How to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui - by bus, train, ferry and plane (2023)

If you are looking for beautiful beaches, jungle treks, waterfalls, buzzing nightlife, water sports, activities or a bit of tropical island life, thenKoh Samuiis the perfect holiday destination or a must stop on your itinerary.

Koh Samui is known as one of the great party islands for good reason, the coastal areas of Chaweng and Lamai are full of life and the perfect place to be if you want to party. However, Koh Samui also has more relaxed and laid-back areas, such as Meanam, Bophut or Choeng Mon, in the north of the island.

Koh Samui really is a great all-rounder, offering a great experience for all types of travellers, whether you're backpacking, on a family holiday, looking to party or looking for a peaceful, quiet place to relax and unwind.

So where exactly is Koh Samui and how do you get there?

The island of Koh Samui is located just off the east coast of Thailand's Kra Isthmas in the Gulf of Thailand in the province of Surat Thani. Koh Samui is surrounded by the fantasticMu Koh Angthong National Marine Parkto the west and the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao to the north.

Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand, second only tophuketand receives over 2.5 million foreign tourists each year, all of whom rely on Thailand's transport network of planes, buses, ferries and taxis to get them there.

Continue reading to find out how to get to Koh Samui fromBangkok, available transport types, times and timetables, departure and arrival points, booking information and purchasing tickets.

Bangkok to Koh Samui by plane

Flying from Bangkok to Koh Samui is by far the easiest way to get there. The distance between Bangkok and Koh Samui is about 770 kilometers, so it's a long journey if you don't fly. For this reason, air travel is a very popular means of transport for foreign tourists.

Flights to Koh Samui are handled byBangkok Air(which is the only carrier) and depart fromBangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Due to its popularity, there are now more than 20 flights to Koh Samui from the capital every day. Check out our liveflight status pagefor arrivals and departures from Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

The flight time from Bangkok to Koh Samui is only 1 hour 10 minutes, but with getting to the airport, checking in, going through security and collecting your luggage once you've landed, you're realistically looking at a total travel time of around 4-5 hours or thereabouts. However, this is still much faster than taking the bus or train together with the ferry. Flight times vary depending on the aircraft, the Airbus A319 takes 1 hour 10 minutes (sometimes faster) and the ATR 72 propeller plane takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

As Bangkok Air is the only airline that flies to Koh Samui, there is no direct competition from other airlines. This makes the cost of flying to Koh Samui quite expensive compared to other domestic routes in Thailand. You'll be looking at spending $300-$400 for a round trip ticket.

If you want to save some money, you can fly from Bangkok to Surat Thani, then take a bus to the ferry port and take the ferry to Koh Samui.Flights from Bangkok to Surat Thaniis much cheaper, with airlines such asAir Asia,Enough air,Thai smileandLion Airall cover this route. Fares are as low as $60 for a round trip if you are flexible with times and dates.

Bangkok to Koh Samui by bus and ferry

For those who prefer to take the bus, you have two options. The first option is to take the bus from Bangkok to Chumphon and then take the high-speed catamaran to Koh Samui. The other option is to take a bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then take the ferry to Koh Samui.

Buses to both Chumphon and Surat Thani depart from Bangkok's Bangkok South Bus Terminal (Sai ​​Tai Mai) on Borommaratchachonnani Road in Bangkok's Thonburi district on the west side of the Chao Phraya River.

If you are taking the bus from Bangkok to Chumphon, look for the bus operator namedSuwannatee-tur, which again runs all day from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. The bus journey from Bangkok to Chumphon takes about 6½ hours.

There are various bus operators covering the Bangkok to Surat Thani route including:Bangkok Busline,Choke Anan Tour,Krung Siam Tour,Nakhon Si Racha-tur,Sombat TowerandSri Suthep-tur. There are a total of 15 buses that run all day from 7:00 a.m. to 21.00. The bus journey from Bangkok to Surat Thani takes about 12 hours.

By far the most popular way to travel to Koh Samui is by ferryLomprayah bus and ferry servicewhich departs fromKhao San RoadiBangkok. The bus stops firstHua Hinto pick up more passengers, head to Thung Makham Noi Pier in Chumphon. From there, board the high-speed catamaran to Pralarn Pier in Koh Samui, via the islands of Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. To check availability, compare bus fares and booking details, use our search function below.

Bangkok to Koh Samui by train, bus and ferry

Taking the train from Bangkok to Koh Samui is a very worthwhile experience in itself, yes it takes a bit longer than other methods of transport, but it gives you a chance to travel around this beautiful part of the country and enjoy Thailand's amazing scenery.

You will have to come to Bangkok'sHualampong Train Stationwhere you can take the train to either Chumphon or Surat Thani. From there you can get the ferry to Koh Samui. The train journey to Chumphon takes 6 hours and 30 minutes and the train journey to Surat Thani takes 11 hours and 40 minutes.

Taking the train is also more comfortable and gives you a little more space to walk around compared to taking the bus. The best way to travel is to get either a 1st class, 2nd class or 3rd class sleeper ticket which gives you a comfortable seat that folds out into a bed. If you choose a higher class, you get a better quality seat and bed as well as a little more privacy. You also have the choice between air conditioning or a fan if you choose the cheaper 2nd and 3rd class tickets.

If you are going to Surat Thanian and are not too bothered about enjoying the scenery, the best option is to take the overnight train. You will be able to get some sleep and arrive in Surat Thanie early in the morning. From there you can arrange your onward bus journey to Don Sak Pier and get the ferry to Koh Samui.

Bangkok to Koh Samui by taxi and ferry

Getting a private taxi or minivan from Bangkok to Koh Samui is quite expensive. However, if you are traveling as a group or as a family, this might be the perfect option for you. The journey is quite long and will take around 11 hours to get from Bangkok to Don Sak Pier.

Planning a trip to Koh Samui? check out ourKoh Samui travel guide. Here you can find the best places to go, the best things to do, the best places to stay, as well as all the latest travel information, travel advice and travel tips to help you get the most out of your trip.

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