Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) - Phuket Town
Ferries to Phuket Island
Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) - Phuket Town
Ferries to Phuket Island
Ferries from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town are operated by 1 ferry company: Raja Ferry. The crossing typically takes around 7 hours 45 minutes. There are currently 14 weekly sailings on this route, with prices starting from as little as $25. Use our Deal Finder to compare prices and availability, and book your ferry to Phuket Town today.
Last updated: 10/30/2026
Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town ferry prices typically range from $27 to $137. The average ferry price from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town is around $55. The cheapest fares usually start from $27, making this route a favorite for Thailand Island Hopping and gap year adventures. The average foot passenger ticket costs $55.
Prices may vary depending on passenger numbers, vehicle type, route, and sailing time. Please be aware that pricing data excludes service fees and is based on searches from the last 30 days. This was last updated October 26.
The cheapest tickets on the Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town ferry cost approximately $26.99, making these some of the best student ferries for anyone island hopping around Thailand on a budget.
Direct Ferries makes it easy to compare ferry tickets and prices worldwide, so you can find the best deal for your journey. Please visit our special Offers page to see current discounts on selected routes and operators. Booking early is typically the most reliable way to secure lower fares and better availability.
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a range of discounts throughout the year. Where available, senior discounts are applied automatically during the search process: simply select the relevant age range when entering passenger details.
Students and recent graduates can receive a 5% discount on ferry tickets, a handy saving for anyone on a gap year exploring Thailand and the wider region. To claim this, register with our partner Student Beans and verify your student or graduate status. Once confirmed, you'll receive a discount code to use at checkout.
Resident discounts are available on selected routes in Spain and Italy. When applicable, choose the "Residents" option during booking and the discount will be applied automatically. Please note that you must present proof of residence or a valid ID showing the correct address at check-in.
There are around 14 weekly sailings from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town.
Raja Ferry provide 2 sailings daily, 14 sailings weekly. Please keep in mind that ferry timetables often increase during the high season, especially around Full Moon Party dates on Koh Phangan, so it's worth booking ahead.
The first ferry from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town usually departs at around 09:00, with the last sailing leaving Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) Port at approximately 11:00.
Due to the longer crossing time, ferries between Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) and Phuket Town are generally better suited to weekend breaks or a 5-7 day island-hopping itinerary. For ideas on the best things to do in Phuket Town, please visit our blog.
The fastest ferry from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town is with Raja Ferry in 7 hours 30 minutes.
The fastest ferries from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town usually cost around $55.39.
No, ferry operators currently do not allow cars on sailings between Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) and Phuket Town. If you wish to bring your car on the ferry, then you can use our Deal Finder to find alternative routes.
Whether you can take a campervan or caravan on the ferry depends on the operator and vessel used for your chosen crossing. Enter your travel details into our search bar to see which operators and vehicle options are available on the Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town ferry.
For more advice and travel inspiration when taking a car, campervan, or caravan, please visit our blog.
Bicycles are currently not permitted on ferries sailing between Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) and Phuket Town.
Yes, foot passengers are welcome on ferries from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town with Raja Ferry, a popular option for student ferries and backpackers hopping between islands without a vehicle.
There is no cabin accommodation on the Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town ferry.
Whether an overnight ferry runs between Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) and Phuket Town depends on the operator and timetable. Enter your travel details in our search bar to check whether an overnight option is available, along with current timetables and alternative daytime crossings. Please be aware that overnight crossings can sometimes take a little longer than daytime sailings.
Pets are currently not allowed on ferries traveling from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town. Please use our Deal Finder to search for alternative routes that allow pet travel.
Please be aware that even where pets are not permitted on board, different regulations may apply to passengers traveling with guide dogs or assistance dogs. We recommend contacting our customer service team directly to confirm the specific rules for your preferred sailing. For general information, visit our Special Assistance Help page.
