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Rayong in 1 Day
Ban Phe–Mae Ramphueng or a Koh Samet Day Trip

Rayong sits just about 3 hours from Bangkok, so it's an easy province for a there-and-back day trip. But on a single day you need to commit to one route, because the mainland coast and Koh Samet are two different modes. So we've split it into 2 plans: take the coastal route — Ban Phe–Mae Ramphueng–Pak Nam Prasae — where you can drive and stop at several spots, or take the island route, hopping on a boat to Koh Samet to lounge by the beach all day. Both plans come with timings, boat fares, entry fees, and restaurants that are actually open.

🚗 There-and-back day trip🏝️ Two routes to choose from🦐 Seaside seafood

Rayong in 1 Day Ban Phe–Mae Ramphueng or a Koh Samet Day Trip

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Rayong in a day works two ways. If you want to hit several spots and skip the boat, go for the coastal route: drive from Ban Phe to Mae Ramphueng Beach, then on to Tung Prong Thong and HTMS Prasae warship at Pak Nam Prasae. If you'd rather spend the whole day swimming in clear water, take the Koh Samet route: catch a boat from Ban Phe across to Sai Kaew Beach and settle in for the day. Read through both plans and pick the route that fits your group.

Plan A — Coastal route: Ban Phe–Mae Ramphueng–Pak Nam Prasae

This plan suits people driving themselves who want to cover several spots in one day without a boat ride. Start at Ban Phe, work your way to Mae Ramphueng Beach, then finish at Pak Nam Prasae, where Tung Prong Thong and the HTMS Prasae warship sit close together. The driving distance between stops isn't far — about 20–40 minutes each.

Day 1

Rayong coastal route (there-and-back day trip)

08:30

Leave Bangkok, take the motorway down to RayongAround 220 km, roughly 3 hours including a fuel stop. Aim to reach Ban Phe in the late morning.

11:30

Walk Ban Phe market for dried seafood and souvenirsDried squid, dried shrimp, shrimp paste, fish sauce — plenty of vendors to choose from. Prices depend on grade, and you can taste before you buy.

12:30

Seafood lunch on Mae Ramphueng BeachMost beachfront places open around 09:00–21:00, such as Je Maew Seafood (opposite Piya Resort) or Je Ueng Seafood. Order shrimp, crab, and squid by weight, budget around 250–400 THB per person.

14:00

Stroll Mae Ramphueng Beach, photograph the beach roadA long sandy beach with gentle waves, easy for walking. There are restrooms and beachfront cafes to take a break.

15:30

Drive to Pak Nam Prasae, walk the Tung Prong Thong boardwalkThe boardwalk runs about 2.7 km, free entry, open 06:00–18:00. The golden-yellow leaves look best in the late-afternoon light. Bring sunscreen and water.

16:30

Board HTMS Prasae warship by the Prasae RiverAn old warship moored as a memorial — you can walk the deck and take in the river view. It's right at the end of the Tung Prong Thong boardwalk.

17:30

Relax by the Prasae waterfront for the evening light, then head backIf you're not in a rush, grab dinner around Pak Nam Prasae or come back into town for Koh Kloi floating market (open 10:00–21:00) before hitting the motorway.

Coastal route tip

Tung Prong Thong looks its best in the early-morning and late-afternoon light. On a single day, save it for the late afternoon so you get the good light and it isn't too hot — the midday sun makes the boardwalk walk tiring.

🎟️

Book the activities in your Rayong 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 RayongHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Rayong attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from RayongOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Rayong activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide

🎟️ See all Rayong tours & activities (Klook)

Plan B — Island route: Koh Samet day trip

If you want to lounge in clear water for a full day, take this route. Catch a boat from Ban Phe pier across to Koh Samet — most arrive at Sai Kaew Beach, the main beach, with lots of restaurants and places to sit. Coming early and leaving in the evening gives you plenty of time, but you'll need to allow enough buffer for the last boat back.

Day 1

Koh Samet there-and-back day trip

08:30

Leave Bangkok for Ban Phe pierPark in one of the lots near the pier — daily parking runs about 100–150 THB. Take your valuables with you.

