Plan My Party
A private van meeting a group at a Thai island airport.

Getting around Thailand

Plan it with Tanner

In short

Getting around Thailand is easy: fly between regions, drive within them, and take a boat to the islands.

Every city

Pick your city

Friends toasting on a rooftop above the Bangkok skyline after dark.Bangkok nightlifeRooftops, Soi 11, Thonglor and RCA until 4am.A group of adults smile, dance, and hold drinks on a poolside terrace overlooking a bay, illuminated coastal buildings, and hills at dusk.Phuket nightlifeBangla Road, Illuzion and beach clubs at sunset.Friends at a beach party on Koh Samui after dark.Koh Samui nightlifeChaweng, ARKbar and beachfront pool villas.Friends dancing at an island beach party under a full moon.Koh Phangan nightlifeThe Full Moon on Haad Rin, and the Half Moon in the jungle.A beach-town bar strip at dusk, limestone islands on the horizon.Krabi nightlifeRailay sunsets, and Ao Nang's bands and fire shows.Laid-backSunsetsWat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya lit at night.Ayutthaya nightlifeA group of people laugh and hold drinks beside a moat at night, with an illuminated brick wall and gate and a busy street in the background.Chiang Mai nightlifeThe Chiang Rai Clock Tower lit purple at night.Chiang Rai nightlifeAn elevated daytime view shows a sprawling city with high-rise buildings, dense rooftops, and distant mountains beneath a hazy, partly cloudy sky.Hat Yai nightlifeFriends on a terrace over a beach town at duskHua Hin nightlifeA passenger train crosses the steel bridge over the River Kwai in daylight, with riverside gardens, floating buildings and moored boats below.Kanchanaburi nightlifeLakeside party in Khao Sok with people enjoying drinks beside lanterns and limestone cliffs at sunset.Khao Sok nightlifeDinner party in Khao Yai with guests raising wine glasses outdoors at sunset.Khao Yai nightlifeA group of people socialize with drinks and food on a boat at dusk, with city buildings and lights reflected on the water behind them.Khon Kaen nightlifeWhite Sand Beach on Koh Chang seen from the hillside above.Koh Chang nightlifeFriends with cocktails on a wooden deck over a calm bay at sunset.Koh Kood nightlifeAn ornate red Chinese gate stands on a city roundabout, with a tall temple spire and surrounding buildings beneath a pastel twilight sky.Koh Lanta nightlifeBeach bars on Sai Kaew Beach, Koh Samet, at dusk.Koh Samet nightlifeLong-tail boats sit in calm water beside a sandy beach beneath an orange and blue sunset sky.Koh Tao nightlifeThe Thao Suranari monument in Korat lit at night.Korat nightlifeFriends with drinks on a wooden balcony above the Mekong at dusk.Loei nightlifeA private boat party on the river at night.Lopburi nightlifeA private boat party on the river at night.Mae Hong Son nightlifeAn elevated daytime view shows densely packed buildings with colorful rooftops, trees, and golden spires, with hazy hills in the distance.Mae Sot nightlifeLarge green and gold naga statues rise above a riverside promenade where people walk and sit under a cloudy daytime sky.Nong Khai nightlifeThe night market on Pai Walking Street at dusk.Pai nightlifePattaya Bay in daylight, with numerous boats, a long pier, and a curved beach lined with city buildings beneath a partly cloudy sky.Pattaya nightlifeA daytime view overlooks a turquoise bay with boats, a curving sandy beach, shoreline buildings, and forested limestone hills, framed by palm trees in the foreground.Koh Phi Phi nightlifeA private boat party on the river at night.Sukhothai nightlifeFriends at a riverside night market at dusk.Surat Thani nightlifeUbon Ratchathani railway station has a steep red-tiled roof, with cars, pickup trucks, people and a cycle rickshaw outside in daylight.Ubon Ratchathani nightlifeFriends by a lake at dusk as the city lights come onUdon Thani nightlifeFriends gather with drinks on a riverside terrace at dusk, with illuminated boats and temple spires in the background.Vientiane nightlife

Getting around

Every route on one map

Bangkok nightlife: rooftops, Soi 11, Thonglor and RCAAyutthaya nightlife: lit temples, the market and a bandChiang Mai nightlife: a rooftop, jazz and Warm Up CaféChiang Rai nightlife: the Clock Tower and Jetyod RoadHat Yai nightlife: night markets, cocktails and live bandsHua Hin nightlife: a sky bar, the markets, Soi BintabahtKanchanaburi nightlife: raft dinners and River Kwai barsKhon Kaen nightlife: rooftop, live bands and 99 BarKoh Chang nightlife: White Sand sunset to Lonely BeachKoh Lanta nightlife: beach bars, fire shows and party nightsKoh Phangan nightlife: the Full Moon, Half Moon and jungleKoh Samet nightlife: fire shows on Sai Kaew, bars on Ao PhaiKoh Samui nightlife: ARKbar to Soi Green MangoKoh Tao nightlife: Sairee, fire shows and jungle partiesKrabi nightlife: Railay sunset, Ao Nang bars and bandsPattaya nightlife: Beach Road to Walking StreetKoh Phi Phi nightlife: Loh Dalum fire shows and beach barsPhuket nightlife: Patong, beach clubs and Old TownUdon Thani nightlife: Soi Sampan, Rhythm and EliteVientiane nightlife: Mekong bars, the night market, clubsPai nightlife: Walking Street, jazz and Don't Cry BarKoh Phangan nightlife: Full Moon, Half Moon and JunglePhuket nightlife: sunset beach clubs to Illuzion at 4amKoh Samui nightlife: Chaweng, beach clubs and Full MoonSurat Thani nightlife: San Chao, Lunar Club and the boats

Four ways to get around

It comes down to four things: domestic flights between regions, cars and vans on the road, ferries and boats to the islands, and the overnight train if you have time.

Flights: the fastest way between Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai.

Road: the easy way to Pattaya, Hua Hin and Khao Yai, and around every city.

Ferries and boats: the only way to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, and the fun way to the islands off Phuket and Pattaya.

Train: the overnight sleeper north to Chiang Mai, or south towards the Gulf islands.

For a group, the hard part is the gaps: the airport to the villa, the pier to the club, and the ride home at 3am. That's where your own car and boat come in.

Most groups fly between regions and drive the rest.

Every route, by where you start

These are the routes we cover now, from each starting point, with the fastest way and a guide for each.

Don't see your route? Ask Tanner.

Bangkok

To:
Pattaya
Fastest way:
Road
About:
2 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Pattaya

Bangkok

To:
Phuket
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
1h 20 to 1h 30
Guide:
Bangkok to Phuket

Bangkok

To:
Koh Samui
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
about 1h 30
Guide:
Bangkok to Koh Samui

Bangkok

To:
Koh Phangan
Fastest way:
Flight + boat
About:
half a day
Guide:
Bangkok to Koh Phangan

Bangkok

To:
Chiang Mai
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
about 1h 20
Guide:
Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Bangkok

To:
Krabi
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
1h 20
Guide:
Bangkok to Krabi

Bangkok

To:
Udon Thani
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
1h 10
Guide:
Bangkok to Udon Thani

Bangkok

To:
Hua Hin
Fastest way:
Train or van
About:
about 3 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Hua Hin

Bangkok

To:
Chiang Rai
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
1h 25
Guide:
Bangkok to Chiang Rai

Bangkok

To:
Khon Kaen
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
about 1 hour
Guide:
Bangkok to Khon Kaen

Bangkok

To:
Vientiane (Laos)
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
about 1h 10
Guide:
Bangkok to Vientiane

Bangkok

To:
Koh Chang
Fastest way:
Flight to Trat, then ferry
About:
about 3 to 4 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Koh Chang

Bangkok

To:
Koh Kood
Fastest way:
Bus or flight + boat
About:
about 3 to 8 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Koh Kood

Bangkok

To:
Koh Si Chang
Fastest way:
Van + ferry
About:
about 3 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Koh Si Chang

Bangkok

To:
Kanchanaburi
Fastest way:
Van or train
About:
about 2.5 to 3 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

Bangkok

To:
Koh Samet
Fastest way:
Van or bus, then ferry
About:
about 3.5 to 4.5 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Koh Samet

Bangkok

To:
Ayutthaya
Fastest way:
Train or van
About:
about 1 hour
Guide:
Bangkok to Ayutthaya

Bangkok

To:
Lopburi
Fastest way:
Van
About:
about 2 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Lopburi

Bangkok

To:
Sukhothai
Fastest way:
Van or flight
About:
about 6 hours by road
Guide:
Bangkok to Sukhothai

Bangkok

To:
Koh Tao
Fastest way:
Flight to Samui + boat
About:
about 4 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Koh Tao

Bangkok

To:
Koh Lanta
Fastest way:
Flight to Krabi + van
About:
about 4 to 6 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Koh Lanta

