Distance
480 km (300.0 miles)
Price range
US$29-US$171
Ride Duration Range
1h 10m-18h 30m
Earliest Departure
01:50
Latest Departure
23:10
Most Popular Operator

To get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, you will want to look into the plane-ferry option. The two cities are separated by more than 750 km, so any other mode of travel would be extremely time consuming, including the 15-hour bus ride. The beach is the main place to visit when you’ve settled into Koh Samui. You can relax on the white sand or be active by going snorkeling, surfing, or parasailing. Take a break from the beach and visit Fisherman’s Village and the Big Buddha Temple while you’re there. Take advantage of the dry season by booking a trip between December and August.

Travel Schedule Options from Bangkok to Koh Samui



























































































Taking a bus from Bangkok to Koh Samui

Fastest bus: 18h

Cheapest bus: US$39

The fastest: 18h

The cheapest: US$39

The available amenities for this trip are currently unavailable. For specific questions, please contact our customer service, available 24/7.

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

The fastest: 1h 10m

The cheapest: US$152

The available amenities for this trip are currently unavailable. For specific questions, please contact our customer service, available 24/7.

The fastest: 11h 30m

The cheapest: US$29

Pros

Well organized pre-arranged combo

Food and water provided

Reclining seats (in both vehicles)

Toilets on board ferry

Possible overnight accommodation replacement

Cons

Very long journey

Possile ferry services fee (140 THB)

Makes no personal pick ups

Sparse English language service

Possible inclement weather cancellations

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

WC

routes_hero-image-alt Koh Samui

How to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui

Travelers seeking the best option to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui have a few to choose from. 


To navigate the 763-kilometer distance, you could take a cozy bus through winding roads before hopping on a speedboat to reach the paradisiacal island of Koh Samui. 


Maybe you’ll rumble through the countryside on a sleeper train where the sun streaming in the window wakes you up at sunrise with gorgeous jungle views, and then take a slow ferry to dodge seasickness to complete the journey. 


Or, you might choose the quickest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui and hop on a flight to cross the Gulf of Thailand.


What is Koh Samui like?

Once you’ve soaked up the chaotic beauty of Bangkok, heading to the islands in the south is the perfect way to unwind. 


This cultural melting pot attracts approximately 2.7 million visitors yearly to its shores. People from all over the world now call it home, whether temporary or long-term. Koh Samui is a treasure trove of adventures for people of all ages. 


As part of the Chumphon Archipelago, Koh Samui is the ideal location to start an island-hopping trip to nearby Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Ang Thong National Marine Park.


What to do on Koh Samui?

However you choose to travel to Koh Samui, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with its white beaches, delicious local food, and welcoming culture. 


Learn to snorkel or scuba dive, take a surfing lesson, or try parasailing to satisfy your inner mermaid. 


Explore mesmerizingly beautiful waterfalls and climb to the highest point on the island to discover all the best views of this slice of heaven. 


If you just want to enjoy a week of glorious sunshine while doing nothing, spend your time luxuriating on the beach between visits to cocktail bars and Thai restaurants. 


Figuring out where to party on Koh Samui is easy. Choose between jungle raves, beachside extravaganzas, sensual Latin dance evenings, or embrace your inner hippie at an ecstatic dance event.


How long does it take to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok?

Traveling from Bangkok to Koh Samui takes anywhere from one to 18 hours. 

  • A short flight from Bangkok will take an hour. 

  • Backpackers will love the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui by bus and ferry, but journey times via bus range from ten to 16 hours. 

  • Taking a train and a ferry, or a speedboat, will take between 12 and 18 hours.


Most buses, ferries, and trains will allow you to bring a 23-kg suitcase and a carry-on backpack.


What is the journey between Bangkok and Koh Samui like?

Travel by day to see the beautiful coastline and jungle landscapes stretching between Bangkok and Koh Samui. Looking out of the bus or train window, you’ll catch glimpses of the glittering blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand and marvel at the luscious greenery of some of Thailand’s nearly 19 million hectares of forest. 


However, the best way to travel overland from Bangkok to Koh Samui is by taking an overnight coach or bus that arrives in time for an early morning ferry or speedboat for the last leg of the journey.

 

You won’t see much scenery, but you’ll save a night’s accommodation budget for adventuring on Koh Samui. Plus, if you have a window seat, you can enjoy a magnificent sunrise as you complete the last leg of the journey to make up for any missed sightseeing opportunities.


On the ferry crossing, grab a seat on the deck to glimpse the other islands that make up the Chumphon Archipelago and enjoy the relaxing lull of the waves as you’re ferried to Koh Samui’s shores.


