How to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui

Koh Samui found more than 700 km south of Bangkok, Thailand comes across as a fascinating destination bathed in lush green rainforests, palm-fringed beaches and a haven for water sports. However, to the curious globetrotter, calling by Thailand’s 2nd largest island will generally require a change of transportation with considerable regularity. This is why careful planning is a prerequisite before you decide to travel.

The bus and ferry option

By far the cheapest mode of transportation, boarding a bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani and from here, a ferry ride or catamaran trip will be your best bet. With a combined travel time of a shade under 11 hours to stomach, one can look forward to air-conditioned commuting but be sure to avoid the night-time buses as these tend to be pricier than travelling during the day owing to the convenience factor. Moreover, the ferry leg of your trip will be filled with awe-inspiring scenery where one may delight in both indoor as well as sun deck seating with the option to avail of comfy cafes and their appetizing treats. In terms of tickets, the services of a travel agency can be sought.

The VIP bus and ferry facility

Alleviating any form of travel-related stress and worry, a ride on a VIP bus will allow you to make the most of a 2-in-1 package that will also provide you with the ease of a ferry ride. Beginning in the heart of the city at Khaosan Road, travellers like yourself will be required to hop on board an air-conditioned bus equipped with free Wi-Fi and a selection of snacks & beverages that will have you travelling in the lap of luxury. Being a sleeper bus that makes its only rest stop around midnight, commuters will also be able to catch a break and stretch their legs before commencing their journey. Come the wee hours of the morning, the change of transport will occur and before you know it, you’ll be well on your way toward Koh Samui’s stunning Nathon Pier.

The train and ferry route

Should you be more inclined to travel by night in a train that will conclude with a remarkable ferry trip, then consider the upside of this option. Also, opting for the overnight sleeper train will, in turn, incur less of a charge that can be easily diverted towards your mode of accommodation and its corresponding charges. Thus, be sure to always cost factor when travelling from Bangkok to Koh Samui. The Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok will be the starting point that will more or less have you in Surat Thani in the early hours of the following day. Next up, beeline in the direction of either the Bangrak Seatran Pier or Don Sak Pier (a casual stroll or shuttle bus can be resorted to) and consider your way forward. Herein, you may toy with the idea of a 90-minute ferry ride that will bring with it amazing vistas of the environs or a speedy catamaran ride that will see to it that you are in Koh Samui in half the amount of time when compared with the former. Tickets for the entire trip can be purchased online and will take more than 17 hours to complete.

Fly into Koh Samui

If you want to stay well clear of the prospect of changing transportation, then it will be wise to book your tickets and fly directly to Koh Samui from Bangkok. With daily flights offered by facilitators including Thai Air, travellers can look forward to the fastest means of accessing the island from the bustle of Bangkok. One’s journey will start at Don Mueang Airport and will take a tad over an hour before the brilliance of Koh Samui will fall into view. From here, you may access a host of Koh Samui 5-star hotels the likes of SAii Koh Samui Choengmon.