Bangkok

To:
Phi Phi
Fastest way:
Flight to Krabi + ferry
About:
about 5 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Phi Phi

Bangkok

To:
Khao Yai
Fastest way:
Van
About:
about 2.5 to 3 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Khao Yai

Bangkok

To:
Hat Yai
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
about 1.5 hours
Guide:
Bangkok to Hat Yai

Pattaya

To:
Hua Hin
Fastest way:
Van
About:
about 5 hours
Guide:
Pattaya to Hua Hin

Pattaya

To:
Koh Samet
Fastest way:
Van to Ban Phe + ferry
About:
about 2 hours
Guide:
Pattaya to Koh Samet

Pattaya

To:
Koh Larn
Fastest way:
Ferry, speedboat or yacht
About:
about 20 to 45 minutes
Guide:
Pattaya to Koh Larn

Pattaya

To:
Koh Samui
Fastest way:
Flight from U-Tapao
About:
1 hour 5 minutes
Guide:
Pattaya to Koh Samui

Chiang Mai

To:
Pai
Fastest way:
Minivan or van
About:
3 to 4 hours
Guide:
Chiang Mai to Pai

Chiang Mai

To:
Chiang Rai
Fastest way:
Bus or van
About:
about 3 hours
Guide:
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai

To:
Mae Hong Son
Fastest way:
Van via Pai
About:
about 6 hours
Guide:
Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son

Bangkok airport

To:
The city
Fastest way:
Car
About:
depends on traffic
Guide:
Bangkok airport transfer

Phuket airport

To:
Patong
Fastest way:
Car
About:
about 1 hour
Guide:
Phuket airport transfer

Don Mueang

To:
Suvarnabhumi
Fastest way:
Van or free shuttle
About:
45 minutes to 2 hours
Guide:
Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi

Phuket

To:
Koh Samui
Fastest way:
Flight
About:
a short flight
Guide:
Phuket to Koh Samui

Phuket

To:
Krabi
Fastest way:
Boat or road
About:
2 hours by boat
Guide:
Phuket to Krabi

Phuket

To:
Phi Phi
Fastest way:
Boat
About:
1 to 2 hours
Guide:
Phuket to Phi Phi

Phuket

To:
Khao Lak
Fastest way:
Van
About:
about 1 to 1.5 hours
Guide:
Phuket to Khao Lak

Phuket

To:
Koh Lanta
Fastest way:
Speedboat
About:
1.5 to 2 hours
Guide:
Phuket to Koh Lanta

Phuket

To:
Khao Sok
Fastest way:
Van
About:
about 2 to 3 hours
Guide:
Phuket to Khao Sok

Phuket

To:
Racha Island
Fastest way:
Speedboat or yacht
About:
about 30 to 40 minutes
Guide:
Phuket to Racha Island

Phuket

To:
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai
Fastest way:
Speedboat from Bang Rong
About:
about 30 to 40 minutes
Guide:
Phuket to Koh Yao

Phuket

To:
Koh Phangan
Fastest way:
Fly + ferry
About:
about 3 hours
Guide:
Phuket to Koh Phangan

Krabi

To:
Phi Phi
Fastest way:
Boat
About:
1 to 2 hours
Guide:
Krabi to Phi Phi

Krabi

To:
Koh Lanta
Fastest way:
Ferry or van
About:
2 to 4 hours
Guide:
Krabi to Koh Lanta

Phi Phi

To:
Koh Lanta
Fastest way:
Ferry or speedboat
About:
30 minutes to 1.5 hours
Guide:
Phi Phi to Koh Lanta

Krabi

To:
Railay
Fastest way:
Longtail or shuttle boat
About:
10 to 40 minutes
Guide:
Krabi to Railay

Krabi

To:
Koh Lipe
Fastest way:
Speedboat (high season) or van via Pak Bara
About:
about 4.5 to 7 hours
Guide:
Krabi to Koh Lipe

Krabi

To:
Koh Samui
Fastest way:
Van + boat
About:
about 4 hours
Guide:
Krabi to Koh Samui

Koh Lanta

To:
Koh Lipe
Fastest way:
Speedboat (Oct to Apr)
About:
about 3 hours
Guide:
Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe

Surat Thani

To:
Koh Samui
Fastest way:
Ferry or van on the car ferry
About:
3 to 4 hours
Guide:
Surat Thani to Koh Samui

Surat Thani

To:
Khao Sok
Fastest way:
Minivan or van
About:
about 2 to 2.5 hours
Guide:
Surat Thani to Khao Sok

