Ferries from
Thailand to Koh Samui Island
Ferries from
Thailand to Koh Samui Island
Ferries from Thailand to Koh Samui Island are available with 3 operators. There are 40 ferry routes. Ferries from Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) and Chumphon (Lomprayah Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) are popular ferry trips from Thailand to Koh Samui Island. Sailing frequency can change throughout the year and often sailings increase during peak season.
Ferries from Thailand to Koh Samui Island sail approximately 456 times per week and are available with Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Raja Ferry & Lomlahkkhirin. Most travelers sail from Donsak on the mainland to Nathon Pier on Koh Samui, a crossing of around 1 hour 30 minutes. Many tickets also include a bus or minivan transfer from Surat Thani, Bangkok and other cities.
| Main route | Donsak (Seatran Donsak Pier) to Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) |
|---|---|
| Typical crossing time | 1 hour 30 minutes (fastest ferry-only crossing 45 minutes from Laem Thuat Donsak Pier) |
| Weekly sailings | 104 on the main route; 456 across all Thailand to Koh Samui Island ports |
| Daily sailings | Around 15 each way on the main route |
| Operators | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Raja Ferry & Lomlahkkhirin |
| Runs | All year on the main routes; a few routes are seasonal |
| First and last day trip times | First out 05:00, last back 19:00 |
| Sea | Gulf of Thailand |
The ferry from Thailand to Koh Samui Island takes between 25 minutes and 14 hours depending on the ferry route, operator, and ship that you choose.
The journey time depends on where you start. Ferry-only routes leave from mainland piers, while other tickets include a road transfer to the pier.
| From | To | Includes | Typical time | Sailings per week | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donsak (Laem Thuat Donsak Pier) | Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) | Ferry only | 45 min | 20 | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Songserm |
| Donsak (Seatran Donsak Pier) | Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) | Ferry only | 1 hr 30 min | 104 | Seatran Ferry |
| Donsak (Raja Ferry Port) | Koh Samui (Lipa Noi Port) | Ferry only | 1 hr 30 min | 89 | Raja Ferry |
| Surat Thani City | Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) | Road transfer | 3 hr | 89 | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Seatran Ferry |
| Surat Thani Airport | Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) | Road transfer | 4 hr | 62 | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Seatran Ferry |
| Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport | Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) | Road transfer | 4 hr 15 min | 42 | Seatran Ferry |
| Chumphon (Lomprayah Pier) | Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) | Ferry only | 4 hr 30 min | 20 | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries |
| Krabi Town | Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) | Road transfer | 5 hr 30 min | 20 | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Seatran Discovery |
| Phuket Town | Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) | Road transfer | 5 hr 30 min | 14 | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries |
| Hua Hin | Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) | Road transfer | 10 hr 30 min | 14 | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries |
| Bangkok (Khao San) | Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) | Road transfer | 12 hr 30 min | 14 | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries |
Yes, the main routes between Thailand's mainland and Koh Samui run all year round, including Donsak to Nathon, Donsak to Lipa Noi and Surat Thani to Nathon. The Gulf of Thailand is generally calmest from January to September, with more rain and rougher seas possible from October to December.
The fastest ferry from Thailand to Koh Samui Island is on the Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) ferry with Lomlahkkhirin in 25 minutes.
No, you are currently not able to take your car on the ferry from Thailand to Koh Samui Island.
Koh Samui has a road network around the island, with most visitors getting around via taxi, shared songthaew or rented scooter. Book your accommodation near your arrival pier, as Nathon and Lipa Noi are located on the west side of the island and Mae Nam is on the north coast.
There are approximately 2 miles (3km) and 1 nautical miles between Thailand and Koh Samui Island.
The price of a ferry from Thailand to Koh Samui Island can differ by route, operator, season and whether you are sailing on a high-speed ferry or conventional ferry.
Yes. Donsak is close enough to Koh Samui for a same-day return, and Surat Thani City works for a long day out if you start early.
| Route | First out | Last back | Longest time ashore | Daily sailings (out / back) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donsak (Seatran) to Koh Samui (Nathon) | 05:00 | 19:00 | 12 hr 30 min | 15 / 15 |
| Donsak (Raja Ferry) to Koh Samui (Lipa Noi) | 07:00 | 19:00 | 10 hr 30 min | 13 / 14 |
| Surat Thani City to Koh Samui (Nathon) | 06:30 | 18:00 | 8 hr 30 min | 13 / 15 |
| Surat Thani City to Koh Samui (Lipa Noi) | 06:30 | 17:00 | 7 hr | 6 / 8 |
We suggest that you book in advance to ensure that you get the cheapest ferry prices and availability, especially for early morning departures. Please check out our special offers page to take advantage of all the latest ferry discounts available.
Facilities depend on the operator and vessel, but you can typically expect:
Bring a light layer for the air-conditioning and keep valuables and medication in your day bag rather than the luggage rack.
You can reach Koh Samui from the Thai mainland by ferry or by flight to Samui Airport. Most overland travelers take a ferry from Donsak or a combined bus or minivan and ferry ticket from a larger city.
Surat Thani is the main gateway. Combined tickets from Surat Thani City take about 3 hours with up to 89 sailings a week, and from Surat Thani Airport about 4 hours with 62 sailings a week. If you are driving or arranging your own transport, go straight to Donsak for the 1 hour 30 minute ferry.
Combined bus and ferry tickets run from Bangkok Khao San and Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal Pinklao in about 12 hours 30 minutes to 12 hours 45 minutes, with 14 sailings a week each. From Hua Hin it takes about 10 hours 30 minutes.
Combined road and ferry tickets link Phuket Town and Krabi Town with Nathon Pier in about 5 hours 30 minutes. See our Phuket ferries if you are starting from the Andaman coast.
Koh Samui sits at the centre of the Gulf island network, so it is easy to continue your trip.
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.
Arrive at the pier at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure to check in, load luggage and choose your seat, or at your transfer pick-up point at least 30 minutes early, unless your ticket says otherwise. Leave extra time in high season.
Book and compare Thailand Koh Samui Island ferry tickets, operators, timetables and prices by using our Deal Finder.
More routes than anyone else.
Compare fares, times & routes in one place.
Change plans easily with flexi tickets.
Book e-tickets & manage trips in-app.
Live ship tracking & real-time updates.
Top-rated customer support when you need it.
Thailand is in the middle of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, with numerous islands situated off both the west and east coasts. As one of the most visited countries in Asia, Thailand has a wealth of attractions ranging from jaw-dropping scenery to world-renowned cuisine. Some of the most beautiful islands on the planet lie in the Andaman Sea, too, whilst the rural region to the north has dense jungle and countless temples. The energetic capital of Bangkok has a diverse character; Buddhist temples, food carts, skyscrapers and clubbing strips all compete for space. On the other hand, Chiang Mai, the Northern Province’s hub, is a remote city in the rolling Himalayan foothills known for its walled inner city and stunning shrines. The Thai islands are some of the country’s biggest pull factors, attracting a large number of visitors each year, which means travelling by ferry is a good way to get around. There is an extensive ferry network between the islands off the west coast, as well as in the Gulf of Thailand, so there’s a great deal of choice.
New Entry Requirements for Thailand
Full Moon Party Thailand Guide
Guide to Booking a Ferry and Bus Combo
The Best Time to Visit Thailand: Everything You Need to Know for the Perfect Trip
Thailand Without the Flight Anxiety: The Ultimate Land & Sea Travel Guide
The Best Beaches in Thailand You Need to Visit
Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide
