Van + Ferry
Best mix of price, speed and convenience.
Van + Flight
Fastest route via Phuket, about 5 hours.
Private Taxi + Ferry
Door-to-door transfer with flexible departure.
Direct Transfer
No direct connection is available on this route.
Quick answer: Travelling from Khao Lak to Koh Samui involves combining land and sea transport, or optionally adding air travel to save time. You can travel by van and ferry, by private car and ferry, or by van/car and plane + ferry for the fastest option. You can book tickets from Khao Lak to Koh Samui easily online in advance.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. 300 km via Surat Thani.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Van + Ferry ~9–10 hours | Private Car + Ferry ~7–9 hours | Van/Car + Plane ~4–6 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Van + Ferry US$ 26–45 pp | Private Car + Ferry US$ 80–130 pp/vehicle | Van/Car + Plane US$ 110–200 pp.
- 🚍 Van + Ferry: Shared van or bus from Khao Lak to Surat Thani then ferry/boat to Koh Samui.
- 🚕 Private Car + Ferry: Private car/taxi from Khao Lak to Surat Thani then ferry to Koh Samui.
- ✈️ Van/Car + Plane: Van or car from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport then flight to Koh Samui.
Last updated in April 2026
From Khao Lak to Koh Samui you can travel by van + ferry, private taxi + ferry, or van + flight.
The distance from Khao Lak to Koh Samui is about 300 km. The most popular and cheapest option is a van + ferry via Surat Thani, taking about 9-10 hours and costing $26-45 per person. A private taxi + ferry takes about 7-9 hours and costs around $80-130 per car. There is no railway on this route.
The fastest option is a van or private car to Phuket Airport followed by a direct flight to Koh Samui. This journey takes about 4-6 hours and costs around $110-200 per person. Tickets, ferries and flights can be booked online. From Koh Samui you can also travel to Koh Tao or Koh Phangan.
Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s most popular islands with tropical weather throughout the year. You can arrive by van + ferry, private taxi + ferry, or by flight via Phuket Airport. From Koh Samui you can continue to Bangkok, Phuket, or Krabi.
| Transfer modes from Khao Lak to Koh Samui: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Minivan + Ferry | 9–10 hours | $26–45 per person |
| Taxi/Car + Ferry | 7–9 hours | $80–130 per person |
| Van/Car + Plane | 4–6 hours | $110–200 per person |
How do I get from Khao Lak to Koh Samui?
1. VAN + FERRY from Khao Lak to Koh Samui
👉 Van + ferry via Khao Sok and Surat Thani is a cheap and popular way to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Samui.
- ✔️ Best for: budget travelers comfortable with multiple transfers
- ✔️ Travel time: ~6–8 hours (van + ferry via Surat Thani)
- ✔️ Cost: $20–40 per person (combined transport)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (minivan + ferry)
- ✅ Best Option: Van to Khao Sok + van to Surat Thani + ferry to Koh Samui
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance for smoother connections.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Allow extra time between transfers to avoid delays.
A) Van / Bus from Khao Lak to Khao Sok
You can travel from Khao Lak to Khao Sok National Park by minivan or bus. This is the cheapest and most popular transfer option. The journey takes about 2-2.5 hours and tickets cost around $12 per person. Services are operated by Call Me Taxi. Read more: How to get from Khao Lak to Khao Sok?
B) Minivan / Bus from Khao Sok to Surat Thani
From Khao Sok National Park you can continue by minivan or bus to Surat Thani. The journey takes about 2.5 hours and tickets cost $6-11 per person. Transfers are operated mainly by Phantip 1970. Check the latest schedules before booking.
C) Ferry / Boat from Surat Thani to Koh Samui
From Surat Thani you can travel to Koh Samui by ferry or speedboat. The crossing takes about 1.5-2 hours and tickets cost around $8-18 per person. Ferries are operated by Raja Ferry, Lomprayah and Seatran. Read more: Surat Thani to Koh Samui – Ferry Schedule
2. TAXI / CAR + FERRY from Khao Lak to Koh Samui
👉 Private taxi/car + ferry via Surat Thani is the most comfortable and fastest way to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Samui.
- ✔️ Best for: travelers who want comfort, flexibility, and fewer transfers
- ✔️ Travel time: ~4–6 hours (private car + ferry)
- ✔️ Cost: $70–150 per car + $8–18 ferry ticket
- ✔️ Comfort: high (private modern car + ferry)
- ✅ Best Option: Private car to Surat Thani + ferry to Koh Samui
- 💡 Tip: Book car and ferry tickets online in advance for smooth transfer.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Great for groups to split costs and travel comfortably.
