How to travel from Pai to Koh Samui, Thailand
The distance between Pai and Koh Samui is around 1,204km (748 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 6h 15m.
7 routes found
We've found 7 different ways to get from Pai to Koh Samui by bus, plane, ferry, taxi and train. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Koh Samui → Pai if you're planning a return trip.
Bus and Plane
Take the bus to Chiang Mai then fly from Chiang Mai (CNX) to Koh Samui (USM).
- Duration6h 15m
- Flight time1h 45m
- Typical costTHB 5,700($155)
Multiple operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus, Train and Ferry
Take the bus to Chiang Mai then take the train to Bang Sue Junction and then to Chumphon then take a ferry to Koh Samui - Nathon.
- Duration23h 50m
- Departstwice daily
- Typical costTHB 1,160($32)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Ferry
Take the bus to Chiang Mai and then to Hua Hin then take a ferry to Koh Samui - Nathon.
- Duration1 day 1h
- Departstwice daily
- Typical costTHB 2,180($60)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Pai and Koh Samui
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Pai to Koh Samui by bus, plane, ferry, taxi and train. The cheapest option is to take the bus, then take the train and then take a ferry which costs around THB 1,160 ($32) and will take around 23h 50m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the bus and then fly and arrive in approximately 6h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately THB 5,700 ($155).
The distance between Pai and Koh Samui is around 1,204km (748 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,109km (689 miles)
It takes around 6h 15m to get from Pai and Koh Samui by bus and plane.
The quickest way to get from Pai to Koh Samui is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 6h 15m and will set you back approx THB 5,700 ($155).
The cheapest way to travel between Pai and Koh Samui is to take the bus, then take the train and then take a ferry which will typically cost around THB 1,160 ($32) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Pai and Koh Samui. We recommend that you take the bus to Chiang Mai then fly from Chiang Mai (CNX) to Koh Samui (USM). instead which will take 6h 15m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Pai and Koh Samui. We recommend that you take the bus to Chiang Mai then fly from Chiang Mai (CNX) to Koh Samui (USM). instead which will take 6h 15m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Pai to Koh Samui. We recommend that you take the bus to Chiang Mai then fly from Chiang Mai (CNX) to Koh Samui (USM). instead which will take 6h 15m.
The closest major airport to Koh Samui is Koh Samui Airport (USM) (USM) which is approximately 9km (6 miles) from Koh Samui. Phuket International Airport (HKT) (HKT) and Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) (HDY) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Pai to Koh Samui. We recommend that you take the bus to Chiang Mai then fly from Chiang Mai (CNX) to Koh Samui (USM). instead which will take 6h 15m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Pai to Koh Samui is to take the bus and then fly which takes, on average, 6h 15m and will usually cost around THB 5,700 ($155).
Compare travel optionsbetween Pai and Koh Samui
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bus and Plane + 2 similar | 6h 15m | THB 5,700($155) | every 3 hours | 1,204km (748 miles) |
| Taxi and Plane | 6h 60m | THB 14,165($390) | hourly | 2,391km (1,486 miles) |
| Bus, Plane and Ferry | 8hrs | THB 4,070($110) | once daily | 1,317km (819 miles) |
Bus, Train and Ferry + 1 similar | 23h 50m | THB 1,160($32) | twice daily | 1,498km (931 miles) |
| Bus to Chiang Mai, train and ferry | 24hrs | THB 1,960($54) | once daily | 1,624km (1,009 miles) |
Bus and Ferry + 1 similar | 1 day 1h | THB 2,180($60) | twice daily | 1,391km (865 miles) |
| Bus to Chiang Mai, ferry | 1 day 2h | THB 3,085($85) | once daily | 1,604km (997 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Pai and Koh Samui
Bus companies
Prem Pracha
Sombat Tour
Phetprasert Tour
Nakhonchai Air
Greenbus Thailand
Ferry operators
Lomprayah
Yellow Bus
Seatran Discovery
Songserm
Airlines
Bangkok Airways
Thai Smile
Thai AirAsia
Nok Air
Thai Vietjet Air
Train operators
State Railway of Thailand
Airports near Koh Samui
The following major airports near Koh Samui offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Thailand and internationally.
Koh Samui Airport (USM)
- Distance
- 9km (6 miles) from Koh Samui
Phuket International Airport (HKT)
- Distance
- 242km (150 miles) from Koh Samui
Hat Yai International Airport (HDY)
- Distance
- 289km (179 miles) from Koh Samui