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Surat Thani City→Koh Samui

Price Range
Recommended
Cheapest
Fastest
Early Departure
Top Rated

How to get there

Getting from Surat Thani to Koh Samui is budget-friendly, convenient, and ideal for travelers flying in from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or other domestic destinations.

Travel Options

Shared Ride

Operators

The Islander Thailand, Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran

Departure Schedule

  • 9:30 AMDaily
  • 10:00 AMDaily
  • 11:00 AMDaily
  • 12:30 PMDaily
  • 1:00 PMDaily
  • 3:00 PMDaily

Departures by Operator

The Islander Thailand

don sak pier lomprayah to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
2025-07-01 - 2026-10-31
from THB  450.00
surat thani train station to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
9:30 AM - 11:45 AM
2025-07-01 - 2026-10-31
from THB  750.00
surat thani airport to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
9:30 AM - 11:45 AM
2025-07-01 - 2026-10-31
from THB  1,050.00
surat thani airport to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
2025-07-01 - 2026-10-31
from THB  1,050.00

Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran

surat thani airport to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
2025-07-01 - 2026-10-31
from THB  850.00
surat thani airport to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
9:30 AM - 11:45 AM
2025-07-01 - 2026-10-31
from THB  850.00
surat thani train station to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
9:30 AM - 11:45 AM
2025-07-01 - 2027-04-30
from THB  750.00
don sak pier lomprayah to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
2025-07-01 - 2027-04-30
from THB  450.00
Don sak pier laem thuat to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
2025-07-01 - 2027-04-30
from THB  450.00
Don sak pier tapee to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
10:00 AM - 11:45 AM
2025-07-01 - 2027-04-30
from THB  600.00
Don sak pier tapee to nathon pier koh samui Shared Ride
1:00 PM - 3:45 PM
2025-07-01 - 2027-04-30
from THB  600.00

Departure Points

  • Don sak Laem Thuat Pier Lomprayahlaem thuat pier lomprayah
  • surat thani train stationSurat Thani Train Station is a vital transit hub in Southern Thailand, located 15 kilometers west of downtown in Phun Phin. It connects the Southern Line from Bangkok to major southern destinations. The station serves primarily as a gateway to the Gulf Islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao). Travelers can purchase convenient combined bus + ferry tickets directly upon arrival, transferring seamlessly to the Donsak Piers. Onward buses also run to Khao Sok, Krabi, and Phuket. The station features standard amenities like left luggage storage, English announcements, ATMs, food stalls, and a nearby 7-Eleven.
  • surat thani airport (URT)Surat Thani International Airport (URT) Surat Thani International Airport (IATA: URT, ICAO: VTSB) is a regional air transport hub in Southern Thailand, located approximately 21 kilometers west of Surat Thani city in Tambon Hua Toei, Amphoe Phunphin. It serves both civilian and military functions, sharing facilities with the Royal Thai Air Force’s Wing 7 squadron. Operated by Thailand’s Department of Airports, it is the 10th busiest airport in the country, handling over 2 million passengers annually. Key Airport Information Location: Tambon Hua Toei, Phunphin District, Surat Thani Province, Thailand IATA/ICAO Code: URT / VTSB Type: Public / Military Operator: Department of Airports (Thailand) Owner: Royal Thai Air Force Elevation: 6.1 meters (20 feet) above sea level Opened: 15 April 1981 Runway: One asphalt runway Passenger Traffic: Over 2 million passengers annually Expansion Plans: Designed to expand capacity to 3.6 million passengers per year Airlines and Destinations Surat Thani Airport provides both domestic and international flights. It serves as a secondary airport for travelers heading to popular destinations in the Gulf of Thailand, such as Koh Samui. Major Domestic Routes: Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport - DMK) Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport - BKK) Chiang Mai (seasonal) International Routes: Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Chengdu (China) Charter routes to Russia (e.g., Nordwind Airlines) Operating Airlines: Thai AirAsia Thai Smile Nok Air Thai Lion Air Spring Airlines Nordwind Airlines (charter) Airport Facilities While modest in scale, Surat Thani Airport offers essential facilities for passenger comfort and convenience: Airline check-in counters Waiting lounges Snack stalls and coffee kiosks Currency exchange and ATMs Car rental counters Free and paid parking Restrooms and baby-changing stations Ground Transportation Surat Thani Airport provides a range of transport services for onward travel: Taxis and private cars: Available at the arrival terminal for trips to Surat Thani city and nearby towns. Airport Buses: Shuttle services to destinations such as Donsak Pier (gateway to Koh Samui), Krabi, and Phuket. Minivans: Shared transportation to tourist destinations across Southern Thailand. Car Rentals: Offered by several national and international agencies. Strategic Importance Surat Thani Airport plays a vital role in Thailand’s transportation infrastructure. In addition to serving tourists heading to the islands and coastal provinces, it also supports military operations and regional logistics. Planned upgrades aim to improve capacity, services, and passenger experience as tourism and regional connectivity continue to grow. Surat Thani International Airport is a reliable and efficient entry point to Southern Thailand’s mainland and island destinations, balancing accessibility with operational simplicity.
  • Don sak Tapee Pier LomprayahTapee Pier Lomprayah Surat thani

Arrival Points

  • nathon pier lomprayah
  • nathon pierNathon Pier Koh Samui

Surat Thani City to Koh Samui Trip Overview

Whether you're heading to Chaweng Beach for nightlife or Lamai Beach for relaxation, the journey is all part of the tropical experience.✈️ 🚐🛳️

Frequently Asked Questions — Surat Thani City to Koh Samui

How do I get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?+

All Surat Thani to Koh Samui transport is a bus + catamaran (or bus + catamaran + van) combination — there is no direct bridge or boat-only option on this route. Travelers start from one of three mainland origins: Surat Thani Airport (URT), Surat Thani Train Station, or the Don Sak piers (Laem Thuat or Tapee). From the airport or train station, a shared bus takes you to the pier (~1 hour), then a Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran crosses to Nathon Pier on Koh Samui in about 45 minutes.

Two operators run this route: Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran and The Islander Thailand. Both offer daily departures at 09:30, 11:00, 12:30, 13:00, and 15:00. The full airport-to-Nathon trip takes about 2h 15min by the fastest option (09:30 departure, arrives 11:45). Adding a van transfer from Nathon to your resort adds about 1 hour. Lomprayah sells a combined bus + catamaran ticket at the Surat Thani Airport ticket counter (Exit 2) so you don't need to book the bus and ferry separately.

How much does the ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui cost?+

The cheapest fare on SmartEnPlus is ฿450 per adult, but the price depends on your pickup point and whether you add a van transfer to your resort:

  • ฿450 — Lomprayah promo, Don Sak Laem Thuat Pier pickup (you arrange your own way to the pier)
  • ฿600 — Lomprayah with van transfer from Nathon Pier to your resort
  • ฿750 — bus + catamaran from Don Sak pier
  • ฿850 — bus + catamaran from Surat Thani Airport or Train Station (most common option)
  • ฿1,050 — The Islander Thailand, bus + catamaran from any pickup (premium product)

Infants travel free on all options. Child fares range from ฿225 to ฿1,050 depending on operator and route. All prices are quoted in Thai Baht by SmartEnPlus.

Where does the Surat Thani to Koh Samui ferry arrive?+

The ferry arrives at Nathon Pier, on the west coast of Koh Samui. Nathon is the island's main commercial ferry port — not a resort beach, but the gateway to all of Koh Samui's popular areas.

From Nathon Pier, you have two options to reach your resort:

  • Shared taxi or songthaew — readily available at the pier exit. Approximate times: Chaweng ~30 min, Lamai ~25 min, Bophut ~20 min, Mae Nam ~15 min. Negotiate or insist on the meter before departing.
  • Pre-booked van transfer — included with the "Bus + Catamaran + Van" product (the ฿600 and ฿1,050 fare options). Your van meets you at Nathon and drops you at your resort, no negotiation needed.

Nathon itself is a small working town with a few shops and restaurants; most travelers continue onward to the beaches the same day.

How to Get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui

How to Get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui

How to Get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui

If you’re planning to visit Koh Samui, one of Thailand’s most loved tropical islands, but you’re arriving via Surat Thani, don’t worry—getting there is simple and scenic. Whether you land at Surat Thani Airport or arrive by train or bus, this guide will help you reach Koh Samui stress-free.

📍Where Is Koh Samui?

Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand. While the island does have its own airport, many travelers choose to fly into Surat Thani to save money. From there, it’s just a combination of bus and ferry to get you to the island.

✈️ Step 1: From Surat Thani to the Ferry Pier

Your first step is getting to Donsak Pier, which is the main ferry terminal serving Koh Samui.

  • From Surat Thani Airport: about 1.5–2 hours by minivan or bus
  • From Surat Thani Train Station: around 1.5–2 hours
  • From Surat Thani City: 1–1.5 hours

💡 Tip: You can purchase a combined ticket (bus + ferry) from popular ferry operators or local travel agencies such as Smarten Plus, making the transfer seamless.

🛥️ Step 2: Ferry from Donsak Pier to Koh Samui

Once you reach the pier, you’ll board a ferry to Nathon Pier ,Pralan Pier or Lipa Noi Pier in Koh Samui. Here’s a breakdown of ferry services:

OperatorTypeDurationFrequency
Raja FerryVehicle Ferry1.5–2 hrsHourly departures
Seatran FerryExpress Ferry1.5 hrs6–8 trips per day
LomprayahHigh-Speed Catamaran1 hr2–3 trips per day

💵 Prices

ServicePrice (THB)
Bus/Van to Pier150–300
Ferry to Koh Samui200–400
Combo Ticket400–600
koh samui

🕓 Sample Travel Timeline

  • 08:00 – Depart Surat Thani Airport
  • 09:30 – Arrive at Donsak Pier
  • 10:00 – Ferry departs
  • 11:30 – Arrive at Koh Samui

🧭 Tips for a Smooth Journey

  • ✅ Book joint tickets in advance to avoid confusion
  • ✅ Ferries operate year-round, but weather may affect timing during monsoon season
  • ✅ Arrive at the pier at least 30 minutes early
  • ✅ Don’t forget to bring motion sickness pills if you’re prone to seasickness


For more detailed guidance, explore our related articles:For more detailed guidance, explore our related articles: