Getting to Koh Samui is paradoxically one of the biggest disadvantages of the island within Thailand.

Not because it is difficult. But because:

• it's expensive by air
• the alternatives are slower

On the other hand, this is why Samui keeps a bit more of an "exclusive vibe" than other islands in Thailand.

By air to Koh Samui (fastest, but more expensive)

The easiest option is to fly directly to Koh Samui airport (USM).

The problem is the price of flights. Domestic flights from Bangkok or Chiang Mai are commonly up to 8x more expensive than to Phuket, Krabi and other Thai destinations.

And international flights are also usually 2-3x more expensive than to other Thai destinations.

This is because the local airport is owned by Bangkok Airways and thus has a near monopoly.

Which airlines fly to Koh Samui?

Practically only two:

• Bangkok Airways - the vast majority of flights
  • Bangkok BKK, Bangkok DMK, Chiang Mai CNX, Krabi KBV, Pattaya UTP, Phuket HKT
  • Direct international flights: Hong Kong HKG, Singapore SIN
  • Book a flight at bangkokair.com
• Scoot
  • International flights to Singapore SIN airport only

This means:

• No low-cost competition (neither AirAsia, VietJetAir nor Nok Air fly here)
• higher prices than elsewhere in Thailand

How much do tickets to Koh Samui cost?

This is where the biggest surprises tend to be.

• Bangkok → Koh Samui: normally 165 usd to 300 usd one way
• sometimes more (especially around Christmas and New Year, and Chinese New Year celebrations)

Check prices at bangkokairways.com

How do transfers work on one ticket?

This is important - and a lot of people don't know it.

Bangkok Airways works with dozens of airlines.

What does this mean in practice?

You can buy one ticket:

• Frankfurt → Bangkok → Koh Samui
• Vienna → Singapore → Koh Samui
• Sydney → Bangkok → Koh Samui
• Tokyo → Bangkok → Koh Samui
• and more

In this case:

• you can check in your luggage at your destination (even if you change in Bangkok)
• you are guaranteed a transfer
• you only need to make one booking

However, international connections with one booking can also be bought on Scoot airlines.

Compare flight prices to Koh Samui

Which airports do I fly to Koh Samui via?

Most common connections:

• Bangkok (BKK)
• Phuket (HKT)
• Singapore (SIN)

Bangkok and Singapore are the most common and easiest options.

Find out more useful information and check out our experiences:

• 👉 What to do in Bangkok when changing planes
• 👉 What to see in Singapore
• 👉 How to fill out your Singapore arrival card
• 👉 F ree visa to Thailand - how to get one

Ferry to Koh Samui (cheaper but slower)

If you don't want to fly directly to Koh Samui, a combination of land + ferry awaits you.

• There is no one "ferry route"
• There are 3 main access routes, which differ substantially in time, cost and comfort

Compare ferry prices - 12go.asia

Main directions to Koh Samui

Regular ferries depart from these 3 ports on the Thai mainland

• 1) Donsak Pier - most frequent, cheapest, fastest
  • you will most often be taken to this port by bus if you buy a boat ticket combined with a transfer from Surat Thani or Nakon si Thammarat airports
• 2) Surat Thani - directly from the city centre
  • if you are staying overnight in Surat Thani
  • some companies transport passengers from Surat Thani airport via this port
• 3) Chumphon - convenient when travelling overland from Bangkok or Ranong (closer than Donsak/Surat Thani)
  • most boats stop at Koh Tao

Over 90% of boats depart from Donsak pier.

1) Surat Thani (Donsak) → Koh Samui

The main route that most people will take

Where exactly do the ferries run from?

From the Donsak area (about 60 km from Surat Thani):

• Seatran Ferry Pier
• Raja Ferry Pier
• Lomprayah Pier

All piers are in the Donsak area and are always marked on the ticket.

If you take a taxi / Grab / Bolt to the pier, always enter the exact name of the pier.

We also travelled via Donsak from Surat Thani airport (with Lomprayah). The dock has a small waiting area, dirty toilets and a mini-shop with drinks, fruit, sweets or sandwiches.

