
1. Bus + Ferry to Koh Samui
2. Train + Ferry to Koh Samui
3. Taxi + Ferry to Koh Samui
4. Flights to Koh Samui
🎫 Book a Tour in Koh Samui
🎫 Book Ticket to Koh Samui
From Hat Yai to Koh Samui you can travel by bus/van + ferry or by plane.
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- The travel distance from Hat Yai to Koh Samui by land is approximately 370 km via Donsak Pier. The most efficient and quickest way to reach Koh Samui from Hat Yai is to take a flight via Phuket (though there are no direct flights). Flying via Phuket typically takes around 5-10 hours, with ticket prices ranging from $140 to $220 per person. This option is particularly convenient if you wish to explore Phuket. Another popular and economical option to travel to Koh Samui from Hat Yai is by taking a bus and ferry combination. The journey by bus and ferry to Koh Samui from Hat Yai takes about 7-8.5 hours, with a combined ticket costing approximately $16-23 per person.
- Alternatively, if you prefer to avoid traveling by bus, you can opt for a train to Surat Thani Railway Station, from where you can catch a bus and ferry to Koh Samui. Traveling by train and bus/ferry via Surat Thani town typically takes a total of about 11 hours, with ticket prices ranging from $17 to $80 per person. Additionally, there are some private car or taxi services available between Hat Yai and Surat Thani. From Koh Samui, you can further travel by ferry to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. It’s advisable to book your tickets or flights from Hat Yai to Koh Samui online in advance.
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- Koh Samui (or Ko Samui) is situated in the Gulf of Thailand and is one of the most sought-after islands in the region. Notable attractions on the island include a monkey grove, a pearl farm, Hin Lad Waterfall, a freshwater lake, and Angthong Marine National Park, comprising 40 islands adorned with lush rainforests. Chaweng Beach stands out as the island’s premier tourist destination, offering ideal conditions for swimming and leisure activities. There are four ways to reach Koh Samui from Hat Yai: flight via Phuket, tourist bus and ferry / speedboat, train and ferry, or private car and ferry via Surat Thani town or Donsak Pier. Direct flights are also available from Bangkok or Phuket to Koh Samui.
Transfer Mode – Hat Yai to Koh Samui: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
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Bus/Van + Ferry | 7-8.5 hours | $16-23/pp |
Train + Ferry (via Surat Thani) | 11 hours | $17-80/pp |
Taxi + Ferry (via Surat Thani) | 7-10 hours | $200-300/car |
Flight (via Phuket) | 5-10 hours | $140-220/pp |
How do I get from Hat Yai to Koh Samui?
1. BUS/VAN + FERRY from Hat Yai to Koh Samui
The most used and cheapest land transport option from Hat Yai to Koh Samui is by bus/minivan and ferry via Surat Thani. This transport option usually has 2-3 steps, first it is a trip by bus or minivan from Hat Yai to Don Sak Pier (or to the city of Surat Thani) and then a ferry transfer to Koh Samui.
The company also sometimes offers a subsequent transfer on the island of Koh Samui itself. Companies that you can use for this option of transportation to Koh Samui are, for example, Nakhonborrikarn, Phantip 1970 and KST Travel. These companies will provide you with transport by buses or smaller minivans from Hat Yai and a subsequent ferry transfer to Koh Samui, operated for example by Seatran Ferry, Raja Ferry or Lomprayah.
Buses or minivans usually depart from Hat Yai Bus Terminal. This bus terminal is close to the town center of Hat Yai. The journey by bus and ferry from Hat Yai to Koh Samui takes about 7-8.5 hours, but this time may vary and there may be delays. The bus and ferry transfer from Hat Yai to Koh Samui costs between $16-23/pp, that’s the price for both the bus and the ferry, so you can search and buy one combined ticket for both options.
Most transport companies also accept e-tickets on mobile phones, so there is no need to print them, they are equipped with a QR code. However, always read all the current information and transfer instructions when ordering and booking your join ticket to Koh Samui online.
This transport option to Koh Samui from Hat Yai is mainly suitable for regular solo and low-cost travelers who have more time and are looking for a cheaper transfer at the same time.
