One of my favorite spots in southern Thailand is Koh Samui. With its palm-fringed beaches, cascading waterfalls, and lively night markets, it is easily one of the most beautiful islands in the country. However, because it is an island, figuring out exactly how to get to Koh Samui using a mix of planes, mainland buses, and ferries can be confusing at first.
I traveled to Koh Samui (from Krabi) and absolutely loved my time there. While the logistics of island hopping might seem a little overwhelming, it is actually very easy to get there from almost anywhere in Thailand, and I think it’s well worth a stop on your itinerary.
Keep reading to find out exactly how to get to Koh Samui from major cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and neighboring islands based on your budget, travel time, and comfort level.
Published: July 2, 2026
Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click the link or make a purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you. This compensation may impact how and where links are placed on this site.
How to Get to Koh Samui: Things to Know
Before diving into the specific routes, there are two critical things you need to understand about getting to Koh Samui that will save you both money and headaches.
First, you must decide between flying directly onto the island or traveling via the mainland. Koh Samui has its own airport (USM), which makes flying direct incredibly convenient. However, this airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways, which holds a near monopoly on routes to the island. Because of this, direct flights are extremely expensive, often two or three times the cost of a typical domestic flight in Thailand.
If budget is a concern, the cheaper route is to fly to Surat Thani Airport (URT) on the mainland, take a shuttle bus to Donsak Pier, and ride a passenger ferry across the gulf to Koh Samui. Most budget airlines and booking platforms offer “joint tickets” that bundle your flight, bus transfer, and ferry into one seamless booking for around $40 to $70 USD total.
Second, if you choose the ferry option, you must pay attention to which pier you arrive at on the island. Ferries use four or five different piers, and landing at the wrong one can mean a 45 minute, $25 taxi ride across the island. I have a detailed breakdown of all the ferry piers and which beach towns they serve below.
How to Get to Koh Samui from Bangkok
Bangkok is the primary starting point for most trips to Koh Samui. You have four main options depending on your budget and how much time you want to spend traveling.
Direct Flight (The Best & Fastest Option)
This is the best option. Bangkok Airways operates flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Koh Samui Airport almost every hour throughout the day. Because Bangkok Airways owns Samui Airport, they control the pricing and there are no budget competitors on this route. You will pay a premium, but you will land directly on the island without any transfers. The airport itself is an experience worth having. It is completely open-air, surrounded by tropical gardens, and feels more like a luxury resort than an airport. There are no long queues for ferries or shuttle buses. You simply collect your luggage and walk outside to your hotel transport.
Cost: 3,500 to 6,500 THB per person
Travel Time: 1 hour
How to Book: You can book tickets through Trip.com or Skyscanner. Booking directly on the Bangkok Airways website sometimes offers better deals.
The Pros: You will land directly on the island with no ferry transfers or extra shuttles.
The Cons: This is by far the most expensive domestic flight in Thailand.
Book your flight ticket to Koh Samui from Bangkok: Bangkok to Koh Samui
Budget Flight to Surat Thani + Ferry (The Smart Budget Option)
This option requires more planning but saves you thousands of baht. You will fly a budget airline like AirAsia, Nok Air, or Thai Lion Air from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Surat Thani Airport on the mainland. Upon arrival at Surat Thani, you will collect your luggage and look for the airline’s transfer counter, where you will show your joint ticket and board a shuttle bus to Donsak Pier. The bus ride takes about 90 minutes through rural Thai countryside. At Donsak Pier, you will wait in a covered waiting area before boarding a high-speed ferry for the final 90-minute crossing to Koh Samui. The entire process is straightforward if you book a joint ticket, as the airline coordinates all the connections for you.
Cost: 1,500 to 2,500 THB per person for a joint ticket
Travel Time: 5 to 6 hours total
How to Book: You can book these joint tickets directly on the airline’s website or use 12Go.Asia to bundle your flight, bus, and ferry in one booking.
The Pros: You will save thousands of baht compared to flying direct. The joint tickets also handle all the transfers.
The Cons: You will spend a lot of time in transit.