Koh Samui

To:
Koh Phangan
Fastest way:
Boat
About:
about 30 minutes
Guide:
Koh Samui to Koh Phangan

Koh Samui

To:
Koh Tao
Fastest way:
Catamaran
About:
1.5 to 2 hours
Guide:
Koh Samui to Koh Tao

Hua Hin

To:
Koh Samui
Fastest way:
Bus + catamaran
About:
about 9 hours
Guide:
Hua Hin to Koh Samui

Koh Phangan

To:
Koh Tao
Fastest way:
Boat
About:
1 to 1.5 hours
Guide:
Koh Phangan to Koh Tao

Hat Yai

To:
Danok (Sadao border)
Fastest way:
Van
About:
about 1 hour
Guide:
Hat Yai to Danok

Hat Yai

To:
Koh Lipe
Fastest way:
Van + speedboat
About:
about 3.5 to 5 hours
Guide:
Hat Yai to Koh Lipe

Udon Thani

To:
Vientiane (Laos)
Fastest way:
Bus or train
About:
2 to 3 hours
Guide:
Udon Thani to Vientiane
A group of smiling adults holding drinks rides on a boat past steep, green-covered cliffs in warm late-day sunlight.AI
Photo: AI-generated image
  • Fly: Bangkok to Phuket about 1h 20
  • About 2 hours by road
  • Fly to Samui, then boats
  • Grab, Bolt or your own car

From Bangkok

From Bangkok, you drive to Pattaya and fly everywhere else.

Pattaya: about 2 hours by road. A party van for up to 10 runs from Bangkok to Pattaya for ฿3,500 each way.

Phuket: a flight of about 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 30, with more than 30 flights a day. Driving takes a full day.

Koh Samui: a direct Bangkok Airways flight of about 1 hour 30 minutes from Suvarnabhumi to Samui.

Koh Phangan: fly to Samui, then a boat across.

Chiang Mai: a direct flight, or the overnight sleeper train.

Bangkok has two airports. Suvarnabhumi handles most international flights, and Don Mueang handles many low-cost domestic ones, so check which one you leave from.

See the Bangkok airport transfer for the run from the airport.

From Phuket

From Phuket, you drive around the island and take a boat or a short flight off it.

Phuket airport to Patong: about 1 hour by road, about 40 km.

Koh Samui: a short flight across to the Gulf side.

Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi: a day on your own boat.

Krabi: across the bay, by road or by boat.

Phuket's west coast, from Patong to Bang Tao, is where most groups stay, close to the beach clubs and Bangla Road.

See the Phuket airport transfer for the drive to the beach.

Around the Gulf islands

The Gulf islands, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, sit in a line, joined by boats.

Koh Samui: the island with the airport. Ferries from the Surat Thani coast take about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Koh Phangan: no airport, so everyone comes by boat, about 30 minutes from Samui.

Koh Tao: further north, about 1 to 1.5 hours on by boat from Koh Phangan.

Regular ferries stop at night, so for the Full Moon Party a private boat is the easy way home.

See Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, and ask Tanner for a private boat home on Full Moon night.

A quiet street at twilight is lined with buildings, palm trees, utility poles and overhead wires, with parked cars and a motorcyclist on the road.AI
Photo: AI-generated image

Is the train worth it?

The train is worth it if you have time and want the overnight sleeper. For a short party trip, flying saves a day.

Long-distance trains now leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, which replaced Hua Lamphong in 2023.

The sleeper to Chiang Mai leaves in the evening and arrives the next morning, about 12 to 13 hours later.

Sleeper berths sell out at busy times, so book them early.

Grab, Bolt or your own car?

In the cities there are Grab and Bolt; Uber left Southeast Asia in 2018, when it sold its business there to Grab.

Ride apps are fine for one or two people on a short trip.

For a group, they mean three or four cars, people waiting in different places, and late-night prices that jump when everyone leaves the club at once.

Your own car with a driver keeps the group together. Ask Tanner, and it's waiting when you land.

Your own van, boat or helicopter

Private transport in Thailand means your own car with a driver, your own boat, or a charter flight.

Cars: a luxury van for up to 4 from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, a party van for up to 10, or a coach for 20 and more.

Boats: your own speedboat to the islands, quoted for the route and the time.

Helicopter: Bangkok to Pattaya in the air, helicopter charter quoted by Tanner.

Your driver waits, your bags stay in the car, and nobody gets left behind.

See VIP transport for every car and driver.

A group of people approaches an open helicopter on a waterfront helipad at sunset, with boats and a city skyline in the background.AI
Photo: AI-generated image

Two weeks, the easy way

Here's how to get around Thailand in two weeks without losing a day to transport. Every leg below is one flight or one drive.

Start in Bangkok, then drive 2 hours to Pattaya and back. Fly about 1 hour 20 to Chiang Mai for the north.

Fly south to Phuket for the beach clubs and a day on your own boat. Finish on the Gulf: a short flight to Koh Samui, then 30 minutes by boat to Koh Phangan.

Insider tip: book the Samui flight first. Bangkok Airways flies it direct from Suvarnabhumi, and the rest of the plan fits around it.

Want it day by day? Our Thailand itinerary lays it out.

Getting around Bangkok

By day, the BTS Skytrain and the MRT underground beat the traffic. They run over and under the roads that jam at rush hour.

At night, a group goes by car. The trains stop before the clubs close, and the car waits outside while you're in.

Insider tip: check which airport your flight uses. Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi can take 45 minutes or 2 hours, depending on the traffic.

See VIP transport in Bangkok for the car that waits all evening.

Getting around Thailand in short

  • The best way to get around Thailand is to fly between regions and drive within them.
  • Bangkok to Phuket is about 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 30 in the air, with more than 30 flights a day.
  • Pattaya is about 2 hours from Bangkok by road.
  • Koh Phangan and Koh Tao have no airport, so the last leg is always a boat.
  • Long-distance trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, not Hua Lamphong.
  • Transport in Thailand for a group is easiest with your own car and driver, waiting at every stop.

Checked October 2026.

The rules on the move

The main rules on the move are about alcohol, vapes and ID.

Alcohol at piers: banned at public piers and on public passenger boats since 12 May 2026, under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee's notice (checked November 2026). The rule names public boats, not private charters.

Vapes: illegal to bring into Thailand, buy or sell here, the Thai government says (checked October 2026).

ID: carry your passport or a copy; clubs and some boats check it.

Drinking and driving: never. Let the driver drive.

What's on

Coming up

  • 24 Nov

    Full Moon Party

  • 24 Nov

    Loy Krathong

  • 24 Nov to 26 Nov

    Yi Peng (ticketed releases 24–25 Nov)

  • 27 Nov to 28 Nov

    Pattaya International Fireworks Festival

  • 3 Dec to 7 Dec

    Wonderfruit

  • 5 Dec to 7 Dec

    King Bhumibol's Birthday, Father's Day (Sat; substitute Mon 7 Dec)

  • 10 Dec

    Constitution Day

  • 11 Dec to 13 Dec

    Tomorrowland Thailand

Tanner Altman, host at Party ThailandWritten by Tanner Altman · Updated 7 November 2026

Questions

Before you travel

What's the best way to get around Thailand?

Fly between regions and drive within them. For a group, your own car with a driver is the easiest way around each city and to the pier.

How long is the flight from Bangkok to Phuket?

About 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 30 minutes, with more than 30 flights a day.

How do you get from Bangkok to Pattaya?

By road, about 2 hours. A party van for up to 10 runs from Bangkok to Pattaya for ฿3,500 each way.

How do you get to Koh Phangan?

By boat. Fly to Koh Samui, then take a boat across, about 30 minutes. There is no airport on Koh Phangan.

Does Thailand have Grab or Uber?

Thailand has Grab and Bolt. Uber left Southeast Asia in 2018. For groups, your own car is easier late at night.

Where do trains to Chiang Mai leave from in Bangkok?

From Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, which replaced Hua Lamphong for long-distance trains in 2023.

Can you drink on the ferry in Thailand?

Not on public passenger boats or at public piers, since 12 May 2026, under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee's notice. The rule names public boats, not private charters, so on your own charter you can.

How do you get around Bangkok?

By day, the BTS Skytrain and the MRT beat the traffic. At night, a group is easier in its own car, because the trains stop before the clubs close.

How much does transport in Thailand cost?

Ride apps and buses are cheap for one or two people. For a group, a luxury van for up to 4 is from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, with the driver waiting all day.

Is it easy to get around Thailand?

Yes. Domestic flights link the regions in about an hour, and cars, boats and ride apps cover the rest. The only hard part for a group is the gaps between them.

Plan it

Plan it with Tanner

Question 1 of 6

Are you in Thailand now?

Sources

Credits: top photo AI-generated image.

We use cookies to improve the site. Privacy