Traveling from Surat Thani to Koh Samui is straightforward once you understand the difference between the mainland transport hubs and the island ferry piers. For most travelers, the most practical route is a combined road-and-ferry journey via Donsak, while flying is generally more useful when traveling to Samui from Bangkok or another major city.
One important correction to older versions of this guide: there is no regular direct flight from Surat Thani Airport (URT) to Koh Samui Airport (USM). If you are already in Surat Thani, taking a road transfer to Donsak and continuing by ferry is normally the most sensible option.
At a glance
| Route | Approx. journey time | Typical one-way cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surat Thani → Donsak → Koh Samui | About 3–4 hours from the airport | From around THB 520 with an airport-ferry combination | Most travelers |
| Surat Thani town → Donsak → Koh Samui | About 2.5–4 hours | Varies by transfer | Travelers staying in town |
| Surat Thani Railway Station → Donsak → Koh Samui | About 3.5–5 hours | Varies by transfer | Travelers arriving by train |
| Donsak → Koh Samui by car ferry | 1.5 hours | About THB 190 per passenger | Travelers already at Donsak |
| Bangkok → Koh Samui by air | About 1 hour in the air | Often substantially more expensive | Travelers prioritizing speed |
Travel times vary according to the starting point, road traffic, ferry waiting time and the specific connection chosen.
1. The easiest option: Surat Thani Airport to Koh Samui by bus and ferry
For travelers arriving at Surat Thani Airport (URT), the simplest option is a combined road-and-ferry service.
The journey generally works as follows:
Surat Thani Airport → Donsak Pier → Koh Samui
The road transfer from the airport to Donsak takes roughly 1.5 hours, followed by a ferry crossing of about 1.5 hours. Allow additional time for check-in and waiting between connections.
Raja Ferry currently lists a combined Surat Thani Airport–Koh Samui service departing the airport at 09:00 and arriving at Lipa Noi Pier at 12:30, priced at THB 520 per passenger. Schedules and fares can change, so they should be checked before departure.
This option is particularly useful because you do not need to arrange the airport transfer and ferry separately.
Where will you arrive on Koh Samui?
The arrival pier matters because Koh Samui is a large island and travel time to your hotel can vary considerably.
- Lipa Noi Pier: on the southwest coast; commonly used by Raja Ferry.
- Nathon Pier: on the west coast; commonly served by Seatran Ferry and some high-speed ferry services.
If your accommodation is around Chaweng, Bophut or the northeast coast, check the distance from the arrival pier before choosing a service.
2. Donsak to Koh Samui by ferry
If you are already in Donsak, the ferry crossing itself is simple.
Raja Ferry currently lists the Donsak–Lipa Noi route at THB 190 per passenger, with a sailing time of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Its published timetable shows regular departures throughout the day, including services from early morning into the evening.
Seatran Ferry also operates the Donsak–Nathon route. Its current published fares show THB 190 per passenger for a crossing of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
The choice is therefore less about the basic ferry price and more about which pier is more convenient for your accommodation.
Raja Ferry: Donsak to Lipa Noi
- Crossing time: about 1 hour 30 minutes
- Passenger fare: about THB 190
- Arrival: Lipa Noi Pier
- Suitable for: travelers heading toward southwest, west and central Samui
Raja Ferry’s published schedule currently shows departures approximately hourly on the Donsak–Koh Samui route, although operating patterns can change.
Seatran Ferry: Donsak to Nathon
- Crossing time: about 1 hour 30 minutes
- Passenger fare: about THB 190
- Arrival: Nathon Pier
- Suitable for: travelers heading toward western and northern parts of Samui
Seatran’s published schedules show multiple daily departures, with individual sailing times varying by date.
3. From Surat Thani Railway Station to Koh Samui
Travelers arriving on the overnight train from Bangkok should remember that Surat Thani Railway Station is not in Surat Thani city. The station is in Phunphin, approximately 20–30 km from central Surat Thani.