How often do the ferries run?

Here's an important difference from other destinations:

Ferries run very frequently - practically every hour.

• The first ships arrive around 05:00
• the last one around 19:00

How long does the ferry Donsak - Koh Samui take?

• Classic ferry (Seatran and Raja Ferry): 1.5 hours
• fast boat (Lomprayah): 45-60 minutes

How much does the ferry cost?

👉 Basic prices Donsak - Koh Samui:

• Seatran / Raja → approx. 200 thb
• fast boats Lomprayah → approx. 450 thb

👉 combination (bus from Surat Thani / Nakhon Si Thammarat airport + ferry):

• Seatran / Raja → approx. 530 thb
• fast boats Lomprayah → approx. 850 thb

This combination bought directly from the shipping company is cheaper than Grab / Bolt from airport to port + ferry.

As there are 3 different companies on the route, we used the 12go comparator that we always use when travelling in Asia.

Book your ferry ticket - 12go.asia

How long does the whole journey from Bangkok take?

This is key.

👉 Bangkok → Samui via Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat:

• flight + ferry → approx. 5-7 hours
• bus + ferry → approx. 15-17 hours

Compare prices of domestic flights within Thailand

What ports do you use on Samui?

• Nathon Pier → Main (Seatran, Lomprayah)
• Lipa Noi Pier → Raja Ferry

Both piers are on the west side of the island.

All companies also offer a shuttle service in their own minivans from the pier to all hotels on the island.

You can purchase a minivan ticket in cash either directly on the ship or in advance via the 12go.asia website.

2) Surat Thani Centre → Koh Samui

A suitable alternative if you are staying in Surat Thani for 1 night before travelling to Koh Samui.

The pier is called Tapee Pier.

You don't have to travel by taxi or via Grab/Bolt 40 minutes to Donsak Pier, but you can sail directly from the centre of Surat Thani.

How long does it take?

The cruise is longer than from Donsak and takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

This is longer than from Donsak, but you will save on the cost of travelling from Surat Thani city centre by bus or taxi.

The downside is the significantly lower frequency: boats sail only 4-6 times a day.

How much does it cost?

A one-way ticket costs around 780 thb.

Book a ferry ticket - 12go.asia

What ports do they use on Samui?

• Nathon Pier → Main (Seatran, Lomprayah)

3) Chumphon → Koh Samui

Although this route is mainly used for cruises to Koh Tao, ferries go as far as Koh Samui.

It is convenient in two cases:

• from Bangkok you go overland by bus or train (about 3-4 hours less than driving to Surat Thani)
• you find a cheaper flight directly to Chumphon airport (but very low frequency compared to Surat Thani)

How long does it take?

The boats sail for about 4.5 to 5 hours and usually have a stop to drop off and pick up passengers at Koh Tao, less often at Koh Phangan.

How much does a ticket cost?

A one-way ticket from Chumphon to Koh Samui costs 1 200 thb.

Book your ferry ticket - 12go.asia

What ports do they use on Samui?

• Maenam Pier (Lomprayah)
• Bangrak Pier (Boonsiri)

Both piers are on the north coast of Koh Samui.

🚗 Transport from the port to Samui (critical detail)

People underestimate this - and then overpay.

I first thought that the offers of shipping companies to take you from the port directly to your hotel were a priori a tourist scam.

But the opposite is true.

Taxi / Grab / Bolt

This was my first choice.

When I logged into both the Bolt and Grab apps from the boat just before I arrived, the price to our hotel , Homm Chura, at the other end of the island was showing up around 200 thb, which is great!

However, as soon as I confirm the ride, the price automatically increases.

The real price for Nathon Pier → Chaweng is 650 thb to 700 thb.

To Bophut you pay around 600 thb.

In addition, taxis, Grab and Bolt cannot go directly to the boats, but you have to walk about 600 metres to the town centre. Uncomfortable with large suitcases.

A better option (I recommend it)

Buy a transfer to the hotel directly with the ferry ticket.

