Travel from Bangkok to Thailand's islands on a budget. Compare routes, buses, trains, ferries, ticket prices, and essential travel tips.
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
🌊 Koh Samui
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Overnight bus + ferry |
| Price | ฿800-1,100 |
| Duration | 12-14 hours (overnight) |
| Frequency | Multiple buses nightly; ferries every 1-2 hours |
Route:
Evening bus from Sai Tai Mai (Southern Bus Terminal) or Khao San Road (~19:00)
Arrive Surat Thani (~04:00)
Transfer bus to Donsak Pier
Ferry to Nathon Pier, Koh Samui (~2 hours)
Operators: Lomprayah, Seatran (joint bus+ferry tickets)
Alternative: Overnight train from Hua Lamphong/Bang Sue to Surat Thani (~฿800 for 2nd-class sleeper, Train #85 departs ~19:30)
🌊 Koh Phangan
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Overnight bus + ferry via Chumphon |
| Price | ฿900-1,300 |
| Duration | 15-17 hours (overnight) |
| Frequency | 1-2 combined trips nightly |
Route:
Bus from Khao San Road (~20:00) to Chumphon
Morning catamaran ferry
Short stop at Koh Tao
Arrive Thong Sala Pier, Koh Phangan (~noon)
Operators: Lomprayah (bus+ferry combo), Thai Sriram (cheaper via Surat Thani)
⚠️ No direct flights to Phangan—boat is mandatory.
🌊 Koh Tao
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Overnight bus + ferry via Chumphon |
| Price | ฿1,100-1,300 |
| Duration | 10-12 hours (overnight) |
| Frequency | 1-2 night buses; 2-3 morning ferries |
Route:
Bus from Khao San or Sai Tai Mai (~21:00)
Arrive Chumphon by dawn
Catamaran ferry to Koh Tao (~2 hours)
Arrive Mae Haad Pier mid-morning
🌊 Koh Chang (Trat)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Government bus 999 + ferry |
| Price | ~฿350 total |
| Duration | 6-7 hours |
| Frequency | 2 direct buses/day; minivans almost hourly |
Route:
Government bus 999 from Ekkamai Terminal to Laem Ngop Pier (฿261, departs 07:45 and 14:00)
Ferry to Ao Sapporot Pier, Koh Chang (30 min, ฿80)
💡 The 999 bus fare sometimes includes free ferry ticket.
Overnight hack: Take 23:30 bus from Ekkamai to Trat (arrives ~05:00), then catch first morning ferry at 06:30—saves a night's hotel.
🌊 Koh Samet
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Bus/van + ferry |
| Price | ฿250-350 |
| Duration | ~4 hours |
| Frequency | Hourly departures (07:00-12:00); ferries every 1-2 hours |
Route:
Bus or minivan from Ekkamai Terminal to Ban Phe Pier (~฿200-250, 3.5 hours)
Ferry to Nadan Pier, Koh Samet (30-45 min, ฿50-100)
💡 You can book the bundle ahead.
🌊 Koh Kood (Ko Kut)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Bus/van + speed ferry (Boonsiri) |
| Price | ฿850-1,000 |
| Duration | 7-8 hours |
| Frequency | 1-2 departures each morning (05:00 and/or 07:00) |
Route:
Bus/van from Khao San Road Boonsiri office (~05:00 or 07:00)
Arrive Laem Sok Pier, Trat (5-6 hours)
Speed ferry to Ao Salad Pier, Koh Kood (1.5 hours)
🌊 Koh Mak
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Bus + ferry (Boonsiri combo) |
| Price | ฿750-800 |
| Duration | 6-7 hours |
| Frequency | Same as Koh Kood |
Route:
Bus/van from Ekkamai or Khao San to Trat (~฿300)
Ferry from Laem Sok Pier to Koh Mak (~฿450)
🌊 Koh Si Chang
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Bus/van + ferry |
| Price | ฿170-220 |
| Duration | ~3 hours |
| Frequency | Buses every 30-60 min; ferries hourly |
Route:
Bus from Ekkamai Terminal to Si Racha (~฿110-160, 2-2.5 hours)
Ferry from Koh Loy Pier to Koh Si Chang (฿60, 40-50 min)
Alternative: Third-class train Bangkok to Si Racha (~฿35, but slow at 3-3.5 hours, once daily) Ferry schedule: ~07:00-18:00, departures hourly. Last boat from mainland in early evening.
💡 Motorbike rentals on the island ~฿250/day. Be mindful of last ferry back if doing a day trip.
