After the bustling streets of Bangkok, Koh Samui provides a tranquil retreat with its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and serene atmosphere. While Bangkok showcases Thailand’s vibrant urban culture, Koh Samui offers a glimpse into the country’s rich heritage and local way of life. Explore charming fishing villages, visit Buddhist temples, and immerse yourself in the island’s unique cultural traditions.
If you’re looking for the best and cheapest ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui in 2024 continue reading this blog post. We’ve tried to collect up-to-date information about various transportation methods, insider tips, and essential information to navigate the route from Bangkok to Koh Samui with ease.
How Far is Koh Samui from Bangkok?
The distance between Bangkok and Koh Samui, when measured in a straight line, is approximately 480 kilometers (about 300 miles). However, the actual travel distance is greater due to the need to navigate around the Gulf of Thailand.
Depending on the mode of transportation chosen, such as flying or taking a combination of land and sea travel, the total distance covered and travel time can vary. For example, flight from BKK to Koh Samui lasts 1 hour 15 minutes, with the cheapest one-way flight ticket starting from 130 USD.
How to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok
If you’re planning a journey from the bustling metropolis of Bangkok to the serene shores of Koh Samui island there are plenty of transportation options that will suit every traveler’s preference, starting from a quick plane flight to the scenic route of a land-and-sea voyage.
By Plane
The fastest and most convenient way to reach Koh Samui from Bangkok is by plane. There are regular flights from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) to Koh Samui Airport (USM). At the moment only Bangkok Airways offers direct flights between Bangkok and Koh Samui. The flight duration is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
On average, there are usually around 10 to 15 daily flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui operated by Bangkok Airways. The exact number of daily flights can vary depending on season, demand, and scheduling changes.
During peak travel periods, such as holidays and weekends, Bangkok Airways may increase the frequency of flights to accommodate the higher number of travelers.
You can book your flight tickets from Bangkok to Koh Samui here.
What Airlines Fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui
Several airlines operate flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui. The primary airline serving this route is Bangkok Airways, which offers multiple daily direct flights between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport) and Koh Samui Airport.
In addition to Bangkok Airways, other airlines also offer occasional flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui with additionals spots and pretty long layovers. These may include Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, and other regional carriers.
However, Bangkok Airways remains the main airline serving this route, offering the most comprehensive schedule and service options. The type of plane used for flights between Bangkok and Koh Samui is typically an Airbus A319.
Traveling to Koh Samui from Bangkok by Bus + Ferry
You can take a bus from Bangkok to one of the ports such as Surat Thani or Chumphon, and then transfer to a ferry to Koh Samui. Buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok. You can reach the terminal by taxi, public bus, or BTS Skytrain and then a taxi or motorcycle taxi.
Ferry from Surat Thani
The journey by bus can take around 8-12 hours, depending on the traffic conditions. From Surat Thani take a taxi or tuk-tuk to the respective ferry terminal. In Surat Thani, you’ll head to Don Sak Pier, which is about a 1-hour drive from the city center.
Ferries to Koh Samui run regularly and the journey takes around 1.5 to 3 hours.
Ferries departing from here arrive at Lipa Noi. If your destination on Koh Samui is Lipa Noi, then consider booking bus and ferry tickets that will follow this itinerary. Click here to book.
Ferry from Chumphon
In Chumphon, you’ll go to Thung Makham Noi Pier, located approximately 20 minutes from the city center. Ferries that depart from this pier go to Maenam, ticket price for bus and ferry starts from 48 USD per person. You can book your bus + ferry tickets from Bangkok to Koh Samui here.
Bangkok to Koh Samui by Train and Ferry
Another option is to take a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani or Chumphon, and then transfer to a ferry to Koh Samui. Trains depart from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station. The journey can take around 8-12 hours. This is the cheapest option to consider, with train ticket ticket price that starts from 7 USD. Click here to check the actual prices and buy tickets.
Upon arrival, go ahead to the nearest pier and buy ticket for ferry that goes to Koh Samui. Ferry ticket price starts from 19 USD, you can buy tickets here. It’s better to take the night train, so you’ll not lose your time and will arrive to Koh Samui around noon next day.