The Overnight Sleeper Train + Ferry (The Scenic Travel Option)
This is the classic Thai backpacker experience. You will board Train 85 or Train 9 at Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in the evening. These are proper sleeper trains with second-class berths that fold down into beds. Each berth has a privacy curtain, a reading light, and a power outlet. The train attendant will come through and make up your bed with fresh sheets and a pillow.
The train rolls through the Thai countryside overnight, and you will wake up in Surat Thani around 6 or 7 AM. At the train station, you will find shuttle buses waiting outside that are coordinated with the train arrival. These buses take you directly to Donsak Pier, where you will catch the morning ferry to Koh Samui. The entire journey feels like an adventure and gives you a genuine glimpse of Thai travel culture.
Cost: 1,000 to 1,800 THB per person
Travel Time: 12 to 14 hours total
How to Book: You must book sleeper train tickets one or two weeks in advance on 12Go.Asia, as they sell out quickly.
The Pros: This is an epic, scenic journey through central Thailand. The sleeper beds are surprisingly comfortable and you will save one night’s accommodation cost. The rhythmic rocking of the train makes it easy to sleep.
The Cons: You will use up a full day and night of travel.
VIP Sleeper Bus + Ferry (The Extreme Budget Option)
This is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, but it comes with compromises. You will board a VIP sleeper bus at Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal in the evening. These buses have seats that recline nearly flat, but they are still bus seats, not proper beds. The legroom is limited, and if you are taller than 5’11 (180 cm), your feet will hang off the end. The air conditioning is brutally cold, so bring a warm layer. The bus drives through the night on Thai highways and arrives at Donsak Pier around 5 or 6 AM, where you will wait for the first morning ferry. The bus staff will collect your ferry ticket and coordinate the transfer. This option is popular with budget backpackers who want to save every possible baht.
Cost: 800 to 1,500 THB for the bus and ferry combo ticket
Travel Time: 14 to 16 hours total
How to Book: You can check schedules and book tickets on 12Go.Asia
Book your bus ticket to Donsak Pier from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal: Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal to Donsak Pier and ferry ticket from Donsak Pier to Koh Samui
The Pros: This is the absolute cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Samui. You also save a night’s accommodation.
The Cons: The seats are often too short for anyone over 5’11 (180 cm). The overnight journey is uncomfortable, the air conditioning is freezing cold, and the driving style on Thai highways can be erratic.
My Recommendation: Bangkok to Koh Samui
If your budget allows, you should book the direct flight. If you want the classic Thai backpacker experience and to save a night’s accommodation, you should take the overnight sleeper train. It is far more comfortable than the bus and gives you a genuine cultural experience.
How to Get to Koh Samui from Phuket or Krabi (The West Coast)
Crossing from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand means you must travel overland across the Thai peninsula. Figuring out how to get to Koh Samui from Phuket or Krabi is straightforward, but there is no direct ferry because the two coasts are separated by nearly 300 kilometers of mainland. Your options are limited to either a very expensive direct flight from Phuket or a more affordable combined bus and ferry journey that most travelers choose.
Direct Flight (From Phuket Only)
You can only fly direct to Koh Samui from Phuket. Krabi does not have direct flights to Samui. Bangkok Airways operates a few daily flights from Phuket International Airport to Samui Airport. These flights are short but priced high due to the Bangkok Airways monopoly. The flight itself takes about 55 minutes, but you should plan for at least three hours total travel time including transfers to and from airports and check-in procedures. You will pay a premium for the convenience, with prices often exceeding what you would pay for the much longer Bangkok to Samui route. This option makes sense if you are traveling with a group and can split costs, or if you are on a very tight schedule and want to maximize your beach time.
Cost: 4,000 to 7,000 THB per person
Travel Time: About 3 hours total
How to Book: You can book tickets through Trip.com, Skyscanner, or directly on the Bangkok Airways website.
The Pros: You will avoid the long bus ride across the peninsula and the multiple transfers. You will land directly on Koh Samui with no ferry hassle.
The Cons: This is extremely expensive for such a short flight. If you are in Krabi, you must first travel to Phuket Airport, adding time and cost.
Book your flight from Phuket to Koh Samui: Phuket – Koh Samui.
