Most tourists tend to visit the most popular destinations, but when it comes to tropical beaches, this can have its downsides. Especially on the Thai islands, where you might encounter what was once a paradise transformed into a tourist hotspot. However, there are still remote and unspoiled locations, and if you want to reach one as soon as you land in Thailand, here’s how to get from Bangkok to Koh Yao Yai, a nearly untouched island.
Koh Yao Yai is located very close to the crowded Phuket, with about 850 kilometers separating it from the capital. Since it’s a sparsely populated and minimally developed island, it can only be accessed by sea. Nevertheless, traveling from Bangkok to Koh Yao Yai is not as difficult as it might seem.
The easiest and quickest way to get to Koh Yao Yai is to fly from Bangkok to Phuket, one of the most affordable and frequently traveled routes in Thailand. Flights can cost around 25 euros if you’re flexible with the airline and flight times. Keep in mind that Bangkok has two airports.
The main airport in Bangkok is Suvarnabhumi (map), but most budget airlines operate out of Don Mueang (DMK)(map). It doesn’t make much difference which airport you choose, as both are located far from the city center.
To reach the main airport, Suvarnabhumi, it’s best to take the train for 30 baht. For Don Mueang, you can go to Mochit station and take the A1 bus. Alternatively, if you take a taxi, the journey costs between 200 and 400 baht.
Phuket is a large island, but luckily, the pier that will take you to Koh Yao Yai is very close to the airport. You can take a taxi—using the InDrive app to save money—and tell the driver you need to go to Bang Rong Pier.
Speedboats to the island depart every hour from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The trip costs 400 baht and takes about 30 minutes. You can purchase your ticket through 12GoAsia.
This might be the cheapest option to get from Bangkok to Koh Yao Yai, although it can be a bit inconvenient. You would first need to take a bus from Bangkok to Phuket, which takes up to 14 hours. Since it’s quite a long journey, it’s best to take a night bus, ideally a VIP bus for more comfort. You can book your ticket on 12GoAsia.
From the bus station, you’ll need to take a taxi to Bang Rong Pier, where you’ll board the boat that takes about 30 minutes and costs 400 baht, as mentioned earlier.
Traveling by bus may be a more environmentally friendly way to get from Bangkok to Phuket, but the savings aren’t significant, as the price of the flight can be quite similar.
f you prefer traveling by train, it is also possible to get to Koh Yao Yai from Bangkok, although it’s a bit more complex. First, you’ll need to go to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station (map)and take a train to Surat Thani. The journey takes at least ten hours, and we recommend traveling overnight in a sleeper berth for maximum comfort. You can book the trip through 12GoAsia.
Upon arriving in Surat Thani you must take a bus that takes you to Phuket in four hours, and from there look for a taxi to go to the port of Bang Rong and travel by boat to the island.
This is the longest way of traveling if you want to know how to get from Bangkok to Koh Yao Yai. We, in any case, recommend that you do not miss this destination.