The Koh Samui to Phuket Town ferry is a popular combined ferry and bus journey connecting the Raja Ferry Port at Lipa Noi on Koh Samui's west coast with Phuket Town. The first leg is a crossing with Raja Ferry to Donsak Pier on the mainland, where you'll continue by bus across southern Thailand to Phuket Town. As this is a daytime journey, overnight cabins aren't available, but it's still worth knowing what to expect onboard, especially if you're traveling with luggage or young children.
Raja Ferry's large vehicle ferries offer indoor seating in an enclosed passenger lounge, with air-conditioned areas available on most vessels. Once on the mainland, the bus leg offers reclining seats for the onward journey to Phuket Town.
Outdoor deck areas are available on the Raja ferries and are a great way to enjoy the crossing on a clear day. As you leave Lipa Noi, you can look back at Koh Samui's palm-fringed coastline and green hills, with the islands of the Ang Thong Marine Park visible on the horizon as you head across to the mainland.
Raja ferries usually have a small canteen or kiosk selling water, soft drinks, coffee and simple Thai dishes, though the choice varies between vessels. As the full journey to Phuket Town takes most of the day, it's a good idea to bring your own water and snacks for the bus leg. There are a few small shops and food stalls around the port at Lipa Noi where you can pick up supplies before you board.
All ferries on this route give you access to an open deck or outdoor area. The crossing between Koh Samui and Donsak offers some beautiful scenery across the Gulf of Thailand, with scattered islands along the way.
There are no dedicated play areas on this route, but the ferry crossing is manageable for most children, and the large vessels give plenty of room to move around. With the bus included, it's worth packing games, snacks and entertainment to keep younger travelers busy on the longer journey.
There's space for luggage in the passenger areas, and larger bags are stored in the bus's luggage hold for the road leg from Donsak. Keep an eye on your bags when transferring between the ferry and the bus. Also keep valuables and anything you'll need during the trip in a small day bag with you.
On arrival in Phuket Town, tuk-tuks, taxis and songthaews (shared pick-up taxis) are usually available to take you and your luggage on to your accommodation or Phuket's beaches.
Raja Ferry runs a combined ferry and bus service from its port at Lipa Noi, on the west coast of Koh Samui, to Phuket Town. The route is a popular way to travel between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman coast on a single ticket, without flying or arranging separate connections. The service runs every day throughout the year.
The whole journey takes around 7 hours 45 minutes. It begins with a ferry crossing of about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Lipa Noi to Donsak on the mainland, followed by a coach or minibus transfer across southern Thailand to Phuket Town. This combined ticket is for foot passengers only.
The recommended arrival time at Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port depends on your departure, so check your booking confirmation for the operator's check-in requirements.
As a general guide, we recommend arriving at least 45 minutes before departure, or up to an hour during busy periods. Passengers usually need to check in at the Raja Ferry ticket office and exchange their booking voucher for a boarding ticket and a sticker or pass for the onward bus connection.
Lipa Noi Port can get busy in high season, when foot passengers share the terminal with cars and trucks boarding the ferry, so arriving early helps you avoid unnecessary stress. The port is a short drive south of Nathon. If you are traveling from Chaweng, Lamai or the north coast, allow plenty of time for the road journey.
Parking is available near Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port, with spaces around the terminal and in the surrounding area. If you plan to leave a vehicle on Koh Samui while you travel to Phuket, we recommend confirming the cost, security and availability of overnight or multi-day parking before you travel.
Many passengers arrive by taxi, songthaew or hotel transfer. During peak season, allow extra time to find a parking space or book a transfer to the port in advance.
Passengers looking for accommodation near Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port before their journey should visit our accommodation page for a range of options and competitive rates. The quiet west coast around Lipa Noi and Nathon has beachfront resorts, villas and guesthouses within easy reach of the port, for different budgets.
Staying on the west coast can be especially useful if you are booked on an early departure, because it saves a long drive from the east of the island on the day you travel. We recommend booking well in advance during peak periods, especially around Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and Songkran, when accommodation and tickets are in high demand.
