How to get to Ko Samui

Table of contents

1. What transport can you use to get to Ko Samui? Transport on Ko Samui Island
2. How to get to Ko Samui from another country
3. How to get to Ko Samui from Bangkok
4. How to get to Ko Samui from Phuket
5. How to get to Ko Samui from Ko Lipe
6. How to get to Ko Samui from Krabi
7. How to get to Ko Samui from Railay
8. How to get to Ko Samui from Pattaya
9. How to get to Ko Samui from Ko Lanta
10. How to get to Ko Samui from Hua Hin
11. How to get to Ko Samui from Ko Pha Ngan island
12. How to get to Ko Samui from Ko Tao island

Ko Samui is a wonderful island of Thailand, which is located in the Gulf of Thailand belonging to the South China Sea. This is a fairly large island, although a significant part of it is occupied by mountains.

There are beautiful beaches and a generally relaxing atmosphere. There are several viewpoints with stunning views.

From a transport point of view, the following can be said about Ko Samui: there is an international airport with a large number of flights connecting this island both with the whole world and with other regions of Thailand. There is also an inexpensive ferry to the island. And Ko Samui is connected to neighboring islands (Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao) by speedboats. In general, the island's transport connectivity is very good.

See also: Transport between the islands of Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Ko Tao and other popular destinations

It is important to note that the ferry from the mainland to Ko Samui can transport both people and vehicles (cars and motorbikes).

1. What transport can you use to get to Ko Samui? Transport on Ko Samui Island

There are two ways to get to Ko Samui:

• by air (there is an airport with international and local flights)
• by water (there are a number of companies providing transportation services by water: ferries, speedboats and catamarans)

You can get to Ko Samui by water from the mainland – from the Surat Thani province.

There are two main piers from which water transport departs in the direction of Ko Samui:

• Seatran Ferry: slow ferries that can transport vehicles
• Raja Ferry Pier, Don Sak: there are two companies operating at this pier. One of them provides slow ferry services that can transport vehicles – the cost of services and even the schedule are the same as those of Seatran Ferry. The second company provides transportation services to the island on speedboats and catamarans. Travel time is shorter, but ticket prices are higher.

If you purchased a combined ticket to Ko Samui with guaranteed transfers, then you do not need to worry about choosing a pier – your carrier will take you to the desired pier and you only need to go to your ferry or speadboat.

There are several piers on Ko Samui. From the mainland and islands you can arrive at one of the following piers:

• Nathon Pier 3 (Seatran Ferry Pier). Ferries arriving here depart from the mainland (from the province of Surat Thani), namely from the Seatran Ferry
• Lipa Noi Pier. Ferries arriving here depart from the mainland (from the province of Surat Thani), namely from Raja Ferry Pier, Don Sak
• Maenam Samui (sometimes called Pralarn Pier). Speedboats arriving here depart from the mainland (from the province of Surat Thani), namely from Raja Ferry Pier, Don Sak. Speedboats from the islands of Ko Phangan and Ko Tao also arrive here.
• Petcherat Marina. This pier is used by speedboats to Ko Phangan.
• Haad Rin Queen Ferry. This pier is used by speedboats to Ko Phangan.
• Lomlahk Khirin Bangrak Pier (also called Lomprayah Bangrak Pier). This pier is used by speedboats to Ko Phangan.
• Bangrak Seatran Pier. This pier is used by speedboats to Ko Phangan.
• Na Thon Koh Samui Songserm. The ferry from Ko Tao arrives here.

There are return routes for all indicated places.

All places mentioned here are placed on the “Transport” layer on the following map.

2. How to get to Ko Samui from another country

On the island of Ko Samui there is Samui Airport. But there are few direct international flights – mostly from neighboring countries. However, using the following form you can check direct flights as well as flights with layovers:

Please note that there are many flights between Ko Samui and Bangkok. Therefore, from another country you can get to Ko Samui by plane with a transfer in Bangkok. The flight search form given above will show both direct and the most convenient flights with a transfer through Bangkok.

3. How to get to Ko Samui from Bangkok

There are flights from Bangkok to Ko Samui, ticket prices start from 4,500 baht, travel time is 1 hour.

Those who want to save money can take the bus and ferry. The cost of combined tickets with guaranteed transfers is 950-1400 baht, travel time is 14-15 hours.

A combined bus + speedboat ticket will cost 1450-1750 baht. Travel time from 10 hours 30 minutes to 14 hours 30 minutes.

You can check the schedule of flights and bus routes (including transfers), as well as buy tickets for them using the following form:

Please note that the buses are night buses, meaning they depart in the evening. From popular bus stations in Bangkok (from Southern Terminal Bangkok) there are literally a couple of routes.

4. How to get to Ko Samui from Phuket

There are direct flights from Phuket to Ko Samui. The air ticket costs about 4,100 baht and travel time is 55 minutes.

If you want to save money, a bus + ferry ticket will cost you from 670 baht. But the travel time will be 8-11 hours.

5. How to get to Ko Samui from Ko Lipe

There are companies that provide connecting routes with layovers from Ko Lipe to Ko Samui. The route includes the following transport: speedboat → minivan → ferry.

The ticket price is 3000-3800 baht. Travel time is about 10 hours.

You can check the schedule and buy tickets online using the following form:

6. How to get to Ko Samui from Krabi

From Krabi there is one direct flight to Ko Samui. The ticket costs 3,700 baht and travel time is 50 minutes.

Tickets for routes with a change of transport cost 550-1200 baht. Travel time from 4 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes.

You can select a suitable trip and buy a ticket that guarantees all transfers here:

7. How to get to Ko Samui from Railay

First, from Railay you need to get to Krabi. For information on how to do this, see here:

• How to get to Krabi from Railay

Then use the tips from the section:

• 6. How to get to Ko Samui from Krabi

8. How to get to Ko Samui from Pattaya

There is a direct flight from the airport near Pattaya (U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport) to Ko Samui. The ticket costs 4240 baht, travel time is 1 hour 5 minutes.

12GO may show you a trip with a change of transport from Pattaya to Koh Samui, but you need to be careful with this offer as it is different from the usual combination tickets. In this case, you will have an independent transfer (“Self-connect”). Moreover, you will be dropped off at Mochit New Van Terminal and the next bus will depart from Southern Terminal. That is, there are no advantages to purchasing such a ticket. You can get to Bangkok using any other carrier – there is no difference.

You need to get to Bangkok, and then use the tips from the section:

• 3. How to get to Ko Samui from Bangkok

9. How to get to Ko Samui from Ko Lanta

There are two combined routes:

• bus+ferry: ticket price is about 1400 baht. Travel time is about 10 hours. The bus leaves Ko Lanta at 7.30.
• minivan + ferry: ticket from 1000 baht, travel time about 8 hours. The minivan leaves Ko Lanta at 7.30.

You can check the current schedule and buy a ticket using the following form:

10. How to get to Ko Samui from Hua Hin

There are a couple of bus routes of varying degrees of convenience. Ticket prices are 1150-1750 baht. 

Travel time for the morning bus is 8 hours.

Travel time for a night bus is 11 hours 30 minutes.

You can find out more details and buy tickets online using this form:

11. How to get to Ko Samui from Ko Pha Ngan island

There are several options to get from Ko Pha Ngan to Ko Samui. Ticket prices range from 200 baht (ferries) to 600 baht for a speedboat or catamaran.

Travel time varies from 20 minutes to 1 hour.

You can check the schedule and choose the appropriate option using the following form:

12. How to get to Ko Samui from Ko Tao island

There are several trips from Ko Tao to Ko Samui.

Ticket prices range from 550 to 800 baht. Travel time from 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes.

You can check the schedule and choose the appropriate option using the following form: