The only way to get to Samet Island is by water transportation. Most ferries and boats to Koh Samet depart from the pier in Ban Pe town. Alternatively, there is a pier in Rayong. You can reach them in one of the following ways.
From Bangkok airports
Suvarnabhumi
There are no direct public transportation routes from Thailand's main airport Suvarnabhumi to Ban Pe or Rayong. Tourists can choose to travel the distance without transfers (by cab or shuttle) or with transfers (via the bus station).
How to get from Ekkamai to Ban Pe or Rayong and on to Samet, read the article.
Crossing the Ekkamai East Station
On the subway
You need to take the special dedicated metro line from Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai station (45 THB). Then take the BTS land metro to Ekkamai Station (30 THB).
Bus
City bus routes No. 40, 71, 501, 545 run from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ekkamai Bus Terminal from early morning until late afternoon.
Operation schedule: from 5:00 to 21:00.
Travel time: 2 to 2.5 hours.
Fare: 175 THB.
Taxi
In Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can hail a cab to Ekkamai East Station at the dedicated cab counter on the first floor near Terminal 1. This method is suitable for those traveling with substantial luggage.
No transfers
To travel non-stop from Suvarnabhumi to Ban Pe or Rayong, you need to book a transfer or cab in advance.
The difference in these modes of transportation lies in the size of the car: a cab is usually a passenger car, while a minivan is often used for transfers. But the cost and travel time for cabs and transfers are about the same.
Trip time: 4 hours.
Cost: from 2000 TNV.
Bus and subway
There are city buses departing from Don Muang Airport every 15-20 minutes between 6:00am and 8:00pm. Take one of them marked Mo Chit on the windshield (route number is usually not listed) to the BTS Mo Chit overground metro stop (30 THV). From there, take a subway train to Ekkamai Station (30 TNV).
Taxi
The cab ride from Don Muang Airport to Ekkamai Bus Station is more comfortable for those tourists who have a lot of luggage. But it's a much more costly and time-consuming trip due to the capital's traffic jams.
From Pattaya Airport
Tourists who landed near Pattaya at U-Tapao Airport can also get to Ko Samet fairly quickly with a transfer minibus.
This air station is a 45-minute drive from Ban Pe. To see the current flight schedule and ticket prices, visit the official airport website.
For information on how else to get to Samet from Pattaya, read the article.
From Phuket Airport
Phuket Airport is located 35 from the center of the resort. Getting from it to Ban Pe or Rayong by public transportation is not very convenient. Phuket-Rayong is not among the traditional transfer destinations. In this situation, there are two options: cabs or flying to U-Tapao.
For other transportation options from Phuket to Samet, read the article.
Taxi
Taxis from Phuket Airport to Ban Pe are one of the most expensive ways to get to Ko Samet.
Airplane
The Phuket-Pattaya flight schedule can be seen on the website of U-Tapao Airport. Planes on this domestic destination traditionally depart 2-3 times a day.
Total travel time: 1 hour.
Cost of travel: from 2500 THB.
The most time- and cost-effective options to get to Koh Samet are available to travelers who have landed in Bangkok. The drive from Pattaya airport to Koh Samet will take less time, although it will deprive you of the chance to see the capital. The worst option for getting to Ko Samet is to initially land at Phuket airport.
