Quick answer: Travelling from Koh Samui to Phuket offers several options: ferry/boat + van/minibus, flight, or ferry + taxi. Ferry + van is budget‑friendly; flight is the fastest; ferry + taxi offers flexible door‑to‑door transfer. You can book tickets from Koh Samui to Phuket easily online in advance.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. 350 km (combined sea & land).
- ⏱️ Travel time: Ferry/Boat + Van ~6–10 hours | Flight ~1 hour | Ferry + Taxi ~6–8 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Ferry/Boat + Van US$ 20–40 pp | Flight US$ 100–230 pp | Ferry + Taxi US$ 200–320.
- 🚢 Ferry/Boat + Van: Sea crossing from Koh Samui then land transport by van or minibus to Phuket.
- ✈️ Flight: Direct flight from Koh Samui to Phuket.
- 🚕 Ferry + Taxi: Ferry from Koh Samui and private taxi transfer to Phuket.
Last updated in July 2026
From Koh Samui to Phuket you can travel by ferry + bus/van, flight or private car.
Travel distance from Koh Samui to Phuket is about 350 km via Surat Thani. There are 3 ways to travel: ferry + bus/van, direct flight or private car + ferry. The most popular and cheapest option is a combined ferry and bus/van transfer, taking about 6–10 hours and costing around $20–40 per person.
The fastest option is a direct flight from Koh Samui Airport to Phuket Airport. Flights take about 1 hour, cost around $100–230 per person and are operated by Bangkok Airways. You can also travel by private car + ferry via Surat Thani. From Phuket you can continue by ferry to Koh Phi Phi or Krabi.
There is no railway to Phuket, so train travel is not possible. Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and a great base for visiting Koh Yao Yai, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. You can easily search and book tickets, flights or private transfers online in advance.
How do I get from Koh Samui to Phuket?
1. FERRY + BUS / VAN from Koh Samui to Phuket
The most popular and cheapest way to travel from Koh Samui to Phuket is by a combined ferry and bus/minivan transfer via Don Sak or Surat Thani. This option is ideal for budget travelers and includes a ferry crossing followed by a bus or minivan to Phuket.
Combined transfers are offered by companies such as Lomprayah, Phantip 1970, Raja Ferry, Faiz Travel and Tour, Call Me Taxi and 12Go Transport. Some tickets also include hotel transfer on Koh Samui. Buses arrive at Phuket Bus Terminal, Patong, Kata, Karon, Phuket Airport and other popular destinations.
The journey takes about 6–10 hours and costs around $20–40 per person. Departure points, arrival locations and transfer details are shown when booking online, where you can also reserve your tickets in advance.
| Operator | Departure (Koh Samui) | Arrival (Phuket) | Join Tickets (Price) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phantip 1970 | 08:00 | 16:30 | From $18.40 |
| Phantip 1970 | 10:00 | 17:00 | From $19.00 |
| Phantip 1970 | 12:00 | 19:30 | From $27.00 |
| Raja Ferry | 05:30 | 16:00 | From $19.00 |
| Raja Ferry | 07:00 | 17:00 | From $27.00 |
| Raja Ferry | 09:00 | 17:00 | From $20.00 |
| Raja Ferry | 11:00 | 18:30 | From $20.00 |
| Lomprayah | 11:45 | 18:30 | From $38.00 |
| Faiz Travel and Tour | 08:20 | 18:00 | From $24.00 |
| Faiz Travel and Tour | 10:20 | 20:00 | From $24.00 |
| 12GO Transport | 10:00 | 17:00 | From $22.00 |
| 12GO Transport | 12:00 | 18:30 | From $22.00 |
| Call Me Taxi | 12:00 | 19:30 | From $25.00 |
2. DIRECT FLIGHT from Koh Samui to Phuket
The fastest and most comfortable way to travel from Koh Samui to Phuket is by direct flight. Bangkok Airways operates direct flights between Koh Samui Airport and Phuket Airport. The flight takes about 1 hour, while the total travel time including airport transfers is around 5–6 hours.
