Getting To Koh Samed Thailand

By Car:

From Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Pattaya, and use Highway No. 36 to Rayong. Or take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Chonburi, and use Highway No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng), then turn into Highways No. 331 and No. 36 to Rayong.

Route No.1

Sukhumvit Road (Highway No.3): Starting from Bangkok passes Bangpu District, Chonburi town, Bangsaen, Sri Racha District, Pattaya, Hat Jomtien, Sattahip District, Ban Chang District to arrive in the center of Rayong Province. The total distance is 220 kilometers.

Route No.2

The most popular route, starting from Bangna-Trat Road (Highway No.34) via Bang Phli and Bang Bo District (Samut Prakan Province) and Highway No.3 at km. 70. The total distance is 220.

By Bus:

Rayong is the gateway from the east to the north and northeast. As such, there are many regular bus services connecting Rayong and Bangkok and other province such as Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nong Khai.

Tourist should contact Cherd Chai Tour (Public Bus Provider) by tel to +66 2392 9227, +66 2391 4164, +66 3865 1528 for updated information. Normally bus runs every hour since 5.00 a.m. to 19.00 p.m. from Bangkok to Baan Phe public bus station which located opposite of Nuan Thip Pier (the famous pier to Koh Samet). You can also contact Nuan Thip Pier by tel at +66 3865 1508, +66 3865 1514, +66 3865 1513 to check ferry Timetables. The other ferries provider is Sri Ban Phe Pier, you can reach them at Tel: +66 3865 1902.

By Airplane:

Bangkok Airways operates one flight everyday from Phuket via Ko Samui to Rayong-U Ta Pao International Airport. For more information contact Bangkok Airways in Bangkok, Tel : +66 2265 5555 or travel agencies in Rayong.

Ferries Boat:

Ferries from Ban Phe or Nuan Thip (they are about 1/8 mile apart, with Ban Phe to the north opposite a 7-11) to Ko Samet take around 30 to 45 minutes. Only buy a one-way ticket (50 B), as there's no discount on round-trip tickets (100 B) and you won't have to worry about losing it or finding that your ticket isn't valid for the most convenient return ferry. The ticket sellers state you must buy your national park ticket from them also).

Ferry time tables from Phe to Samet Island

There are difference ferry services from Phe; Nuan Thip Pier (0 3865 1956), Phe Pier (0 3889 6155-6) and Sri Ban Phe Pier (0 3865 1901) to Samet Island everyday. The trip take about half and hour. As well as the ferry, hiring private boat is also available. Transportation on Samet Island is local bus services and on foot.

Alternatively, there are 2 speedboat companies that operate from the Phe Pier. A speedboat prices can range from 600B to NaaDaan pier to a few thousand baht for the outer-lying bays and beaches.

For the return from the Koh Samet public pier, take either the Nuan Thip or Ban Phe piers for your destination - it doesn't matter which one you departed from, you can return to either, they are only a short walk apart, and you might get an earlier boat back if you are willing to be flexible and return to a different pier. Both are served by the song thaew "pickup taxis"; Ban Phe has an informal "taxi stand" in front of the 7-11 across the street, with passenger cars used as cabs. It cost 200 baht for a ride from Ban Phe to the Novotel, quite a distance down the coast, in early 2009.