A) Private Taxi / Car from Khao Lak to Surat Thani
You can travel from Khao Lak to Surat Thani by private taxi or car via Khao Sok National Park. This is the fastest and most comfortable option, taking about 2-4 hours. Prices range from $70-150 per vehicle. Transfers are available with companies such as Andaman Taxis, Call Me Taxi, Glassflower, Kim Transfers Thailand, Van2Travel and others.
B) Ferry / Boat from Surat Thani to Koh Samui
From Surat Thani you can continue to Koh Samui by ferry or speedboat. The crossing takes about 1.5-2 hours and tickets cost around $8-18 per person. Ferries are operated by Raja Ferry, Lomprayah and Seatran. Read more: Surat Thani to Koh Samui – Ferry Timetable
3. VAN / TAXI + FLIGHT from Khao Lak to Koh Samui
👉 Van/taxi + flight via Phuket is the fastest way to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Samui.
- ✔️ Best for: travelers who want to minimize travel time
- ✔️ Travel time: ~3–5 hours (transfer to airport + flight)
- ✔️ Cost: $100–170 per person (van/taxi + flight)
- ✔️ Comfort: high (minivan or private car + short flight)
- ✅ Best Option: Minivan or taxi to Phuket Airport + direct flight to Koh Samui
- 💡 Tip: Book transfers and flights online in advance for best prices.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Choose private transfer for faster airport connection.
A) Van / Bus or Private Taxi from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport
You can travel from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport by minivan, bus, or private taxi. The journey takes about 1.5-2.5 hours over a distance of 80 km. Minivan tickets cost around $7-23 per person, while private cars cost about $45-70 per vehicle. Services are available from Call Me Taxi, Phuket Plus, Phuket Bus and Van Travel, and other operators.
B) Direct Flight from Phuket to Koh Samui
From Phuket Airport you can take a direct flight to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways. The flight takes about 1 hour and tickets cost around $90-150 per person. This is the fastest way to reach Koh Samui. Read more: How to go to Koh Samui from Phuket?
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel from Khao Lak to Koh Samui:
How can you book tickets from Khao Lak to Koh Samui?
Book van, ferry and flight tickets online with 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜. Both websites also offer other routes in Thailand.
How long does it take to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Samui?
Travel takes about 9-10 hours by van + ferry, 7-9 hours by private taxi + ferry, or 4-6 hours via Phuket Airport by flight.
What is the distance from Khao Lak to Koh Samui?
The travel distance via Surat Thani is approximately 300 km.
How much does it cost to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Samui?
Van + ferry costs $26-45, private taxi + ferry $80-130 per car, and travel via Phuket Airport with a flight costs about $110-200 per person.
What is the best way to get from Khao Lak to Koh Samui?
The fastest option is a transfer to Phuket Airport followed by a direct flight to Koh Samui.
What is the cheapest way to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Samui?
The cheapest option is a van + ferry via Khao Sok National Park and Surat Thani, from about $26 per person.
How do you travel from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?
You can travel by ferry or speedboat. The journey takes about 30-90 minutes. See Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.
Is there a train from Khao Lak to Surat Thani?
No. There is no railway between Khao Lak and Surat Thani.
Are there direct flights from Khao Lak to Koh Samui?
No. Travel via Phuket Airport, about 80 km from Khao Lak, and take a direct Bangkok Airways flight. See Phuket to Koh Samui.
Where should you stay on Koh Samui?
Koh Samui offers hotels, resorts, bungalows and guesthouses. Book accommodation on Koh Samui ➜.
What are the best islands to visit in Thailand?
Thailand has many beautiful islands in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. See The Best Islands in Thailand.
Is Thailand good for solo travel?
Yes. Thailand is one of Asia’s best destinations for solo travelers. Read Solo Travel in Thailand.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Khao Lak to Koh Samui
Traveling from Khao Lak to Koh Samui requires a combination of road transport and a ferry, or a flight via Phuket Airport.
- Best Value: Van + ferry via Surat Thani offers the best balance of price and convenience.
- Fastest Route: Travel to Phuket Airport and take a direct flight to Koh Samui.
- Book Early: Ferries and flights can sell out during weekends and the high season.
- Travel Time: Expect about 4-10 hours depending on the transport option.
- Private Transfer: A private taxi is the most comfortable option for families or groups.
- Weather: Ferry schedules may change during the rainy season due to rough seas.
Tip: Van, ferry, taxi and flight tickets from Khao Lak to Koh Samui can be searched and booked online in advance.