Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) - Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier)
Ferries to Koh Samui Island
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) - Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier)
Ferries to Koh Samui Island
Ferries from Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) are operated by 2 ferry companies, including Lomprayah High Speed Ferries & Lomlahkkhirin. The crossing typically takes around 2 hours. There are currently 24 weekly sailings on this route, with prices starting from as little as $15. Use our Deal Finder to compare prices and availability, and book your ferry to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) today.
Last updated: 11/9/2026
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) ferry prices typically range from $15 to $86. The average ferry price from Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) is around $44. The cheapest fares usually start from $15, making this route a favorite for Thailand Island Hopping and gap year adventures. The average foot passenger ticket costs $44.
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 November 26.
The cheapest tickets on the Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) ferry cost approximately $15.29, 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 24 weekly sailings from Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier).
Lomprayah High Speed Ferries provide 3 sailings daily, 20 sailings weekly. Lomlahkkhirin provide 1 sailing daily, 7 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 Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) usually departs at around 07:05, with the last sailing leaving Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) Port at approximately 16:30.
Due to the longer crossing time, ferries between Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) and Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) are generally better suited to weekend breaks or a 5-7 day island-hopping itinerary. For ideas on the best things to do in Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier), please visit our blog.
The fastest ferry from Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) is with Lomlahkkhirin in 1 hour 25 minutes.
The fastest ferries from Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) usually cost around $43.57.
No, ferry operators currently do not allow cars on sailings between Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) and Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier). 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 Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) 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 Tao (Mae Haad Pier) and Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier).
Yes, foot passengers are welcome on ferries from Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) with Lomprayah High Speed Ferries & Lomlahkkhirin, a popular option for student ferries and backpackers hopping between islands without a vehicle.
There is no cabin accommodation on the Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) ferry.
Whether an overnight ferry runs between Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) and Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) 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 Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier). 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 Tao to Koh Samui ferry is a popular crossing connecting Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao's west coast with Mae Nam Pier on Koh Samui's north coast. Services on this route are operated by Lomprayah High Speed Ferries and Lomlahkkhirin, with many sailings calling at Koh Phangan along the way. As this is a daytime crossing, 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.
Boats on this route offer indoor seating in an enclosed cabin, which is air-conditioned on Lomprayah's high-speed catamarans. This is the standard option for most travelers.
Outdoor deck areas are available on most boats and are a great way to enjoy the crossing on a clear day. As you leave Mae Haad, you can ADMIRE Koh Tao’s beautiful landscape.
Lomprayah's catamarans have a small counter selling water, soft drinks, coffee and light snacks, though the choice on other boats can be more limited. It's a good idea to bring your own water and snacks. There are plenty of convenience stores, cafés and food stalls around Mae Haad near the pier where you can pick up supplies before you board.
All boats on this route give you access to an open deck or outdoor area. The crossing between Koh Tao and Koh Samui offers some beautiful scenery across the Gulf of Thailand, with clear blue water and forested islands on the horizon throughout the journey.
There are no dedicated play areas on this route, but the crossing is manageable for most children, especially on calmer days when the open deck is an enjoyable place to be.
On most boats, large bags are tagged at the pier and stored in an area at the front or back of the boat, while smaller bags can be kept with you in the cabin. If your boat stops at Koh Phangan, keep an eye on your luggage tag so your bags stay on board until Koh Samui. Space can be limited when sailings are busy, so it's best to pack as light as you can and keep valuables in a small waterproof bag.
On arrival at Mae Nam Pier, taxis and songthaews (shared pick-up taxis) are usually waiting to take you and your luggage on to Bophut, Chaweng, Lamai or other parts of the island.
Ferries run every day between Mae Haad Pier and Mae Nam Pier on the north coast of Koh Samui. The route is a popular choice for travelers island hopping in the Gulf of Thailand, connecting Koh Tao's dive sites and quiet bays with the beaches, resorts and nightlife of Koh Samui.
Crossing times all depend on the operator and the vessel. Lomlahkkhirin usually takes around 1 hour 25 minutes, while Lomprayah High Speed Ferries takes around 2 hours, usually with a stop at Koh Phangan on the way.
The recommended arrival time at Mae Haad Pier depends on your ferry operator, 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. Most operators ask passengers to exchange their booking voucher for a boarding ticket or color-coded sticker at the operator's office near the pier before going to the boarding area.
Mae Haad can get very busy during the morning departures and in high season, so arriving early helps you avoid unnecessary stress. If you are staying at Sairee Beach, Chalok Baan Kao or the more remote bays on Koh Tao, allow plenty of time for the journey to the pier, as some roads on the island are steep and unpaved.
Parking at Mae Haad Pier is very limited. There are a few spaces and scooter parking areas in Mae Haad village near the pier, but no long-stay car park. If you plan to leave a vehicle on Koh Tao while you visit Koh Samui, we recommend confirming the cost, security and availability of overnight or multi-day parking before you travel.
Most passengers arrive on foot, by taxi or songthaew, or with a hotel transfer. If you have rented a scooter, check with the rental shop where and how to return it before you depart.
