Bangkok to Koh Samui? Organize Your Trip with Our Tips in 2024!

Koh Samui, a famous beach destination in Thailand, presents an incredible view combining land and sea in harmony with its beautiful sandy beaches, palm trees and high limestone cliffs. One important factor in traveling there is how you will get there as Koh Samui is the most sought-after destination. From different choices of flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui through buses or trains, you will find out how to easily reach Koh Samui from Bangkok so that you can begin your trip well. All the information needed for a smooth journey from Bangkok to Koh Samui is provided in this guide and it guarantees a wonderful stay at one of Thailand’s most charming provinces.

Written by Preetika Narula (Local Expert)Updated on 26-08-2024

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Distance between Bangkok and Koh Samui

Koh Samui is an island situated in the Gulf of Thailand in southern Surat Thani Province, Thailand's second-largest island, famous for its magnificent natural beauty. Its growth made it a favored tourist spot.

There are several ways to travel from Bangkok to Koh Samui: flying into save time or taking the road which allows you to see Thai countryside on your way to this great Eden. If you choose to take this route, be prepared for an exhausting journey since Bangkok and Koh Samui are almost 782 kilometers apart in distance.

1. Traveling from Bangkok to Koh Samui by Plane

Getting from Bangkok to Koh Samui is fastest and most comfortable for everyone using a plane. The flight from Bangkok takes about 65 minutes to Koh Samui. Samui International Airport is situated on the northeastern side of the island and regarded as one of the prettiest airports in Thailand.

It blends so well with nature that it perfectly reflects the island's tropical theme. Bangkok Airways operates this airport, which is among the few privately-owned airports globally.

For flights to Koh Samui, only Bangkok Airways operates from Bangkok. This airline offers direct flights connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to this paradise island, with Bangkok to Koh Samui flights prices ranging from $94 to $200 per person, depending on the season and availability. The first flight departs at 6:15 am, and the last one leaves at 9:30 pm.

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Samui International Airport is indeed located near Koh Samui town. Specifically, it is about 7.4 km northeast of Chaweng Beach, which is often considered the main hub of Koh Samui. This makes it easily accessible from various parts of the island, including the city center, and provides convenient connections to major tourist attractions on the island.

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• Travelling from Bangkok to Koh Samui by Air Ferry

In case you want to save some money, you can fly from Bangkok to Surat Thani and take a ferry for one and a half hours to reach the island of Koh Samui. Here, it is quite cheap when you purchase domestic flight tickets from Bangkok to Surat Thani ahead of time.

Every day, there are approximately 23 flights operated by various airlines like Air Asia, Lion Air, Thai Airways and Nok Air are available. After 30 minutes on the tarmac in Surat Thani airport, travelers have another 30 minutes by bus to get to Donsak ferry port where they catch a boat or take the ferry then in an hour that will take them to Koh Samui.

To save costs; therefore one may choose flying directly via Surat Thani then use land transport in form of buses so that they later reach their destination through ferries which may take about around 5-6 hours but will be less costly compared with air travel.

Additionally, it is possible to purchase combination bus-ferry tickets hence no need for any transport changes. The combined ticket may start from 78.82$.

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2. Traveling from Bangkok to Koh Samui By train and ferry

Get ready for an incredible experience! For budget travelers, a southern Thailand train trip is highly recommended. While it's impossible to travel by train all the way to Koh Samui, you can take a night train from Bangkok to Surat Thani. From there, a bus will take you to the ferry port, where you can connect by ferry to Koh Samui.

Trains from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Central Station to Surat Thani take 11-15 hours, depending on the route. There are ten direct trains daily, departing between 7 am and 10 pm.

Berths are available onboard, allowing you to save on accommodation while enjoying good Thai food during your journey. The ideal train departs around 7 pm, arriving the next morning at 8 am.

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Upon arrival in Surat Thani, you'll need to take a bus or taxi to Donsak Port and then a ferry to Koh Samui, arriving at one of the island's piers such as Nathon Pier, Lipa Noi Pier, Mae Nam Pier, or Bangrak Pier.

This trip is an adventure that lets you experience more of mainland Thailand. The ferry journey takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the type of ferry, with fares starting from 44.73 dollars.

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3. Traveling from Bangkok to Koh Samui By bus

Bangkok may lead you away to Koh Samui very efficiently if you take a night bus from there. In fact, this option enables one to get ticket last minute as buses from Sai Tai Mai or Bangkok South Bus Terminal operate at high frequency. From Thai capital bus terminal to Surat Thani air-conditioned buses leave quite often.

For instance, it is advisable that travellers choose modern VIP buses with toilet facilities always since they have air conditioning systems. It takes approximately ten (10) hours for these buses up-to-date which drive directly towards Don Sak ferry terminal located in Surat Thani. Taking a ferry to the island adds another hour or two onto the journey.

The trip by both bus and ferry generally lasts between eleven (11) hours and fifteen point five (15.5) hours from Bangkok to Koh Samui. To avoid losing your bus in Bangkok please arrive early (at least thirty minutes).

In terms of distance by road Bangkok-Surat Thani-Koh Samui is close to seven hundred fifty kilometers (750 kilometers) (466 miles) and this bus route is one of the easiest ways to travel from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Also, there are combo tickets such as a bus and ferry; thus, making the voyager’s journey easier than ever before. The starting price for this option is about forty dollars eighteen cents ($40.18).

4. What is the best way?

There are various options for traveling between Bangkok and Koh Samui, but how do you know which is best? Choosing the perfect one will rely on your preferences, the time available to you and things that are more important to you personally.

Below is a summary of available modes of transport to consider when making a choice from Bangkok to Koh Samui:

5. Where to book your tickets?

It is best if you organize and book your flight as well as train tickets from Bangkok to Koh Samui in a timely manner. Night trains are usually sold out during peak season and holidays; also, we have observed that airfares often tend to rise instead of drop over time.

For flight tickets, checking out the Bangkok Airways website is highly recommended. An alternative would be using reliable online travel agencies such as Expedia, Skyscanner or Kayak which allows comparisons of different airline fares at once. Moreover, they enable adjustments on searches based on customized criteria.

For transport tickets between Bangkok and Koh Samui, 12Go offers online booking platforms. Train, bus, ferryboat, airplane, and mixed transportation tickets can be compared or booked via this system.

Alternatively, you may consider visiting a local travel agent’s office for direct purchase of your ticket from them face-to face. Their services include whole range of flights hence allowing selection of one that best fits within personal schedule and financial ability.

6. Practical tips for planning your trip

It is advisable to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure your flights.

More importantly, when booking tickets online, check the specific booking steps on this site for a smooth online experience. It may also be wise to consider a combination of train, bus, and ferry for a more scenic route.

Additionally, pay attention to flight schedules as air travel to Koh Samui can be affected by weather conditions. During the rainy season, flights may be delayed or canceled due to bad weather. Therefore, it’s advisable to monitor the weather forecast and allow some buffer time for potential delays.

Before leaving for Koh Samui, ensure that your passport is up to date and, if required by your country, that you have an entry visa for Thailand. Also, make sure you have other necessary travel documents, such as flight tickets, hotel confirmations, and the contact information for where you’ll be staying in Koh Samui.

Finally, remember to pack a first aid kit, mosquito repellent, and suitable sunblock due to the tropical sunny climate, ensuring a more relaxed travel experience.

Our Final Words

To sum up, preparing for a trip from Bangkok to Koh Samui requires careful planning, attention to detail, and adaptability in case of last-minute changes. By following these tips, you can maximize your comfort and safety throughout this exhilarating journey to the beautiful Thai island.

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