How to Get from Bangkok to Ban Phe
There are three ways to reach Ban Phe from Bangkok: a private taxi, a public bus or minivan, or your own car. The taxi costs 2,199 THB per car for the 210 km and takes about 2 h 30 min. The others cost less per person and take longer.
Private taxi
You book the car for a time and a hotel address. The driver arrives at the door, carries the bags and leaves you at the Ban Phe pier of your boat. The price is fixed per car, with tolls and fuel inside. With three or four people the cost per head comes close to a bus ticket for each of them.
The Toyota Innova at 2,499 THB takes four with their luggage, and the Hyundai H1 at 3,799 THB takes six.
Bus and minivan
Buses and minivans to Ban Phe leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai and from other city terminals. They stop in Ban Phe town, not necessarily at your pier, so the last stretch is on foot or by a short ride. Services thin out in the evening, and a ride in a minivan is tighter than in a car, with bags on your knees.
The bus is the cheapest option for one person without much luggage. Find the current timetable at the terminal, because departures and fares change.
Your own car
The drive is straightforward on the motorways, and parking at Ban Phe is available near the piers. If you leave the car there for the days on the island, ask at the pier for the daily fee. The disadvantage is a long drive with a booked boat at the end, and the same drive back.
A rental car with a driver is another option, but the fixed taxi price is usually lower for one trip.
Which to choose
A single traveller with a day bag takes the bus. A family, a couple with suitcases or a group of friends takes the taxi, because the price is shared and the trip is door to door. A person who wants the last boat of the day should take the taxi as well, since a bus leaves when it is full or on its timetable.
Details and prices are on the price page. You pay the driver in cash, or by Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, transfer by QR code or bank transfer to a Thai account if you prefer.
After Ban Phe
The ferry crosses to Koh Samet in 30 to 40 minutes, runs daily from 08:00 to 18:00 and costs 70 THB per person one way or 120 THB return. The taxi service page Taxi from Bangkok to Ban Phe covers the boat step by step.
Questions and answers
Is there a direct train to Ban Phe?
No. There is no train service to Ban Phe, so the choice is the road.
Where do buses from Bangkok stop in Ban Phe?
In Ban Phe town. From there you walk or take a short ride to your pier.
Is the taxi worth it for one person?
Usually not on price alone. For two or more people the shared cost is close to the bus fare.
Can I take a taxi back from Ban Phe too?
Yes. See the page Ban Phe to Bangkok.
Do I need to buy the boat ticket in advance?
No. You buy it at the pier. The ferry runs daily from 08:00 to 18:00.
Book Bangkok city to Ban Phe (pier to Koh Samet)
Free cancellation. Pay the driver in cash, or by Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, transfer by QR code or bank transfer to a Thai account if you prefer.