Bangkok - Koh Samui

Unless you are chexked through to Samui, you'll have to exit through immigration and customs, and then check in for a domestic flight. The airport is not a fun place to spend anytime.
You may have enough time to catch the train but there is no guarantee - delayed flight, etc. The train goes to Surat Thani (very slowly) and you'd need to get a bus/ferry from there.

Getting the train south, to then disembark and organise a boat to get to Samui- an island is a lot of hard work.

When ready, why dont you just get the plane there ? By air, Samui is about one hour away. It is not expensive, and there are several flights a day.

I would not spend the night in any airport without good reason.

Stay in BKK for a few days before continuing to Samui. Go see the Wats, Patpong, Soi Cowboy etc. There is plenty to see and do in BKK while you wait to acclimatise jet lag

Edited by: sickbuffalo

It takes about 30-45 mins by taxi via express way to Hualampong. + another 15-20 mins to get a train ticket. you can calculate that out after you are out from the custom and get your luggages.
anyway, I think you better spend one night in BKK and catch early flight to Samui.
Good luck

Hi Ian,

I traveled to Bangkok from Melbourne on Jetstar in Jan-Feb 2008, both flights left on time, although at Bangkok airport, our bags were an extremely long time in coming, the cues at imigation were long (Not as long as arriving back in OZ, but long enough if you have a train to catch, (try not to arrive back in Melbourne on Wednesday morning as many flights land at the same time, cues for customs were from behind the baggage collection and annoying channel 7 were filming reality airport dramas...), anyway at Bangkok just walking through from the terminal took a long time! It took me several hours to get out of the airport. I would suggest to go on the side of caution with this one, and book the train for the next day.

Have fun!

I would catch the first flight out in the morning, but I would not sleep at the airport. I would look into getting a hotel for the night in the airport vicinity. Here are a few options: Hotels Near the Airport. You will arrive in Samui before you would with the train.

Thanks for the posts guys

#2 i have spent a fair bit of time in bangkok in the past and will be there again for 3 days before i fly back to the UK so im keen to get straight to Samui. Im meeting my girlfriend there.

I have taken the plunge and booked the 6am flight to Samui. it was a promo fare so seemed reasonable. The later flights were up to double the cost and my budget is too tight for that.

Likewise, if it is around 9pm before i have cleared customs etc, there is little point heading into bangkok just to come back at 4am. So, its either book an airport hotel (a cheap one!) or bedding down in the terminal.

Thanks for the responses guys

I am with losing_touch on that one. You should be able to get at least 4 hours on that hotel bed and I would choose that. Otherwise, bring a therma-rest to lay out on the floor and a cable lock to lock your bags (and bags locked shut) to an airport chair. Maybe you can get some rest at the airport.

Best of luck,
Paul Valente
The Best of Samui
Hotels & Resorts on Koh Samui

Get plenty of free advise or let us book your entire trip!