Direct flights usually cost about $100–140 per person, while connecting flights via Bangkok can cost up to $230 per person. Direct flights are limited, so it is recommended to book early.
Flight tickets can be booked online in advance. From Phuket Airport you can continue to Patong or Karon / Kata by shuttle bus or private taxi.
BOOK DIRECT FLIGHT to Phuket ➜
3. FERRY + TAXI/CAR from Koh Samui to Phuket
A private car with ferry is the most comfortable, but also the most expensive way to travel from Koh Samui to Phuket. This option includes a ferry crossing to Don Sak followed by a private transfer to Phuket. You can choose your departure point on Koh Samui and your destination in Phuket.
Private transfers are offered by companies such as Bangkok Taxi24, Faiz Travel and Tour, Glassflower, Van2Travel, Firstplan Transport Services and Kanokwan Travel. You can choose from standard cars, SUVs or larger minivans for groups.
The journey takes about 6–8 hours and costs around $200–320 per vehicle. Minivans are ideal for groups because the fare can be shared. Private transfers can be booked online in advance.
| Taxi Service | Travel Time | Price (Car) |
|---|---|---|
| Faiz Travel and Tour | 06:10 | From $211.00 |
| Firtsplan Transport Services | 08:00 | From $323.00 |
| Van2Travel | 08:00 | From $229.00 |
| Kanokwan Travel | 07:00 | From $272.00 |
| Glassflower | 08:00 | From $226.00 |
| Bangkok Taxi 24 | 08:00 | From $238.00 |
❓ FAQ + Tips – Transfer from Koh Samui to Phuket
How to book tickets and flights from Koh Samui to Phuket?
How long does it take to travel from Koh Samui to Phuket?
Travel takes about 6–10 hours by ferry + bus, around 1 hour by direct flight, or 6–8 hours by private car and ferry.
What is the distance from Koh Samui to Phuket?
The journey covers approximately 350 km by land and ferry via Surat Thani.
How much does it cost to travel from Koh Samui to Phuket?
Expect to pay about $20–40 by ferry + bus, $100–230 by direct flight, or $200–320 per vehicle for a private transfer.
What is the best way to travel from Koh Samui to Phuket?
The fastest and most comfortable option is a direct Bangkok Airways flight, taking only about 1 hour.
What is the cheapest option?
The cheapest option is a combined ferry and bus/minivan via Surat Thani, with fares starting from about $20 per person.
Is there a train from Koh Samui to Phuket?
No. There is no railway between Surat Thani and Phuket, so train travel is not available.
Can I travel via Krabi?
Yes. You can fly to Krabi and continue to Phuket by ferry, bus or private transfer if you want to visit Krabi first.
Where can I travel from Phuket?
Popular routes include Koh Yao Yai, Ao Nang and Railay Beach by ferry or speedboat.
Where should I stay in Phuket?
Phuket offers everything from budget hotels and hostels to luxury beach resorts.
Is Phuket good for solo travelers?
Yes. Phuket is one of Thailand’s top destinations for solo travelers, with excellent transport, beaches and many accommodation options.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Koh Samui to Phuket
Traveling from Koh Samui to Phuket is easy by direct flight or by ferry and bus via Surat Thani. Your best option depends on your budget, schedule and travel style.
- Fastest Option: A direct Bangkok Airways flight takes only about 1 hour.
- Best Budget Choice: Combined ferry and bus tickets via Surat Thani are the cheapest and most popular option.
- Book Early: Flights and ferry connections often sell out during holidays and the high season.
- Allow Extra Time: Ferry departures can occasionally be delayed due to weather or sea conditions.
- Private Transfer: A private car with ferry is the most comfortable option for families or small groups.
- Continue Your Trip: From Phuket you can easily travel to Koh Phi Phi, Krabi or Koh Yao Yai by ferry.
Tip: Ferry, bus, flight and private transfer tickets from Koh Samui to Phuket can be searched and booked online in advance.