THB 140
Raja Ferry
The lowest fare
- Time1 hour 30 minutes
- VehicleTHB 460
- TypeCar ferry
Spot your stop
How to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, by air, rail or sea
Look at 30 stops
Koh Samui on the map: arrival, the island ring, the interior and its history
Tap a route first, then a pin or stop, for its note and Google Maps.
Samui Airport is where Bangkok Airways flies in from Bangkok multiple times a day.
Google MapsNathon Pier is on the west coast; the Ang Thong archipelago is a one-hour speedboat trip from here.
Google MapsBangrak Pier, on the north coast near the Big Buddha, is one of the island's ferry piers.
Google MapsA mainland ferry pier at Donsak, in Surat Thani province, for car and passenger ferries to Samui.
Google MapsA second Donsak pier on the mainland, used by another ferry operator.
Google MapsThe railway station of Surat Thani, on the mainland, from where buses and ferries continue to Samui.
Google MapsSurat Thani airport is on the mainland; from it a bus and a ferry lead on to Samui.
Google Maps
Chaweng is one of the bustling beach areas, in TAT's words, alongside Lamai.
Google MapsLamai is the other bustling beach area; the Grandpa and Grandma Rocks and the mummified monk lie just south and west of it.
Google MapsBophut is one of the more peaceful and laidback beach areas, with Mae Nam and Choeng Mon.
Google MapsChoeng Mon, on the north-east tip, is counted by TAT among the peaceful beaches.
Google MapsNathon Pier is on the west coast; the Ang Thong archipelago is a one-hour speedboat trip from here.
Google MapsSamui Airport is where Bangkok Airways flies in from Bangkok multiple times a day.
Google MapsThe Big Buddha, Wat Phra Yai, stands on Ko Fan and is reached by a causeway; the statue is 12 metres high.
Google MapsBan Hua Thanon is where the Samui Hainan Museum displays the story of the island's Chinese settlers.
Google Maps
Wat Theepangkorn is built on the highest point of the island, with views over Lamai and Chaweng.
Google MapsThe Secret Buddha Garden, also called the Tarnim Magic Garden, is a private park of statues.
Google MapsNa Muang has two cascades named for the purple shade of their rock faces, about 12 km from Nathon Bay.
Google MapsHin Lat Waterfall is just over 3 km from Nathon Town, next to a small forest monastery.
Google MapsWat Khunaram holds the mummified monk, about 6 km west of Lamai Beach.
Google MapsWat Sila Ngu is an atypical temple nicknamed the red temple.
Google MapsThe Grandpa and Grandma Rocks, Hin-Ta Hin-Yai, sit south of Lamai Beach.
Google Maps
The Big Buddha, Wat Phra Yai, stands on Ko Fan and is reached by a causeway; the statue is 12 metres high.
Google MapsWat Plai Laem is a temple near Bophut with a large Guanyin statue, and a stop on the half-day temple tours.
Google MapsThe Grandpa and Grandma Rocks, Hin-Ta Hin-Yai, sit south of Lamai Beach.
Google MapsWat Khunaram holds the mummified monk, about 6 km west of Lamai Beach.
Google MapsA Chinese shrine with a Guan Yu statue, a stop on the half-day around-island tour.
Google MapsWat Sila Ngu is an atypical temple nicknamed the red temple.
Google MapsBan Hua Thanon is where the Samui Hainan Museum displays the story of the island's Chinese settlers.
Google MapsNathon Pier is on the west coast; the Ang Thong archipelago is a one-hour speedboat trip from here.
Google Maps
Maps © OpenStreetMap contributors
Samui has its own airport, and a mainland ferry route for everyone who prefers the ground. This guide sets out each way in, with times, ferry fares, transfers and the order in which to book them so you reach your jeep safari on time.
Editorial team, kohsamuijeepsafari.quest · Updated November 12, 2026 · Quick read: 7 min
In brief
- FastestFly: a direct flight from Bangkok takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.1,2
- By railTrain plus ferry takes around 10-12 hours in total.3
- By busBus plus ferry takes approximately 9-11 hours.4
- Ferry faresTHB 140 to THB 450 per person from Donsak.5,6
- Book earlyBook ferries ahead in the high season of November-April.7
Three ways to reach Koh Samui from Bangkok
Koh Samui lies in the Gulf of Thailand 35 kilometres off the coast of Surat Thani, so every route ends in the air or on the water.8 There are three practical ways to get there from Bangkok. You can fly direct, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, you can take the overnight train to Surat Thani and a ferry, which an airline guide puts at around 10-12 hours, or you can take a bus and the same ferry, at approximately 9-11 hours.1,3,4
The right choice depends on your time and your budget. Flying costs the most and saves the most hours, and it drops you at an airport on the island itself.9 The land routes cost less in fares but take most of a day, and they depend on a ferry timetable that can shift with the weather.10 Our map shows the whole picture: Bangkok at the top, Surat Thani and the Donsak pier on the mainland and Samui’s own airport and piers on the island.
Whichever way you travel, plan the first day around your arrival and leave the jeep safari for the second. The tour operator confirms your pickup time by email after booking, and it is much easier to book the day for the morning after you have settled in than for the day you land. The sections below take each route in turn, then the practical points: transfers, season, visas and what to book first.
Side by side
Ways to reach Koh Samui from Bangkok
| Route | Time | Fare to know | Ends at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly from Suvarnabhumi | 1 hour 30 minutes | See the airline | Samui Airport |
| Train and ferry | 10-12 hours | THB 140 to THB 450 ferry | Samui pier |
| Bus and ferry | 9-11 hours | THB 1,000 to THB 2,000 bus | Samui pier |
| Raja Ferry | 1 hour 30 minutes | THB 140 | Samui pier |
| Seatran Ferry | 1 hour 30 minutes | THB 170 | Samui pier |
| Lomprayah catamaran | 45 minutes | THB 450 | Samui pier |
Times and fares as the cited guides state them; ferry fares are per person and bus fares are for reclining seats.1,3,4,19,5,20,6
Flying: how to fly to Koh Samui
For most travelers the question of how to fly to Koh Samui has a short answer. Bangkok Airways operates multiple flights daily directly to Koh Samui Airport from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, and its own pages also list direct flights from Don Mueang Airport.9,15 The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Suvarnabhumi and the same from Don Mueang.1,2 Thailand’s tourism authority adds that the airline operates the airport and that flights run from morning to evening.16
The airport is close to the busiest beach. Bangkok Airways says Samui Airport is approximately 2-5 km from Chaweng, with a travel time of about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic.17 From the terminal you reach the main areas by taxi, airport shuttle van or ride-hailing apps.18 The meet-and-greet transfer from the airport starts from $43; the private run within the island starts from $15 and adds 50 baht per 15 minutes once the free waiting time is used up.
The cost of a flight is outside what we can state: the airline’s own pages show live fares, and none is quoted here. What we can say is that this is the way to arrive rested. A morning flight leaves the whole afternoon for a swim, and an evening one leaves a night to sleep before a morning pickup. If you are heading to the interior the next day, ask your hotel which of its pickup areas the jeep serves.
The land route: train or bus to Surat Thani, then a ferry
There is no direct rail line from Bangkok to Samui. An overnight sleeper runs from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station to Surat Thani Railway Station, and from there you continue to Donsak Pier and take a ferry to the island.11 The train leg alone takes approximately 9-10 hours.12 Once you arrive at Surat Thani Station, you take a taxi or bus to Donsak Pier to board the ferry.13
The bus route follows the same logic. The distance from Bangkok to Surat Thani is around 650 kilometers, taking about 8-10 hours to arrive, and reclining-seat buses cost 1,000 to 2,000 baht, or THB 1,000 to THB 2,000.22,19 Add the ferry, and the full trip to Koh Samui takes approximately 9-11 hours.4 Thailand’s tourism authority describes another mixed option: fly to Surat Thani on the mainland, take a 90-minute bus ride to the ferry pier and then a 90-minute boat ride to Samui.21
Shared transfers can tie the pieces together. A shared transfer from Surat Thani airport to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan starts from $4, with arrival times that can vary by 1.5 hours either way, and a private transfer between the airport and Donsak Pier starts from $94. For the return, a one-way ferry transfer from Koh Samui to Surat Thani starts from $8 and boards at Nathon Pier 3.
