Phuket Island to Koh Samui Island Ferry

Ferries from Phuket Island to Koh Samui Island sail approximately 12 times per week and are available with Raja Ferry. There is no direct sea crossing between the two islands, as Phuket is on the Andaman coast and Koh Samui is in the Gulf of Thailand. Instead, tickets combine a road transfer from Phuket Town with a ferry on the Gulf coast, for a total journey of around 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Phuket Island to Koh Samui Island Ferry: Quick Facts

Main route	Phuket Town to Koh Samui (Nathon Pier), road transfer plus ferry
Typical journey time	5 hours 30 minutes (fastest 4 hours 45 minutes, longest 6 hours 15 minutes)
Weekly sailings	14 on the main route; 12 across all Phuket Island to Koh Samui Island options
Daily sailings	About 2 on the main route
Operators	Raja Ferry
Runs	All year
Return sailings	Yes, with Koh Samui to Phuket Town taking about 6 hours 52 minutes
Day trip	Not practical, as the journey takes more than 5 hours each way

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

The bus and ferry transfer from Phuket Town to Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) takes 5 hours and 30 minutes on average, with the fastest service taking 4 hours and 45 minutes and the slowest service taking 6 hours and 15 minutes with Lomprayah High Speed Ferries.

Alternatively, there is a bus and ferry transfer from Phuket Town to Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) with Raja Ferry, which takes approximately 8 hours.

Journey times by port

Both routes start at a Phuket Town pick-up point, cross the mainland by road, then continue by ferry to Koh Samui. The port you land at changes the journey time.

From	To	Typical time	Fastest to longest	Sailings per week	Operators
Phuket Town	Koh Samui (Nathon Pier)	5 hr 30 min	4 hr 45 min to 6 hr 15 min	14	Lomprayah High Speed Ferries
Phuket Town	Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port)	8 hr	8 hr	7	Raja Ferry
Koh Samui (Nathon Pier)	Phuket Town	6 hr 52 min	6 hr 45 min to 7 hr	14	Lomprayah High Speed Ferries
Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port)	Phuket Town	7 hr 45 min	7 hr 30 min to 8 hr	14	Raja Ferry

Which port should I choose?

Nathon Pier is the faster option, with twice as many weekly sailings, and puts you on the west side of the island.
Lipa Noi Port is slower at about 8 hours but is another all-year choice if Nathon times do not suit you.
Phuket ferries from Rassada Pier serve Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, not Koh Samui, so search for Phuket Town when heading to the Gulf.

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

Yes, both Phuket Town to Koh Samui bus and ferry routes run all year. The ferry leg is on the Gulf of Thailand side, which is generally calmest from January to September, with more rain and rougher seas possible from October to December. As the journey involves a road transfer as well as a ferry, leave a generous buffer before flights.

Ferry season by month

January to September: generally the calmest conditions on the Gulf side of Thailand.
October to December: more rain and swell, so sailings are more likely to be delayed and it pays to keep plans flexible.

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

The fastest ferry from Phuket Island to Koh Samui Island is on the Phuket Town to Nathon Pier in 4 hours and 45 minutes.

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

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

Getting around Koh Samui without a car

Koh Samui has a road network around the island, and most visitors get around by taxi, shared songthaew or rented scooter. Book your accommodation near your arrival port, as the Nathon and Lipa Noi ports are both on the west side of the island.

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

There are approximately 107 miles (173km) and 93 nautical miles between Phuket Island and Koh Samui Island.

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

The price of a ferry from Phuket 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 ferry or conventional ferry).
Journey time, as the faster Nathon route and the slower Lipa Noi route are priced differently.
Departure time and how far in advance you book.
Whether the ticket is one way or return, as the ticket includes the road transfer.

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

No, a same-day return is not practical. Even the fastest journey takes 4 hours and 45 minutes each way, and the return takes about 6 hours and 52 minutes, so allow at least one overnight stay. Return sailings are available on every route.

Route	Typical time	Sailings per week	Return sailing
Phuket Town to Koh Samui (Nathon)	5 hr 30 min	14	Yes
Phuket Town to Koh Samui (Lipa Noi)	8 hr	7	Yes

Travel day tips

Book the earliest departure so you arrive on Koh Samui with daylight to reach your hotel.
Keep your ticket handy, as it covers both the road transfer and the ferry.
Times are indicative and change by season, so confirm in the Deal Finder.

Phuket 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 as there are only about three departures a day. Please check out our special offers page to take advantage of all the latest ferry discounts available.

What are the onboard facilities on Phuket 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, medication and snacks in your day bag, as this is a long travel day.

How do you get to Koh Samui from Phuket?

Phuket and Koh Samui sit on opposite coasts of southern Thailand, so there is no direct boat. The ferry option is a combined ticket with a road transfer from Phuket Town across the mainland, then a ferry to Koh Samui.

From Phuket Town

Both routes depart from Phuket Town. Lomprayah High Speed Ferries runs to Nathon Pier in about 5 hours 30 minutes, and Raja Ferry runs to Lipa Noi Port in around 8 hours.

From Phuket Airport and beach resorts

Make your own way to the Phuket Town pick-up point by taxi or hotel transfer and allow enough time for traffic, particularly for morning departures. Flights are an alternative if you want a shorter journey, so compare timings before you book.

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

For a Samui, Phangan and Tao loop, see our 5-day Thailand island itinerary. Time your visit to Koh Phangan for the monthly Full Moon Party, which is a short ferry hop from Koh Samui.

How early should I arrive for the Phuket Island to Koh Samui Island ferry?

Arrive at your Phuket Town pick-up point at least 30 minutes before departure, or earlier if your ticket says so, so the road transfer leaves on time. Leave extra time in high season.