Bangkok, I often tell people, is a coastal city—not a beach city. And really, it’s not on the coast, even if it’s so uncomfortably close to the Gulf of Thailand that parts of the city are sinking into it.
But that’s a discussion for another post. Indeed, what I’m trying to do today is help you delineate the two closest islands to Bangkok: Koh Larn, off the coast of Pattaya in Chonburi province; and Rayong’s Koh Samet. Both are popular among native Bangkokians and expats, but somewhat unknown among farang.
Now, I’ll warn you in advance: The conclusion I reach in the Koh Larn vs Koh Samet debate might not be the one you want. But it will lead you in the direction of the best possible trip—I promise you that.
Getting to the Beach from Bangkok Can Be a Pain
Allow me to let you in on a little secret. Whether you choose Koh Larn or Koh Samet, your door-to-door travel time from Bangkok to the beach is likely to be at least three hours. There are closer beaches to the city, such as those in Pattaya City, and even closer than that Bang Saen (which, to be frank, is absolutely fetid), but these two islands are the only truly “nice” beaches near Bangkok.
To me this begs a bigger question, which I will address in greater detail later on in this post. For now, however, I just want to set the expectation that while one of these islands is slightly closer and more convenient than the other, you aren’t in for a short ride, let alone a direct one. If you leave Bangkok in the morning, you should count on being on the island of your choice by lunchtime, at the earliest.
Ways to Compare Koh Larn with Koh Samet
Ease of access
Reaching Koh Larn is simple: A bus or minivan from Bangkok’s Ekkamai Station to Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier, and a speedboat or ferry from there. Getting to Koh Samet takes longer—Ban Phe Pier in Rayong is 90 minutes past Pattaya—and also requires taking a longer ferry that departs less frequently.
Beaches
This is another area where Koh Larn and Koh Samet diverge. Samet beaches like Ao Wai and Sai Kaew are fine, but they are simply nothing special. By contrast, Tawaen Beach on Koh Samet’s west coast is extremely beautiful, even if it’s not quite as resplendent as those on Thailand’s Andaman Sea side.
Accommodation
Koh Larn is so close to Pattaya that it really doesn’t make sense to stay there overnight, even if accommodations like Xanadu Beach Resort are affordable and comfortable. On Koh Samet, meanwhile, you basically have to stay overnight (I like Samed Villa Resort); it’s so far that a day trip isn’t really feasible.
Things to do
Comparing Koh Samet vs Koh Larn on this front, I’d say it’s more of a toss-up. Arriving on Koh Larn, I like walking over the island—in other words, via the Tawaen Beach Viewpoint and its Big Buddha—to the beach below. Koh Samet doesn’t have as much in the way of elevation; here, it’s more about beach-hopping.
Cost
Koh Larn tends to be cheaper in general, given that you won’t need to book a hotel (unless you absolutely want to). Beyond this, I do think that many hotels in Koh Samui tend to be more expensive than their quality warrants, namely because of how in-demand they are among Bangkok residents fleeing the city.
Is it Better Just to Go to Krabi or Samui?
As I mentioned earlier, getting to both islands near Bangkok can be a slog. This is especially the case for Koh Samet, where ferries are less frequent, even considering that you have to drive almost two hours farther to begin with. On many trips here, I’ve wondered whether the journey was even worth it, even on occasions where I’ve ended up enjoying the island.
More to the point, I think it’s actually easier to hop a flight to Koh Samui or Krabi, and go from there to Chaweng or Railay beaches, respectively. Even when factoring in transit time, it’s conceivable that you could get to your destination in as little as 4-5 hours door to door. And let’s be frank: All the beaches in Krabi, Samui and places like them are indefinitely better than any your find Koh Samet or Koh Larn.
Other FAQ About Koh Samet and Koh Larn
Is Koh Samet beautiful?
Koh Samet is ostensibly beautiful, but is quite a plain island when compared to Thailand’s more famous ones. The beaches are very average, and there’s not a lot of other natural scenery to speak of. I’ve long believe that Koh Samet is famous primarily because of how relatively convenient it is to Bangkok.
Is Koh Samet walkable?
Once you arrive on Koh Samet, it’s absolutely possible to walk everywhere you need to go. In spite of this, some travelers rent a bicycle or motorbike; some even drive all the way from Bangkok and take the car ferry to Koh Samet so they can use their vehicles there.
Is Koh Larn worth visiting?
I definitely think that Koh Larn is worth visiting, particularly if you’re going to be in Pattaya already—it’s just 15-20 minutes away by speedboat. In my opinion, it’s a more beautiful island than the better reputed Koh Samet, which is also a great deal farther away from Bangkok as it so happens.
The Bottom Line
When it comes Koh Larn vs Koh Samet, the answer might be “neither.” While I like both these islands enough—I especially like Koh Larn if I’m already planning to be in Pattaya—the reality is that if you want to see postcard-perfect beach scenery in Thailand, you need to get on a plane, rather than a bus. And paradoxically, it can sometimes require less time door-to-door to reach Krabi’s Railay Beach or anywhere in Koh Samui than it takes to get to Larn or Koh Samet. Indeed, if these are the sorts of honest insights you seek in advance of your own Thailand trip, you should consider hiring me to plan it.