From the railway station, you need a road transfer to Donsak before taking the ferry to Koh Samui.
A typical journey is:
Surat Thani Railway Station → Donsak Pier → Koh Samui
Allow roughly 3.5–5 hours in total, depending on the transfer and ferry connection.
If you arrive on a morning train, a combined transfer-and-ferry service can be more convenient than arranging each section independently. Raja Ferry confirms that transfers from Surat Thani Railway Station to its Donsak terminal are available.
For travelers arriving on a late train, it is particularly important to check the ferry schedule before traveling. Missing the final suitable connection can mean a long wait on the mainland.
4. From Surat Thani town to Koh Samui
If you are staying in Surat Thani city, you can travel by road to Donsak and then continue by ferry.
The route is:
Surat Thani town → Donsak Pier → Koh Samui
The exact journey time depends on your pickup point and traffic, but allowing several hours from central Surat Thani to your Samui accommodation is sensible.
Another option is to use a ferry service departing from Tapee Pier in Surat Thani, where Lomprayah operates services connecting the mainland with the Gulf islands. Lomprayah’s 2026 timetable includes Surat Thani and Donsak routes, although departures vary by route and date.
This can be useful for travelers who prefer a high-speed ferry rather than a conventional car ferry, but the available route and schedule should be checked for the specific travel date.
5. What about flying to Koh Samui?
Flying is often misunderstood when planning this journey.
If you are already in Surat Thani, flying is not normally a practical way to reach Koh Samui because Surat Thani Airport does not have a regular direct passenger flight to Samui Airport.
Koh Samui International Airport (USM) is a separate airport on the island and is operated by Bangkok Airways.
Therefore, if your journey begins in Bangkok, flying directly to Samui can make excellent sense. If you have already arrived in Surat Thani, however, traveling by road and ferry is usually the more logical choice.
When flying makes sense
Consider flying if:
- You are starting your journey in Bangkok rather than Surat Thani.
- You have a tight schedule.
- You want to avoid the ferry crossing.
- The additional airfare is acceptable for your budget.
For travelers already in Surat Thani, the ferry route is usually simpler than returning to an airport and attempting to connect through another city.
6. Can you take an overnight boat?
Older travel guides sometimes describe an overnight boat directly from Surat Thani town to Koh Samui as a standard alternative.
This is a niche option rather than the main route for most visitors. Services and schedules for overnight boats can change considerably, so travelers should not assume that an overnight sailing operates every night.
For most passengers arriving by overnight train, a daytime road-and-ferry connection is easier to plan. If an overnight boat is specifically part of your travel plan, verify the operating date and departure point before relying on it.
7. How much should you budget?
For a basic ferry journey, the current passenger fare from Donsak to Koh Samui is around THB 190 on both Raja Ferry and Seatran Ferry.
The total cost from Surat Thani will be higher because you also need the road transfer.
For example, Raja Ferry currently lists a combined Surat Thani Airport → Koh Samui service at THB 520, with a scheduled journey of approximately 3.5 hours from airport departure to arrival at Lipa Noi.
Actual prices can vary according to the departure point, vehicle type, hotel transfer and travel date.
8. Which Samui ferry pier should you choose?
Choosing the right arrival pier can save considerable time after reaching the island.
| Arrival pier | Location | Best suited to |
| Lipa Noi | Southwest Samui | Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam, west and parts of central Samui |
| Nathon | West Samui | Nathon, Maenam and western/northern areas |
| Other high-speed ferry piers | Various locations | Travelers prioritizing speed or onward island connections |
Before buying a ticket, check your hotel’s location rather than simply choosing the cheapest ferry.
A THB 50–100 saving can be insignificant if it results in a much longer taxi or transfer journey across Samui.
9. The best route for different travelers
Best overall: Bus + ferry
For most travelers coming from Surat Thani, the road-and-ferry combination via Donsak remains the most practical choice.
