A complete budget guide to reaching Thailand's islands by bus, train, and ferry—with prices (subject to change), durations, and booking links.
📋 Bangkok Departure Points
| Terminal |
Location |
Best For |
| Sai Tai Mai (Southern) |
Thonburi |
Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, southern destinations |
| Ekkamai (Eastern) |
Sukhumvit |
Koh Chang, Koh Samet, Pattaya, Koh Larn, Si Racha, Trat |
| Mochit (Northern) |
Chatuchak |
Alternative for eastern routes |
| Hua Lamphong / Bang Sue |
Central |
Train routes to Surat Thani, Chumphon, Hat Yai |
| Khao San Road |
Old Town |
Tourist bus+ferry combos (Lomprayah, Boonsiri, etc.) |
🎫 Booking Options
| Platform |
Best For |
| 12Go Asia |
Official partner for bus+ferry combos, trains, all routes |
| BusOnlineTicket |
Bus bookings |
| At the terminal |
Usually fine for regular routes (except holiday weekends) |
| Boonsiri office |
Direct bookings for Koh Kood/Koh Mak combos |
💡 Ferry tickets are usually bought at the pier—no advance booking needed.
🎯 Best Budget Island by Travel Time
| Time Available |
Best Options |
| Day trip |
Koh Larn (3.5h), Koh Si Chang (3h), Koh Samet (4h) |
| Weekend |
Koh Chang (6-7h), Koh Samet (4h) |
| 3-4 days |
Koh Tao (10-12h), Koh Samui (12-14h), Phuket (13h) |
| Week+ |
Koh Lipe (18-20h), Koh Phi Phi (17-18h), Koh Kood (7-8h) |
🗺️ Quick Overview
| Island |
Cheapest Price |
Duration |
Route Type |
| Koh Chang |
~฿350 |
6-7h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Samet |
~฿300 |
4h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Si Chang |
~฿200 |
3h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Larn |
~฿200 |
3.5-4h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Phuket |
~฿800 |
13h |
Overnight Bus |
| Koh Samui |
~฿900 |
12-14h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Phangan |
~฿900 |
15-17h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Tao |
~฿1,100 |
10-12h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Kood |
~฿850 |
7-8h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Mak |
~฿750 |
6-7h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Lanta |
~฿950 |
15-17h |
Bus + Van |
| Koh Phi Phi |
~฿1,300 |
17-18h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Lipe |
~฿1,800 |
18-20h |
Train/Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Phayam |
~฿700 |
11h |
Bus + Ferry |
| Koh Yao Yai/Noi |
~฿1,000 |
13h |
Bus + Ferry |
💡 All prices are approximate and vary by operator/season.
🏝️ Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand Islands
