How to get to Koh Samui from Pattaya

From Pattaya to Koh Samui is more than 700 kilometers, and to cover this distance, it will take almost a whole day, and in some cases a day. Even if you decide to fly by direct plane to Koh Samui Airport, it will take almost a whole light day for the whole move, because you will have to get to the airport, register in advance, etc.

Most of the routes from Pattaya to Koh Samui run through Bangkok, and if you travel economically, then you will most likely have to make a transfer in Bangkok, whether by bus or train.

By plane

The fastest and most expensive is a flight from Pattaya U-tapao airport directly to Koh Samui Airport. 1 flight is performed daily. The cost of the flight is from $ 150 one way. To this it is necessary to add the cost of a taxi from Pattaya to the airport (about 750 baht), and the cost of a taxi from Koh Samui airport from 500 baht.

Another way is a direct flight from the international Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. A little cheaper, from $100 one way, flights almost every hour. In addition, it is even easier and cheaper to get to the airport from Pattaya, even though it is further away. For more information, how to get to Bangkok and Pattaya airport here.

From the old Don Muaeang airport to Koh Samui can be quickly reached by plane of budget airlines Air Asia,Nok Air, Lion Air and Thai Smile. But the landing does not take place on the island itself, but at the airport of Suratani on the mainland, from where you need to get to the island by bus + ferry. Fortunately, Air Asia and Nok Air airlines sell ready-made solutions with transfers to Koh Samui on their websites. The price of such a ticket when purchased in advance is even less than $ 50. Tickets are purchased on airline websites. Learn more here. Right at the airport Surat Thani there is also a counter where you can buy a ready-made transfer from Surat Thani Airport to Koh Samui by bus +ferry for 350 baht. The schedule and current cost can be found on the carrier's website http://phantiptravel.com

But this method also has a drawback: getting from Pattaya to Don Mueang airport is not so easy. There is no direct connection, except for a taxi. Therefore, you either need to first get to the Suvarnabhumi Airport by bus, and from there by free shuttle bus, taxi (from 200 baht), or city bus 555 or 554 (36 baht) to Don Mueang. This entire route will take at least 4 hours. Read more how to get from Don Mueang to Pattaya here.

You can also find and book flights to Koh Samui through the search form. The search is very flexible and allows you to find flights on different dates, with or without transfers, in both directions or one, etc.:

By bus+ferry

The only non–stop route to Koh Samui is the Rong Rueang bus, also known as the Yellow bus. This is a regular bus number 393 from Rayong to Koh Samui, picking up passengers from Pattaya. The ticket costs from 750 baht in regular class, from 1100 for VIP. The ticket includes dinner during one of the stops.

The journey is just over 13 hours. The buses are very comfortable: there are TVs for each passenger in the VIP class; the chair reclines far, you can sleep; there is a toilet on board; makes stops for rest and snacks. Simple seats differ from VIP with a slightly smaller space and the absence of a portable multimedia system with movies and music. There are no movies in Russian in the multimedia player, only Thai and English.

These buses depart from Pattaya to 16:30 , 18:30 , 20:30. Departure takes place from Pattaya bus station on north street. Tickets are also sold at the same bus station, and it is better to purchase them in advance, at least a couple of days in advance.

Flights arrive early in the morning at Don Sak Pier in Surat Thani (to Seatran ferries), from where ferries depart to Koh Samui every hour, and in 1.5 – 2 hours you will already be on Koh Samui at Nathon Pier.

Buses go back from Koh Samui to Pattaya to 13:30 , 14:30 , 16:30. Departure point – Nathon Pier, ferry. Then there is a transfer to the yellow bus at the Don Sak Pier. Return tickets to Koh Samui are sold at Nathon Pier and at the company's ticket office in Nathon (cash register on the card). Over the past few years, the office on Koh Samui has already moved three times, so you may have to specify its location by phone 08 6825 5010. We were not able to find tickets in other agencies. And yet, return tickets are sold, including the cost of the ferry, while from Pattaya without a ferry.

Carrier's website http://www.iloveyellowbus.com/, but it often (almost always) does not work.

In addition to this direct bus, you can buy tickets for tourist buses to Koh Samui at travel agencies on Pattaya Street. We warn you against using such buses. Although they are very attractive, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable minivan instead of a big bus, driving for a whole day with several transfers, or simply not getting to Koh Samui.

Other routes on regular buses will have to be laid with a transfer in Bangkok. Detailed information, how to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui by bus here.

Bus schedules and prices for the landmark:

By train+ferry

There is no way to get by train directly from Pattaya to Koh Samui, you need to go through Bangkok. Learn more about how to get by train to Koh Samui from Bangkok here.

In turn, from Pattaya to Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok, from where trains depart towards Koh Samui, you can get there by train for 40 baht (more details here), or take a bus to any bus station in Bangkok, and from there by public transport to the railway station. It is best to go to the eastern bus station Ekamai, because from it you can get to the railway station by metro.

Ferry and bus schedules to Koh Samui