How to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Thailand

AnaMarija Mishachkovska 2 Feb 2020 Last updated: 5 Apr 2025 2 min read No comments


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 is another alternative if you want a cheaper ride. The train ride will also allow you to enjoy the best sceneries while waiting to arrive in Koh Samui.

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

How far is Koh Samui from Bangkok?

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

Transportation Options

MethodTravel timePrice
Flight1 hour 15 minutes~USD 178
Bus + Ferry10-12 hoursUSD 13
Train + Ferry12-14 hours
Private Transfer + Ferry~10 hours

1. Flight

Journey Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

When writing this article, there are 22 daily flights 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

Journey Duration: 10-12 hours

You will spend around USD 13 for a 10-12-hour 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.

3. Train 

Journey Duration: 12-14 hours

The second cheapest way 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.

4. Rental Car

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.

Best day tours in Koh Samui

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

This article was last fact-checked by Jean Nájera on

5 Apr 2025

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