Koh Samet Ferry: Ban Phe to Nadan Pier Guide
How the Koh Samet ferry works from Ban Phe Pier: boat types, crossing times, what to confirm on fares and the park fee, and which landing suits your beach.
On this page
Last updated November 2026: the Koh Samet ferry runs from Ban Phe Pier on the mainland to Nadan Pier on the island. Fast boats are listed at about 15 minutes, and basic slow boats at 40 to 60 minutes. Sources disagree on fares and timetables, so this guide shows what to confirm before you pay.
Featured image: Nicolas Garon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Koh Samet Ferry Quick Answer: Ban Phe to Nadan Pier
You cross from Ban Phe Pier in Rayong province to Nadan Pier on Koh Samet. Search listings give about 15 minutes on the fastest boat and 10 to 15 minutes each way on other fast services. Slower fishing-type boats are described as taking 40 to 60 minutes. Those figures conflict because they describe different boat types, so choose the boat first. Pick a fast boat to save time and a slow boat to save money. For wider route options, read our guide to reaching the island.
- Departure point: Ban Phe Pier
- Landing point: Nadan Pier
- Fast boat: about 15 minutes
- Slow boat: about 40 to 60 minutes
- Fares and park fee: confirm in baht at the pier
Ferry vs Speedboat vs Water Taxi
Three boat types serve the crossing. Slow boats are basic and cheap. Speedboats cut the time sharply. Water taxis suit travelers who want a drop-off closer to their resort, though no source here times them or confirms where they land.
| Boat type | Approx. crossing | Fare | Best for | Skip if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slow ferry | 40 to 60 minutes (listing claim) | Check at the pier | Low budgets, flexible plans | You are short on time or dislike basic seating |
| Speedboat | About 10 to 15 minutes (listing claim) | Check at the pier | Short trips, tight schedules | Seas are rough or you carry heavy bags |
| Water taxi | Not timed in our sources | Ask before boarding | Reaching a specific beach | You want a fixed, posted price |
Ban Phe Pier: Getting There from Bangkok
Bus and van fares and journey times from Bangkok to Ban Phe are not confirmed in our sources. Check current options in our Bangkok to Koh Samet guide and with the operator.
Koh Samet Ferry Prices, Tickets, And Park Fee
Published snippets quote fares in euros and dollars, so no baht fare is confirmed here. Ask for the current baht fare and national park entrance fee at the pier, and keep some cash on hand.
Timetable, First And Last Boats
One listing shows Ban Phe departures at 8:30, 10:00, 11:30, 14:15 and 17:00. That list may belong to a single operator, not the whole island. Some boats may leave once they fill rather than on a fixed clock. Last return times from Koh Samet are not confirmed, so ask your resort or the pier staff on arrival. Never plan a same-day connection around a single posted time.
Treat 17:00 as a listed departure rather than a guaranteed last boat, and know your fallback before the crossing.
Which Pier And Beach: Onward Transport
Nadan Pier is the landing named in search results. Other piers and beach-direct drop-offs may exist, so ask your resort which landing it uses. Settle your beach before buying a ticket. Our Koh Samet beach guide compares the options. After landing, plan the last leg with our island transport guide.
Rough Seas, Rainy Season, And Missed Boats
Rough water can slow or cancel small boats, and fast boats feel it most. Check the Thai Meteorological Department forecast before travel days. Our best time to visit guide covers the seasons. If you miss the last boat, ask at the pier about a private water taxi or a mainland room for the night.
Rough water hits fast boats hardest, so on a choppy day the slow boat at 40 to 60 minutes may be the steadier pick.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Most problems come from assuming too much. Confirm each item below before you travel. Once your crossing is sorted, see whether the island is worth visiting for your plans. Then build your days around our 7 Best Things to Do in Koh Samet: Beaches & Planning Tips.
- Assuming boats leave on a fixed hourly schedule
- Heading to the wrong pier for your beach
- Forgetting the national park fee on arrival
- Arriving without cash for tickets
- Missing the last return boat
- Paying inflated bundles without comparing the pier fare
Notes for your Thailand trip
Optional updates when we add or change a town or island guide.
You might also like
Continue reading
More guides you'll find useful
