Koh Samui is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand. There are three main options for travelling from Phuket to Koh Samui : bus, flight and taxi. Each has its own pros and cons, so the best choice for you will depend on your budget, travel time, and preferences. Please refer to this article to help you choose Best mode of travel.
If you are not interested in reading the whole blog, here is a brief overview of all three options to reach Koh Samui.
| Type | Journey Time | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus + Ferry | 6-9 hour | 600-1300 THB(16-36 USD) | Medium |
| Flight | 1 hour | 2500-4000 THB (70-112 USD) | Low |
| Taxi + Ferry | 5-6 hour | 4000-7100 THB (112-200 USD) | Medium |
Best time to visit Koh Samui
December to August, Avoid travelling during rainy season (Sept-Nov)
Getting around the Koh Samui
Songthaews, Bikes, Taxi
Index
How to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui by bus
As Koh Samui is an island, the only way to reach it is via ferry from Donsak Pier in Surat Thani. So, to reach Koh Samui from Phuket via bus, you need to take bus from Phuket to Surat Thani and then take ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui.
Phuket to Surat Thani
Buses and vans are the most affordable option, and there are many departures to Surat Thani throughout the day. It takes around 4-6 hours to reach Surat Thani from Phuket. They cost around 300-400 THB (8-11 USD) depending on the tour company.
Schedule for buses/vans from Phuket to Surat Thani
465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport (Bus)
To Surat Thani Town : 07:30, 08:30, 09:30, 11:00, 12:20, 13:40
To Surat Thani Train Station : 07:30, 08:30, 09:30, 11:00, 12:20, 13:40
Phantip 1970 Tour (Minivan)
To Surat Thani Town : 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00
Phuket bus terminal
Phuket has two bus terminals, namely Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Buses to Surat Thani depart from Terminal 2, while vans to Surat Thani depart from Terminal 1. So, be sure to check departure point while booking online. There are hourly minibuses to bus terminals from old town and other areas in Phuket but I would recommend taking a taxi or Grab/Bolt from your Hotel.
Surat Thani bus terminal
Phantip Travel and 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport bus/van terminals are just few meters apart each other in Surat Thani town.
How to book and buy Bus tickets from Phuket to Krabi
Bus and van tickets can be bought offline at respective bus/van terminals or online via third party vendors like 12go Asia or Baolau.
Surat Thani to Koh Samui
As I previously mentioned, the only way to reach the island is via ferry from Donsak Pier. However, Donsak Pier is far from Surat Thani town, so to reach Koh Samui from Surat Thani you need to take bus/van from Surat Thani town to Donsak Pier and then take ferry from Donsak Pier to Koh Samui.
Click here to know more about how to travel from Surat Thani to Koh Samui.
Love travelling through Thailand? Take a look at this travel guides
How to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui by Flight
Flights are the fastest option, but they are also expensive way to reach Koh Samui. It takes approximately 1 hour to reach Koh Samui via flight from Phuket. Flight prices vary season by season and are around 2500-3500 THB (70-98 USD) during off season and around 3500-4000 THB (98-112 USD) during peak season
There are only 4-5 daily flights between Phuket and Koh Samui as Bangkok Airways is the only airline which flies HKT-USM route.
Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Phuket International airport is located a little far from Phuket old town. There is bus service to airport which costs 100 THB and has several stops. To know more about this bus service, click here. Alternatively you can always book taxi to airport.
Samui Airport (USM)
Samui Airport is an open-air airport which is designed like a resort. It is located on the east side of main Koh Samui island. There are many taxis and shared vans waiting outside the airport which will take you to different parts of the island.
How to book and buy flight tickets from Phuket to Koh Samui
It is always recommended to buy flight tickets via official Bangkok Airways website. However, travellers can also be book through third party vendors like Agoda, Expedia, 12go Asia.
Tips
- Look for deals and promotions offered by airlines, especially during weekdays.
- Pack light to avoid baggage fees
How to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui by Taxi
Taxis are the most convenient and comfortable option as they will pick you up directly from your Hotel/Airport in Phuket and take you to Donsak pier in Surat Thani. Taxis to Surat Thani are available 24/7 for most operators. It takes around 4 hours to reach Surat Thani from Phuket via taxi and cost around 3500 to 6500 THB (98-182 USD) depending on taxi company.
Click here to read about how to travel from Donsak Pier to Koh Samui.
Most popular taxi companies for Phuket to Surat Thani route are :
Andaman Taxis, Call me Taxi Thailand, BangkokTaxi24, GB Limousine, Ramon Transport
Here are some additional things to keep in mind when planning your trip
- Book your bus tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.
- Be prepared for delays, no matter which mode of transportation you choose.
- Relax and enjoy the journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to book / buy bus and van tickets from Phuket to Koh Samui?
It is always recommended to book tickets offline at respective terminal. However, you can also book through third party vendors like 12go Asia or Baolau.
How long does it take to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui?
It takes 6-9 hours to reach Koh Samui via bus + ferry, 1 hour via flight and 5-6 hours by taxi + ferry.
How much does it cost to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui?
It costs around 16-36 USD to travel to Koh Samui via bus + ferry, 70-112 USD via flight and 112-200 USD via taxi + ferry.
What is the fastest way of travel from Phuket to Koh Samui?
Fastest way to travel to Koh Samui is via flight as it takes approximately 1 hour.
What is the cheapest way of travel from Phuket to Koh Samui?
Cheapest way to travel to Koh Samui is via bus + ferry, as it costs around 16-36 USD.
Love travelling through Thailand? Take a look at this travel guides
I hope this information helps you choose the best way to get from Phuket to Koh Samui. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy travels!