🌊 Koh Larn (Pattaya)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Bus + ferry |
| Price | ฿180-230 |
| Duration | 3.5-4 hours |
| Frequency | 94+ bus departures daily; ferries hourly |
💡 On the island: motorbike taxis ฿40-60/ride, scooter rental ~฿200/day. Don't miss the last ferry back!
Route:
Bus from Ekkamai Terminal to Pattaya (~฿130-150, 2-2.5 hours)
Songthaew to Bali Hai Pier
Ferry to Na Baan Pier, Koh Larn (฿40, 40 min)
Bus arrival: Pattaya North Bus Station—take songthaew down Beach Road to Bali Hai Pier
Ferry options:
- Na Baan Pier (main village)—ferries from right side of Bali Hai
- Tawaen Beach—ferries from left side of Bali Hai
Ferry schedule: ~07:00-18:00. Last ferry back from Koh Larn usually ~17:00-18:00.
🏝️ Bangkok to the Andaman Sea Islands
Phuket
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Overnight bus (no ferry needed—connected by bridge) |
| Price | ฿700-900 |
| Duration | ~13 hours (overnight) |
| Frequency | Multiple nightly buses |
Route:
Bus from Sai Tai Mai Terminal (~18:00-19:30)
Highway via Chumphon, Surat Thani, crosses Sarasin Bridge
Arrive Phuket Bus Terminal early morning
Operators: Transport Co, Phuket Central Tour
⚠️ Some budget trains go only to Surat Thani, then require 5-6 hour bus transfer—not cheaper or faster than direct bus.
🌊 Koh Lanta
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Overnight bus + van |
| Price | ~฿950 |
| Duration | 15-17 hours |
| Frequency | Buses nightly (18:00-19:30); vans throughout morning |
Route:
Night bus from Sai Tai Mai to Krabi (~฿700, 12 hours, depart ~19:00)
Arrive Krabi ~07:00
Minivan from Krabi Bus Station to Koh Lanta (~฿250, 2 hours)
Cross via car ferry to Saladan Pier
Alternative: Some operators offer direct Bangkok→Lanta combo ticket (~฿1,200)
🌊 Koh Phi Phi
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Overnight bus + morning ferry |
| Price | ฿1,200-1,400 |
| Duration | 17-18 hours |
| Frequency | ~1 combo service each evening (~19:00) |
Route:
Bus from Khao San Road (~19:00)
Arrive Krabi by morning
Transfer to 09:00 ferry
Arrive Tonsai Pier, Koh Phi Phi (~12:00)
Operators: Montanatip, Travel Plus
🌊 Koh Lipe
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Overnight train/bus to Hat Yai + van + ferry |
| Price | ~฿1,800 |
| Duration | 18-20 hours |
| Frequency | Nightly trains/buses; 3 ferries/day from Pak Bara |
Route:
Overnight train from Bangkok to Hat Yai (~฿850 for 2nd-class sleeper, Train #169 departs ~15:10 (13-14 hours)
Minivan from Hat Yai to Pak Bara Pier (~฿250, 2 hours)
Speedboat ferry to Koh Lipe (90 min, ~฿650)
⚠️ Last ferry from Pak Bara ~13:30—time your arrival carefully.
🌊 Koh Phayam
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Bus + ferry |
| Price | ~฿700 |
| Duration | ~11 hours |
| Frequency | Night buses from Sai Tai Mai/Mochit |
Route:
Bus from Bangkok to Ranong (~฿500, 9 hours)
Ferry to Koh Phayam (40 min)
💡 Backpacker favorite with budget bungalows.
🌊 Koh Yao Yai / Koh Yao Noi
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest route | Overnight bus to Phuket + ferry |
| Price | ~฿1,000+ |
| Duration | ~13 hours |
Route:
Overnight bus from Bangkok to Phuket (~฿800, 12 hours)
Local ferry from Bang Rong Pier to Koh Yao Noi (~฿200, 30 min)
Alternative: From Krabi via Thalane Pier (~฿300)
✅ Quick Tips
Before You Go
- [ ] Check ferry schedules (especially last ferry times for day trips)
- [ ] Book ahead only for holiday weekends or peak season
- [ ] Bring snacks and water for overnight journeys
- [ ] Download offline maps of pier locations
Money Saving Hacks
- [ ] Government 999 buses are cheapest (Ekkamai)
- [ ] Overnight travel saves a night's accommodation
- [ ] Train 2nd-class sleeper often more comfortable than bus at similar price
- [ ] Buy combo tickets (bus+ferry) for simplicity
Common Mistakes
- [ ] Missing the last ferry back (day trips)
- [ ] Not allowing buffer time for connections
- [ ] Booking expensive speedboats when regular ferries exist
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