Your route
Match the route to the traveler
Tell us your priority and the matching route appears.
If I want the fewest hours
Fly direct
A flight takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Bangkok.1
If I want the cheapest ferry
Raja Ferry
THB 140 per person for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.5
If I want the shortest sea time
The Lomprayah catamaran
About 45 minutes for THB 450 per person.6
If I bring a vehicle
A car ferry
THB 460 or THB 550 per four-wheel vehicle on the car ferries.5,20
If I travel in November to April
Book the ferry ahead
An airline guide recommends it for the high season.7
Three ferries
Pick a crossing from Donsak
THB 170
Seatran Ferry
Book 90 days ahead
- Time1 hour 30 minutes
- VehicleTHB 550
- TypeCar ferry
THB 450
Lomprayah
The fast catamaran
- Time45 minutes
- VehicleNot applicable
- TypeHigh speed
Choosing a ferry from Donsak Pier
At Donsak Pier the ferry operators include Raja Ferry Port, Seatran Ferry and Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran.14 Seatran’s own guide says all the ferries leave from Donsak Pier and head for one of four piers on Koh Samui, and that ferries range from smaller high-speed services for 200 people to larger vehicle ferries, the larger ones giving the smoother crossing.38,39 The operator also describes the 80 km journey from Surat Thani to Koh Samui as taking around two hours and 30 minutes.40
The fares and times vary by operator. Raja Ferry Port takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and charges THB 140 per person and THB 460 per four-wheel vehicle, while Seatran Ferry takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and charges THB 170 per person and THB 550 per four-wheel vehicle.5,20 The Lomprayah high-speed catamaran takes approximately 45 minutes for THB 450 per person.6 The two guides differ on the total journey time, so treat the longer figure as the one that includes the road to the pier.
Booking is easy to get wrong in peak weeks. Seatran tickets can be bought up to 90 days in advance, and an airline guide recommends booking ferry tickets ahead during the high season of November-April.41,7 Seatran also says ferries are packed in peak season.38 Pick the faster catamaran if you are carrying only a bag and want less time at sea, and a car ferry if you are bringing a vehicle.
The overland route in order
From Bangkok to the island by train and ferry
Evening
Board the sleeper
The overnight train leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station.11
Overnight
Rail to Surat Thani
The train leg takes approximately 9-10 hours.12
Morning
Taxi or bus to Donsak
From Surat Thani Station you take a taxi or bus to Donsak Pier.13
At the pier
Choose a ferry
Raja Ferry, Seatran Ferry and Lomprayah all run from here.14
The crossing
To Koh Samui
The catamaran takes approximately 45 minutes and the car ferries approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.6,5
How to get to Koh Samui from Sydney or further away
Samui has no direct service from Australia in our sources, so a traveler from Sydney joins one of the airline’s direct routes. Bangkok Airways lists direct flights to Samui from Bangkok and from Singapore Changi (SIN), and the Singapore flight takes approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes.15,42,43 That gives anyone starting in Australia, Europe or the Americas two natural connection points: Bangkok, then the 1 hour and 30 minute hop, or Singapore, then the slightly longer one.1,43
Thai entry rules decide the paperwork. The Department of Consular Affairs’ list dated 15 July 2024 names 93 countries and territories, including Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK and the USA, whose ordinary-passport holders may enter without a visa for tourism for up to 60 days.44 The list is dated, so check the current rules with the Thai embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel, and carry a passport valid for the length of your stay.
If you arrive from far away, leave a buffer day. Two long-haul legs, a domestic connection and a ferry can stretch a journey well past a full day, and a missed connection is easier to absorb when no tour is booked for the next morning. Book the safari for a date when you are rested, and remember that the operator confirms the pickup time by email once you have booked.
Video
Bangkok to Koh Samui without flying
Island Hopper TV on YouTube · The video stays unloaded until you press play.