Once you arrive on the island, walk around the pier to enjoy the ocean views.


Transportation to Koh Samui

Dozens of travel operators transport tourists between the capital and the various islands in the Gulf of Thailand. So, there is rarely a shortage of transportation options to reach Koh Samui. Prebook a journey that combines your bus and ferry journeys in a single booking via Bookaway to avoid showing up at the pier and finding that all the boats are full.


Try to book your journey a couple of days in advance. You can get last-minute tickets, but all the VIP options will fill up quickly.

Flying: The quickest option to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui

The fastest way to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok is by hopping on a flight. A little pricier than overland, a plane can get you there in just over an hour. A comfortable flight is the preferred option for travelers with a higher budget.


Sleeper Train: The comfiest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui

The comfiest option is to take a sleeper train from Bangkok to Chumphon or Suratthani and then take a ferry or speedboat to reach Koh Samui. It’s also a lot of fun, especially if you book a sleeper carriage in first or second class.


Step one: Book a ticket that takes you to Chuphon or Suratthani.

Step two: Book a separate van + ferry ticket to pick you up from the station and bring you the ferry. 

Step three: Travel directly to Koh Samui via ferry or speedboat. 


Pro tip: Request to book a lower bunk on the train to enjoy the views out of the massive window. 


Train class options 

Third-class:
  • These carriages come with upright seats, in an air-conditioned carriage (if you are lucky) or one with a fan. 

  • They are cheap, but the journey will be brutal.

Second-class:
  • Most carriages are air-conditioned but double-check before booking.

  • You’ll likely board in the day, so the cushioned seats will be upright.

  • Later, an attendant will come and transform them into a bunkbed-style system.

  • Each compartment has a hook, a privacy curtain, and fresh bedding.

First-class:
  • Upright during the day, these cabins come with two bunk-bed-style seats.

  • Wider than second-class, the beds offer a comfortable option for people who struggle to sleep in crowded second-class carriages. 

  • Each cabin provides a small sink for washing, garbage, bag storage, charger points, and fresh bedding.

  • You’ll also have access to a first-class toilet in the carriage.


Buses: The most affordable option to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui

The cheapest way to travel between Bangkok and Koh Samui is by bus and ferry. It might be a long journey, but it’s a unique experience that everyone should try once. It’s slow, too, so bring lots of stuff to do and a rechargeable battery pack for your electronics.


Bus + ferry class options

  • A standard express bus between Bangkok and Koh Samui usually has an upright seat, a pillow, and a blanket.

  • VIP buses typically come in two formats: 24 and 32 seats. The fewer seats there are, the more comfortable the journey will be. Smaller seat numbers mean bigger seats.

  • A VIP bus usually provides a blanket, pillow, charger point, water, snacks, time at a rest stop, and toilet facilities on board.


What type of boat can I get to Koh Samui?

Typically, travelers take two types of boats for the final leg to Koh Samui: speedboats and ferries.

  • The quicker speedboat will get you there in approximately one hour. It will be a bumpier ride, though, so bring preventative tablets if you struggle with seasickness.

  • A ferry ride will take between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on the weather. Speedboats will be slightly more expensive, but the extra fee is worth it after a long haul via train or bus.


Where will I arrive in Koh Samui?

Koh Samui has four piers. 

  • The main pier, Nathon Pier, is on the west of the island and connected to the main town. 

  • Lipa Noi Pier is connected to Donsak Pier, just south of Suratthani. 

  • Bangrak Pier sits on the northwest of the island and connects Koh Samui to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. 

  • Maenam Pier is situated on the north of the island. You can reach Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Surattani from this pier. 


Pick an option that lands closer to your accommodation to save on additional transport costs. You will need to hire a songthaew (a pickup truck with two bench seats fixed along either side of the back) to reach your destination because Koh Samui is not always pedestrian-friendly.


When is the best time to travel to Koh Samui?

The dry season between December and April is often busy on Koh Samui, as are the summer holidays between June and August. The quietest time is during the wet season between May and November.

Companies Operating from Bangkok to Koh Samui

Average time

15h

Average price

US$33 - US$43

(46)

Average time

16h

Average price

US$33

(2)

Average time

15h 30m

Average price

US$39

(1)

Average time

14h 30m

Average price

US$32

Why travel with Bookaway?

Bookaway.com makes it simple and easy to find, compare, and buy city-to-city tickets via bus, train, ferry, and more. We support over 13 languages and 23 currencies worldwide, and we believe that everyone should easily be able to find and purchase what they are looking for. We don’t just want to help you get where you want to go - we want you to enjoy the ride.