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🌊 Chonburi–Rayong Travel Plan

Chonburi–Rayong in 3 Days
Thailand's East Coast

Chonburi and Rayong sit right next to each other on the same coastal road, so you can drive from Bang Saen all the way down to Pak Nam Prasae in an easy three days. We laid this out north to south with no backtracking, mixing beaches close to Bangkok, clear island water, quiet stretches of sea and mangrove forest. Times, distances, boat fares and entry fees are what we checked most recently, so you can adjust around long weekends and the weather as you go.

🚗 Coastal road trip⛴️ Koh Larn + Koh Samet🌴 3 days, 2 nights

Chonburi–Rayong in 3 Days Thailand's East Coast

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

This route works best if you have a car, or rent one from Bangkok, because the sights are spread along the coast and connecting by public transport is a hassle. The big picture: day one stays on the Chonburi side (Bang Saen–Koh Larn), day two shifts your base to Ban Phe–Koh Samet in Rayong, and day three picks up the quiet beaches and mangrove forest before the drive home. Total distance for the whole trip is around 200 km, and you're only actually driving 1–2 hours a day.

Day 1 — Bang Saen, then across to Koh Larn

Start at Bang Saen, the closest beach to Bangkok in Chonburi. Walk it in the morning before the sun gets harsh, then move on to Pattaya to catch the late-morning boat over to Koh Larn. The water on the island side is much clearer than along the mainland coast.

Day 1

Bang Saen → Pattaya → Koh Larn

08:30

Leave Bangkok, take Motorway 7 down to Bang SaenAbout 90–100 km, roughly 1 hr 20 min if traffic is clear

10:00

Walk Bang Saen beach, grab a beachfront spotSun isn't strong yet in the morning; deck chairs rent for a few tens of THB each

12:00

Seafood lunch around Bang Saen or Nong Mon MarketNong Mon Market has Chonburi treats to take home like khao lam (bamboo sticky rice) and khanom jak

13:30

Drive down to Pattaya, to Bali Hai PierBang Saen to Pattaya is about 40 km, roughly 45 min

14:30

Take the passenger ferry across to Koh LarnThe regular ferry is about 30 THB/person each way, or charter a speedboat for a faster trip; ferries run in rounds throughout the day

15:00

Swim at Tawaen Beach or Samae Beach, island viewsWater on the island side is clearer than the mainland, with water activities to choose from

17:30

Ferry back to Pattaya, find your first night's stayCheck the time of the last ferry beforehand so you don't miss it

About the Koh Larn ferry

The passenger ferry is cheap but runs in rounds and takes about 40–45 minutes. If you're in a group or worried about missing a round, chartering a speedboat is better value and gets you there in 15 minutes. Check the time of the last return ferry carefully, because staying overnight on the island means limited accommodation.

🎟️

Book the activities in your Chonburi trip ahead

Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.

🎟️ Top tours in ChonburiHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Chonburi attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from ChonburiOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Chonburi activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide

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Day 2 — Move base to Ban Phe, cross to Koh Samet

Today is the longest drive of the trip, running along the coast from Pattaya to Ban Phe Pier in Rayong. Park on the pier side and cross to Koh Samet without the car. The island is small enough to reach every beach on foot or by motorbike taxi.

Day 2

Pattaya → Ban Phe → Koh Samet

09:00

Leave Pattaya, head for Ban Phe Pier in RayongAbout 90 km, roughly 1 hr 20 min

10:30

Arrive Ban Phe, park at a private lot by the pierLots charge a daily rate; pick one near the pier you'll leave from

11:00

Take the passenger ferry Ban Phe–Sai Kaew BeachRound trip is about 100 THB/person and takes around 40 min; ferries run in rounds, more often on weekends

11:45

Reach the island, pay the Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park entry feeThai nationals 40 THB, foreigners 200 THB, children half price, cash only

12:30

Check in to your island stay, lunch by the beachSai Kaew is the liveliest beach; if you want quiet, walk on to one of the smaller beaches

14:00

Swim and laze on the beach, fine white sand and clear waterThe island is small; you can walk the beaches or hail a motorbike taxi to the other side

18:30

Watch the sunset, seafood dinner by the sea, overnight on the islandSome beaches put on fire shows in the evening

Pack light for the island

There's no need to take the car across. Park on the Ban Phe side and cross with just your bags. Goods on the island cost more than on the mainland, so bring cash, sunscreen and any medication you need yourself. ATMs on the island are scarce.

