Pattaya to Koh Samui
In short
Pattaya to Koh Samui is about 1 hour 10 minutes on the daily non-stop flight from U-Tapao.
Every way there, side by side
- Time
- About 1 hour 10 minutes
- How often
- Daily, late afternoon
- Booking
- Most groups
Best by group size
Up to 4
- Best way:
- A luxury van for up to 4 from ฿6,500 for 10 hours to U-Tapao, then the flight
Up to 10
- Best way:
- A party van for up to 10 to the airport, quoted
20 and more
- Best way:
- A coach for 20 and more to U-Tapao, quoted
The fastest way and the easiest way
The direct flight from U-Tapao is the fastest Pattaya to Koh Samui trip, about 1 hour 10 minutes over 362 km, and Bangkok Airways is the only airline flying it non-stop, FlightConnections lists. The easiest is that flight with your own van to the airport and another at Samui arrivals.
The bus and ferry is the cheap way, and it takes the whole night. Ask Tanner which suits your group.
Direct flight
- Time:
- about 1 hour 10 minutes, daily
- From:
- U-Tapao, about 40 minutes from Pattaya
- Best for:
- Most groups
Flight via Bangkok
- Time:
- about 1 hour 10 minutes in the air
- From:
- Suvarnabhumi, about 2 hours' drive
- Best for:
- More flight times
Bus and ferry
- Time:
- overnight; check on the day
- From:
- Pattaya; check times at the counter
- Best for:
- The lowest fare
Your own car all the way
- Time:
- about 11.5 hours
- From:
- your villa
- Best for:
- Bringing the car
The U-Tapao flight
The Pattaya to Koh Samui flight is Bangkok Airways PG294. U-Tapao Airport's schedule lists it every day, leaving in the late afternoon and landing on Samui about 1 hour 10 minutes later. Times shift a little between timetables, so check yours when you book.
Insider tip: it's one small plane a day, so it fills in high season. Ask Tanner to book the seats the day your dates are set.
AI- Bangkok Airways from U-Tapao, daily, late afternoon, about 1 hour 10 minutes
- more flights from Suvarnabhumi, about 2 hours' drive
- about 40 minutes by car
- bus-and-ferry tickets take the night
Via Bangkok
When the U-Tapao flight is full or doesn't fly on your day, drive about 2 hours to Suvarnabhumi. The flight to Samui from there takes about 1 hour 10 minutes, and Suvarnabhumi has more flights and usually lower fares.
It's a longer day, but more times to pick from. See Bangkok to Pattaya for the road and Bangkok to Koh Samui for the flights. Ask Tanner to pick the best time.
Is there a ferry?
There's no Pattaya to Koh Samui ferry. There's no direct boat; every boat ticket is a bus or van to the south with a ferry at the end. The last leg from Donsak pier takes about 1.5 hours on Raja's car ferry.
From Pattaya, the evening flight is far quicker. See every route on Getting around Thailand. Ask Tanner if the boat is ever worth it for your trip.
Is there a bus to Samui?
No official bus-and-boat timetable runs from Pattaya. Booking sites sell overnight trips by bus to Donsak, then the ferry, so check times and fares at the counter on the day.
Insider tip: for a group it's a night on the road against an hour in the air, so the flight wins every time. Ask Tanner to price both for your dates.
Can you drive?
You can, but it's a long way. The Pattaya to Koh Samui distance is about 362 km as the plane flies and far more by road: about 11.5 hours by private car, with Raja's car ferry from Donsak, about 1.5 hours, at the end. The car ferry runs about hourly from 5am to 7pm (checked October 2026).
For a group, fly from U-Tapao and keep a van at each end. Insider tip: if you must drive, leave at first light to make the ferry before dark. Ask Tanner to set the vans.
Getting to U-Tapao
U-Tapao is south of central Pattaya, about 40 minutes by car, Google Maps showed on 2 Nov 2026, and the coast road clogs in peak season. Arrive about 90 minutes before a domestic flight.
So leave the villa by about 2:45pm for the evening flight. Your van runs from the villa to the terminal; see the U-Tapao airport transfer. Ask Tanner to time the pickup.
When you land on Samui
You land at Samui in the early evening, and a van takes the group straight to the villa. Koh Phangan and the Full Moon are a short boat away: Lomprayah from Maenam takes about 20 to 30 minutes to Thong Sala.
The Gulf islands are driest from February to April and good through August, and wettest from October to December. See Koh Samui to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui villas, then plan it with Tanner.
