Koh Samui is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand. 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 to Donsak Pier and then take ferry from Donsak Pier to Koh Samui.
Some tour companies like Seatran ferry and Raja ferry offer Bus + Ferry combined packages. Click here to know more about them.
Best time to visit Koh Samui :
December to August, Avoid travelling during rainy season (Sept-Nov)
Getting around the island :
Songthaews, Bikes, Taxi
Surat Thani to Donsak Pier
It takes around 1-2 hours to reach Donsak pier from Surat Thani via bus. They cost around 100-300 THB(22-38 USD) depending on bus company. Here’s schedule for buses/vans from Surat Thani to Donsak Pier by different bus companies.
Raja Ferry
Depart From Surat Thani Town : 06:00 06:30 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:30 14:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
From Surat Thani Train Station : 05:30 07:00 08:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 16:00
From Surat Thani Airport : 09:00 11:30 13:30 16:00
Phangan Tour 2000
From Surat Thani Town : 06:30 09:00 12:00 15:45
Phantip Tour
From Surat Thani Airport : 08:00 08:00 09:00 09:00 11:30 11:30 13:30 13:30 14:30 14:30 16:00 16:00
From Surat Thani Town : 06:30 06:30 09:00 09:00 12:00 12:00 16:00 16:00
Donsak Pier to Koh Samui
Reaching Koh Samui from Donsak Pier involves a long scenic boat ride. Several boat options are available for travellers, from large ferries to longtail boats to speedboats, each offering a unique experience. It costs around 200-600 THB (6-17 USD) and takes around 1-2 hour to reach Koh Samui from Donsak Pier.
There are two major companies, namely Seatran Ferry and Raja Ferry, which run ferry service between Donsak Pier and Koh Samui.
Seatran Ferry Koh Samui
Seatran Ferry offers boat services from Seatran Donsak Pier to Nathon Pier 3 Seatran Ferry Pier in Koh Samui. They also offer Bus + Ferry packages from different parts of Surat Thani and Southern Thailand.
There are hourly departures from Donsak Pier to Koh Samui between 05:00 to 19:00.
It is recommended to book tickets for Seatran ferry through their official website. However, travellers can also book tickets through third party websites like 12go Asia.
Raja Ferry
Raja Ferry offers boat services from Raja Ferry Donsak Pier to Lipa Noi Koh Samui Pier. They also offer Bus + Ferry packages from different parts of Surat Thani and Southern Thailand.
There are hourly departures from Donsak Pier to Koh Samui between 05:00 to 19:00.
It is recommended to book tickets for Raja ferry through their official website. However, travellers can also book tickets through third party websites like 12go Asia.
Here are some things to keep in mind when planning your trip
- Book your bus tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.
- Always wear your life jacket when on board.
- Be prepared for delays, no matter which mode of transportation you choose.
- Relax and enjoy the journey!
Love travelling through Thailand? Take a look at this travel guides
I hope this information helps you choose the best way to get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy travels!
