How to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Thailand

2 Feb 2020 4 min read No comments Thailand Transportation

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It’s easy to travel around Thailand. From Bangkok to Koh Samui, you have the option to take the plane, bus, or train. You can also hire a cab for a more private ride. 

Koh Samui, also called Samui Island by locals, is a beautiful tourist spot that attracts budget travelers worldwide.

From Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, you can easily get to Koh Samui by plane for as short as an hour and land at Koh Samui Airport.

Taking the bus From Bangkok to Phuket is another alternative if you want a cheaper ride. The train ride will also allow you to enjoy the best sceneries while you wait for your arrival in Koh Samui.

Tip: We offer Thailand Transportation Guides for all main tourist destinations, like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui, and Pattaya.

Luxury Hotel Review Peace Resort Koh Samui, Thailand

How far is Koh Samui from Bangkok?

The distance from Bangkok to Koh Samui is 474.2 miles or 763.1 kilometers.

Transportation Options from Bangkok to Koh Samui

The following table outlines all transportation options from Bangkok to Koh Samui:

MethodTravel timePrice
Flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui1 hour 15 minutes~USD 178
Bus + Ferry from Bangkok to Koh Samui10-12 hoursUSD 13
Train + Ferry from Bangkok to Koh Samui12-14 hours
Private Transfer + Ferry from Bangkok to Koh Samui~10 hours

Getting to Koh Samui from Bangkok

1. Flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui 

Journey Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

When writing this article, there are 22 daily flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui with a flight time of 1 hour and 15-minutes.

Most of these flights are offered by Bangkok Airways. You can also find other flights by Qantas, Maxair, Jet Airways, British Airways, and Qatar Airways. 

Koh Samui Airport is located at Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani.

This is just 2 kilometers north of Chaweng—the main city and biggest resort center. 

Traveling about 460 kilometers, the distance from Bangkok to Koh Samui will cost you USD 177.98 on average. But you can find low-cost carriers that offer cheaper flights depending on the season.

You can expect that tickets are more expensive in peak season, so I recommend you book your flights in advance. 

2. Bus from Bangkok to Koh Samui 

Journey Duration: 10-12 hours

The cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui is by bus.

From Bangkok to Koh Samui, you will spend around USD 13 for a 10-12 hours bus drive in an air-conditioned bus with VIP treatments.

Compared to plane tickets, you will save a lot of money by traveling by bus. 

The bus will take you to Don Sak Ferry Terminal in Surat Thani, where you will board the ferry to Koh Samui. The ferry ride takes another 1.5 hours.

Remember to buy tickets only from recognized sellers. I recommend buying your ticket either at the bus terminal or online in advance.

How to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui2
©GeeTeePhotography via Canva.com

3. Train from Bangkok to Koh Samui 

Journey Duration: 12-14 hours

The second cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Samui is by train. Although you won’t see many trains at night, you can start your trip anytime during the day. 

You will ride the train from Bangkok’s Hualamphong station to Surat Thani train station, where a bus will take you to the Don Sak ferry terminal. From here, you will also take the ferry to Koh Samui.

The train journey from Bangkok takes between eight and twelve hours, and the bus and ferry ride takes another four hours.

The Scent Hotel Koh Samui 019

4. Private Car from Bangkok to Koh Samui

Journey Duration: ~10 hours

You can also drive by car from Bangkok to the ferry terminal in Surat Thani and board the ferry to Koh Samui.

The trip from Bangkok to Surat Thani takes around 10 hours.

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Best day tours in Koh Samui

Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.

The following widget shows some of the best tours in Koh Samui, Thailand.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Samui?

The cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Samui is by bus, although you can also consider traveling by train if you are up to paying a little more. Traveling by bus will only cost around USD 13 or 400 Baht. The exact fare depends on the bus carrier you choose and the type of ride you prefer.

Do we need to go through immigration when flying from Bangkok to Koh Samui?

Coming from Bangkok to Koh Samui won’t require you to go through immigration. Since this is a domestic flight, you will only need your identification documents and plane tickets to pass the airport security. Meanwhile, if you come from a different country, you must go through the special immigration facility to assist you with international transfers to Koh Samui. No need to worry; this is an easy process.

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