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How to Get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui

How to get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui: car ferry from Donsak, combined bus and ferry tickets, speedboat and private transfers.

Thailand Surat ThaniKoh Samui

Last updated: November 11, 2026

How to Get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui

Photo: Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Contents

The crossing is part of the trip: you leave the mainland behind and watch the wooded hills of Koh Samui rise out of the Gulf of Thailand. Most journeys combine a road transfer to a pier with a ferry, so the choice comes down to which ticket bundles both.

Train, Bus, Flight and Ferry tickets

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Surat Thani to Koh Samui by Car Ferry

Raja Ferry sails from Donsak pier on the mainland to Lipa Noi Pier on Koh Samui every hour from 04:00 to 19:00, and the crossing takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.[1] The fare is 220 THB.[2] You arrange the road transfer from Surat Thani to Donsak separately.

Combined Tickets and Speedboat

Seatran Discovery lists bus and ferry transfers between Surat Thani, Donsak and the Koh Samui piers.[3] On booking platforms a speedboat crossing from Surat Thani to Koh Samui takes about 2 hours and costs about 700 THB (November 2026).[4]

Surat Thani to Koh Samui by Private Transfer

A private transfer takes you from the airport, the train station or your hotel in Surat Thani to the pier and often on to the island. Vans seat 9 to 10 passengers, which suits families and groups, and prices on booking platforms start at about 650 THB (November 2026), depending on the vehicle and the pickup point.[4]

Tips for Traveling from Surat Thani to Koh Samui

  • Check the pier: Make sure your ticket names the pier you need on Samui, because the island is large.
  • Book ahead in high season for speedboat and combined tickets.
  • Allow slack in bad weather: Heavy rain or high winds can delay or cancel crossings, so keep a buffer before a flight.

Timetable

Surat Thani - Koh Samui More info / Tickets
Ferry Surat Thani - Koh Samui $ 20.65 2h
  • โ†’ย  Speedboat 12:00
Taxi Surat Thani - Koh Samui $ 19.18โ€“340.81 30m โ€“ 4h 30m
  • โ†’ย  Van 9pax
  • โ†’ย  SUV 4pax
  • โ†’ย  Economy 2pax
  • โ†’ย  Van 10pax
  • โ†’ย  Economy

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book tickets from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?

Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Surat Thani to Koh Samui, including current prices and schedules.

What is the cheapest way to get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?

The Raja Ferry car ferry from Donsak to Lipa Noi is an inexpensive crossing at 220 THB, plus your transfer to the Donsak pier.

What is the fastest way to get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?

Booking platforms list a speedboat crossing of about 2 hours. The car ferry from Donsak takes about 1 hour 30 minutes on the water, plus the road to the pier.

How long does it take to get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?

Allow from about 2 hours for the crossing and the pier transfer together, and more if you need to travel to Donsak first.

Are there private options for groups?

Yes. Private vans for 9 to 10 passengers are available, from the airport, the station or the city centre.

Do I need to book my ferry ticket in advance?

The car ferry sails hourly, so you rarely wait long. Book ahead for speedboat and combined tickets, especially in high season.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In very heavy rain or high winds, ferry and speedboat departures can be delayed or cancelled. Stay in touch with your operator during the monsoon season.

Sources and background

Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.

  1. [1] Raja Ferry Port PLC: Sailing schedule. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
  2. [2] Raja Ferry Port: Raja Ferry Port. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
  3. [3] Seatran Discovery: Seatran Discovery: bus and ferry transfers. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
  4. [4] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Surat Thani - Koh Samui. Retrieved November 11, 2026.

Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.