Your Guide to Ekkamai Bus Station: Bangkok to Banphe Pier (for Koh Samet) with Booking Tips! Join us on an epic budget-friendly adventure as we journey from the bustling city of Bangkok to the tropical paradise of Koh Samet! This video documents our experience taking the local bus from Bangkok's Ekkamai bus station to Banphe Pier, the gateway to Koh Samet. We'll also give you essential information on navigating Ekkamai Bus Station for your own trip, including tips on finding and potentially reserving your bus tickets. -- Contents of the video -- 0:00 - Journey begins at Bangkok 0:17 - Bus driver stops at McDonald's 0:43 - Bus driver buys chicken nugget burger for everyone Ekkamai Bus Station: Your Departure Point: Ekkamai Bus Station, also known as the Eastern Bus Terminal (สถานีขนส่งผู้โดยสารกรุงเทพ (เอกมัย)), is one of Bangkok's main long-distance bus terminals, primarily serving destinations in Eastern Thailand, including Rayong (where Banphe Pier is located), Pattaya, Chanthaburi, and Trat.   Location: Situated on Sukhumvit Road (เลขที่ 928 ถนน สุขุมวิท แขวง พระโขนง เขตคลองเตย กรุงเทพมหานคร 10110, Thailand) in the Phra Khanong district, Ekkamai is conveniently accessible via the BTS Skytrain Sukhumvit Line, with a direct stop at Ekkamai Station (E7). From the BTS station, the bus terminal is just a short walk away (around 5 minutes).   Routes and Costs to Banphe Pier: Buses and minivans regularly depart from Ekkamai Bus Station to Banphe Pier.   Bus: The journey by bus typically takes around 3.5 to 4 hours and costs approximately 150-250 THB per person. Popular operators include Rayong Tour and Cherdchai Tour.   Minivan: Minivans also travel to Banphe Pier, often offering a slightly faster journey time (around 3-3.5 hours) and may cost a bit more, around 200-300 THB. Minivans tend to depart more frequently, sometimes hourly between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Purchasing and Reserving Tickets: At the Terminal: You can purchase tickets directly at the ticket counters inside the bus terminal. There are separate counters for different bus companies and destinations. For popular routes like Banphe, buses often leave every hour or two, and advance booking is usually not necessary, especially for standard buses. Online Booking: For added convenience, you can explore online booking platforms that allow you to check schedules and reserve seats in advance. Some popular websites for booking bus tickets in Thailand include: 12Go.asia: https://12go.asia/en/travel/ekkamai/ban-phe-municipality-pier BusOnlineTicket.co.th: https://www.busonlineticket.co.th/ SiamTickets: (Search for Rayong Tour from Ekkamai) https://siamtickets.com/ redBus: https://www.redbus.com/thailand/bus-ticket-online While direct online booking for all Ekkamai to Banphe bus operators might vary, these platforms often list several options and allow you to compare prices and schedules. Booking in advance can be particularly useful during peak travel seasons and holidays. Facilities: Ekkamai Bus Station offers various amenities for travelers, including ATM machines, convenience stores, food vendors, and public restrooms (with a small fee).   Banphe Pier: Your Gateway to Koh Samet: Banphe Pier is the key transportation hub for reaching Koh Samet and other nearby islands. From Banphe, you'll find ferries and speedboats that will take you to your island destination.   Koh Samet Awaits: This video focuses on the journey to Banphe Pier. From Banphe, it's a short ferry or speedboat ride to the beautiful island of Koh Samet, known for its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, and relaxed atmosphere.   Watch to find out! Our Channels @Betweenmeals @StreetsandStructures Reach us at https://www.betweenmeals.net/ Discover Talat Noi's Amazing Art Secrets! Street Murals and Galleries! Talat Noi https://youtu.be/5w4L4EbGaV0 Koh Samet: An Epic Travel Adventure Koh Samet Adventure https://youtu.be/GrlJ9rNQfLQ Getting Around Pattaya Like A Local! Pattaya Transportation https://youtu.be/5dHb9zvSTPM Snorkeling Koh Samet: Should You Go Solo or Join a Tour? Koh Samet Snorkeling https://youtu.be/4PQkEqfTVb0 Koh Larn: Which beach is a sanctuary and which is a zoo? Koh Larn Beaches https://youtu.be/3bmlpzJue3c Discover the Hottest Spot in Bangkok at Tichuca Rooftop Bar! https://youtube.com/shorts/fnNHkydkazw?feature=share Brant and Tracy, thank you for watching Between Meals. There will be more. Please like and subscribe.