Passengers with reduced mobility or difficulty walking should contact Raja Ferry before booking to discuss their needs and confirm whether assistance is available. Raja Ferry's vessels are large car ferries, which are usually easier to board than smaller boats. However, the journey also includes a transfer to a coach or minibus at Donsak, and these vehicles may have steps and limited space for wheelchairs or mobility aids. Please confirm with the operator rather than assuming that assistance or accessible facilities will be provided at every stage.
Luggage allowances on the Koh Samui to Phuket Town ferry and bus service are set by the operator. Your bags will be moved from the ferry to the bus at Donsak, so we recommend traveling with a manageable amount of luggage and keeping valuables, travel documents, medication and other essentials in a small bag that you can keep with you throughout the journey. Here is the luggage limit for the operator:
If you want to travel with a surfboard or other oversized items, contact the operator in advance to confirm that it can be carried on both the ferry and the bus, and whether there is an extra charge. It's also a good idea to label each bag with your name and destination so it doesn't get lost when it is transferred at Donsak.
After the ferry crossing to Donsak, passengers continue by coach or minibus to Phuket Town, on the east side of Phuket. Depending on the service, passengers are usually dropped off at Phuket Bus Terminal or a central drop-off point in town, so check your booking confirmation for the exact arrival point. Phuket Town has a historic Old Town, markets, restaurants and plenty of accommodation.
Taxis, tuk-tuks and ride-hailing services such as Grab are widely available in Phuket Town for onward travel. The west coast beaches, including Patong, Kata and Karon, are around 30 to 45 minutes away by road, depending on traffic. Phuket International Airport is around 45 minutes away. If you are arriving late in the day, we recommend arranging a transfer in advance. For more information about the destination and its facilities, check out our port guide below.
Travel requirements vary by route, so it's important to confirm which documents you need before you travel. On most international routes, you will need a valid passport to travel from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town, and possibly a visa or national ID depending on your nationality and the destination's entry rules.
To avoid delays at check-in, see our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and our blog post on traveling to Europe for useful tips.
Booking your Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town ferry is very simple. Enter your departure and arrival ports along with your preferred travel date to view all available sailings and prices. You can also compare alternative routes and departure times to find the option that best suits your schedule and budget.
Look out for early-booking deals and special ticket types such as upgrades or flexi fares that allow changes or cancellations. To ensure a smooth booking process, always enter accurate passenger numbers and vehicle specifications.
The best time to book ferries from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town is as early as possible. Booking in advance often secures lower prices, along with a wider choice of departure times, seating, and cabin options. We recommend booking at least a few weeks ahead, particularly during peak holiday seasons. Prices can vary depending on demand and availability.
If no sailings from Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) to Phuket Town appear on your chosen date, this may be due to seasonal timetable changes, temporary schedule adjustments, or limited availability caused by high demand. We recommend checking alternative dates or nearby routes to find the most suitable option.
After completing your booking, you'll receive a confirmation email with your travel details. How your boarding pass is issued depends on the ferry operator you have booked with.
Some operators provide boarding passes at the time of booking, while others require check-in at the port terminal. Where available, online check-in can be completed through the Direct Ferries app.
Ticket desks are generally located near the terminal entrance. To prevent delays, we recommend arriving early to allow sufficient time for ticket collection and check-in.
At check-in you will need to present your booking confirmation and a valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. If travelling with a pet, relevant documentation like vaccination records, pet passport and insurance may also be required. Passengers using resident discounts must provide proof of eligibility.
| Ticket Type | From Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $25 |
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| Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) - Phuket Town Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $55 | |
| Koh Samui (Raja Ferry Lipa Noi Port) - Phuket Town Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Koh Samui Island |
| Destination | Phuket Island |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Raja Ferry |
| Average Price | $55 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 14 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 7 h 45 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 7 h 30 m |
| First Ferry | 09:00 |
| Last Ferry | 11:00 |
| Distance | 93 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 30 October 2026.
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