Which is better, Pattaya or Koh Samui?
Pattaya is the big party town two hours from Bangkok, with the clubs and Walking Street. Samui is the island: pool villas, beach clubs and the Full Moon next door, with your own DJ at the villa if the group wants the party at home.
Tanner's pick: do both. A few days in Pattaya, then the evening flight to Samui. See Pattaya nightlife and Koh Samui nightlife. Plan it with Tanner.
Pattaya to Koh Samui in short
- What it is: a short hop from Pattaya's own airport, or a night by road and boat.
- Fastest: Bangkok Airways from U-Tapao, one flight a day in the late afternoon, about 1 hour 10 minutes over 362 km.
- U-Tapao: about 40 minutes from Pattaya by car.
- Backup: fly from Suvarnabhumi, about 2 hours' drive, then about 1 hour 10 minutes in the air.
- No direct ferry: bus-and-boat trips go overnight, with the car ferry from Donsak, about 1.5 hours, at the end; check times on the day.
- For a group: your own van to U-Tapao and another on Samui.
Checked 7 November 2026.
Before you travel
Book the U-Tapao flight as soon as your dates are set
One flight a day from U-Tapao, in the late afternoon
Leave the villa by about 2:45pm for the evening flight
Arrive about 90 minutes before a domestic flight
No ferry from Pattaya: the boats leave Donsak pier
No alcohol at public piers or on scheduled boats
The alcohol ban at public piers and on scheduled boats runs from 12 May 2026.
Checked Nov 2026
Tanner's offer
A van at U-Tapao and on Samui
From the Pattaya villa to U-Tapao for the evening flight, and another van waiting at Samui arrivals.
See the private option →
Written by Tanner Altman · Updated 7 November 2026
Questions
Questions groups ask about Pattaya to Koh Samui
Is there a direct flight from Pattaya to Koh Samui?
Yes. Bangkok Airways flies non-stop from U-Tapao, near Pattaya, every day in the late afternoon, in about 1 hour 10 minutes. Check the exact time for your date when you book.
How far is U-Tapao from Pattaya?
About 40 minutes south of central Pattaya by car. Leave extra time in peak season, when the coast road gets busy, so the van leaves the villa early.
How much is a flight from Pattaya to Koh Samui?
Fares change daily and rise in high season, so check them when you book. Tanner checks the flight for your dates and books the van to the airport and the one on Samui.
Which airline flies from U-Tapao to Koh Samui?
Bangkok Airways is the only airline flying non-stop on the route, with one flight a day in the late afternoon. When it's full, fly from Suvarnabhumi instead.
What if the U-Tapao flight is full?
Drive about 2 hours to Suvarnabhumi, which has more flights to Samui, about 1 hour 10 minutes in the air. Your van takes you straight to departures.
Is there a ferry from Pattaya to Koh Samui?
No direct ferry. Ferries to Samui leave from Donsak and Surat Thani, on the other side of the Gulf, so any boat trip means a long bus or van ride south first, usually overnight.
Which is better, Pattaya or Koh Samui?
Pattaya for the clubs and an easy drive from Bangkok; Koh Samui for the beaches, the villas and the Full Moon next door. Many groups do both.
Is there a bus from Pattaya to Koh Samui?
No direct bus with an official timetable. Booking sites sell overnight bus-and-boat trips via Donsak, so check times and fares at the counter on the day. For a group, the flight wins.
How far is Pattaya from Koh Samui?
About 362 km in a straight line by air. By road and ferry it's much further, about 11.5 hours by private car, with the car ferry from Donsak at the end.
What is the best way from Pattaya to Koh Samui for a group?
A van to U-Tapao and the evening Bangkok Airways flight, with a van waiting on Samui. Tanner books the seats and both vans together.
Plan it
Plan it with Tanner
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Last checked 7 November 2026
Sources
- FlightConnections: U-Tapao to Ko Samui (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Pattaya Pointer: U-Tapao Airport guide (last checked Oct 2026; checked 29 Oct 2026)
- 12Go: Pattaya to Koh Samui (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Visit Thailand Today: Donsak car ferry times, checked October 2026
- U-Tapao International Airport: domestic flight schedule, PG294 daily (checked 7 Nov 2026)
- Bangkok Airways: fly to Samui (U-Tapao–Samui non-stop, about 1 h 10) (route pack, checked 7 Nov 2026)
Credits: top photo AI-generated image.