Surat Thani is the mainland gateway to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao — most travellers pass through its airport, train station, or bus terminal en route to the islands. The ferry crossing to Koh Samui itself takes under 2 hours and runs frequently throughout the day.
Option 1: Ferry from Donsak Pier
Raja Ferry and Seatran Ferry both operate frequent crossings from Donsak Pier (about 1 hour from Surat Thani town/airport) to Koh Samui. The crossing takes around 1–1.5 hours. Combined bus/taxi + ferry tickets are widely available from Surat Thani\\\’s airport, train station, and bus terminal.
- Surat Thani → Donsak (transfer): ~1 hour
- Donsak → Koh Samui (ferry): ~1–1.5 hours
- Price: ~250–350 THB combined
- Frequency: Every 1–2 hours throughout the day
Option 2: Night Ferry
An overnight boat also runs from Surat Thani town directly to Koh Samui (and onward to Koh Phangan), useful for travellers arriving on the overnight train from Bangkok and wanting to continue straight to the islands without a daytime wait.
- Journey time: ~6 hours (slow overnight boat)
- Price: ~300–400 THB
- Best for: Connecting directly from the night train
Option 3: Flight (Skip Surat Thani Entirely)
If flying into Surat Thani Airport specifically to reach Samui, consider instead flying direct to Koh Samui Airport (USM) on Bangkok Airways — this skips the ferry connection entirely, though fares are typically higher than flying to Surat Thani.
Journey Summary
| Method | Time | Cost from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day ferry via Donsak | ~2–2.5 hours | 250 THB | Most travellers |
| Overnight boat | ~6 hours | 300 THB | Connecting from night train |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a combined ticket from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?
Travel agents and ticket counters at Surat Thani Airport, train station, and bus terminal all sell combined transfer + ferry tickets covering the full journey to your Koh Samui destination — simply state your final beach/area when booking.
Related Guides
- Koh Samui to Bangkok: Flight and Ferry Guide
- Bangkok to Koh Tao: Train and Ferry Guide
- Koh Samui to Koh Phangan: Ferry Guide
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