Ferries from Bangkok to the Thai Islands
Ferries from Bangkok to the Thai Islands
Bangkok is the front door to Thailand, but the postcard beaches are a long way from the city. The good news is that getting from the capital to the islands is easier than it looks. Combined bus-and-boat tickets leave from central Bangkok every day, and the whole trip is available as a single journey.
This guide covers which islands you can reach from Bangkok, how long each journey takes, and the practical details worth knowing before you go.
Bangkok is located at the top of the Gulf of Thailand but has no ferry terminal of its own for the islands. Instead, the journey is a two-part trip: a road transfer by bus or minivan to a coastal pier, followed by a boat crossing. Most operators bundle both legs into one ticket, so you check in once and the connection is handled for you.
You can reach 8 destinations from Bangkok's Khao San pick-up point, covering two very different island groups: the Gulf islands to the south (Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Koh Nang Yuan) and the Eastern Gulf islands to the east (Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak). All of these are popular destinations in Southeast Asia, but they each have their own appeal.
Please note that journey times and the number of weekly sailings are subject to change depending on when you decide to travel.
The table below shows the combined bus-and-ferry routes that leave from Bangkok's Khao San pick-up point. Times include the road transfer. "Sailings per week" counts departures across all operators.
| Destination | Fastest | Average | Longest | Sailings per week | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Mak (Ao Nid Pier) | 6h 15m | 7h 00m | 7h 45m | 13 | All year |
| Koh Chang | 6h 00m | 6h 20m | 7h 00m | 20 | All year |
| Koh Chang (Bang Bao Pier) | 7h 00m | 7h 00m | 7h 00m | 13 | All year |
| Koh Kood (Ao Salad Pier) | 6h 45m | 7h 53m | 8h 50m | 26 | All year |
| Koh Nang Yuan | 8h 45m | 9h 37m | 10h 30m | 13 | All year |
| Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) | 9h 00m | 10h 09m | 10h 45m | 26 | All year |
| Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier) | 10h 45m | 11h 54m | 12h 30m | 26 | All year |
| Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) | 11h 30m | 12h 30m | 13h 30m | 13 | All year |
| Koh Samui (Bangrak Pier) | 12h 45m | 13h 07m | 13h 30m | 13 | Seasonal: Oct–May |
| Koh Phaluai | 17h 30m | 17h 30m | 17h 30m | 6 | Seasonal: May–Jan |
Please be aware that sailing durations and the number of weekly sailings are subject to change depending on when you travel. For the latest updates, visit the respective route page. This data was last updated on 10/20/2026.
Thailand’s Gulf islands offer something for everyone, from diving schools and yoga retreats to jungle waterfalls and vivacious nightlife. With over 800 island-to-island sailings departing per week, island hopping is easy, making it simple to combine several destinations in one trip.
Koh Tao is a popular choice for diving and snorkeling, with the Bangkok to Koh Tao route taking around 10 hours 9 minutes on average and offering up to 26 sailings per week. Nearby Koh Nang Yuan can be reached directly from Bangkok in about 9 hours and 37 minutes.
The Bangkok to Koh Phangan bus and ferry service arrives at Thong Sala Pier in around 11 hours and 54 minutes, with up to 26 departures available per week. Koh Phangan is an island of two halves. On the one hand, it's home to the monthly Full Moon Party at Haad Rin; on the other, it offers quiet coves and wellness retreats.
If the party is on your itinerary, read our Full Moon Party guide and book ahead, because boats and rooms fill up around the dates.
Koh Samui is the largest and most developed of the group. From Bangkok, the route to Bangrak Pier runs seasonally from October to May and takes about 13 hours and 7 minutes. Alternatively, if that isn't available, the route to Mae Nam Pier runs all year and usually takes 12 hours and 30 minutes, with up to 13 sailings a week.
Yes. There are several ways to reach Thailand’s Gulf islands from Bangkok, depending on your departure point and how you prefer to travel. You can travel to Hua Hin, a coastal town south of Bangkok, to shorten your journey.
If you prefer to split the journey, take a train or flight to a southern gateway before boarding a ferry. Chumphon is a convenient option, with year-round services from Lomprayah Pier taking around on average 1 hour and 59 minutes to Koh Tao, 3 hours 54 minutes to Koh Phangan and 4 hours 36 minutes to Koh Samui.
For shorter crossings, travel to Laem Thuat Donsak Pier on the mainland. Ferries take around 45 minutes to reach Koh Samui’s Nathon Pier and approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to Koh Phangan with Lomprayah High Speed Ferries and Songserm.
If you only have a few days, the Trat archipelago on the eastern side of the Gulf is the most convenient escape from Bangkok. All routes between Bangkok and this group run year-round, with the fastest taking just 6 hours. The Eastern Gulf islands are generally calmer than Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, which makes them popular among families and anyone wanting to unwind away from the crowds.
You can also reach the Trat islands from other departure points, including Pattaya, Rayong and Trat Airport. From Trat Airport, the transfer to Koh Kood takes around 2 hours, while the journey to Koh Mak takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
For shorter sea crossings, travel to Laem Sok on the mainland. Ferries reach Koh Kood in around 1 hour and Koh Mak in just 45 minutes.
