Mainland beaches: step out of the car and walk on the sand
Bang Saen is the nearest proper beach and the one Thai families actually use, with beach chairs and seafood rather than bars. Si Racha is a working harbour town better known for food than sand, and the jumping-off point for Koh Si Chang. Pattaya is lively and built up, while Jomtien, just south, is the quieter long stretch that families and long-stay visitors often prefer.
Going southwest instead, Cha-am and Hua Hin have a slower pace, with long beaches and royal-resort history. They are the better choice if you want golf, night markets and no ferry. Further east, Rayong has quieter beaches of its own and Chanthaburi is known for fruit and gems more than swimming.
Islands, and the pier each one uses
Ferry times and prices vary between sources, so check the operator on the day. Each island has its own last boat, and missing it means a night at the pier town. A longer version for the two main islands is in our Koh Samet and Koh Chang guides.
- Koh Larn: passenger boats from Pattaya, an easy day out without moving hotels.
- Koh Samet: ferry or speedboat from Ban Phe in Rayong. The wooden ferry to Na Dan takes about 40 minutes, a speedboat about 10 to 15. Cars stay on the mainland. It is a national park, and foreign adults are reported to pay about ฿200 on arrival, Thai adults about ฿40.
- Koh Chang: car ferry from Ao Thammachat, near Laem Ngop in Trat, to Ao Sapparot, about 30 to 40 minutes. Older pages still mention Center Point, but that service is reported as suspended since July 2024.
- Koh Kood and Koh Mak: speedboats and ferries from Trat province piers. Schedules are seasonal and thin in the rainy months, so check before you book a hotel.
Private car fares from Bangkok
One way, per vehicle, with tolls and fuel included. Island lines show the fare for the trip toward that island. Whether the ferry ticket is part of your booking should be confirmed when you book, so you know what to pay at the pier. Bang Saen and Si Racha sit in Chonburi province, so use that line as a guide and enter your exact hotel for a final price.
| Destination | Road distance | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chonburi | 84 km | ฿1,100 | ฿1,300 | ฿1,850 |
| Pattaya | 147 km | ฿1,200 | ฿1,350 | ฿1,900 |
| Cha-am | 166 km | ฿1,800 | ฿2,100 | ฿2,950 |
| Hua Hin | 191 km | ฿1,900 | ฿2,200 | ฿2,750 |
| Rayong | 181 km | ฿1,900 | ฿2,300 | ฿2,850 |
| Koh Samet | 202 km | ฿2,100 | ฿2,500 | ฿3,450 |
| Chanthaburi | 250 km | ฿2,600 | ฿3,050 | ฿4,200 |
| Trat | 318 km | ฿3,100 | ฿3,650 | ฿5,100 |
| Koh Chang | 335 km | ฿3,600 | ฿4,000 | ฿4,650 |
| Koh Kood (via Laem Sok Pier) | 390 km | ฿3,300 | ฿3,500 | ฿4,150 |
| Koh Mak (via Laem Sok Pier) | 380 km | ฿3,650 | ฿4,300 | ฿6,000 |
From prices, one way, per vehicle. Exact pickup and drop-off set the final price.
Private car vs bus and van
Buses are the cheap and reliable choice if you are light on bags. Figures below are approximate, taken from booking sites and travel guides that do not always agree, so confirm with the operator. The real cost of the bus is time: getting to Ekkamai or Mo Chit first, then finding your way from the terminal or pier.
| Route | Private car | Bus or van |
|---|---|---|
| Pattaya | ฿1,200 per car, door to door | About ฿130 to ฿160 per person from Ekkamai or Mo Chit, about 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Hua Hin | ฿1,900 per car, door to door | About ฿200 to ฿300 per person from the Southern Terminal, about 3 to 4 hours |
| Koh Samet | ฿2,100 per car, then the boat | About ฿190 to ฿300 per person to Ban Phe from Ekkamai, about 3 to 4 hours, then the boat |
| Koh Chang | ฿3,600 per car | About ฿240 to ฿330 per person from Ekkamai, about 5.5 hours, with few departures |
How to choose
- One free day: Bang Saen, Si Racha or Pattaya with a return on the same day.
- A weekend: Koh Samet for the white sand, or Hua Hin if you want a resort without a boat.
- Three nights or more: Koh Chang, or Koh Kood and Koh Mak in the dry season, when the sea is calmest.
- With children or grandparents: a mainland beach or Koh Chang's car ferry means far less luggage handling than a small boat.
Timing tips
Leave Bangkok early. A 07:00 departure beats the Friday and holiday crush on the eastern roads, and arriving at the pier by early afternoon leaves room if the first boat is full. The Gulf side is generally best from about November to April. Rain and rough water in the wet months affect small boats most, which matters for Koh Kood and Koh Mak.
On the way back, allow more time than you think. Sunday afternoons fill the road into Bangkok, and if you have a flight, leave a wide margin between the last ferry and check-in. For anywhere else in the country, see private taxi across Thailand.
In this guide
Guide
Bangkok to Koh Chang transfer: taxi, ferry and what to expect
Private taxi from Bangkok to Koh Chang: route, fares by car type, Ao Thammachat ferry tips and how it compares with the Ekkamai bus.
Guide
Bangkok to Koh Samet by taxi: road, pier and boat
Private taxi from Bangkok to Koh Samet: fares by car type, Ban Phe pier, ferry and speedboat options, park fee and how it compares with the bus.
Questions
What is the closest beach to Bangkok?+
Bang Saen in Chonburi is the nearest popular beach and works well as a day trip. Pattaya and Jomtien are a little further and have far more hotels.
Which island is easiest from Bangkok?+
Koh Samet. It has the shortest drive of the main islands, and the boat from Ban Phe takes about 40 minutes or less. Koh Larn off Pattaya is closer for a day trip but has less to keep you overnight.
Can the car go on the ferry?+
To Koh Chang, yes, the ferry carries vehicles, though ask at booking whether your transfer ends at the pier or at the hotel. To Koh Samet, plan on leaving the car on the mainland.
Is the ferry included in the fare?+
Confirm this when you book, because it depends on the route and pickup. Our fares cover tolls and fuel, and park fees on the islands are paid separately.
When is the best time to go?+
November to April is generally the driest and calmest period on the eastern Gulf islands. Avoid leaving Bangkok on Friday evenings and at the start of long holidays.
