The starting point for every visitor to Koh Samet is Ban Phe in Rayong Province about 200km from Bangkok. If travelling from Bangkok, the cheapest way and one of the easiest ways is to take an air-conditioned public bus from the Eastern Bus Terminal (locally called Ekamai Bus Station). The buses leave hourly departing between 4am -8pm. The fare is about 125 Baht per person (vip 276 baht) (one-way - traveling time approx 3 hours). Ekkamai bus station contacts.
- Rayong Tour Company: 0 2712 3662
- Cherdchai Tour Company: 0 2391 2237
- Khonsong Co., Ltd.: 0 231 2504
You are able to get a bus from also the Northern bus terminal. An alternative to buses are mini vans or even a taxi. Mini vans run from Khaosan Rd bookable via any guesthouse in the area, and cost in region of 200-250 baht. If you are feeling rich, a taxi from Bangkok will be around 2500-3000 baht. Not bad if you can share the cost.
Once you arrive at Ban Phe in Rayong, there are several piers offering boat the 40 minute rides to Samed Island. The boat fares vary depending on the beach destinations that you are going to. Some boats are owned by individual resorts, and if you have booked with that resort, you should get free travel to the island. Boats normally run from 8am - 5pm during high season and holidays. Fares are set as a standard and as of Oct 2008 are about 50 baht one way to the main pier at Na Dan Pier and the beach of Ao Wong Duan, fares are a little higher for some of the other beaches..
Because Koh Samet is considered as a national park, there is an admission fee of 200 Baht per person (children under 14 B100, under three free) to be paid to the authority on the island. Sometimes you can avoid this by booking a hotel direct, also ask for a receipt.
Traveling by a private car or van is also another option. At Ban Phe, there are a number of parking lots that provide rental space for the vehicle for a few hours or even for many nights. The fares among these parking lots are vary.
There are numerous boats running back and forth between Ban Phe and Koh Samet. The ferry schedule varies depending upon the destination on Koh Samet. The boats, leaving for Na Dan Pier, departs from Ban Phe every hour and vice versa.
Ferry Schedule from Ban Phe to Koh Samet:
Ferry leaves at 9:00, 12:00, 13:30 and 17:00 every day to Vong Duern Beach at 50 Baht per ticket
Ferry leaves at 11:30 and 14:00 to Ao Wai at the cost of 80 Baht per ticket
Ferry leaves at 10:00 Ao Kiu at 100 Baht per ticket
Ferry leaves at 08:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 16:00 to Ao Prao at 80 Baht per ticket
Ferry Schedule from Koh Samet to Ban Phe
Ferry leaves Vong Duern Beach at 08:30, 12:00, and 15:30
Ferry leaves Ao Wai at 14:00
Ferry leaves Ao Kiu at 08:00 and 12:00
Ferry leaves Ao Prao at at 10:00, 12:30, 15:00 and 17:00.
If you need any help or information, just drop us a line at admin@thailandparadise.com
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