Minivan / VIP Bus + Ferry (The Most Popular Option)
This is the route that nearly all budget travelers take. Companies like Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery, and Phantip Travel offer joint tickets that include hotel pickup in Phuket or Krabi, the minibus or VIP bus ride across the peninsula, and the ferry crossing to Koh Samui. The journey starts early in the morning when a minivan picks you up from your hotel. You will then drive for about 2.5 to 3 hours across the Thai peninsula, passing through rubber plantations, small villages, and winding mountain roads.
The bus stops once for a bathroom and snack break at a roadside restaurant. At Donsak Pier, you will be guided to the correct ferry and board for the 90-minute crossing to Koh Samui. The entire process is well coordinated, and the staff handle your luggage at each transfer point. The bus portion can feel long, especially if you are prone to motion sickness on winding roads.
For motion sickness, I recommend these nausea relief bands. I wear them on planes, in cars, and on boats, and they help so much! The best part is they don’t make me drowsy. Alternatively, I take Dramamine if I have a long plane or car ride that I want to sleep on (or the less drowsy Dramamine for shorter rides).
Cost: 600 to 1,200 THB per person for a joint ticket
Travel Time: 5 to 6 hours total
How to Book: You can book through 12Go.Asia, Lomprayah’s website, or at any travel agent in Phuket or Krabi.
The Pros: You will save thousands of baht compared to flying. The joint tickets handle all the logistics and transfers.
The Cons: The mountain roads are very winding and can cause motion sickness. The journey still uses up most of your day with multiple transfers.
My Recommendation: Phuket or Krabi to Koh Samui
You should book a joint Bus + Ferry ticket via Lomprayah or Seatran Discovery. The price is fair, the service is reliable, and they handle all the transfer logistics for you.
How to Get to Koh Samui from Koh Phangan or Koh Tao
Island hopping within the Gulf of Thailand is super easy, and figuring out how to get to Koh Samui from its neighboring islands is very easy. Ferries run multiple times daily between Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Koh Samui, making it easy to add Samui to your itinerary whether you are coming from the Full Moon Party on Phangan or the diving schools on Tao.
High-Speed Ferry or Speedboat (The Best Option)
This is the only practical way to travel between these islands. Companies like Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery, and Songserm operate high-speed catamarans and speedboats that connect the three main islands in the Gulf of Thailand. The boats are modern, air-conditioned, and have indoor seating as well as outdoor decks where you can enjoy the sea breeze and views of the islands as you travel. The ferries depart from Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan and Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao. On Koh Samui, most ferries arrive at Bangrak Pier (closest to Chaweng and Bophut) or Nathon Pier (on the west coast). You should check which Samui pier is nearest to your hotel before booking.
Cost: 300 to 600 THB from Koh Phangan; 600 to 900 THB from Koh Tao
Travel Time: 30 to 45 minutes from Koh Phangan; 1.5 to 2 hours from Koh Tao
How to Book: You can book through 12Go.Asia, directly on Lomprayah’s website, or at any travel agent on the islands. You can also buy tickets at the pier, but this is risky during high season when boats fill up. Lomprayah offers 2 to 3 departures daily, while Seatran and Songserm offer 1 to 2.
The Pros: Multiple ferries run daily, so you have flexible departure times. The journey is scenic and you get to see the other islands from the water. The tickets are affordable and the process is straightforward.
The Cons: The sea can get very bumpy during monsoon season from November to January. Ferries can sometimes be delayed by bad weather or rough seas. You may have to wait at the pier for 30 to 60 minutes before boarding.
Book your ticket from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui by ferry: Koh Phangan – Ko Samui
My Recommendation: Koh Tao or Koh Phangan to Koh Samui
You should choose Lomprayah Catamaran. They are the fastest and most reliable operator with the most stable boats in rough seas.
How to Get to Koh Samui from Chiang Mai
Traveling from the far north of Thailand to the southern islands means covering nearly 1,500 kilometers. Getting to Koh Samui from Chiang Mai requires either a direct flight with a layover or a much longer budget route through Bangkok and Surat Thani.