Alternatively, you can buy this transfer directly on board the boat from the attendant in cash for about 150 thb per person, so 300 thb for 2 to Chaweng. And that's half the cost of a taxi / Grab / Bolt.

You can buy the transfer to the hotel straight away via the 12go website for example.

Find ferries + transfers

How does it work?

If you buy your hotel transfer online, you will receive a transfer ticket at the same time when you check-in at the mainland pier or Surat Thani / Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport.

On the boat, you will get a sticker on your t-shirt with the name of the hotel you are heading to.

When you get off the ferry, the attendant will give you the number of your minivan, which is right by the baggage claim.

The minivan will transport multiple passengers to hotels along the route. The journey therefore takes longer than a taxi, but is more comfortable and cheaper.

Combination: flight + ferry (best value for money)

This is the most interesting option in my opinion if you are travelling from Bangkok and want to save money.

👉 You fly:

• Bangkok → Surat Thani (more frequencies, shorter airport - port transfer)
• Bangkok → Nakhon Si Thammarat

And then:

• bus + ferry

How does the flight + boat combination work?

The whole process is usually well organised:

1. you fly in
2. you find your shipping company's desk at the airport
3. check-in
4. board the bus
5. that will take you to the ferry
6. continue on to Samui

👉 all in one booking

Buy ferry ticket with transfer - 12go

How much does the flight + ferry combination cost?

Approximately between 3 500 thb and 4 500 thb including luggage, which is usually less than half the price of a direct flight with Bangkok Airways straight to Koh Samui.

Does it make sense to fly via Surat Thani?

Yes, if:

• you want to save
• you don't mind a longer transfer

No, if:

• you want to be there quickly
• you are travelling with multiple pieces of luggage

💡 The ideal compromise between price and comfort.

Compare prices for flights Bangkok - Surat Thani

Connections between islands

Koh Samui is the main transport hub for the entire Gulf of Thailand.

In addition to the mainland, Koh Samui can also be reached from the surrounding islands.

How to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?

This is the easiest and most common route.

• 👉 Distance: approx. 15 km
• 👉 Sailing time: 20-45 minutes

Where do the boats arrive on Koh Samui?

• Bangrak Pier / Petcherat Marina → closest to the airport, in the north of the island, most connections (several times per hour)
• Maenam Pier → north of the island, only 6 connections a day
• Nathon Pier → west of the island, only 3-4 connections per day

How often do the boats run?

From Koh Phangan, boats run to Koh Samui several times an hour throughout the day.

How much does the ferry to Koh Phangan cost?

• Fast boats → approx. 300 thb
• slow ferries → approx. 200 thb

The difference in price is not significant, most people choose according to time or port

Find the Koh Phangan - Koh Samui ferry

👉 Read also.

How to get from Koh Tao to Koh Samui?

Here the differences are already greater, as some boats sail directly and others have a stop to drop off and pick up passengers on Koh Phangan.

• 👉 Distance.
• 1.5 - 2.5 hours

How often do the boats run?

The connection is less frequent than on Koh Phangan.

Boats run from 8:00 to 17:00 about once an hour.

How much does the ferry to Koh Tao cost?

It depends on the specific company and prices range from 450 thb to 650 thb.

Find a Koh Tao - Koh Samui ferry

Where do the boats arrive on Koh Samui?

• Bangrak Pier / Petcherat Marina → closest to the airport, in the north of the island, most connections (several times per hour)
• Maenam Pier → north of the island, only 6 connections a day
• Nathon Pier → west of the island, only 3-4 connections per day

Does it make sense to go to Koh Tao on a round trip?

Honestly - probably not.

• Long way
• early departure
• late return

It makes more sense to stay at least 1 night.

Book a hotel on Koh Tao

How to decide - the best option

👉 Don't have time and want convenience?
Fly direct to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways.

👉 Want to save but not lose a whole day?
Fly to Surat Thani and take the ferry.

👉 Going low-cost and have time?
Choose train or bus to Chumphon + ferry.

All flights, bus, train and ferry rides can be booked through 12go.asia.