Another option is to fly to Surat Thani on the mainland and then take a 90-minute bus ride to the ferry pier from where a 90-minute boat ride is then taken to Samui
Before you travel
Arrival checklist
Documents2
- A passport valid for your stay and your booking emails
- The current Thai entry rules for your country
Transport3
- A transfer or ride booked for the airport or pier
- Small baht notes for the pier and local taxis
- Ferry tickets booked ahead in November to April
The island2
- A first day without a tour booked
- Your hotel name and area ready for pickup
Seasons, weather and what to book first
The sea sets the schedule. An airline guide describes the monsoon season of October-November as bringing the heaviest rain and uncertain sea conditions.45 Thailand’s tourism authority notes in its southern Thailand update that marine transport may adjust schedules due to weather conditions, so travelers should reconfirm ferry timings.10 A ferry listing for the return trip says the same: operation is subject to the weather conditions.
Book in this order. First the flight, or the train or bus to Surat Thani, since these have the fewest alternatives. Second the ferry, especially in the high season, when it is sensible to book ahead.7 Third the airport or pier transfer, and only then the tours, since you will know your arrival hour. The jeep safari itself offers reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so it is the easiest item to hold until the rest is certain.
Pack for the sea as well as the jungle. A light waterproof layer helps on the open deck of a ferry, and a small day bag keeps documents dry. Keep your passport and booking emails where you can reach them, and carry a little cash in baht for the pier, since small stalls and taxis may not take cards.
FAQ
Questions answered quickly.
How long is the flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui?
How far is Samui Airport from Chaweng?
About 2-5 km.
The drive is about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic.17
How do I reach Koh Samui by land?
What does the ferry from Donsak cost?
Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
In the high season, yes.
An airline guide recommends booking ahead during November-April.7
How do I get to Koh Samui from Sydney?
Do I need a visa for Koh Samui?
Not for 60 days if your country is on the list.
The July 2024 list names 93 countries; check the current rules.44
Sources
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways · Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Samui - Bangkok Airways ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Samui’s fabulous beaches and tropical lifestyle await ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Flooding situation in Southern Thailand: travel conditions update ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways · Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Samui - Bangkok Airways ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Samui offers ‘other-than-the-beach’ holiday experience ↩
- Bangkok Airways · Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Samui - Bangkok Airways ↩
- Bangkok Airways · Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Samui - Bangkok Airways ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Samui offers ‘other-than-the-beach’ holiday experience ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine Park & Ko Samui’s hidden gems
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Samui’s fabulous beaches and tropical lifestyle await
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Samui’s fabulous beaches and tropical lifestyle await
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Samui’s fabulous beaches and tropical lifestyle await
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Samui’s fabulous beaches and tropical lifestyle await
- Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourism Library (University of Otago thesis, 2011) · Tourism and History: Change and Adaptation of Locals in the Tourism Period, a study of Koh Samui
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine Park & Ko Samui’s hidden gems
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine Park & Ko Samui’s hidden gems
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine Park & Ko Samui’s hidden gems
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine Park & Ko Samui’s hidden gems
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Samui’s fabulous beaches and tropical lifestyle await
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Samui’s fabulous beaches and tropical lifestyle await
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Samui’s fabulous beaches and tropical lifestyle await
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine Park & Ko Samui’s hidden gems
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Samui offers ‘other-than-the-beach’ holiday experience
- Seatran Discovery · How to get from Surathani to Koh Samui ↩
- Seatran Discovery · How to get from Surathani to Koh Samui ↩
- Seatran Discovery · How to get from Surathani to Koh Samui ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao ↩
- Bangkok Airways · Flight Ticket from Singapore to Samui - Bangkok Airways ↩
- Bangkok Airways · Flight Ticket from Singapore to Samui - Bangkok Airways ↩
- Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand · List of Countries and Territories whose Nationals are entitled to Visa Exemption Scheme (60 days), PDF ↩
- Bangkok Airways (travel blog) · Koh Samui Travel Guide 2026: Things to Do & Attractions ↩