Thailand route planner: how to get between every destination

Thailand Guide Stay Plan a Route Top

Where are you going?

Pick where you are starting and where you want to go. We’ll show you the quickest and cheapest ways to get there, step by step, with rough times and fares, for all 14 places in our guide.

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Ways to get around Thailand

What each kind of transport is like, so you know what to expect.

Flights in Thailand
✈️ Flights

The quickest way between Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui. Most flights take about 1–2 hours.

Sleeper trains in Thailand
🚆 Sleeper trains

Overnight trains go north to Chiang Mai and south towards the islands. You sleep in a proper bed and save a night’s hotel.

VIP buses in Thailand
🚌 VIP buses

Comfortable long-distance buses with reclining seats. The cheapest way to cover long distances.

Minivans in Thailand
🚐 Minivans

Quick shared minivans link towns, airports and piers. Space for bags is limited, so travel light.

Car ferries in Thailand
⛴️ Car ferries

Big, steady ferries to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Chang and Koh Lanta. Room to walk about and buy a drink.

Fast boats in Thailand
🚤 Fast boats

High-speed catamarans and speedboats between the islands. Quicker than the ferry, and they run several times a day.

Long-tail boats in Thailand
🛶 Long-tail boats

Small wooden boats for short hops to beaches and nearby islands. Agree the fare before you set off.

Airport Rail Link in Thailand
🚇 Airport Rail Link

From Suvarnabhumi airport into central Bangkok in about 30 minutes, for about 15–45 baht.

Travel tips for getting around

A few simple things that make every journey easier.

🎫 Book the whole journey on one ticketJoint tickets include the bus or van and the boat▼

Many island journeys need a bus or van and then a boat. A joint ticket links them, so if the first part runs late the boat waits for you.

⏱️ Leave a buffer between separate ticketsEspecially before a flight▼

If you book each part separately, leave at least a couple of hours between them — and more before a flight. Boats and roads can run late.

🌊 Boats depend on the weather and seasonCheck the forecast in the wet months▼

Some boat routes run less often, or stop, in the wetter months, and rough seas can delay sailings. Check the latest timetable for your date.

✈️ Check which Bangkok airportSuvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK)▼

Bangkok has two airports about an hour apart. Low-cost airlines mostly use Don Mueang — always check the airport code on your ticket.

🧳 Luggage on boats and vansTravel light if you can▼

Minivans have limited space and boat crews often carry bags on and off. A soft bag is easier than a big hard case, and keep valuables with you.

Questions people ask

What is the cheapest way from Bangkok to the islands?Tap to read▼

The overnight train or VIP bus with a joint boat ticket. It takes most of a night but saves a night’s hotel. Flying is much quicker if your budget allows.

Is it better to fly to Koh Samui or Surat Thani?Tap to read▼

Flights to Koh Samui are quickest but cost more. Flights to Surat Thani are usually much cheaper, then a joint bus-and-boat ticket takes about 3–4 hours to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan.

Do I need to book in advance?Tap to read▼

For most routes a day or two ahead is fine. Book earlier around Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and Songkran in April, and for sleeper train beds.

Which Bangkok airport do I need?Tap to read▼

Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK), about an hour apart. Low-cost airlines mostly use Don Mueang, so always check the code on your ticket.

Do the boats run all year?Tap to read▼

Boats to the Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) run all year. Some Andaman routes, such as Phuket to Koh Lanta and Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe, run mainly from about November to April.

What is a joint ticket?Tap to read▼

One ticket that covers the bus, van or train and the boat. The connection is planned for you, and if the first part runs late the boat waits.

Once you get there

Where to stay when you arrive

Our area guides, with hand-picked hotels and the best things to do.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok

Bangkok guide →
Phuket, Thailand

Phuket

Phuket guide →
Koh Samui, Thailand

Koh Samui

Koh Samui guide →
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai guide →
Krabi, Thailand

Krabi

Krabi guide →
Koh Phangan, Thailand

Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan guide →
Koh Lanta, Thailand

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta guide →
Koh Tao, Thailand

Koh Tao

Koh Tao guide →

Area name