Passengers looking for accommodation near Mae Haad Pier before their journey should visit our accommodation page for a range of options and competitive rates. Mae Haad village has guesthouses, small hotels and dive resorts within walking distance of the pier, and Sairee Beach, a short ride to the north, offers more choice for different budgets.
Staying near Mae Haad can be especially useful if you are booked on an early morning departure, because it saves a journey from the more remote parts of the island on the day you travel. We recommend booking well in advance during peak periods, especially around Christmas, New Year and Songkran, when accommodation and ferry tickets are in high demand.
Passengers with reduced mobility or difficulty walking should contact their chosen operator before booking to discuss their needs and confirm whether boarding assistance is available. Boarding at Mae Haad Pier can involve steps, narrow gangways and walking across other moored vessels when the pier is busy. Please confirm with the operator beforehand rather than assuming that assistance or accessible facilities will be provided.
Luggage allowances on the Koh Tao to Koh Samui ferry vary by operator. Main luggage is usually stored in a separate area of the boat, so we recommend keeping valuables, travel documents, medication and other essentials in a small waterproof bag that you can keep with you during the crossing. Here are the luggage limits for each operator:
If you want to travel with diving equipment, a surfboard or other oversized items, contact your operator in advance to confirm that it can be carried and whether this incurs an extra charge. It's also a good idea to label each bag with your name and destination so it doesn't get lost, especially on services that stop at Koh Phangan.
Ferries from Mae Haad Pier arrive at Mae Nam Pier on the north coast of Koh Samui, close to Mae Nam village and its long, quiet beach. The area has restaurants, shops and a range of accommodation, and the popular Fisherman's Village in Bophut is a short drive to the east.
Taxis and songthaews (shared pickup taxis) are usually available at the pier for arriving passengers. Bophut is located 10 to 15 minutes away by road, Chaweng is located 25 to 30 minutes away, and Lamai is around 35 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
If your accommodation is in a quieter part of the island, or you are heading straight to Samui International Airport, 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 Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier), 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 Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) 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 Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) 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 Tao (Mae Haad Pier) to Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) 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 | $15 |
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| Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) - Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $44 | |
| Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) - Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Koh Tao Island |
| Destination | Koh Samui Island |
| No. of Operators | 2 |
| Operators | Lomprayah High Speed Ferries & Lomlahkkhirin |
| Average Price | $44 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 3 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 24 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 2 h |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 1 h 25 m |
| First Ferry | 07:05 |
| Last Ferry | 16:30 |
| Distance | 11 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 9 November 2026.
Mae Haad Pier is Koh Tao's main ferry pier and the island's only major passenger gateway, making it the departure point for most ferries from Koh Tao to the rest of the Gulf of Thailand. Located on a quiet stretch of the island's northwest coast, the pier offers frequent connections to Koh Samui, as well as Koh Phangan and the mainland ports of Chumphon and Surat Thani.
Address: Mae Haad Pier, Mae Haad, Koh Tao, Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
Boarding here follows a different process than many ferry ports, so it helps to know what's coming before you arrive.
Koh Tao has one main ferry terminal, Mae Haad Pier, which handles nearly all scheduled passenger ferries to and from the island. Sairee Beach, the island's longest beach and main resort strip, and Chalok Baan Kao on the south coast have no ferry services of their own and are reached by road from Mae Haad.
Mae Nam Pier is located on Koh Samui's quiet north coast. It's the island's main arrival point for Lomprayah high-speed catamarans and one of the busiest landing spots for ferries to Koh Samui from Koh Tao. As the largest and most developed island in the group, Koh Samui is a major hub for island-hopping, with onward connections to Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and the mainland, plus flights from Samui International Airport.
Address: Mae Nam Pier, Mae Nam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84330, Thailand
Arriving from Koh Tao drops you in a relaxed beach village rather than a busy town center, so it's worth planning your onward transfer before you land.
Koh Samui has several ferry piers, and which one you use depends on your operator. Mae Nam Pier handles Lomprayah's high-speed services from Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. Nathon Pier, on the west coast in the island's administrative town, is used by Songserm and some other passenger services. Bangrak Pier, near the Big Buddha in the northeast, serves boats to Koh Phangan.
Koh Tao, meaning "Turtle Island," is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand built around diving and quiet beach life rather than nightlife. Its warm, shallow, reliably clear water has made it one of the most affordable and popular places in the world to earn a scuba certification.
Best time to visit: March through September typically brings the clearest water and best diving visibility, though December through April is also popular and busier overall. November tends to be the wettest month, with rougher seas that can affect ferry schedules.
Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island and the most developed in the Gulf. It has palm-fringed beaches, luxury resorts, lively nightlife and its own international airport. It works as a comfortable base for exploring the region and as a more polished contrast to laid-back Koh Tao.
Best time to visit: December to April brings the driest, sunniest weather and the busiest crowds. Koh Samui's main rainy season runs from October to December, when heavy downpours and rougher seas can disrupt ferry schedules across the Gulf, so check conditions if you're traveling in that window.
