Getting There and Away

Written by Graham Smith, Hannah McKinsey, Lorraine Aust, Somchai Boonmee
13/08/2025
One of the beaches on koh Samet island
Sean Yeoh, Wikimedia Commons

The primary transport hub for reaching Koh Samet from the mainland is Ban Phe Pier in Rayong, with various bus and minivan terminals in Bangkok serving as starting points for the journey. On Koh Samet, Nadan Pier is the main arrival point for ferries and speedboats.

From Bangkok by Bus/Minivan and Ferry:

  • Combined bus or minivan and ferry tickets are available from Bangkok's Ekkamai Bus Terminal or Mochit New Van Terminal to Ban Phe Pier.
  • Travel time is typically 3.5 to 5 hours, with fares ranging from approximately $7 to $20 USD.
  • Operators include Phittinin Transport, KKP Transport, and PN Group.

From Bangkok by Taxi/Private Transfer and Ferry:

  • Private taxis or cars can be arranged from various points in Bangkok, including Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK), directly to Ban Phe Pier.
  • The driving portion takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
  • Costs for a private vehicle can range from $71 to $380 USD, not always including the ferry fare.

From Ban Phe Pier to Koh Samet by Ferry:

  • Slow Ferry:: This option takes about 35-50 minutes and costs around 50-70 THB (approximately $2-$3 USD) one way.
  • Speedboat:: For a faster journey of 10-15 minutes, speedboats are available, costing between 150-300 THB (approximately $4.5-$8.5 USD) one way.
  • Ferries and speedboats depart frequently from various piers in Ban Phe, including Ban Phe Pier, Nuan Thip Pier, and Ban Phe Municipal Pier.

On Koh Samet:

Upon arrival at Nadan Pier, songthaews (shared pick-up truck taxis) are available to transport visitors to various beaches and resorts, with fares depending on the distance.

Check out our other pages on Koh Samet

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