11:30

Buy a boat ticket and cross to Koh SametA regular passenger ferry is around 70 THB per trip and takes about 30 minutes. Speedboats are faster but pricier (around 200 THB per trip). The regular ferry leaves once the boat is full.

12:15

Arrive on the island, pay the park entry fee at the checkpointPark entry is around 40 THB for Thais, 200 THB for foreigners (with a small additional pier fee). Keep your ticket in case staff ask to see it.

12:45

Lunch on Sai Kaew BeachSeveral beachfront spots to choose from — order seafood or fried rice. Island prices run a bit higher than the mainland, so budget around 300–450 THB per person.

13:30

Swim and lounge on Sai Kaew BeachSai Kaew has white sand and clear water — it's the main, liveliest beach. You can rent a canvas lounger to sit, and there are umbrellas for shade.

15:00

Walk over to a quieter beach — Ao Thap Thim or Ao PhraoIf you want a quieter beach, walk or take a songthaew on the island to another bay. Ao Phrao on the west side has lovely sunsets, but allow time to get back for your boat.

16:30

Head back for the return boat at the checkpoint pierCheck the last boat times as soon as you arrive — don't get carried away and miss it. Evenings get busy and you may have to queue.

17:30

Arrive at Ban Phe, drive back to BangkokYou can stop for dried seafood at Ban Phe market before heading home. Aim to reach Bangkok in the evening.

Island route tip

The regular ferry leaves once the boat is full, so on weekdays with fewer people you may wait a while. If your group is small and you're short on time, a speedboat is worth it for the time saved. And don't forget to ask about the last boat times when you buy your ticket on the way over.

Which plan should you pick?

Coastal route

Pick Plan A if…

You're driving yourself, want to cover several spots, enjoy photographing nature and old towns, don't want a boat ride, or you're with older relatives who can't handle long beach walks.

Island route

Pick Plan B if…

You want to lounge in clear water all day, you're fine with the boat ride, and you're happy to stay at just one spot for the long haul.

Rough budget per person

Fuel/tolls (split among the car) — driving yourself round trip Bangkok–Rayong, budget around 500–800 THB per car
Koh Samet route — boat round trip around 140–200 THB + park entry 40 THB + parking 100–150 THB
Seafood meals — around 250–450 THB per person, depending on what you order and how many meals
Tung Prong Thong / HTMS Prasae — free entry, no fee, just water/snacks at the various stops

See the full Rayong travel guide — where to stay, what to see, and what to eat

See the Rayong guide →

FAQ

Can you really do Rayong as a one-day there-and-back trip from Bangkok?

Yes. Rayong is about 220 km from Bangkok, roughly 3 hours on the motorway. Leave in the morning and you'll be back by evening with plenty of time. Just commit clearly to one route — coast or island — and don't try to do both in a single day.

Is a Koh Samet day trip worth it?

It's worth it if you want to swim in clear water without an overnight stay. The boat from Ban Phe gets you there in about 30 minutes. But you'll need to allow good buffer for the last boat back, and accept that you'll only see the main beach and a couple of spots. If you want to cover several bays, stay a night.

How much are the Koh Samet entry and boat fees?

Park entry is around 40 THB for Thais and 200 THB for foreigners. The regular passenger ferry is about 70 THB per trip (around 140 THB round trip). Speedboats cost more but are faster. Prices can change, so double-check at the pier.

Is there an entry fee for Tung Prong Thong, and what are the hours?

Tung Prong Thong at Pak Nam Prasae is free to visit, open daily around 06:00–18:00. There's a boardwalk roughly 2.7 km long winding through the mangroves and ending at HTMS Prasae warship. The leaves turn their most golden in the early-morning and late-afternoon light.

Can you do a Rayong day trip without driving yourself?

You can, but it's harder. Take a van/bus from Ekkamai or Mochit down to Rayong or Ban Phe, then connect by songthaew or motorbike taxi locally. Without your own car, the Koh Samet route is easier, since you take one boat to a single spot and stay put.

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