The drive to Ban Phe
The usual line is Motorway 7 east past Chonburi and Pattaya, then Route 36 to Rayong and the coast road to Ban Phe. Some drivers use Route 3 for the last stretch, depending on the time of day. It is a simple drive with plenty of fuel stops, and there is no ferry to queue for until you get to the sea.
Allow about 3 hours from central Bangkok in normal traffic. Friday evenings and Thai holidays can push that up well past 4. A departure before the morning rush makes a real difference, and it also gets you to the pier while the boats are running often.
Fares from Bangkok by car type
Prices are per vehicle. For the coast around Samet, these are the routes people compare, including stopping at Rayong or Pattaya rather than crossing.
| Destination | Taxi (3 people) | Sedan (3) | SUV (6) | Van (10) | Alphard VIP (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Samet, 202 km | ฿2,000 | ฿2,100 | ฿2,500 | ฿3,450 | ฿5,850 |
| Rayong, 181 km | ฿1,800 | ฿1,900 | ฿2,300 | ฿2,850 | ฿5,550 |
| Pattaya, 147 km | ฿1,100 | ฿1,200 | ฿1,350 | ฿1,900 | ฿4,400 |
When booking, confirm your drop point at Ban Phe and whether any boat ticket is covered. Do not assume either way.
Ban Phe pier and the boats across
Ban Phe has more than one pier, and buses may drop you at Nuan Thip instead of the main one. So check which pier your ticket uses before you pay for anything. Passenger ferries run to Na Dan, Samet's main pier, in about 40 minutes, with fares reported around 50 to 70 baht one way. Older sources say boats run roughly from 08:00 to 17:00, and that the last boat back from Samet goes around 18:00.
Speedboats take about 10 to 15 minutes. Shared seats are reported from about 150 to 500 baht, depending on the beach, and it can be worth paying more if you are staying on the far side. A speedboat that lands you on your own beach saves a songthaew ride from Na Dan. Confirm prices and times with the operator, because they shift by season and the sea.
National park fee and what the island costs on arrival
Koh Samet belongs to Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, so expect a fee at a checkpoint after you land. Recent guides list 200 baht for foreign adults and 100 baht for children, and 40 baht for Thai adults and 20 baht for Thai children. A separate pier fee of about 20 baht has also been mentioned at Na Dan. Carry cash for these, and check the current amounts when you arrive.
Your taxi stays on the mainland. Samet is a small island served by songthaews, so plan on boat and songthaew rather than your own car. If you are driving your own car or keeping a car for a later leg, ask about parking near the pier beforehand.
Taxi or bus: a straight comparison
The bus is honest value for one person, and Ekkamai is easy to reach on the BTS. The sums shift with three or four people, or when you are coming straight off a flight. Going from Suvarnabhumi means no crossing the city first, because the airport is already on the eastern side.
| Private taxi | Bus from Ekkamai | Bus plus ferry combo ticket | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup | Your hotel, home or airport | Ekkamai terminal | Ekkamai terminal |
| Time to pier | About 3 hours | About 3 to 4 hours reported | 4 to 5 hours total to the island reported |
| Price | From ฿2,000 per vehicle | About 190 to 300 baht per person reported | About 375 baht per person reported |
| Luggage | Goes with you, door to pier | Hold under the bus, then carry | Hold under the bus, then carry |
| Best for | Groups, kids, airport arrivals | Solo travellers | Solo travellers who want one ticket |
Third-party prices and times are approximate. Check with the operator before you travel.
Picking a beach and getting back
- Sai Kaew is the busy beach close to Na Dan. Fine if you want restaurants and short transfers.
- Ao Phai and Ao Wong Duan are further down the east coast and quieter, with their own boat options.
- Ao Prao is on the west side and is known for sunset views. Ask your hotel how they handle boat transfers.
- Coming back, take a boat that leaves plenty of slack before your car pickup at Ban Phe. Tell the driver which pier you will land at.
- Rough seas in the rainy season can change speedboat plans, so keep a spare hour on the return day if you have a flight.
Is Samet the right island for your trip?
Samet suits a weekend or two nights, with a short drive and a short boat ride. If you have more days and want bigger beaches, look at the Koh Chang guide, which adds roughly two hours of road. If you want a beach without a boat, Suan Son in Rayong or the Pattaya route keep you on the mainland. Our beaches and islands guide lines all of these up side by side.
Questions
How much is a taxi from Bangkok to Koh Samet?+
Our Koh Samet route starts at ฿2,000 per taxi, ฿2,500 for an SUV and ฿3,450 for a van. The road ends at Ban Phe, so confirm the drop point and any boat ticket when you book.
Can the taxi take me onto the island?+
Plan on leaving the car at Ban Phe and crossing by ferry or speedboat. Samet is reached by boat, and transport on the island is mainly songthaews.
How long does the trip take?+
About 3 hours on the road in normal traffic, then 40 minutes on the ferry or about 10 to 15 minutes by speedboat, plus any wait for a boat.
What is the Koh Samet park fee?+
Recent guides list 200 baht for foreign adults, 100 baht for children and 40 baht for Thai adults. Bring cash and check the current rate on arrival.
What time is the last boat?+
Older sources say ferries run until around 17:00 from Ban Phe, with the last boat back from Samet around 18:00. Check with the operator on the day.