Direct Flight (The Best Option)
This is the fastest and most practical way to travel from Chiang Mai to Koh Samui. Bangkok Airways operates one to two daily flights from Chiang Mai International Airport to Samui Airport. However, these flights are not direct. You will have a layover at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok where you will change planes. The total travel time is still much faster than any other option. The airline will check your luggage through to Samui, so you do not need to collect it in Bangkok. At Suvarnabhumi, you simply walk to your connecting gate. The flights usually depart Chiang Mai in the morning and early afternoon, arriving in Koh Samui by late morning or early evening.
Cost: 4,500 to 8,000 THB per person
Travel Time: 4 to 6 hours total including the layover in Bangkok
How to Book: You can book through Trip.com, Skyscanner, or directly on the Bangkok Airways website.
The Pros: This is by far the fastest option. You will save a full day of travel compared to the budget route.
The Cons: This is very expensive. You pay Bangkok Airways’ monopoly prices for both legs of the journey.
Book a fight to Koh Samui from Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai International Airport to Koh Samui.
Fly to Surat Thani + Ferry
This is the budget-friendly alternative, but it requires significant time and patience. You will fly from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani Airport, which almost always requires a layover in Bangkok at either Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang Airport. After landing in Surat Thani, you will collect your luggage and find the transfer counter for your joint ticket. A shuttle bus will take you on the 90-minute drive to Donsak Pier. At the pier, you will wait for the next ferry to Koh Samui, which takes another 90 minutes. The entire journey can stretch across an entire day due to flight schedules and connection times. Some layovers in Bangkok can be three to five hours long, making the total travel time very long.
Cost: 2,000 to 4,000 THB per person for a joint ticket including flight, bus, and ferry
Travel Time: 10 to 14 hours total including layovers, bus, and ferry
How to Book: You can book joint tickets on 12Go.Asia or through travel agents in Chiang Mai.
The Pros: You will save thousands of baht compared to the direct flight option.
The Cons: You will spend most of a full day traveling. The long layover in Bangkok makes the journey exhausting. You will use up a valuable vacation day just on logistics.
My Recommendation: Chiang Mai to Koh Samui
You should book the direct flight if you are short on vacation days. The time you save is worth the extra cost.
How to Get Around Koh Samui Once You Arrive
Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island, and you cannot walk everywhere. The island has a single ring road that circles the coastline, but the distances between towns, beaches, and attractions are too far to manage on foot. You will need some form of transportation to explore properly.
Rent a Scooter (The Best Option)
This is the most popular way to explore Koh Samui. You will have complete freedom to visit beaches, waterfalls, and temples at your own pace. The island’s ring road is well-paved and easy to navigate, but you should be aware that traffic can get heavy in Chaweng and around the tourist hubs. You will need an International Driving Permit to legally rent a scooter in Thailand.
Police checkpoints are common, especially near the airport and on the main ring road, and you will be fined 500 to 1,000 THB if you cannot show a proper license. Helmets are mandatory and most rental shops provide them. You should also inspect the scooter carefully for scratches or damage before you ride away, and take photos to avoid disputes later.
Cost: 200 to 300 THB per day. A full tank of petrol costs about 80 to 100 THB and will last you a full day of exploring.
How to Book: You do not need to book in advance. You can rent scooters directly from your hotel or from any of the many rental shops along the main roads in Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai. Most shops require you to leave your passport as a deposit.
The Pros: You have total freedom and flexibility. You can beat the tour buses to popular spots early in the morning and explore the island on your own schedule.
The Cons: You must be comfortable driving a scooter. Heavy traffic and occasional aggressive local drivers can be stressful for beginners. You are also responsible for any damage to the scooter, which can be expensive.
Songthaews (The Local Budget Option, my preference)
Songthaews are red pickup trucks with benches in the back. They function as shared taxis that run along the main ring road. You will see them everywhere on Koh Samui. They do not have fixed routes or schedules. Instead, you flag one down, tell the driver your destination, and they will either nod or shake their head depending on whether they are going that direction. The official price is 20 THB per person for short rides along the ring road, but most drivers will try to charge tourists 50 to 100 THB. You should confirm the price before you get in. After dark, songthaews become private taxis and you will need to negotiate a price. They are not metered, so you must agree on the fare upfront, which is usually 200 to 400 THB depending on distance.
