Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island Ferry

Ferries from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island sail approximately 26 times per week and are available with Lomprayah High Speed Ferries & Lomlahkkhirin. Most travelers sail from Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao to Bangrak Pier on Koh Samui, a crossing of around 1 hour 30 minutes. You can also choose Mae Nam Pier, Nathon Pier or Samui Airport depending on where you are staying.

Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island Ferry: Quick Facts

Main route	Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Bangrak Pier)
Typical crossing time	1 hour 30 minutes (fastest 1 hour 30 minutes, longest 1 hour 40 minutes)
Weekly sailings	19 on the main route; 26 across all Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island ports
Daily sailings	Around 3 each way on the main route
Operators	Lomprayah High Speed Ferries & Lomlahkkhirin
Runs	All year
First and last day trip times	First out at 07:00, last back at 16:00 (Nathon Pier route)
Sea	Gulf of Thailand

How long is the ferry from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island?

The ferry from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island takes between 1 hour 25 minutes and 3 hours depending on the ferry route, operator, and ship that you choose.

Crossing times by pier

Koh Tao's Mae Haad Pier connects to four arrival points on Koh Samui, so the journey time and number of sailings depend on the pier you choose.

From	To	Typical time	Fastest to longest	Sailings per week	Operators
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)	Koh Samui (Bangrak Pier)	1 hr 30 min	1 hr 30 min to 1 hr 40 min	19	Lomlahkkhirin, Songserm
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)	Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier)	2 hr	1 hr 25 min to 3 hr	17	Lomlahkkhirin, Lomprayah High Speed Ferries
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)	Koh Samui (Nathon Pier)	2 hr	1 hr 30 min to 3 hr 30 min	14	Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Songserm
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)	Samui Airport (road transfer included)	2 hr 25 min	2 hr to 4 hr	30	Lomlahkkhirin, Lomprayah High Speed Ferries

Which pier should I choose?

Bangrak Pier has the most ferry-only sailings, with 19 a week and a consistent 1 hour 30 minute crossing. It is also the pier for onward ferries to Koh Phangan.
Mae Nam Pier is ideal for anyone heading to resorts on the north coast and has 17 sailings a week.
Nathon Pier has 14 sailings a week and is a good fit if you are continuing to the mainland by ferry.
Samui Airport tickets include a road transfer and suit travelers catching a flight, with 30 sailings a week.

Return sailings from Koh Samui

Bangrak Pier to Koh Tao: about 1 hour 45 minutes, 43 sailings a week.
Mae Nam Pier to Koh Tao: about 1 hour 30 minutes, 17 sailings a week.
Nathon Pier to Koh Tao: about 3 hours 15 minutes, 13 sailings a week.
Samui Airport to Koh Tao: about 2 hours 30 minutes with a road transfer, 47 sailings a week.

Do ferries run all year between Koh Tao Island and Koh Samui Island?

Yes, ferry services between Koh Tao and Koh Samui run all year on every route. The Gulf of Thailand is generally calmest from January to September. From October to December there is more rain and swell, so sailings can be delayed or cancelled in bad weather.

Ferry season by month

January to September: generally the calmest seas and the most reliable crossings.
October to December: more rain and rougher crossings, but fewer travelers and cheaper accommodation.

What is the fastest ferry from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island?

The fastest ferry from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island is on the Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) ferry with Lomprayah High Speed Ferries in 1 hour 25 minutes.

Is there a car ferry from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island?

No, you are currently not able to take your car on the ferry from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island.

Getting around Koh Samui without a car

Koh Samui has a road network around the island, so most visitors get around by taxi, shared songthaew or rented scooter. Book your accommodation near your arrival pier, as Bangrak and Nathon are located on the north and west coasts and Mae Nam is on the north coast.

How far is it from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island?

There are approximately 12 miles (20km) and 11 nautical miles between Koh Tao Island and Koh Samui Island.

What does it cost for a ferry from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island?

The price of a ferry from Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island can differ by route, operator, season and whether you are sailing on a high-speed ferry or conventional ferry.

What affects the ticket price?

Operator and vessel type (high-speed catamaran or conventional ferry).
Pier, as ferry-only tickets from Mae Haad to Bangrak, Mae Nam and Nathon differ from Samui Airport tickets with a road transfer.
Departure time, with popular morning sailings selling out first.
Whether the ticket is one way or return, and whether it includes a transfer.

Can you visit Koh Samui from Koh Tao as a day trip?

Yes, on some routes. The Koh Tao ferry to Nathon Pier route gives you the most time on Koh Samui, with up to 7 hours ashore. Bangrak Pier sailings leave later and give only 2 hours and 30 minutes, so they are better for onward travel than a day trip.

Route	First out	Last back	Longest time ashore	Daily sailings (out / back)
Koh Tao (Mae Haad) to Koh Samui (Nathon)	07:00	16:00	7 hr	2 / 2
Koh Tao (Mae Haad) to Samui Airport	07:05	15:00	5 hr 30 min	4 / 7
Koh Tao (Mae Haad) to Koh Samui (Bangrak)	11:30	15:30	2 hr 30 min	3 / 6

Day trip tips

Book the earliest departure to maximize time on the island.
Check the last return time on your ticket before you plan dinner, as the final sailing is mid-afternoon.
Times are indicative and change by season, so confirm in the Deal Finder.

Koh Tao Island to Koh Samui Island Ferry Offers and Discounts

We suggest that you book in advance to ensure that you get the cheapest ferry prices and availability, especially for morning departures. Please check out our special offers page to take advantage of all the latest ferry discounts available.

What are the onboard facilities on Koh Tao to Koh Samui ferries?

Facilities depend on the operator and vessel, but you can typically expect:

Indoor air-conditioned seating and, on some vessels, an open deck.
Toilets and luggage storage areas.
A snack and drinks counter on larger ferries.

Bring a light layer for the air-conditioning and keep valuables and medication in your day bag rather than the luggage rack.

How do you get to Koh Samui from Koh Tao?

The most direct way is by ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui. Koh Tao has no airport, so every ferry sails from Mae Haad Pier.

From Koh Tao to Samui Airport

Combined ferry and road transfer tickets link Mae Haad Pier with Samui Airport in about 2 hours 25 minutes, or from about 2 hours on the quickest sailings, with around 30 sailings a week. This suits travelers catching a flight who want a single booking.

From Koh Tao dive resorts and beaches

Travel to Mae Haad Pier by taxi truck or hotel transfer and allow enough time for traffic, particularly on morning departures.

Where to go after Koh Samui

Koh Samui sits at the centre of the Gulf island network, so it is easy to continue your trip.

Koh Phangan: 30 minutes from Bangrak Pier, with around 135 sailings a week.
Back to Koh Tao: around 1 hour 45 minutes from Bangrak Pier, with around 43 sailings a week.
Phuket: around 6 hours 52 minutes from Nathon Pier with a road transfer, with around 14 sailings a week.

For a Samui, Phangan and Tao loop, see our 5-day Thailand island itinerary. Koh Phangan is a short hop from Koh Samui and hosts the monthly Full Moon Party.