Day 3 — Quiet sea and mangroves before heading home

On the last morning, ferry back to Ban Phe, pick up the car, then catch the mainland Rayong spots people usually skip: quiet beaches, the Thung Prong Thong mangrove forest and the Pak Nam Prasae community, before the late-afternoon drive back to Bangkok.

Day 3

Koh Samet → Suan Son → Thung Prong Thong → Pak Nam Prasae

09:00

Ferry back to Ban Phe, pick up the carCheck out of your stay first; the morning ferry is less crowded

10:00

Stop at Mae Ramphueng Beach or Suan Son Beach, long and quietMae Ramphueng is about 8 km from Ban Phe, a long continuous stretch of sand with fewer people than the island

11:30

Seafood lunch around Ban Phe or Rayong townBan Phe Market has fresh seafood and dried-seafood gifts to take home

13:00

Drive to Thung Prong Thong, Pak Nam PrasaeIt's in Klaeng district, about 1 hr from Rayong town, with a wooden boardwalk running several kilometres through the mangroves

14:00

Walk the Thung Prong Thong boardwalk, golden leaves in the afternoonFree entry, open 06:00–18:00; the prong leaves catch the sun and turn golden from late morning into the afternoon

15:00

Stop at the HTMS Prasae warship memorial, Pak Nam Prasae communityClimb aboard the old warship for photos, with views over the river mouth and the sea

16:00

Start the drive back to BangkokPak Nam Prasae to Bangkok is about 220 km; allow extra time for evening inbound traffic

Budget and travel summary

Total distance — coastal route with no backtracking, only 1–2 hours of driving a day; the return from Pak Nam Prasae is the longest leg
Koh Larn ferry — passenger ferry about 30 THB/person/trip, or charter a speedboat if you're in a group
Koh Samet ferry — about 100 THB/person round trip, plus a 40 THB park entry fee for Thai nationals
Thung Prong Thong — free entry, open 06:00–18:00, the golden leaves look best in the afternoon
Accommodation — first night in Pattaya, second night on Koh Samet or the Ban Phe side; book ahead over long weekends

Want a well-located place to stay during this trip

See recommended Chonburi hotels →

FAQ

Do I really need a private car for this Chonburi–Rayong route?

We'd recommend having a car or renting one, because the sights are spread along the coast and connecting by public transport is difficult. For the crossings to Koh Larn and Koh Samet, park on the pier side and take the ferry across with just your bags.

How much are the ferry and entry fees for Koh Samet?

The Ban Phe–Koh Samet passenger ferry is about 100 THB per person round trip and takes around 40 minutes. On arrival there's a national park entry fee: 40 THB for Thai nationals, 200 THB for foreigners, children half price, cash only. Prices can vary by operator.

What season is this trip best for?

Thailand's east coast is good for travel almost year-round. The dry season from late in the year into early the next brings clear water and little rain, while the mid-year rainy season has stronger waves and some ferry rounds may be cancelled. Check the forecast before you set out.

Can I do this in 2 days instead of 3?

Yes. Cut the first day at Bang Saen–Koh Larn and start straight at Ban Phe–Koh Samet, stay one night on the island, then pick up Thung Prong Thong and Pak Nam Prasae the next day before heading back.

When does Thung Prong Thong look best?

Free entry, open 06:00–18:00. The prong leaves catch the sun and turn their most golden from late morning into the afternoon, roughly 11:00–15:00 when the light hits directly. You can walk the wooden boardwalk through the mangroves for several kilometres.

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