🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Rayong is an east-coast beach province that's easy to reach for a weekend. If Koh Samet is your goal, the trip splits into two main legs: Bangkok → Rayong town/Ban Phe Pier, then the ferry across to the island. If you're exploring the mainland instead (Mae Ramphueng Beach, the Yom Jinda old town, Pak Nam Prasae, the fruit orchards), having your own car or a rental makes life much easier — the sights are spread out and local public transport is limited.
From Bangkok to Rayong — vans and buses
Public transport from Bangkok to Rayong leaves from two main hubs: Ekkamai Bus Terminal and Mo Chit 2 (Chatuchak). You'll find both air-conditioned buses and vans, and the trip takes about 3 hours if traffic is light. Tickets start around ฿180 and up depending on the operator and where you're getting off. Companies that run this route often include Cherdchai Tour and Nakhonchai Air. Book online ahead of time during long weekends.
- Destinations vary — some services drop you in Rayong town (Rayong Bus Terminal), others run all the way to Ban Phe. Check exactly where you'll be dropped before you buy.
- Heading straight for Koh Samet? — pick a service that ends at Ban Phe so you don't have to transfer again from town.
- Vans are slightly faster but luggage space is tight. If you're carrying a lot or travelling in a group, an air-conditioned bus is more comfortable.
- Friday evenings and long weekends fill up fast and the roads get busy — leave extra time and book ahead for peace of mind.
Tip
If you're driving yourself, the motorway (Bangkok–Chonburi–Pattaya) onto Highway 36 into Rayong is the smoothest route. But the approach into town and the Ban Phe area get jammed on weekends — leave extra time and plan for parking near the pier.
Ban Phe Pier — the jumping-off point for Koh Samet
Ban Phe is the coastal town that serves as the gateway to Koh Samet. Several ferry operators sit side by side here, with convenience stores, restaurants, a dried-seafood souvenir market, and parking lots for people staying overnight on the island. Once you arrive you've got two options: the passenger ferry (a large wooden boat) or a speedboat.
- Passenger ferry — the cheapest option, around ฿100 per person return, taking about 40 minutes. It runs roughly 8:00–18:00, departing when the boat fills up or on a schedule, with more frequent crossings on weekends.
- Speedboat — faster, reaching the island in 15–20 minutes, and worth it if you're heading to a far beach or travelling as a group. Chartered, it runs around ฿1,500–2,600 per trip depending on distance and group size.
- Parking at Ban Phe — there are lots that charge by the day, with prices varying by operator. Always ask the rate before you park.
Watch out for overpriced offers
At the pier, touts will approach you with pricey ferry-plus-transfer packages. To keep costs down, walk to the ferry counter and buy a passenger-ferry ticket yourself, and confirm the price clearly before you pay.
Koh Samet national park fee
Koh Samet sits within Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park. When the ferry drops you at the pier by the entrance checkpoint, there's a booth collecting the park entry fee — charged once when you arrive on the island. Keep your receipt in case staff ask to see it.
- Thai nationals — adults ฿40, children ฿20
- Foreigners — adults ฿200, children ฿100
- Seniors aged 60 and over — free (bring ID to show)
Getting around Koh Samet
Most passenger ferries dock at the checkpoint pier on the Hat Sai Kaew side, the beach where the most people stay. If you're staying here you can walk straight from the pier. If your beach is further south on the island (Ao Phrao, Ao Wong Duean, Ao Thian), songthaews run shuttle services.
- Shared songthaew per person — around ฿10 to Hat Sai Kaew, ฿20 to Ao Phai, ฿30 to Ao Phrao/Ao Wong Duean
- Private charter — around ฿100 to Hat Sai Kaew, ฿150 to Ao Phai, ฿200 to Ao Phrao/Ao Wong Duean; a charter for a loop around the island starts around ฿300
- Motorbike rental — around ฿300–400 per day, handy for hopping between beaches, but some stretches of road are sandy dirt and hilly, so ride carefully if you're not used to it
- Walking along the beach — many of the northern beaches connect on foot, so if you're not in a hurry, strolling and taking in the view is a good option
Tip
Songthaews on the island usually wait until they're full before leaving. If you don't want a long wait — or you're travelling late — it turns into a private charter, which costs more. Plan your arrival time to line up with the shuttle runs and you'll save.
Hiring a car for mainland Rayong
Rayong's mainland sights are spread out — Mae Ramphueng Beach, the Yom Jinda old town, Pak Nam Prasae, the Sunthorn Phu Monument, and the fruit orchards in durian, rambutan and mangosteen season. Public transport between these spots isn't convenient, so a rental car is the most flexible option.
- Pickup points — available both in Rayong town and at U-Tapao Airport (UTP). If you fly in, pick the car up at the airport and drive on from there.
- Rough prices — small cars start around ฿530–800 per day depending on the model, season and insurance terms. The best rates usually need to be booked several days ahead and require a credit card as a deposit.
- Operators — both big brands like Avis/Budget and budget-friendly local outfits. Compare prices and read reviews on car condition and deposit refunds before booking.
- You can't drive to Koh Samet — cars aren't allowed on the island, so you'll need to park at Ban Phe and take the ferry across. Keep the days you use the car separate from the days you're on the island.
If you'd rather not drive, there are car-with-driver services and taxis/private hire around the province — handy if you're in a group or travelling with older relatives. They charge by the day or by the route, so agree the price clearly before you set off.
Plan a smooth Rayong–Koh Samet trip and see where to stay and what to do next
See the Rayong travel guide →