Bangkok does not have a direct bus-and-boat service to the Andaman Sea islands such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, or Koh Lanta. The Andaman coast is located on the opposite side of the Thai peninsula, so most travelers fly from Bangkok to Phuket, Krabi, or Trang and start their island hopping there.
When you search for a ferry from Bangkok, you will notice that the departure point is often a bus terminal, an airport, or a town rather than a harbor. This is where the bus will pick you up and transport you to the nearest pier. Here are the main pick-up points in Bangkok:
Whichever island you visit, the final leg of your journey will be by boat. Choosing the right service can make a real difference to your travel experience. Although the terms “ferry”, “speedboat” and “fast boat” are often used interchangeably in Thailand, each can offer a different journey in terms of speed, comfort and onboard facilities.
| Ferry | Speedboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large vessel with indoor and outdoor seating, and often multiple decks | Small, open or partly covered boat carrying a limited number of passengers |
| Speed | Slower, steady crossings. Raja Ferry's crossing from Donsak to Koh Phangan, for example, takes 2 hours 30 minutes | Faster over short and medium distances, though not always dramatically so on the same route |
| Comfort in rough water | More stable, which suits anyone prone to seasickness | Bumpier and wetter, particularly in choppy conditions |
| Luggage | Generous space. Some ferries carry vehicles as well as foot passengers | Limited space, and bags may be stowed in the open |
| Weather | Can sail in conditions that may restrict smaller boats | More likely to be delayed or canceled in rough seas |
| Typical use | Main routes between the mainland and big islands such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao | Shorter island-to-island hops, remote islands, and routes where beach landings are common |
Several operators providing routes from Bangkok, including Lomprayah High Speed Ferries and Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, use high-speed ferries. These larger vessels are often catamarans, combining relatively fast crossings with greater space and stability than smaller boats. On the Andaman coast, operators such as Bundhaya Speed Boat and Ploysiam Speedboat offer speedboat services, which are generally smaller and are better suited for short island hops.
Our advice: if you are prone to seasickness, or you're traveling with a lot of luggage, pick the larger ferry. If you're short on time, choose the fastest option and store your valuables in a dry bag to protect them from water damage.
Most routes from Bangkok are available all year round, but a few are seasonal, so check the dates before you build an itinerary around them. Sailings in rough weather can also be delayed or canceled, even on year-round routes, so leave a little buffer between your ferry and any flight home.
Public holidays, school vacations, and events such as the Full Moon Party can fill boats and rooms well in advance. Booking your ferry tickets and accommodation early is the best way to keep your plans flexible. Earlier daytime sailings are often less crowded than the last departure of the day.
Arrive at the pier or pick-up point at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure to check in, collect any boarding sticker or wristband, and find the correct boat. Piers can be busy, and boats from different operators often depart from the same spot. Your ticket confirmation will tell you where to go and what time to arrive.
Thailand's currency is the baht (THB). Cards are widely accepted in cities and larger resorts, but small island businesses, local transport, and beach vendors usually prefer cash. ATMs exist on the bigger islands but can be scarce on the smaller ones, so withdraw what you need before you travel. Mobile coverage is generally good on the main islands, though it can be temperamental on remote ones.
Visa and entry requirements vary by nationality and can change, so read our guide on the new Entry Requirements for Thailand before you travel. It's also worth taking out travel insurance that covers water activities and delays, since sea conditions can affect schedules.
Respecting local customs will help you make the most of your time in Thailand. When visiting temples, cover your shoulders and knees and remove your shoes before entering. Avoid touching anyone on the head, which is traditionally considered disrespectful. Beachwear is appropriate on the sand, but opt for modest clothing when visiting villages, local communities and religious sites.
Most Thai islands offer local transport options such as songthaews (shared pickup-truck taxis), motorbike taxis and scooter rentals. If you hire a scooter, always wear a helmet, check that your travel insurance provides cover and never ride after drinking alcohol.
The Eastern Gulf islands are the fastest to reach. Koh Chang averages about 6 hours and 20 minutes and Koh Mak about 7 hours from Khao San. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the transfer to Koh Chang can be as quick as about 5 hours 15 minutes.
Not directly. The Andaman coast is on the other side of the peninsula, so most travelers fly from Bangkok to Phuket, Krabi, or Trang and take a ferry from there. You can also cross from the Gulf islands to the Andaman coast by combined sea and road routes without returning to Bangkok.
A pick-up point is a bus terminal, airport, train station, or town location where a bus or minivan collects you as part of a combined ticket. It's the starting point for the road leg of your journey, and it's separate from the pier where you board the boat.
Four operators provide bus and ferry services from Bangkok: Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, Seudamgo, and Raja Ferry. Lomprayah and Boonsiri cover Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui. Seudamgo and Boonsiri cover Koh Chang and Koh Kood, and Raja Ferry runs the seasonal service to Koh Phaluai.
Ready to trade Bangkok’s bustling streets for Thailand’s tropical islands? Book your bus and ferry tickets with Direct Ferries to compare routes, check timetables and find the best connection for your trip. Book your journey today and get one step closer to an island adventure like no other.
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