Cost: 20 to 50 THB per person for daytime rides; 200 to 400 THB for private night rides
How to Book: You do not book songthaews. You simply stand on the side of the main ring road and flag one down.
The Pros: This is the cheapest way to get around the island for short distances. You travel like a local and it is an authentic Thai experience.
The Cons: There is no set schedule and you may wait 10 to 20 minutes for one to pass. The drivers often overcharge tourists. After sunset, prices skyrocket and you must negotiate.
Taxis and Ride Apps (Grab/NaviGo)
Regular taxis on Koh Samui refuse to use meters and will quote you fixed prices that are often double or triple what a Grab ride costs. You should always use Grab or NaviGo instead. Grab works exactly like Uber. You enter your destination in the app and get a fixed price before you book. Grab is reliable on Koh Samui, but there are fewer drivers than in Bangkok, so you may wait 10 to 15 minutes for a car, especially if you are at a remote beach or temple. NaviGo is a local ride-hailing app that sometimes has more drivers and lower prices than Grab. Both apps offer both car and motorbike taxi options. Motorbike taxis are cheaper but less safe.
Cost: 150 to 500 THB per ride depending on distance. A ride from Chaweng to Bophut costs about 150 THB. From Chaweng to Lamai costs about 200 THB. From Chaweng to Nathon Pier costs about 400 to 500 THB.
How to Book: Download the Grab or NaviGo app and set up an account with your Thai SIM card number. You need a local SIM card to use these apps effectively.
The Pros: You get a fixed price with no negotiation. The app shows you the driver and vehicle details for safety. You can pay in cash or by card through the app.
The Cons: Grab is still expensive compared to songthaews. Wait times can be long in remote areas. Regular taxis will try to intercept you and convince you to cancel your Grab ride, which you should never do.
My Recommendation: How to Get Around Koh Samui
You should rent a scooter for ultimate freedom and flexibility. Having your own wheels lets you explore hidden beaches, waterfalls, and temples at your own pace without waiting for drivers or negotiating fares. The island is easy to navigate, and you can cover more ground in a single day.
If you do not scooter (like me), then you should rely on a mix of songthaews for short daytime trips and Grab for longer distances or evening rides. Songthaews are perfect for hopping between nearby beaches or towns during the day.
Understanding Koh Samui’s Piers (Where to get off the boat)
If you take a ferry to Koh Samui, you must know which pier you will arrive at. Unlike an airport where everyone lands in one spot, ferries use four different piers around the island. Arriving at the wrong pier can cost you an extra 30 to 45 minutes and 500 to 800 THB in taxi fees to reach your hotel.
Bangrak Pier (also called Big Buddha Pier)
This is the best pier for most travelers. It sits on the northeast corner of the island, right next to Bophut Beach and Fisherman’s Village. From Bangrak Pier, it is a quick 10-minute drive to Chaweng Beach and about 15 minutes to Lamai Beach. Taxis from this pier are cheaper because most tourist hotels are nearby. Lomprayah high-speed catamarans and Seatran Discovery ferries use this pier almost exclusively.
Mae Nam Pier
This pier is also on the north coast, about 5 minutes west of Bangrak Pier. It serves the Mae Nam Beach area directly, and is only about 15 minutes from Chaweng. It is a good option if you are staying in Mae Nam or Bophut. Some Lomprayah and Raja Ferry services stop here. The pier is smaller and less chaotic than Nathon, making it easier to find your taxi or transfer.
Nathon Pier
This is the largest and busiest pier on Koh Samui, located on the west coast. It is the main commercial pier and handles the big Raja Car Ferries. If you arrive here but your hotel is in Chaweng or Lamai on the east coast, you will face a 30 to 40-minute taxi ride across the island. This can cost 500 to 800 THB. Only use this pier if you are staying on the west side of the island (like Nathon Town, Lipa Noi, or Taling Ngam) or if you are renting a car and need to bring a vehicle over on the car ferry.
