Travelling from Bangkok to Koh Samui / Koh Phangan

By bus it takes about 11 or 12 hours, I believe. I go by train from BKK to Surat Thani which usually takes 10 hours or so. Although you can count on the train to be late. Last time I took the night train it took 13 hours. It was very comfortable though.

You could get off the bus at Chompurn and then take a ferry to Phangan. It's a good 12 hour trip though. Either way, try and take the night train or bus so you can get on a morning ferry.

By train and ferry it's 13 hours from Bankok to Koh Samui, by way of Suratthani and 14 hours to Koh Phan Ngan.
I've had it take up to 16 hours to Samui. There's always some stupid delay.
Seat 61 Train/Ferry schedule

It's a lengthy journey by either bus or train, personally I prefer the train as you can walk around and sit in the dining car and have a meal/beer and chat with others. If you're in no great hurry you could do the trip in a couple of stages. For example bus or train from BKK to either Hua Hin or Prachup Khiri Khan, stop a night, then on to Chumporn, from Chumporn take the ferry to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. Or just stop another night and then on to Surat Thani to get the ferry to Samui. If you get to Surat Thani in the evening there's also a night boat to Samui and Phangan, so no need to hang around until the morning waiting to go.

However, if you're in a hurry to get there then take the Songserm train/ferry (830.00 THB) from Bkk - Samui.

http://csthailandguide.tarad.com/product-en-852196-2292237-Train<i>tickets+to+Koh</i>Samui.html

Hi Lauren,

you can take a sleeper bus/train from BBK to KP or KS, the train is 881Baht for a bottom bunk or 791 Baht for the top (marginally smaller...), you'll probably be given a top/bottom pair if you're travelling with a friend...

should be able to pick up a bus for around 300-400B off a seller around KSR; the advertised time is 10-12 hours but as has been mentioned above, this is Thai time so fact in a few hours for delays...

both the sleeper buses and trains are very comfortable around Asia though (I'm 6ft4 and have never had any real reason to grumble) so the trip should be fairly pleasant :-)

#4 obviously hasnt read of the scam and theft history on the buses going from KSR.

#5 with all due respect from personal experience I have travelled lots from KSR and around SEA without incident - a properly packed and secured backpack and vitals on your person should see anyone through. It is as much a task of staying vigilant and looking after yourself

100s maybe 1000s at peak season of people leave KSR by buses etc everyday, those who get scammed/stolen from make up a very small proportion...

plus I am advising our good friends on her options/time scales

Hi,

I have done that trip by bus and train. My opinion is that night train is most comfy and best way to travel in Thailand.

Travel in this time,
should go by train it safe for the rainy season.