Ko Samet at a glance: who it suits, how long to allow
The island is about 6 km long and is covered from beach to beach by a narrow road and paths. It suits those who prefer three or four hours on the road to a flight to Phuket or Krabi. It is less a "postcard sand" destination than a simple stay: swimming, a beachfront hut, fish meals, sunsets.
Allow at least 3.5 to 5 hours door to door each way. A day return trip is possible, but it leaves little time on the island and depends on the last boat: if you can, stay at least one night. For a cultural rather than seaside outing, compare with Ayutthaya or with our day trips from Bangkok.
Getting to Ban Phe from Bangkok
| Option | Price seen | Duration | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus from Ekkamai (Cherdchai Tour) | about 190 baht | 3 to 4 h | Morning departures (around 7 am, 9 am and 11 am) to Nuan Thip pier; returns from Ban Phe in the early afternoon |
| Combined bus + boat ticket | 350 to 670 baht | 4 to 5 h | Sold by agencies and on booking platforms |
| Minivan | 390 to 670 baht | 4 h 10 to 5 h 40 | Several departures during the day |
| Private car + boat | from about 3,000 baht | about 2 h 15 by road | Possible from Suvarnabhumi or the centre |
The Eastern bus terminal (Ekkamai) is linked to BTS Ekkamai station, on the Sukhumvit line: it is the simplest starting point from the centre. To reach the terminal from your hotel, see our guide to getting around Bangkok. Schedules and prices change: check them the day before at the counter or online.
From Ban Phe to the island
At Ban Phe, several piers coexist; Nuan Thip is the one where buses drop most travellers. There are two ways to cross:
- The wooden ferry: about 40 minutes to Na Dan, the island's main port. Allow 50 to 70 baht one way (100 to 120 baht return); departures are roughly hourly during the day.
- The speedboat: about 15 minutes, 200 to 500 baht per shared seat depending on the destination beach, up to roughly 1,800 to 3,000 baht for a private boat. It drops you directly on the beach, avoiding the bumpy island road.
The last departures are in the late afternoon: reach Ban Phe by the afternoon at the latest for the return, and keep a margin in case of rough seas.
At Na Dan, a national park post collects the entry fee: 200 baht per adult and 100 baht per child for foreign visitors, in cash. On the island, songthaews (pick-up trucks with benches) serve the beaches for 20 to 60 baht per person to the nearby beaches (Sai Kaew, Ao Phai), more for the south.
The beaches
- Hat Sai Kaew: the beach closest to Na Dan, the busiest and best equipped. The most practical for a day.
- Ao Phai: next to Sai Kaew, a few minutes' walk away.
- Ao Wong Duean: further along the east coast, with a long, calmer bay.
- Ao Prao: on the west coast, quiet, facing the sunset.
Near the port, a statue recalls Phra Aphai Mani, hero of a 19th-century Thai poem by Sunthorn Phu, part of which is set on the island, and the mermaid who accompanies him: it is the welcome photo of Na Dan.
When to go
The most pleasant season runs from November to February, with drier and less hot weather. From May to October, rain and rough seas can disrupt crossings and shorten beach days. Our guide to the best time to visit Bangkok details the regional climate. If possible avoid weekends and Thai public holidays, when the island is very busy.
Day trip or night on the island?
As a day trip: take the first bus from Ekkamai, cross by speedboat if you want to save time, settle at Sai Kaew or Ao Phai, and head back before the last boat. You will only have a few hours of beach. "Self-guided day trip" offers exist, with car, speedboat and free time on the island (only a few hours); they cost far more than the bus journey.
One or two nights: you have time to enjoy the sunset, change beaches and return without rushing. Book ahead at weekends and during Thai holidays. To sleep near the port, choose Sai Kaew or Ao Phai; for more calm, Ao Wong Duean or Ao Prao.
Going further
For another beach reachable from Bangkok, see Pattaya from Bangkok (another seaside resort on the east coast) or Hua Hin from Bangkok. To spend less, see our Bangkok travel budget and the advice on money, payment and tipping, since the park fee is paid in cash.
