Koh Samui doesn't have a road bridge to the mainland, so every visitor arrives by either flight, ferry, or a combined bus-and-ferry ticket. The choice has a real impact on your trip: a Bangkok–Samui flight is fast and convenient but can be expensive; the bus-and-ferry combination is cheap and atmospheric but takes 12–14 hours; the ferry from Krabi or Phuket is the most scenic. This 2026 guide compares every realistic option to Koh Samui — including ferries, flights, joint tickets, transfers and prices — so you can pick the best route for your trip.
Quick answer
What's the easiest way to get to Koh Samui?
The fastest way to get to Koh Samui is to fly direct from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang) — about 60–75 minutes for around 3,500–7,500 baht one-way. The cheapest option is a joint bus-and-ferry ticket from Bangkok via Surat Thani (12–14 hours, around 1,000–1,400 baht). From Phuket or Krabi, ferries via Donsak take 4–6 hours.
Should I fly to Koh Samui?
Flying is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Samui. Bangkok Airways operates the most frequent flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (12–15 daily) and Don Mueang, plus direct connections from Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Flight time from Bangkok is 60–75 minutes; from Phuket it's about 50 minutes. Samui's airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways and is one of the world's most photogenic — open-air with thatched-roof terminals. The downside is that the airline has a partial monopoly, so prices are typically 3,500–7,500 baht one-way from Bangkok. If you book 2+ months ahead, Thai Airways and Thai AirAsia occasionally offer cheaper alternatives via Surat Thani airport, with onward bus and ferry transfers.
Is the bus-and-ferry option worth it?
The Bangkok–Samui bus and ferry combination is the cheapest way to reach the island — and despite the long journey time, it's actually quite comfortable. Most journeys involve a VIP overnight bus from Bangkok's Mo Chit terminal to Surat Thani (around 9–10 hours), followed by a 90-minute Seatran or Raja ferry from Donsak to Samui. Joint tickets are bookable through Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery and Songserm Express for around 1,000–1,400 baht and include all transfers between the bus terminal and ferry pier. VIP buses have reclining seats, a snack service and reasonable Wi-Fi. The ferry crossing is scenic, especially at sunrise. Total journey time: typically 12–14 hours. It's a real way to see southern Thailand if you have the time, especially if you're coming from Krabi or Bangkok in the rainy season when flights might be delayed.
Verified transport operators
How do I get from Phuket or Krabi to Koh Samui?
Phuket–Samui and Krabi–Samui are common cross-coast routes. The most convenient option is to take a Lomprayah, Seatran or Raja Ferry catamaran from Phuket or Krabi to Donsak, then transfer to Samui — about 4–6 hours total with combined tickets running 800–1,500 baht. Direct flights from Phuket to Samui (Bangkok Airways, 50 minutes) cost roughly 2,800–4,500 baht and remove all the waiting. From Krabi there are no direct flights to Samui, so the best routes are either via Surat Thani (bus + ferry) or via Bangkok (which takes longer but lets you fly direct on cheaper carriers). For verified ferry operators and pickup points, see our Samui transportation listings.
Which ferry company should I use?
Three main companies run the Samui crossings: Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery and Raja Ferry. All three are reliable, comfortable and run daily schedules. Lomprayah operates fast catamarans (the most popular for foreign tourists) and connects Samui to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Chumphon and onward to Bangkok and Krabi. Seatran Discovery runs slightly slower but cheaper services from Donsak. Raja Ferry is the largest car-and-passenger operator — slowest but cheapest, and the best option if you're bringing a vehicle. Booking online via 12go.asia or directly with the operator gives you specific seat reservations and combined transfers. Walk-up tickets are usually available too, except during major Thai holidays.
How do I get from Samui airport or pier to my hotel?
Most hotels arrange airport or pier pickup for around 400–800 baht each way. The big resorts often include this in your booking — check before you book separately. For DIY transfers, taxi tariffs from Samui Airport are fixed and posted at the kerbside taxi desk — typically 400–700 baht to Chaweng, 600–900 baht to Bophut, 800–1,200 baht to Lamai or Maenam. Bolt and Grab now operate on Samui (since 2023) and are usually 30–40% cheaper than the airport taxi desk — but you'll need to walk a short distance from the terminal to meet your driver. Songthaews (the converted pickup trucks) run a fixed loop along the main coastal road for 50–100 baht per ride, but rarely run inland to specific hotels — useful for short hops along the beach road only.
Hotels near Samui transport hubs
Are flights ever cheaper than the bus and ferry?
Surprisingly, yes — sometimes. Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile all run promotional fares 2–3 times a year that bring Samui flights down to 1,800–2,500 baht one-way from Bangkok. These are usually advertised on social media and the airlines' websites and require booking 2–3 months in advance. Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile fly to Surat Thani (not Samui directly), but with a joint air-and-ferry ticket the total cost can be lower than a direct Samui flight. Total journey: about 5 hours. If you're flexible with dates, watch for promotions — especially around the September–November rainy-season window when Samui prices drop sharply. Off-peak weekdays are also significantly cheaper than weekends and Thai holiday periods.
Can I bring a car or motorbike to Koh Samui?
Yes — but most visitors don't, because it's much easier and cheaper to rent on the island. Raja Ferry runs car-and-passenger ferries from Donsak to Lipa Noi (about 90 minutes) for around 200 baht per car plus driver and passenger fares. Renting a car on Samui costs 1,000–1,800 baht/day. Renting a moped costs 200–300 baht/day. Most rentals are easy at the airport, the ferry pier, or any of the main beach areas. If you're staying for a week or less, renting on the island is more practical than driving from the mainland. If you're moving across to Phangan or Tao, you can ferry your rental there too — but check the rental company's policy first.
What about boat transfers between Samui, Phangan and Tao?
Samui is the central hub for the Gulf-island ferry network. Lomprayah catamarans run from Samui (Maenam Pier or Big Buddha Pier) to Koh Phangan in 30 minutes (250–350 baht) and to Koh Tao in 2.5 hours (600–900 baht). Other operators run slower car-passenger ferries with similar pricing. For Full Moon Party visitors, dedicated party boats run from Bophut to Phangan around the full moon. For Ang Thong Marine Park, dedicated speedboat tours run from Maenam and Nathon piers as day trips (1,500–2,500 baht including lunch and snorkelling). All operators are searchable on our Samui transport directory, which lists ferry, taxi and tour-boat operators across the island. For booking specific hotels near the piers, see Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.
Reaching Koh Samui takes more planning than most Thai beach destinations because there's no road bridge — but with flights, ferries and combined tickets, every budget and schedule is covered. Use ThailandDirectory.org to compare ferry operators, find hotels near transport hubs, and plan your full Samui trip.
Find Koh Samui transport →Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Koh Samui from Bangkok?
The fastest option is a Bangkok Airways flight from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang (60–75 minutes, 3,500–7,500 baht one-way). The cheapest option is a joint bus-and-ferry ticket via Surat Thani (12–14 hours, 1,000–1,400 baht).
Is there a ferry from Phuket to Koh Samui?
There's no direct ferry between Phuket and Koh Samui. The route requires multiple legs: a Lomprayah catamaran from Phuket to Donsak (around 5 hours), then a transfer ferry from Donsak to Samui (90 minutes). Total time: 6–7 hours.
How long is the ferry to Koh Samui?
From Donsak (the mainland pier near Surat Thani) to Koh Samui takes 90 minutes by passenger ferry. From Phuket it's around 5 hours. From Bangkok by bus and ferry the total is 12–14 hours.
Are flights to Koh Samui expensive?
Yes — Samui Airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways which limits competition, so prices typically run 3,500–7,500 baht one-way from Bangkok. Promotional fares occasionally bring flights down to 1,800–2,500 baht.
Can I drive my car to Koh Samui?
Yes — Raja Ferry runs car-and-passenger ferries from Donsak to Samui's Lipa Noi pier (90 minutes, around 200 baht per car plus passenger fares). Most visitors don't drive over because renting on the island is cheaper and easier.
Last updated 2026 · Maintained by Thailand Directory editors.
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