That might sound like a simple question but you’re not the only one wondering. There are a variety of ways to get around Thailand from one place to another and it might be confusing for those unfamiliar with the country, so here’s a quick overview of how you can get from Pattaya to Koh Samet with ease.
Taxi Or Minivan To Koh Samet From Pattaya
From Pattaya, you can take a minivan or taxi and transportation to Koh Samet can be scheduled quickly and affordably on the internet. Although private vehicles are not permitted on Koh Samet, they can be left in safe car parks in Ban Phe, just across from the Koh Samet ferry terminals for a daily fee of about 100 Thai Baht.
Take into account that the ferries “usually” run from 08:00 to 17:00 while arranging your trip to Koh Samet, you can also hire a speedboat. Although the cost of a speedboat increases significantly the later it gets, it is still possible to get one.
It only takes around 90 minutes to get to Koh Samet from Pattaya in a car or minivan depending on the traffic so the earlier you leave Pattaya, the more chance you have of being there by lunchtime.
Taxi And Minivan Prices To Koh Samet From Pattaya
Minivans to Koh Samet can be arranged through any of Pattaya’s many travel agencies with one-way fares starting at around 500 baht.
Most Pattaya taxi companies will take you to Koh Samet and they’ll charge you anywhere from 1,000 to 1,700 Thai Baht for a vehicle or 1,300 to 1,700 Baht for a minibus.
They also provide round-trip transport to Koh Samet, day trips by speedboat and island hopping tours from Koh Samet to Pattaya as well as two other island hopping tours within the Pattaya area.
Ferry Terminals To Koh Samet
Six separate ferry terminals, all run by different firms, can be reached on foot. Nuan Thip is the most frequented, followed by Tarua. However, ferries leave every hour from Nuan Thip, Tarua, the Municipality, Sri (seree) Ban Phe, and Chok Krista to Na Dan (Nadan) pier, the major ferry dock on Koh Samet.
Your hotel may offer a complimentary boat transfer to Samet or the bus or minivan you used may have dropped you off in front of a specific pier so the decision may have already been made for you when purchasing your transfer and ferry ticket. Either way, Nuan Thip pier is where you need to be if you have any doubts.
Schedule And Prices For Ferries Leaving For Koh Samet
Every hour between 08:00 and 17:00, ferries depart from the Ban Phe and Chok Krista piers in Nuan Thip, Tarua, Municipality, Sri (seree). In the off season, when there are fewer passengers, the ferry may wait until everyone has boarded before leaving so allow extra time for journeys.
Fares on the ferry range from 50 to 100 baht depending on whether you take the fast ferry or the conventional wooden ferry between Ban Phe and Koh Samet. You don’t have to buy a round-trip ticket at the pier’s ticket booth or on board but you can if you know when you want to return.
Take The Ferry To Koh Samet’s Beaches
You can also take a ferry to Vongduan, Saikaew and Ao Wai, three of Koh Samet’s most popular beaches, however these trips are a lot less frequent so keep checking timetables and online updates for available times.
Fast Ferry Or Speedboat To And From Koh Samet and Ban Phe
The trip from Ban Phe to Koh Samet on the new high-speed catamaran ferry takes only 15 minutes and leaves Tarua port five times a day between 07:30 and 17:00.
To And From Koh Samet By Speedboat
My own experience tells me that the speed boat voyage to Samet is fairly “harem scarem” if the waves are particularly high.
Shared speedboats cost approximately 300 baht per person one way, though this varies widely depending on which beach you visit. They will always give you their best pricing for a private speedboat ride but with some haggling, you should be able to get the ride for a cheaper price than quoted.
Getting To Your Hotel on Koh Samet
At Na Dan (Nadan) dock, songthaew taxis wait for customers before making their way to the beaches and resort districts where they drop people off at their respective destinations. Depending on how far you need to go, you may need to pay anything from 50 to 200 baht per passenger.
Get a Grab/Bolt taxi service – As of writing this, there are a number of Grab or Bolt cars that can get you from Pattaya to Koh Samet giving you a great budget friendly option if you don’t want to spend too much money on a transfer. If you don’t have a car, you can also use one of these services to drive from Pattaya to the ferry terminal at Ban Phe.
Final Thoughts On Getting From Pattaya To Koh Samet
When traveling to Thailand, you need to be prepared for the different climate, culture and traveling distances, Sure, the two places are not too far apart but are very different, so it’s important you get familiar with the different options you have for getting from Pattaya to Koh Samet in case you have any problems while making the trip.
After spending the last few minutes reading through this guide, i hope you now have a better understanding of what’s involved and which are your best options. Whatever you choose, i’m sure you’ll have a great time!