Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This supports SHA Thailand’s independent editorial work.
Last updated: April 2026
You’ve arrived in Surat Thani by night train, overnight bus, or plane. Koh Samui is 70 kilometres and one ferry crossing away (Google Maps, April 2026). The pier is Donsak, not the town pier. The cheapest crossing is Raja Ferry at $4. The fastest is Lomprayah at 45 minutes. This guide tells you which operator to pick, how the land connection from the train station and airport works, and what to do when you arrive on the island.
Which pier: Donsak, not Surat Thani Town
The main departure point for all ferries to Koh Samui is Donsak Pier (ท่าเรือดอนสัก), 70 kilometres east of Surat Thani town. This matters because the distance is significant. A taxi from Surat Thani town takes 1 hour 30 minutes (Google Maps, April 2026). From Surat Thani Airport it’s 1 hour 20 minutes.
The fastest way to handle this leg: buy a ticket from an operator that includes a shuttle bus. Seatran, Raja Ferry, and Lomprayah all offer land transfers as part of their ticket price (operator schedule, 2026). The bus departs from the operator’s town office and connects directly with your sailing. Check current ferry times and combined tickets →
If you’re arriving by train, note that the train stops at Phun Phin station (พุนพิน), not Surat Thani city centre. The two are 14 kilometres apart. From Phun Phin, operator shuttle buses run to Donsak. Buy the combined ticket before you travel or at the station exit. Allow 3 hours from train arrival to being on the ferry.
Ferry operators, prices, and journey times
| Operator | Journey | Fare (USD) | Arrives at | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raja Ferry | 1.5 to 2 hrs (Raja Ferry) | $4 to $8 | Lipa Noi Pier | Cheapest. West coast arrival, further from beaches |
| Seatran Ferry | 1.5 hrs (Seatran) | $10 to $14 | Nathon Pier | Reliable, frequent departures |
| Lomprayah | 45 min (Lomprayah) | $17 to $26 | Nathon Pier | Fastest. Includes Bangkok bus ticket option |
Ferries run 06:00 to 18:00 daily with around 13 sailings across all three operators (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, April 2026). There’s no overnight ferry on this route. Night boats from Surat Thani go to Koh Tao (เกาะเต้าเปลือย) and Koh Phangan (เกาะพะงัน), not Samui. If you arrive in Surat Thani after 17:00, you’re staying the night and catching the morning boat.
Getting from Bangkok to Koh Samui via Surat Thani
The two practical land options from Bangkok both pass through Surat Thani.
Night train + ferry: Trains depart Bangkok Hua Lamphong station (สถานีรถไฟหัวลำโพง) from 17:05 (operator schedule, 2026). They arrive at Phun Phin between 05:30 and 08:30. A second-class sleeper berth costs $35 to $43. Add the ferry ($10 to $26 depending on operator). Total: roughly 14 hours, $47 to $69. Book the train on the SRT website at least three days ahead on weekends.
Lomprayah combined ticket: Lomprayah sells a bus + catamaran ticket from Bangkok Khao San Road for $38 to $40 (Lomprayah). Pickup around 07:00, arrival on Samui around 18:00 to 19:00. 11 to 12 hours total. The land-to-sea connection is managed by Lomprayah. If the bus is late, the ferry waits. Book at least two days ahead; a week ahead in December and January. Compare combined Bangkok to Samui tickets →
For all routes between the Gulf islands, the Thailand ferries guide has the full timetable breakdown. For the next crossing after Samui, to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, see the Surat Thani ferry connections section on this page.
Arriving on Koh Samui: piers and onward transport
Raja Ferry arrives at Lipa Noi Pier (ท่าเรือลิปะน้อย) on the west coast, 15 kilometres from Nathon town. Seatran and Lomprayah arrive at Nathon Pier (ท่าเรือนาทอน) further north on the same coast.
From Nathon Pier to Chaweng Beach: 30 to 40 minutes, $11 to $14 by taxi (Google Maps, April 2026). From Lipa Noi Pier to Chaweng: 45 to 50 minutes, $14 to $17. Songthaews (สองแถว, shared pickup trucks) run fixed routes for $3 to $6 but take longer and involve changes for some beach areas. Taxis do not use meters on Samui. Agree the price before you get in.
If you’re heading straight to Chaweng or Lamai, Seatran or Lomprayah saves you $6 to $8 in taxi fare versus Raja Ferry’s Lipa Noi arrival. The ferry fare difference covers most of it.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?
Standard ferries (Raja, Seatran) take 1.5 to 2 hours from Donsak Pier to Koh Samui. Lomprayah’s high-speed catamaran takes around 45 minutes.
Where to stay on Koh Samui
One of the top-rated properties on Chaweng Beach, with an infinity pool that faces the Gulf and a private stretch of sand. From Nathon Pier, it’s 30 minutes and $11 by taxi. The Chaweng Road-facing rooms pick up noise from the strip; ask for a sea-view room when booking if quiet matters more than the view.
On the north shore at Bophut Beach, five minutes from the Fisherman’s Village night market. Quieter sand than Chaweng, consistent rooms, and a pool that doesn’t feel like a crowded theme park. It’s further from the airport and piers than Chaweng options. Factor in 45 minutes and $14 taxi on arrival.
Rooftop pool, social bar, clean private rooms, and an address on Chaweng Beach that costs a fraction of the resort next door. Rooms are compact. This is not the place if you need space. If you’re spending most of your time outside anyway, the price-to-location trade is hard to argue with.
For the full hotel breakdown on Koh Samui, covering all areas and all price ranges, read the best hotels in Koh Samui guide.