🚍 Bus + Ferry Schedule / Timetable – Hat Yai to Koh Samui + Tickets:
Bus + Ferry Schedule – Hat Yai to Koh Samui: | Departure in Hat Yai | Arrival in Koh Samui |
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Nakhonborrikarn | 08:00 | 16:30 |
Nakhonborrikarn | 10:15 | 18:45 |
Phantip 1970 | 08:30 | 15:30 |
Phantip 1970 | 10:15 | 18:45 |
KST Travel | 08:00 | 16:15 |
KST Travel | 10:15 | 18:30 |

2. TRAIN + FERRY from Hat Yai to Koh Samui
Another cheap land transfer option from Hat Yai to Koh Samui is to travel by train and ferry/boat (or in combination with a minivan, bus) via the city of Surat Thani. This option has 2-3 steps, first it is a train trip from Hat Yai to Surat Thani and then a transfer with a ferry to Koh Samui, or a transfer by minivan and a ferry to Koh Samui via Don Sak.
Train transfer is usually the cheapest transport option in Thailand and it is the same here on this route. The travel time by train and ferry from Hat Yai to Koh Samui via Surat Thani is approximately 8-11 hours, but this time may vary depending on the type of transfer from Surat Thani you use.
The train journey from Hat Yai to Surat Thani takes approx. 4.5-5 hours and the journey from Surat Thani to Koh Samui approx. 2.5-6 hours (ferry or bus + ferry via Don Sak). Trains depart from Hat Yai Railway Station and arrive at Surat Thani Railway Station, see Thailand Railway Map.
1. BOOK TICKETS to Surat Thani ➜
The trains will offer you seats on this route, which are always a cheaper option or even sleeping berths, but sleeping berths do not make much sense on this shorter route. Train tickets from Hat Yai to Surat Thani cost between $4-40/pp and bus and ferry transfers from Surat Thani to Koh Samui cost $12-25/pp.
It is better to use a combined bus and ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui, because some companies will offer you a transfer directly from Surat Thani train station. This way you can also save time and you will have secured transport to the port, from where the ferry or boats to Koh Samui depart.
Train tickets to Surat Thani and tickets from Surat Thani to Koh Samui can be easily searched and purchased online. You need to purchase a separate ticket for the train and then a ticket for the transfer from Surat Thani to Koh Samui.
2. BOOK TICKETS to Koh Samui ➜

3. TAXI + FERRY from Hat Yai to Koh Samui
A relatively very comfortable, but at the same time the most expensive transfer option from Hat Yai to Koh Samui is a private transfer by modern car/taxi with a driver. This option also includes a subsequent ferry transfer from Don Sak or Surat Thani to Koh Samui, which is usually included in the total fare.
The advantage of this option is also the choice of your departure point in Hat Yai and also the subsequent transfer to Koh Samui, e.g. to your accommodation. However, these conditions may vary by company. Transport by private modern cars from Hat Yai to Koh Samui will be offered by Kim Transfers Thailand, Bangkok Taxi24 and Van2Travel.
BOOK TAXI / CAR to Koh Samui ➜
Most of these proven companies will offer you modern smaller classic cars, SUVs and even minivans for more people. Minivans can hold 9-10 passengers, so they are suitable for group travel, and you can always split the car fare and calculate it by individual passengers. Transport by private car with a driver from Hat Yai to Koh Samui takes about 7-10 hours, but this time varies according to the company and also your travel route.
Transfer by private car with driver from Hat Yai to Koh Samui costs between $200-300/car + ferry, prices vary by car type, smaller classic cars are always cheaper than larger minivans for more people.
You can easily search, view and book your private car/taxi in Koh Samui online ahead of time. This transport option will be more suitable for those who have a larger budget for their travel, it will not be suitable for low-cost travelers.

4. FLIGHT from Hat Yai to Koh Samui (via Phuket)
Another, very convenient, but also more expensive transfer option from Hat Yai to Koh Samui is an air transfer, but with a transfer in Phuket. This option may be suitable for those who also want to visit this popular island destination. There are no direct flights from Hat Yai to Koh Samui, so you have to use Bangkok Air flights via Phuket.
There are also some direct flights from Krabi. Bangkok Air is currently the only airline that offers direct flights between Hat Yai – Phuket – Koh Samui. Other Thai airlines, like Thai AirAsia, may also offer connecting flights, but such a transfer option does not make much sense. Flights are operated from Hat Yai International Airport to Phuket International Airport and then on to Koh Samui International Airport.
