The phrase "Go to Samet, everyone has been there" is a common saying in Thailand, but it's unclear who originated it or when. To us, Koh Samet is just another island with a beach, like many others we've visited. For those who are afraid of vans but still want to experience the eastern seaboard, taking a bus to Koh Samet is a great alternative. Many people have been to Koh Samet, some even multiple times. This trip was mainly focused on taking photos, so there won't be as many details as usual. It's been a while since our last visit, so this is a way to reminisce.

Traveling to Koh Samet by Bus: A Review

This passage describes a personal experience traveling to Koh Samet by bus, highlighting the advantages and convenience compared to traveling by van.

Key points:

• The author emphasizes the comfort and safety of traveling by bus, contrasting it with the perceived dangers of speeding vans.
• The author details the process of purchasing tickets at the Ekkamai Bus Terminal, including the option to choose seating and travel with preferred genders.
• The author highlights the cost-effectiveness of the bus compared to vans, mentioning the affordable ticket price and the convenient option to purchase round-trip ferry tickets.
• The author concludes by praising the service provided, including complimentary bottled water on the bus.

The bus seats offer more legroom than the van. While some reviews mentioned a bumpy ride, we felt safe and the elevated view from the bus provided a clearer perspective of the scenery. The journey took only 3.5 hours, compared to a 4-hour van ride we previously experienced. However, we traveled on a weekday when traffic was light. Be sure to check the bus schedule upon arrival to plan your return trip.

Upon arrival at the pier, you will be surrounded by people asking if you have secured accommodation. Feeling lazy to search, you inquire about the price range. Mentioning 500-600 baht, they might suggest a room with a "great view," but don't be easily persuaded. Choose a room within your budget. Remember, even the "best view" rooms are only a short walk from the sea. It's been a while since you've been here, hasn't it?

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We are not a person who stays in the room often, so we are not serious about the room. A fan room is enough. Oh...we got a room at Sea Breeze, Ao Phai. There are also motorcycles for rent. We arrived at the island around noon. It seems that the ferry takes less time than before. We haven't been to Koh Samet for a long time. We looked for a shared taxi to Ao Phai. We had to wait a while if we wanted to share the ride. If the car was full, it would cost around 30 baht. When we arrived at the room, we put our stuff away and rested for a while before getting ready to ride. Oh...there is a 500 baht key deposit, but it will be refunded at check-out. We were shocked by the price of motorcycle rentals. It used to be 200-250 baht, but now it's 350 baht for manual and 400 baht for automatic. At first, we thought it was just one shop, but now it's all shops. If it's per hour, it's 100-150 baht. It's recommended to rent for a day because it's more worthwhile. If you hire a shared taxi for a trip, it will cost thousands of baht. They also stop for a short time. We really want to drive to get our money's worth. I'm angry! It's expensive! Haha. We drove to the fullest. On the way back, we don't need to fill up the gas tank.

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Samed is very different from before. Hey! It feels like Koh Tao in that everything is very expensive. Street food, 7-Eleven, car rentals, the island is overflowing with garbage as reported in the news. I don't want to take pictures of the ugly corners, so I'll just choose to take pictures of the beautiful ones to maintain the tourism image. I want you to come and see for yourself what should not be done.

This is near Ao Phai. It only takes a few steps from the room to reach the beach.

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Ao Phrao is a secluded and picturesque bay with only a few resorts. However, it is important to remember the historical oil spill incident that occurred off the coast of Koh Samet several years ago, which caused significant damage to Ao Phrao.

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Waking up early to save time, fearing that we wouldn't be able to visit all the places we wanted to. In the end, we still didn't manage to see everything. We spent a long time at each location. As we drove, we could smell garbage. It seems like Samet Island is starting to deteriorate as well.

We didn't stay at the Nimmanhaoradee Resort, but we parked our car in front of the resort and walked in to take pictures. They allowed us to enter, as it was a weekday and there weren't many people around. We liked the peaceful atmosphere. If you're looking for a quiet spot, you'll need to walk further in. The beachfront has become part of the resort. This area is near the end of the island and is still within Ao Prakarang Bay.

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If you're looking for a place to swim, Ao Wai is the place to be. It's peaceful, clean, and quiet, with mostly foreign tourists staying there. The resorts seem a bit pricey, but I liked it so much that I went back twice. The second time, I went swimming alone. Yes, you read that right, I swam alone! 55555

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It seems like we went everywhere, driving for a short while, but I don't remember which bays we visited. I took some photos, but I only remember a few of them.

Ao Lung Dam, another place I like. I just like the bridge. It looks old and wooden, but the wood is broken now. What a pity.

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Ao Saeng Thian was once a quiet bay with only tour boats stopping by. It was known for its abundance of seating, hence the name. However, it is no longer a peaceful haven.

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Most visitors to Koh Samet are rowdy groups of friends who tend to congregate at popular beaches like Ao Wong Duean, Sai Kaew, or other crowded areas. They often engage in loud and boisterous gatherings, especially when there are large groups of students present. If you encounter such groups, it's best to keep your distance. For solo travelers, it's advisable to opt for quieter coves where you can enjoy a more peaceful experience. Remember, you have the choice to shape your own experience on the island.

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Coral Bay is located at the end of the island. It is another place that I really like. The waste management is good. I sat and enjoyed the view for a long time. The wind was strong. I wanted to sit here for a long time.

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Ao Wong Duan is bustling with people playing in the water, with inflatable rings and ducks of all sizes.

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I prefer the quiet and secluded coves. I like to drive to the quieter areas to take photos, and I avoid the more crowded ones. I prefer to sit still, enjoy the breeze, or walk and take photos by the sea.

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Translated:

Fortunately, the automatic transmission was a blessing, saving us from the hassle of a manual gear on the rough terrain. The descent to the beach remained as challenging as ever, requiring the skills of an experienced motorbike rider. On the way back, we struggled to find a shared taxi to the pier. With only three passengers, including ourselves, we ended up paying 70 baht each, a frustrating expense. The roundtrip fare for the shared taxi amounted to 100 baht, which felt excessive for the distance. Feeling lazy to walk and search for accommodation, we opted for the taxi ride. In hindsight, renting a motorbike from the pier and driving to find accommodation would have been a more economical choice.

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This backpacking trip was just a way to relax my eyes after working hard. I didn't plan much, like visiting every place, eating everything, or sleeping in a pre-booked place. When I travel alone, I can make decisions quickly. I think today, I'll go today, something like that. I focused more on taking pictures. Just driving around and taking pictures was tiring. On the way back, I used the ticket I bought from Ekamai Transport to take a boat. Then I took the 151 baht bus as usual. The bus leaves at 6:00 PM. Time your crossing well. Now the boat takes 45-50 minutes, which is faster than before. It used to be like an hour. Be prepared for the cost of food. Even a bowl of noodles costs 60-70 baht. There are now many more 7-Elevens on the island. 7-Eleven on the island is always crowded. Most people go to 7-Eleven to find food because it's cheaper, especially liquor and beer. I left in the afternoon and took the same bus back.

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The return ticket was purchased, and after a short wait, the bus arrived. There was a stop for a bathroom break along the way. On the way back, the bus seemed to break down. During the bathroom break, it turned out to be a bus depot, and the bus was changed. The new seats were wider and larger, and there was a TV to watch.

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If you don't want to take a van, you can also try taking a bus. The arrival time is similar, not too slow, safe, and you can enjoy the scenery along the way. Most importantly, the ticket price is cheap!

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For those who enjoy solo travel or using public transportation for their adventures, join us on our "Traveling Solo" page. See you in the next review!