Want to know how to get from Bangkok to the islands?
For most tourists and travelers visiting Thailand, whether for the first time or not, 2 or 3 days in Bangkok will suffice to explore the temples, indulge in the delicious street food and possibly even do a day trip outside Bangkok.
After Bangkok, the islands in Thailand are an exciting next stop and high on the list of things to do for anyone visiting the Kingdom. In particular, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand (East Coast). With their close proximity to each other, the trio is the best place for island hopping in Thailand. From the typical island life and clear waters in Koh Tao, the polarizing vibe in Koh Phangan like wild full moon party on one end and yoga retreats and wellness centers on the other and the larger and busier Koh Samui, each island has its own charm.
So how do you get from Bangkok to the islands for an epic few days island hopping in Thailand? There’s 2 different options which are suitable for any budget. Either fly to Koh Samui or possibly Surat Thani or Chumphon and then take a ferry. An alternative which is cheaper is taking the bus down to Chumphon and using a ferry to reach whichever island you’re going to. →view all transport methods here
Note: the link above is pre-filled with Koh-Tao as a destination, change the destination to which island you are going to.
About the Islands in Thailand
Thailand is home to quite a few islands including the famous Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lipe (which are very far away from Bangkok). For the sake of this article about getting from Bangkok to the islands, I will be focusing on the islands on the East coast (Gulf sea) of Thailand because they are the easiest to reach from Bangkok.
In particular the islands in the Chumphon archipelago which include Koh-Tao, Koh-Phangan and Koh Samui. These are by far the best islands to visit from Bangkok if you plan island hopping in Thailand
It’s possible to fly to Koh Samui and be there in 1 hour. Or buy a bus+ferry combo all-inclusive ticket (and travel at night if you want and save 1 night accommodation cost) for a fraction of the price of a plane ticket.
→ Flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui
→ Bangkok to Koh-Tao (Bus+Ferry Combo)
→ Bangkok to Koh-Phangan (Bus+Ferry Combo)
→ Bangkok to Koh-Samui (Bus+Ferry Combo)
While there are islands that are closer to Bangkok such as →Koh Chang and neighboring Koh Mak and Koh Kood, the Koh Samui trio, including Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are ideal for the majority of tourists. They each offer a host of activities and are unique in their own way. From snorkeling, diving and getting dive certified in →Koh Tao, the polarizing nature of →Koh Phangan and it’s wild parties mixed with wellness centers and yoga retreats, and then →Koh Samui, the largest island offering a broad appeal to many travelers. Pick your island or spend a week (or more) island hopping the trio.
Experience a Sunset Cruise – Koh Samui
Sail around the tropical waters on a traditional wooden sail boat. Visit jungle covered islets in the Angthong marine park and snorkel along the colorful marine life. All this while avoiding the crowds on this semi-private tour. Enjoy a memorable sunset on your way back →book it here
The Islands in west Thailand (Andaman Sea)
Further down and on the opposite side of the country (west coast – Andaman sea) there is Koh Lanta, →Phuket, Koh Yao Yai, Koh Phi-Phi and Koh Lipe, just to name the popular islands. If you plan visiting any of these islands, flying to Krabi or Phuket is the most sensible option. The journey can also be done by land transport but would take over 12 hours. Then take a ferry if you’re going to Phi-Phi.
Bus and ferry all inclusive tickets make it easier than ever to travel between famous destinations in Thailand that would otherwise be either expensive or complicated and time consuming.
James Bond island on Luxurious Catamaran – Phuket
Swap the crowded boat tours for a memorable experience on board a luxury catamaran. Enjoy a buffet lunch on your way and then kayak and swim among the daunting cliffs. The trip ends with a sunset dinner on your way to Phuket →book it here
Search any route below – Enter the origin and destination – click find tickets
How to get from Bangkok to the islands in Thailand
My focus in this article is the islands in East Thailand in particular Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. So here I will explain how to get to these islands from Bangkok.
Fastest options to get from Bangkok to the islands
As mentioned earlier, the easiest and fastest option is to fly from Bangkok To Koh Samui because it’s the only island that has an airport. However, flights tend to be expensive due to the airport being privately owned by Bangkok Air. An alternative is to fly from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then take a ferry. Flights will be a lot cheaper and there are regular ferries departing from Donsak pier – about 90 minutes drive from the airport.