Lipa Noi Pier
This is the second car ferry pier used by Raja Ferry, located on the far southwest coast. It is the furthest pier from all major tourist areas. If you arrive here, you are looking at a 45-minute to one-hour drive to reach Chaweng or Bophut. This pier should only be used if you are staying in the Taling Ngam area or have a specific reason to be on that side of the island.
Tips for Getting Around Koh Samui
Once you arrive on Koh Samui, you should know how to avoid the most common transportation scams and save money on getting around.
First, never hail a regular taxi off the street. Koh Samui has a well-known taxi mafia. Regular taxis refuse to use meters and will quote you prices that are two to three times higher than what a Grab ride costs. If you approach a taxi driver at the airport, a ferry pier, or on the street, they will start with an inflated price. You must either negotiate aggressively or walk away. Many drivers will not negotiate at all.
This is why you should always use Grab or NaviGo instead of regular taxis. The apps give you a fixed price before you book and you can track your driver for safety.
Second, when you take a ferry to Koh Samui, you should book a shared minivan transfer directly on the ferry. Most ferry companies like Lomprayah and Seatran sell minivan transfer tickets at the pier in Surat Thani or onboard the boat. These cost 100 to 150 THB and will drop you directly at your hotel. This is much cheaper than hailing a taxi at the pier in Samui, where drivers will ask for 500 to 800 THB for the same ride. The shared minivans wait at the pier and leave when full, so you may wait 10 to 15 minutes, but you will save a lot of money.
Third, you should arrange an airport pickup with your hotel in advance if you are flying directly to Koh Samui. Most hotels on Samui offer airport transfer services for 200 to 400 THB per person. This is slightly more expensive than a Grab, but the driver will be waiting for you with a sign when you exit the terminal. This is especially helpful if your flight arrives late at night when Grab drivers are scarce. Avoid the airport taxi queue entirely, as these drivers start at 500 THB for even a short ride.
Finally, if you rent a scooter, you should always inspect it carefully and take photos of any scratches or damage before you ride away. Rental shops will try to charge you for damage that was already there when you return the bike. You should also insist on seeing the bike’s registration papers to make sure it is legal to drive. Police checkpoints are common on the ring road, and they will fine you 500 to 1,000 THB if you cannot show an International Driving Permit. Most shops ask you to leave your passport as a deposit, which is standard on Samui, but you can try to negotiate by leaving a photocopy and a cash deposit instead.
Wrap Up: The Easiest Way to Get to Koh Samui
To summarize the best way to get to Koh Samui from the most popular starting points in Thailand:
- From Bangkok: Fly directly to Samui Airport if your budget allows. If you want to save money and have the classic Thai travel experience, take the overnight sleeper train to Surat Thani and connect to the ferry.
- From Phuket or Krabi: Book a joint Bus + Ferry ticket via Lomprayah or Seatran Discovery. The VIP bus across the peninsula is affordable and handles all the logistics for you.
- From Koh Phangan or Koh Tao: Take the Lomprayah Catamaran high-speed ferry. It is the fastest and most reliable option for island hopping in the Gulf.
- From Chiang Mai: Book the direct flight with Bangkok Airways, even though it requires a layover in Bangkok. The time you save is worth the extra cost compared to the long budget route.
- Getting Around Samui: Rent a scooter if you have a license and are comfortable driving. If not, use Grab for reliable rides and avoid regular taxis completely, as they will overcharge you.
I hope this guide helps you plan your trip and makes your journey to Koh Samui smooth and stress-free. The island is absolutely worth the effort, and once you arrive, you will have an amazing time exploring it.
Ready to book your trip? Here are all the sites I use to plan my trips:
- SafetyWing for travel insurance
- Flytographer for professional photoshoots all over the world
- Daily Drop Pro for miles and points bookings (learn more in my guide)
- Booking.com for a huge variety of hotels, vacation rentals, flights, and more
- HostelWorld for the best hostels around the world
- Vrbo for vacation homes and rentals
- Going and Thrifty Traveler for cheap flight alerts
- Amazon for travel and packing must-haves
Want to save this post?
Email this post to yourself, so you can come back to it later!