It offers a straightforward connection, relatively low cost and frequent ferry services.
Best for train travelers: Railway station + transfer + ferry
If you arrive from Bangkok by train, continue directly toward Donsak rather than traveling into Surat Thani city first unless you specifically want to stay there.
Best for airport arrivals: Airport transfer + ferry
A combined airport-to-Samui service is convenient because the road and sea portions are coordinated.
Best for maximum speed: Fly directly to Samui from Bangkok
If speed is the priority and you have not yet reached Surat Thani, a direct flight to Samui is generally more logical than routing through Surat Thani.
10. Important booking and timing tips
- Check the ferry’s departure pier carefully: Lipa Noi and Nathon are not interchangeable.
- Leave enough time between your train or flight arrival and the ferry departure.
- Do not rely on an old timetable found online; ferry schedules can change seasonally.
- During periods of rough weather, sea crossings can be delayed or adjusted.
- If traveling with a vehicle, check vehicle fares and boarding requirements separately.
- For a hotel in northern or eastern Samui, compare the final land-transfer distance from each ferry pier.
- If arriving late at Surat Thani Airport, confirm that a suitable ferry connection is still operating before traveling.
Final recommendation
For travelers already in Surat Thani, the most sensible choice is generally road transfer to Donsak followed by a ferry to Koh Samui.
From Donsak, both Raja Ferry and Seatran Ferry currently offer crossings of around 1 hour 30 minutes at approximately THB 190 per passenger.
If arriving at Surat Thani Airport, a combined airport-to-Samui service can simplify the journey; Raja Ferry currently lists a THB 520 option taking approximately 3.5 hours to Lipa Noi.
The key is to choose the ferry according to your starting point and your hotel’s location on Samui rather than focusing only on the ticket price.
FAQs
1. How long does it take from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?
Allow approximately 3–5 hours depending on whether you start at the airport, railway station or in Surat Thani town. The ferry itself takes about 1.5 hours.
2. How much is the ferry from Donsak to Koh Samui?
The current passenger fare is approximately THB 190 one way on Raja Ferry and Seatran Ferry.
3. Which ferry pier does Raja Ferry use in Koh Samui?
Raja Ferry operates between Donsak and Lipa Noi Pier on Koh Samui.
4. Which ferry pier does Seatran use?
Seatran operates between Donsak and Nathon Pier on Koh Samui.
5. Is there a direct flight from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?
No regular direct passenger flight should be assumed between Surat Thani Airport and Koh Samui Airport. Travelers already in Surat Thani generally travel by road and ferry.
6. Can I travel from Surat Thani Airport directly to Koh Samui?
Yes. Combined airport-to-ferry services are available. Raja Ferry currently lists a Surat Thani Airport–Lipa Noi service at THB 520, with a scheduled journey of approximately 3.5 hours.
7. Is it better to use Lipa Noi or Nathon Pier?
It depends on your accommodation. Lipa Noi is on the southwest coast, while Nathon is on the west coast. Choose the pier that minimizes your onward transfer.
8. Can I take a car on the ferry?
Yes. Raja Ferry and Seatran operate vehicle ferries between the mainland and Koh Samui. Vehicle fares are charged separately from passenger fares, so check the current rate for your vehicle before departure.
9. Can I travel from Surat Thani Railway Station to Koh Samui?
Yes. You need a road transfer from the railway station to a ferry terminal, usually Donsak, followed by the ferry to Samui. Allow several hours for the complete journey.
10. Should I book the ferry in advance?
Advance booking is useful during busy periods, particularly when traveling with a vehicle or when you have a flight or train connection to meet. For independent travelers, also check the latest sailing schedule because ferry times can change.
For a Complete Travel Guide
For more detailed information on transportation options, booking tips, itinerary suggestions, and everything you need to know about planning your trip, visit our full guide:
