Ferry + bus
Best balance of price and time with direct combined ticket
High-speed ferry
Fastest option around 1.5–2.5 hours but higher ticket price
Standard ferry
Cheapest option, slower crossing with basic seating onboard
Ferry + train transfer
Requires extra transfer to station, longer overall travel time
Quick answer: Travelling from Koh Samui to Surat Thani is easy by ferry or speedboat, often combined with a bus or minivan transfer. Ferry + bus is the most popular and affordable option, while private transfers offer more flexibility. You can book tickets from Koh Samui to Surat Thani online in advance.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. 40 km by sea to Donsak Pier, then about 100 km by road.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Ferry / Speedboat ~2–2.5 hours | Ferry + Bus/Minivan ~3–6 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Ferry / Ferry + Bus US$8–25 pp | Private Car + Ferry US$70–210 per vehicle.
- 🚢 Ferry / Speedboat: Departures from Nathon, Lipa Noi or Bangrak to Donsak or Tapee Pier.
- 🚍 Ferry + Bus/Minivan: Combined transfers to Surat Thani town, railway station or airport.
Last updated in April 2026
From Koh Samui to Surat Thani you can travel by ferry, speedboat + bus/van.
Travel distance from Koh Samui to Surat Thani is about 40 km by sea to Donsak and around 100 km to Surat Thani town. The only way to travel is by ferry or speedboat, often combined with a bus or minivan transfer. The journey takes about 2–6 hours and tickets cost around $8–26 per person.
Boats depart from Nathon, Lipa Noi or Bangrak Pier and arrive at Donsak, Tapee Pier or Laem Thuat. Services are operated by Lomprayah, Phantip 1970, Seatran Discovery and Raja Ferry. Private car + ferry transfers are also available for travelers who prefer more flexibility.
Koh Samui has an airport with direct flights to Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi, but there are no flights or trains to Surat Thani. From Surat Thani you can continue to Khao Sok National Park, Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta.
| Transfer Mode – Koh Samui to Surat Thani: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry / Boat | 2–2.5 hours | $8–25/pp |
| Ferry + Bus / Van | 3–6 hours | $8–25/pp |
| Ferry + Private Taxi / Car | 3.5–5.5 hours | $70–210/car |
How do I get from Koh Samui to Surat Thani?
1. FERRY / BOAT from Koh Samui to Surat Thani (or Don Sak)
👉 Ferry or speedboat is the most popular way to travel from Koh Samui to Surat Thani.
- ✔️ Best for: direct island-to-mainland transfers
- ✔️ Travel time: ~1–2.5 hours (depends on route and pier)
- ✔️ Cost: $8–18 per person (varies by company and season)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (ferries and modern speedboats)
- ✅ Best Option: Lomprayah, Seatran Ferry or Raja Ferry
- 💡 Tip: Book online in advance and arrive at least 60 minutes early.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Morning departures offer the best onward connections.
Ferries and speedboats from Koh Samui arrive at Tapee Pier Lomprayah or the Donsak ferry terminals, including Lomprayah Pier and Raja Ferry Pier. Boats depart from Nathon, Lipa Noi or Bangrak Pier and are operated by Lomprayah, Seatran Ferry, Raja Ferry and other local companies.
Many operators also offer combined ferry + bus or minivan tickets to Surat Thani town, the railway station or the airport. These combined transfers are the most convenient option for most travelers. The journey takes about 1–2.5 hours and tickets cost around $8–18 per person.
Book your ferry tickets online in advance, especially during the high season. Arrive at the departure pier at least 60 minutes before departure, as boarding usually closes early and occasional weather delays can occur.
2. FERRY + BUS/VAN from Koh Samui to Surat Thani
👉 Ferry + bus/van is the most convenient way to travel from Koh Samui to Surat Thani.
- ✔️ Best for: transfers to the city, airport or railway station
- ✔️ Travel time: ~3–6 hours (depends on route and connections)
- ✔️ Cost: $12–25 per person (ferry + land transfer)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (ferry with bus or minivan)
- ✅ Best Option: Lomprayah, Phantip 1970 or Seatran Discovery
- 💡 Tip: Book a combined ticket online for an easier transfer.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Choose the drop-off point that matches your onward trip.
A combined ferry + bus or minivan transfer is the most practical option for reaching Surat Thani from Koh Samui. These services include the ferry crossing as well as transport to Surat Thani town, the railway station or the airport, saving you the hassle of arranging another transfer from Donsak Pier.
Companies such as Lomprayah, Phantip 1970, Seatran Discovery, Raja Ferry, Faiz Travel and Tour, 12GO Transport and Phangan Tour 2000 operate these combined services. Departures are available from several locations on Koh Samui, and arrival points depend on the ticket you choose.
The total journey takes about 3–6 hours and combined tickets cost around $12–25 per person. Book online in advance and check your departure and arrival details carefully before traveling.
3. FERRY + TAXI/CAR from Koh Samui to Surat Thani
👉 Ferry + private taxi/car is the most comfortable way to travel from Koh Samui to Surat Thani.
- ✔️ Best for: groups and travelers seeking door-to-door service
- ✔️ Travel time: ~3–5 hours (depends on route and traffic)
- ✔️ Cost: $70–210 per car (depends on vehicle type)
- ✔️ Comfort: high (ferry + private car or minivan)
- ✅ Best Option: Private minivan for groups or a smaller car for 1–3 travelers
- 💡 Tip: Split the fare to reduce the cost per person.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Choose your preferred pickup and drop-off locations when booking.
Another option is a combined ferry + private car transfer via Donsak. Ferries operated by Seatran, Lomprayah or Raja Ferry connect Koh Samui with the mainland, where a private driver continues to Surat Thani. This option allows hotel, airport or pier pickup on Koh Samui and drop-off anywhere in Surat Thani, including the airport or railway station.
Private transfers are available from companies such as Bangkok Taxi24 and Van2Travel. Most vehicles are modern minivans for groups, although smaller private cars are sometimes available for fewer passengers.
The total journey takes about 3–5 hours and costs around $70–210 per vehicle. Booking online in advance is recommended, especially during the high season, and sharing the fare makes this option more affordable for groups.
BOOK TAXI + FERRY to Surat Thani ➜
| Ferry Company | Departure in Koh Samui | Arrival in Surat Thani |
|---|---|---|
| Lomprayah | 08:30 | 11:00 |
| Lomprayah | 11:45 | 14:00 |
| Phantip 1970 | 08:00 | 11:00 |
| Phantip 1970 | 06:00 | 09:30 |
| Phantip 1970 | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Phantip 1970 | 12:00 | 15:00 |
| Phantip 1970 | 14:00 | 17:00 |
| Raja Ferry | 04:00 | 09:00 |
| Raja Ferry | 05:30 | 09:00 |
| Raja Ferry | 08:30 | 12:30 |
| Raja Ferry | 10:00 | 13:30 |
| Raja Ferry | 11:30 | 15:00 |
| Raja Ferry | 14:30 | 18:00 |
| Raja Ferry | 17:00 | 21:00 |
| 12GO Transport | 06:00 | 10:30 |
| 12GO Transport | 08:00 | 11:30 |
| 12GO Transport | 10:00 | 13:45 |
| 12GO Transport | 12:00 | 15:30 |
| 12GO Transport | 14:00 | 17:30 |
| Seatran Ferry | 06:00 | 09:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 07:00 | 10:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 08:00 | 11:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 09:00 | 12:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 11:00 | 14:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 12:00 | 15:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 13:00 | 16:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 14:00 | 18:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 15:00 | 18:00 |
| Seatran Ferry | 16:00 | 19:00 |
BOOK your HOTEL in Surat Thani ➜
❓ FAQ – Travel route from Koh Samui to Surat Thani:
How to book and buy tickets from Koh Samui to Surat Thani?
Book ferry, bus + ferry or private transfer tickets online via 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜. You can also book other routes.
What is the travel time from Koh Samui to Surat Thani?
Ferry or speedboat takes about 2–2.5 hours. Combined ferry + bus, minivan or taxi takes about 3–6 hours.
What is the travel distance from Koh Samui to Surat Thani?
The ferry route to Donsak is about 40 km, while Surat Thani town is about 100 km from Koh Samui.
How much does it cost to travel from Koh Samui to Surat Thani?
Ferry or ferry + bus tickets cost about $8–25/pp. Ferry + private taxi costs about $70–210 per vehicle.
Where can you arrive in Surat Thani?
You can arrive at Tapee Pier, Surat Thani town, the railway station, or Surat Thani Airport.
Is there a train from Raja Ferry Port in Donsak to Surat Thani town?
No. Transfers from Donsak are available by bus, minivan or private taxi only.
Are there any flights from Koh Samui to Surat Thani?
No. There are no direct flights, so you have to travel by ferry or speedboat.
Are ferry e-tickets from Koh Samui to Surat Thani accepted?
Yes. Most operators accept e-tickets on your smartphone, although a printed copy is recommended.
How to find and book a hotel or resort in Surat Thani?
Surat Thani offers budget guesthouses, resorts and hotels. You can also browse these cheap hotels in Surat Thani.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Koh Samui to Surat Thani
Traveling from Koh Samui to Surat Thani requires a ferry crossing to the mainland. You can travel by ferry, ferry + bus/minivan, or ferry + private car.
- Best Option: Combined ferry + bus/minivan tickets are the most practical choice.
- Choose the Right Arrival: Select Surat Thani town, the railway station, the airport, or Donsak Pier.
- Departure Piers: Boats leave from Nathon, Lipa Noi, or Bangrak, depending on the operator.
- Weather: Check the weather forecast for Koh Samui during the rainy season.
- Book Early: Popular departures can sell out during weekends and holidays.
- Allow Extra Time: Leave some time for ferry delays if you have onward transport.
Tip: Ferry and combined transfer tickets to Surat Thani can be searched and booked online in advance.