The air transfer time from Hat Yai to Koh Samui with a transfer in Phuket can take about 5-10 hours, but it depends on the connecting flight from Phuket. This time may therefore vary, as the disadvantage is the very limited flight schedule of these direct flights between Hat Yai – Phuket – Koh Samui.
A direct flight from Hat Yai to Phuket takes about 1 hour, and a direct flight from Phuket to Koh Samui also takes 1 hour. An air transfer from Hat Yai to Phuket costs between $50-80/pp and a flight from Phuket to Koh Samui costs around $90-250/pp. So the prices can be very different and the cheapest option can cost around $140-160/pp.
You can search and buy tickets for the transfer from Hat Yai to Koh Samui online in advance. It is advisable to look for a separate ticket for each route, it can be more advantageous as a result. Most of the flights offered on this route are Economy Class, so read all the terms and conditions of these flights to avoid any misunderstandings.

❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel from Hat Yai to Koh Samui:
1. How to book tickets or flights from Hat Yai to Koh Samui?
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- You can book tickets or flights from Hat Yai to Koh Samui on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜.
- You can also search another tickets, Hat Yai > Krabi, Krabi > Koh Samui…
2. What is the travel time from Hat Yai to Koh Samui?
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- Travel by bus + ferry from Hat Yai to Koh Samui takes about 7-8.5 hours.
- Travel by train + ferry from Hat Yai to Koh Samui (via Surat Thani) takes about 11 hours.
- Travel by taxi + ferry from Hat Yai to Koh Samui (via Surat Thani) takes about 10-11 hours.
- Flight from Hat Yai to Koh Samui (via Phuket) takes about 5-10 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Hat Yai to Koh Samui?
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- Travel distance from Hat Yai to Koh Samui is about 370 km by land via Donsak Pier.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Hat Yai to Koh Samui?
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- Travel by bus + ferry from Hat Yai to Koh Samui costs about $16-23/pp.
- Travel by train + ferry from Hat Yai to Koh Samui (via Surat Thani) costs about $17-80/pp.
- Travel by taxi + ferry from Hat Yai to Koh Samui (via Surat Thani) costs about $200-300/car+ferry.
- Flight from Hat Yai to Koh Samui (via Phuket) costs about $140-220/pp.
5. What is the cheapest option of getting to Koh Samui from Hat Yai?
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- The cheapest option of transfer is to travel by bus/train + ferry via Surat Thani. You can book join ticket from Hat Yai to Koh Samui (bus+ferry) already from $18/pp.
6. Is it possible to travel by train from Hat Yai to Surat Thani?
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- Yes, there are various trains of Thai Railway to Surat Thani Railway Station. From Surat Thani to Koh Samui you can travel by van/bus + ferry via Surat Thani town or Don Sak Pier.
7. What is the best way of getting from Hat Yai to Koh Samui?
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- The best and fastest way of travel from Hat Yai to Koh Samui is to travel by plane via Phuket. There are also flights via Bangkok, but the most fastest option is to take a flight via Phuket. From Phuket you can take another direct flight to Koh Samui. Phuket is also another top tourist site in southern Thailand.
8. Is it possible to travel to Koh Samui via Koh Lanta?
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- Yes, this option is also available. You can travel by bus/minivan or taxi to Koh Lanta from Hat Yai and from Koh Lanta you can take a transport by bus+ferry via Surat Thani town or Donsak Pier. Donsak Pier is the closest port to Koh Samui.
9. Where you can go from Koh Samui?
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- There are direct flights to Bangkok – the capital of Thailand, you can also visit Phuket in southern Thailand, you can travel to this site via Surat Thani by ferry + bus. The closest islands to Koh Samui are Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, they are accessible by boat or ferry from Koh Samui.
10. Which are the most popular and nice islands in Thailand?
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- There are a lot of various interesting, nice and also isolated or tourist islands in Thailand. Most of them are in the Gulf of Thailand or Phang Nga Bay. Read this article: The Best Islands in Thailand.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Koh Samui ➜
BOOK your HOTEL in Koh Samui ➜
🎫 Book and buy bus/train + ferry tickets from Hat Yai to Koh Samui:
(You can change another travel route, e.g. Hat Yai > Surat Thani, Surat Thani > Koh Samui…)