If you’re going to Koh Tao or even Koh Phangan, then flying to Chumphon airport and then taking a ferry is a better option as the islands are closer. There’s regular ferries departing during the day from various piers in Chumphon. Some options also include a transfer from the airport to the boats.
Cheap ways to get from Bangkok to the islands
The most affordable ways to to get from Bangkok to the islands is a combination of land and sea transport. Regardless which transport method you choose, each option requires traveling from Bangkok to Chumphion in order to take the ferry to whichever island you are going to.
Trains and buses are the cheapest way to travel the 7 hour or so journey. Train tickets in a non air-conditioned carriage cost around $8 and bus tickets are around $18. →view all bus and train departures
After arriving in Chumphon you’ll need to make your way to one of the piers. All the piers are about 1 hour drive outside the city center. In most cases, a taxi is required to reach the piers. →view all options here
However, personally I always recommend the bus+ferry combo tickets. It’s the easiest affordable option to get from Bangkok to the islands. There is no transfers in between, or extra costs, or any logistical planning headaches involved. Just 1 ticket that covers the cost of both transport methods. The bus departs from near Khaosan road and goes directly to the pier in Chumphon. And the ferry services all islands dropping off and picking up passengers.
It’s convenient, hassle free, and ultimately the combo ticket tends to work out cheaper than paying for buses/train and ferries separately.
Click the route you’re taking ⤵
Bangkok → Koh-Tao (bus+ferry combo)
Bangkok → Koh-Phangan (bus+ferry combo)
Bangkok → Koh-Samui (bus+ferry combo)
Tip: on the booking website, the more expensive options for Lomprayah are for the VIP buses which are the most spacious and comfortable
About the Gulf Island
There is a few reasons why so many tourists and travelers spend their days island hopping the Gulf islands. The islands are close to each other and crossing by ferry only takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour. And while the islands are very close to each other, each one offers a different and unique atmosphere. This results in a completely different experience on each island.
Below is an overview covering each island and what to expect.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao which literally translates to turtle island is the smallest and the first island out of the trio on the way down from Bangkok. Known for it’s crystal clear waters abundant marine life (and unfortunately piles of dead coral), Koh Tao is a favorite destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. The island attracts many sea enthusiasts wanting to get dive certified for an affordable cost.
But Koh Tao isn’t just about diving and snorkeling. Sairee beach is the largest and most popular beach on Koh Tao. It’s where the majority of tourists book their hotels and is also the main entertainment hub. The beach bars and clubs mixed in with gorgeous hotels and cheap huts all nestled among the palm trees and pretty gardens. →where to stay in Koh Tao
Koh Phangan
A 1 hour ferry away is Koh Phangan, the island infamous for its wild monthly full moon party. For better or for worse, the full moon party completely overshadows everything else in Koh Phangan. In a way this is good because I think the island has retained its laid back island vibe because of this misconception.
Koh Phangan is a really polarizing island. Because while it is a party island and there is an event (party) happening almost every night, there is a completely opposite vibe mixed in that most people fail to realize. Koh Phangan is also known as an island focusing on wellness and retreats. In particular the area around Sri Thanu is a cool and hip part of the island with cool cafes, vegan restaurants, wellness centrers, yoga classes and more. →where to stay in Koh Phangan
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the largest and also most developed islands out of the 3. While the island is big, the majority of activities and entertainment are concentrated along the north eastern portion of the island. Chaweng is ground zero for everything. Home to clubs, luxury resorts, night markets and lots of restaurants. And nearby is Lamai, it’s tamer and quieter and accommodation is cheaper.
The fisherman’s village in North Koh Samui is a charming neighborhood. Chic cafes, fancy beachfront resorts and lounges line the pedestrianized road. It’s the perfect place for families and couples. →where to stay in Koh Samui
The bottom line
Getting from Bangkok to the islands is a common route that most tourists take after spending 2 days in the capital city. There’s a few options to reach the islands which are suitable for any budget. If you want to know all your options to reach any island, I suggest using the →12Go platform. Here you can enter the destination and where you’re traveling from and view all the transport methods, travel durations, departure times and prices. It’s the easiest way to plan your travels around Thailand. And you can use the platform to book ferries between the islands also.
Are you following the other Bangkok guides?
→The best street food areas in Bangkok
HEY, just so you know…
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