bus leaving every hour, starting from 7:00AM. From Khao San Road there’s one bus at 11:30. These times can change, so check before you go. You can check the timetable and prices online and purchase your tickets here. The price is around 400-700 THB per person.

To get from Bangkok to Koh Samet by a mini van, you need to go to Bangkok Ekkamai. They depart every hour, starting from 6AM. It’s a good idea to buy tickets online to save time. The ticket costs around 350 THB per person. You can also purchase your ticket at the station. Normally, there will be places available, even if you arrive an hour before, but it might happen that you’ll need to wait.

Both buses and mini vans stop once or twice at gas stations, where you can buy something to eat and go to the toilet.

When you get to the Ban Phe ferry in Trat and don’t have the ticket, you can go directly to the cash register. Ignore all of the men that will try to divert you to their boats. Buy your ticket in the booth. There are 2 types of boats to choose from – a speedboat, which is more expensive (around 200 THB), or a wooden boat (100 THB) – which is slower and cheaper. I usually prefer the latter as the cruise is much calmer and pleasant. You can also buy your tickets online before you go.

The ferry station in Trat has a few small shops, where you can buy drinks and food. There is a toilet as well.

When you get off on Koh Samet, there will be songteaws (pick up trucks) waiting for you. They will take you to your hotel for a small fee.

By private taxi and ferry

If you prefer to travel a bit more comfortable, then you can hire a private taxi. It will take you two hours to get to Trat ferry station. Normally, you will have a mini van all to yourself. The driver can stop whenever you want. If you want to see something on the way, you can also ask for that. In this case you’ll need to pay a bit more. The mini vans are air-conditioned and the drivers drive really safe. You can book your ride online, too.

You will be dropped off in Trat, at the ferry station, where you can purchase your ticket.

By plane, taxi and ferry

Another way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samet is by plane. Bangkok Airways is the only airline that flies from Suvanabhumi Airport. It’s actually a nice experience. The planes are very small and colorful and the airport in Trat is tiny and very cute. The airline picks you up from the plane by golf carts, which makes you feel like you’re in The White Lotus.

At the airport, you can book your transfer to the island, which will cost you around 600 THB. Again, you can book this online as well. The transfer includes a taxi to Baan Phe pier and a ferry ride to the island.

Getting from Chiang Mai to Koh Samet

By plane, bus or mini van and boat

To get from Chiang Mai to Koh Samet, I advise to leave the city early in the morning. I took a plane at 6AM, which allowed me to travel with a peace of mind and not stress about getting to the boat on time. I flew with AirAsia, which is the best airline in Thailand in my opinion. Then, I took a taxi from the airport to Ekkamai. The station in Ekkamai is not so big and there are always people to help you out, if you don’t know where to go or where to buy your ticket. When you enter the station and go straight ahead, you will see a small window with a big Koh Samet sign. You can buy your ticket there.

There is an option of buying your ticket from Bangkok to Koh Samet online, but I decided not to do it as I was a bit afraid that I wouldn’t make it to the ferry. I got to Ekkamai at 8AM and bought my ticket for 9AM mini van. I was in Ban Phe ferry terminal around 11. Then, I had to wait for about an hour. The cruise took about 45 minutes and before 2PM I was in my hotel on Koh Samet.

Overnight in Bangkok, then bus and ferry

If, for some reason, you can’t get to Bangkok early, then you’ll need to spend the night in the capital. Check out my favourite places to stay in Bangkok. This is a good option, too if you want to take a rest and go to Koh Samet a bit later.

The next day, head to Mochit or Ekkamai, take a mini van and then a boat from Trat. You can also fly, too.

Final tips for a smooth trip

In my opinion, the best time to travel from either Bangkok or Chiang Mai to Koh Samet is early in the morning. I don’t like to waste my time on unnecessary travel. If you leave in the morning, you’ll be there in the early afternoon and will have a whole day to enjoy yourself.

Book your tickets in advance, if you can. This will save you some stress. I was very lucky and could catch the van and then the boat without waiting for too long, but sometimes it might happen that there won’t be any places available. I heard a lot of stories recently about this – lots of travellers had to wait a long time for a bus because there weren’t enough tickets. It happens in the peak season – from December until March.

Remember to put SPF on when going on the ferry. The sun is very strong. The boats have roofs and lots of shade, but if they are crowded, it’s hard to hide from the heat.

Going from Bangkok or Chiang Mai to Koh Samet is fairly easy and affordable. You can get there in a couple of hours. Once you set your foot on the island, you will see that it’s really worth going there. Koh Samet is amazing and I really recommend you to go and visit it.