The complete step-by-step guide to travelling from Bangkok to Koh Samet, Thailand!
Why you should visit Koh Samed
Koh Samed is one of the easiest to access islands from Bangkok. You can get from Bangkok to Koh Samed in about 4 hours, making it possible to just visit for the weekend.
However, proximity to Bangkok is not the only reason to visit Koh Samet. The island is beautiful with pristine beaches, a great sunset beach bar vibe and plenty of secluded beaches to explore. If you’re looking for an island escape but don’t have the time to visit islands further south, Koh Samet might be the choice for you.
We took a quick 3 day visit from Bangkok to Koh Samet and quickly fell in love with it. Being so close to Bangkok means Koh Samet attracts a lot of local Thai tourists and weekenders. It creates a more local vibe on the island than some of the other famous islands, which was really nice to experience.
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Is it Koh Samet or Koh Samed?
If you’ve travelled a bit in Thailand you will notice that there are often slightly different spellings for the same words. This is because there is some variation in how things are transcibed from the Thai alphabet into latin alphabet we use in English.
Koh Samet and Koh Samed are the same place. For the purposes of this article, I will use them interchangeably so that people can find how to get from Bangkok to Koh Samet no matter which search terms they use.
Travelling from Bangkok to Koh Samet
Travelling from Bangkok to Koh Samet is super easy. Let’s break down the steps.
Step one: Bangkok to Ekkamai bus station
Ekkamai Bus Station, or Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal in English, is located in the Phra Khanong District. You can get there on the Green BTS line. There is an Ekkamai BTS stop and it only takes about 5 minutes to walk to the bus terminal from there.
Alternatively, you can jump in a Grab. We took this option because we had luggage and were feeling a bit lazy. It cost us 150฿ from the Ari area.
If you don’t have tickets, you can buy tickets at the station. We bought our tickets early through 12Go Thailand for ease and convenience. If you have done this, go to the bus company’s ticket window and they will point you in the direction of the bus.
Step two: Ekkamai bus station to Nuan Thip pier
If you have pre-purchased your tickets with 12Go it is recommended that you arrive to Ekkamai bus station half an hour early. You can probably get away with arriving a little later than this, but be warned, our bus actually departed 5 minutes early.
There is food, bathrooms and ATMs at the terminal. There is no public WiFi but some of the cafes have it.
The journey time to Nuan Thip pier is just under 3.5 hours with a short stop. It is a comfortable mini-bus with air-conditioning for those humid Thai days.
Step three: Nuan Thip pier to Koh Samed island
If you have pre-booked with 12Go, your ticket will include the boat to Koh Samed island. Otherwise, you can buy your ticket at the ticket window.
The boat only takes about 30 minutes. There is also a speed boat option which is a little quicker.
When you arrive on Koh Samet, you will need to pay a 200฿ National Park entrance fee. This is only for foreigners, it is free for Thai locals to enter. It also needs to be paid in cash so make sure you have some on you!
How to book transport from Bangkok to Koh Samet
The most efficient and easiest way to book your travel from Bangkok to Koh Samet is online through 12Go. You can book the entire journey in one transaction. This also means you are given a sticker or a lanyard for the boat company, so someone will meet you at the pier and make sure you get on the right boat. It is completely fool-proof and stress-free.
We paid 300฿ for a connecting ticket Bangkok to Koh Samet.
Onward transport on Koh Samet
When you arrive in Koh Samet, there are a number of transport options to get to your destination. Some hotels will have their own transfers but if not, these green share taxis are right at the pier and are an easy way to get around the island. As soon as a boat comes in, they will start to shuttle people to their hotels.
Another option is to hire a scooter. If you walk about 100m up the road from the pier, there are multiple scooter rental options with very competitive prices.
Return travel from Koh Samet to Bangkok
To return to Bangkok from Koh Samet, you can also book on 12Go or in person at the pier. We booked with 12Go through the PN Group. If you have the option to travel with the PN Group, I definitely recommend it.
We had a speed boat back to the mainland where we were transferred back to their office to wait for the bus. The office was air-conditioned (which was a lifesaver!), had WiFi and cold drinking water. The service was amazing. They then took us in a tuk tuk to our bus when it was time to go.
Where to stay on Koh Samet
There are a lots of beautiful accommodation options on Koh Samet, from luxury resorts to quaint seaside bungalows. Here are some of our top choices!
Budget – Samed Big Tree is a cute guesthouse right near the pier that the boats arrive. It is local style but you get a lot for your money. The rooms are spotless, the owner is really friendly and the air-conditioning is amazing. It is also right in town so you are surrounded by great restaurant options and scooter rentals.
Mid-range – Samed Villa Resort is located on the other side of the island, near Ao Phai Beach. It is a quiet location, with pristine beaches nearby. Perfect for those who want to escape!
Luxury – Sai Kaew Beach Resort is one of the nicest places to stay on Koh Samet. There are 3 pools, walking access to two beaches, a beach club and restaurants onsite. It has everything you need for a relaxing few days soaking up the Thai sun in style!
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