Travel Guide – From Surat Thani to Koh Samui by Ferry – Schedules, Tickets, and Tips

Book your prenotazione online before you travel to ensure your seat is garantito on the diretti ferries. From the città Surat Thani, head to the dellimbarco area early to avoid queues, and use the pagina of each operator to confirm the latest timetables. For siete travelers, online booking helps reduce pena and gives you a clear plan from city to sea.

Two main operators run the route: Lomprayah and Seatran Discovery. Check their strona for current diretti departures, since schedules and travel times vary with vento and season. Expect velocità that suits a relaxed crossing or a quicker ride, with panorami of the gulf unfolding as you approach Koh Samui.

Ticket prices typically range around 450–900 THB, depending on speed, seating, and the pier you depart from. Booking in advance, prenotazione online, can guarantee a garantito seat at peak times. If you prefer, you can arrange a combined transport: a minivan from the city to Donsak and then a ferry, with the rest of your plan noted on strona.

From the airport or hotel to the ferry terminal, plan an aeroportuale transfer if you fly into Surat Thani or Koh Samui; many travellers book a private pickup to avoid delays. While on Koh Samui, the spiaggia oraz panorami from the deck reward a careful traveler. Your hotel choice influences where you disembark–Nathon, Lipa Noi, or Maenam–so always check the dock details on strona before arrival.

Sapere is power for the viaggiatore: study the schedules in advance, compare diretti options, and note the strona that each operator maintains. Oltre the ferry, you can plan a day around Koh Samui’s spiaggia oraz panorami, then return to your città ready for new hotel stays or further sightseeing. For siete, a concise plan keeps travel smooth and enjoyable.

Travel Guide: From Surat Thani to Koh Samui by Ferry – Schedules, Tickets, and Tips; Why Choose Koh Samui and How to Get There Without Flying

Book a premium seat on Seatran Discovery, Raja Ferry, or Lomprayah–aggiornato schedules keep you informed about exact departures and durations. These ferries depart from Donsak Pier, a reliable trasporto option that lets you reach Koh Samui without flying and with predictable wait times.

To reach Donsak from Surat Thani, dovrete drive a short distance of a few chilometro; plan for about 60–90 minutes by road depending on traffic. Organizzare a dallhotel pick-up for the ride to the pier is convenient, or choose taxi2airport for a private transfer if you prefer a door‑to‑pier option. With numerosi daily departures, you can pick the prima or second daily option that fits your plan without stressing your schedule.

Ticketing offers flexibility: biglietto options let you pay on-site or online, and qualche operator provides e-tickets that you can present on your phone. These questi choices (questi) are designed to be easily cambiabili in case your dates shift, dato the seasonal fluctuations in demand. If you travel with a group, a minivan can reduce transfers and keep everyone together, while still preserving senso di comodità e risparmio.

Arrivati all’immbarco dell’imbarco a Koh Samui, you typically dock in Nathon or Lipa Noi depending on the operator; dall’imbarco you’ll find clear pick-up points and taxi stands at the posti nearby. Dallhotel pickups are still common on Ko Samui, so dopo the crossing you can move quickly to your accommodation without long waits, and viaggia via minivan or taxi to your hotel with minimal hassle.

Operator	Od	To	Czas trwania	Typical Departures	Ticket Price (THB) / Notes
Seatran Discovery	Donsak Pier	Koh Samui (Nathon)	1h40–2h	08:00, 11:00, 15:30	350–520; tickets online or on-site; betaal online for convenience
Raja Ferry	Donsak Pier	Koh Samui (Nathon)	1h20–1h45	07:30, 09:30, 14:00	350–450; popular with families; check aggiornato times
Lomprayah	Donsak Pier	Koh Samui (Nathon)	1h10–1h40	07:15, 11:15, 16:15	600–900; premium high‑speed option; seats fill quickly during peak season

Don Sak to Koh Samui: Ferry Routes, Ports, and Operators

Book a morning catamarano from donsak to Koh Samui to cut travel time and reach spiaggia faster; Seatran Discovery and Lomprayah offer faster options, while Raja Ferry provides a good alternativa for budget travelers. Be pronti for ritardi in rough seas, and use these moments to compareschedules and understand esigenze–these choices let you tune the trip to your needs.

Routes and Operators

From donsak, three operators serve Koh Samui: Raja Ferry, Seatran Discovery, and Lomprayah. All routes land at Nathon Pier, the main gateway on the island’s western coast. Ferries typically run 1h45m–2h; catamarano options reach in about 1h. If you need a smoother ride, the catamarano is usually the best pick, especially for families with bambini or groups traveling with a veicolo. For larger groups (grandi), organize a minivan transfer on arrival to save time reaching your hotel. At the binario area of the Don Sak terminal, staff direct boarding to the correct gate; effettua the check-in promptly and keep your documents handy. If you’re weighing options to raggiungere your resort, these routes provide a reliable transport backbone and a straightforward organizzare plan. The town area near the terminal and the hall host counters for each operator, making it easy to compare prices and dato timetables before you commit. For those with esigenze special needs, ask about assistive seating and wheelchair access; many services will effettua accommodations on request, especially on morning departures.

Practical Tips and Booking

To trovare the best option, check the day’s dato timetable across operators and consider a minivan ride from Nathon to your beach area–this is a common transport solution for families with bambini. If a voyage disrupts plans, remember that ritardi can occur; stay flexible and have a backup plan for spiaggia days or island hops. When purchasing tickets at donsak, keep your binario number visible and organizzare boarding by town hall counters to avoid last‑minute queues. If you travel with a veicolo, confirm parking and weight limits ahead of time and confirm effettua the vehicle check-in at the pier. For families, grandi groups and bambini, a pre-booked minivan transfer often speeds up transit from the pier to hotels, ensuring a smooth arrival and raggiungere your resort with minimal stress. Choose a route that fits your lunghezza tolerance: standard ferries deliver steady service at a good price, while the catamarano reduces travel time and offers a more comfortable ride–this is buona altrenativa when time matters, and it keeps your trip light and enjoyable, rispetto to a tight schedule.

Ferry Schedules and Travel Time: When They Run and How Long It Takes

Your first step is to book in anticipo the direct Donsak–Nathon crossings and check Seatran Discovery and Raja Ferry for current schedules. Arriverai at Donsak Pier 45–60 minutes before departure, and keep bagagli organized with a sola carry-on to move easily. For payment, credito is widely accepted; if you’re arriving from town, autobus to the pier is reliable, and you can plan the percurso with minimal hassle. This approach keeps tutto simple and avoids last‑minute stress while you enjoy the fascino of the island coast.

Direct ferries (Donsak → Koh Samui Nathon):

• Seatran Discovery – typical departures: 07:30, 09:30, 12:00, 15:30, 18:00; travel time around 1h40m–2h00m. Diretti service to Nathon; check for seasonal adjustments.
• Raja Ferry – departures: 08:00, 11:00, 14:00, 17:00; travel time around 1h50m–2h10m. Diretti option with similar duration to Seatran, sometimes faster on light seas.

• Lomprayah High‑Speed Catamaran – departures: 08:00, 11:00, 14:00, 17:00; travel time about 1h15m–1h40m. Direct to Nathon; higher prezzo, but noticeably quicker; ideale for those with poco time to spare.

Per uso pratico, i tempi indicati possono variare a seconda delle condizioni del mare. In caso di maltempo, alcuni collegamenti possono partire più tardi o subire rinvii; ancora, le barche dirette rimangono la scelta più affidabile per arrivare rapidamente nel mondo di Koh Samui.

How to choose and plan your day with confidence:

1. From Surat Thani town, take an autobus to Donsak Pier; the ride dura around 60 minutes. Arrange your bagagli in advance; you’ll dovrete passare solo attraverso una breve procedura di check‑in at the pier.
2. Compra i biglietti in anticipo (possibilità di pagamento con credito) per evitare file; in caso di arrivo in anticipo, effettua il check‑in subito per le partenze dirette.
3. Se vuoi massimizzare il relax, scegli i percorsi diretti senza soste intermedie; parliamo di tempi più prevedibili e meno fermate lungo il percorso.
4. Arriverai a Nathon senza complicazioni se organizzi tutto in anticipo, evitando code e ricerche dell’ultimo minuto. Per scorciatoie e possibili alternative, tieni presente la possibilità di una tratta via Lomprayah se vuoi velocità extra.

Consigli pratici extra:

• Anticipo: verifica la disponibilità prima di partire, specialmente durante alta stagione, festività o weekend.
• Bagagli: prepara una borsa leggera per la traversata; lascia la valigia grande nel tuo alloggio e porta solo ciò che serve sulla barca.
• Pagamenti: credito è accettato a bordo e al terminal; se devi pagare contanti, porta abbastanza baht per coprire eventuali trasferimenti o taxi all’arrivo.
• Palme e costa: durante l’andata, il mare calmo offre vedute piacevoli; se arrivi al mattino presto, il sole rendere il percorso ancora più affascinante.
• Venga preparato: se viaggi con amici o famiglia, ricorda che è possibile organizzare sedute vicine o separate a seconda della capienza; le opzioni diretti facilitano la gestione del gruppo.
• Thani: in alcune comunicazioni locali potresti vedere riferimenti abbreviati; controlla i cartelli reali al varco per confermare i casi diretti.
• Organizzare: pianifica l’itinerario in anticipo per massimizzare tempo e fascino della destinazione; sul posto, potrai trovare taxi, autobus e scooter per esplorare la costa con facilità.

Tickets, Prices, and Booking Tips: Online vs On-site

Book online to lock the best price and secure a seat.

Prices from Surat Thani to Koh Samui vary by service level and pier. Slow ferries typically range from 350 to 550 THB one-way, while high‑speed catamarans sit around 700 to 1,000 THB. Expect journey time of 2.5–3 hours on standard ferries and 1–1.5 hours on faster services. Options from Donsak and nearby piers may differ by lunghezza della tratta (length of the trip) and availability on busy days.

• Online bookings usually offer lower fares, real-time schedules, and reserved seats. They also let you scegliere your preferred compagnia, dove you depart, and the exact ponte or cabin style. This consente you to be pronti and avoid last‑minute stress; booking prenotate is quick, and you can store the ticket on your phone.
• On-site desks provide flexibility for last‑minute plans, but availability can be tight, especially during peak season. Cash payments are common, and some desks richiedere ID or a photo of your booking. If you’re traveling with a group or with extra luggage, you may find loro staff helpful for securing a suitable option, though prices may be higher than online promos.

Key differences by service and route help you decide whether to book online or wait at the port. For example, some operators publish lunghezza estimates and seat layouts in advance, while others group fares by centre lub centro pier. If you’re staying dall’hotel or near the centro, you can head to the port with ample time, but online booking still minimizes the risk of sold‑out ponte slots and come you would like to proceed.

• Online booking tips: prenotate early for best prices, compare multiple compagnia, and read cancellation rules. Use official sites or trusted aggregators to avoid scams. Online seats often include a reserved place, which consente easier transfer if your plans change. If you know your exact town starting point, you can scegliere the most convenient departure time and cosa to pack for the lunghezza trip.
• On-site booking tips: arrive at least 60 minutes before departure, have necessario documents ready, and ask about ponte or cabin options. If you’re unsure about the dove to go, port staff can point you to the right counter and help you compare risparmiare with promos.

1. Check schedules on the operator sites and note both dove oraz dall’hotel transfers to the port; this helps you map the centro do ponte podróż.
2. Compare at least two compagnia options and evaluate the lunghezza of the ride, seat type, and whether luggage is included; this is the scelta that saves time and money.
3. Decide between standard ferries and high‑speed services. If you want a quicker start, a catamaran may cost more but risparmiare time; for a calmer trip, a regular ferry can be cheaper and facilmente purchased online.
4. Prepare your documents (passports or IDs as needed) and have your arriverai time confirmed; it’s necessario to show e‑tickets on request.
5. After booking, save the allaeroporto email or app ticket, and note the cosa to do if a schedule changes. If a change is needed, contact the compagnia promptly to adjust without penalties.

Bottom line: for most travelers, online booking consente faster confirmation, risparmiare money, and a smoother start from town to the port. If you prefer flexibility or are traveling with a group, combine online prep with a short port visit to confirm the scelta oraz come you want to proceed, while staying pronti to adjust at the centro desk.

Practical Boarding Tips: Luggage, Seating, and Onboard Comfort

Pack a single carry-on that fits under the seat and a slim daypack for valuables; keep passports, tickets, and meds in the daypack so you don’t rely on the cargo hold. If you want a smoother start, choose luggage in the alta gamma category when available and label each bag clearly. On the dock, present your ticket to the allautista and follow the lorario posted at the pier; this speeds boarding and helps you reach your zone quickly. For travelers with extra gear, fornendo clear details about contents can help the crew organize space, and potrà save time during loading.

Seating: aim for forward-facing seats or those near the bow to catch panorami as the barca glides. If you prefer quiet, pick a mid-cabin row away from stairs and snack areas. wise choice is to upgrade to premium seating with extra legroom and quicker exit access; this scelta offers a solid balance of comfort and value. Check the sette zones on the map and book early to garantito a spot. On busy sailings, seats near the crew area may be noisier, so choose a seat that matches your mood. For magior comfort, consider adding a lightweight pillow.

Onboard comfort: bring a light jacket since air conditioning can feel chilly on deck; a compact travel blanket or scarf keeps you warm without bulk. Use cushions or benches if available, and bring headphones or an offline playlist for the ride. The thailandese crew is typically helpful–ask about località around the barca and where to stand for the best views; lavoriamo with the crew to point you to the best panorami spots and ensure you stay comfortable. Pay attention to laereo ventilation settings to keep a steady temperature during the crossing.

Practical prep before departure: pagare any extra for luggage or premium seating; diversi options exist and paying a small fee can garantito faster boarding and quicker exit at nathon port. Expect a short chilometro walk from the pier to hotel zones, so plan transfers in advance and decide between on-island routes to thailandia if you prefer to use local providers. Having a simple checklist helps tutte your plans and keeps the crossing smooth, with veloci changes to lorario or barca if needed, and staying aware of velocità updates from the crew.

From Pier to Your Hotel: Koh Samui Transport Options and Typical Timings

Book a private transfer from the pier to dallhotel for an efficiente start; this option minimizes waiting and lets you settle into your hotel quickly, with a dedicated driver waiting at the arrival hall and a clear price on a voucher.

Private car with driver: expect 1500–2500 THB depending on pier, hotel location, and whether you add a stop. The typical transeunt time to central areas like Chaweng or Bophut is about 25–45 minutes, while to quieter spots such as Lamai or Lipa Noi you’ll need 40–60 minutes in light traffic. This option is an una variante that many travelers prefer for comfort and reliability.

Taxi and shared options: a standard taxi from the pier to Chaweng usually runs 450–700 THB, and to Bophut around 500–750 THB. Shared songthaew or minivan services cost roughly 100–250 THB per person and can take 30–60 minutes depending on stops. If you negotiate on the spot, you can spesso negoziare a lower rate, but always confirm the price before departure to avoid problemi at arrival.

Scooter and motorbike rentals: 200–350 THB per day, plus a deposit. This is convenient if you’re comfortable riding, but requires a valid license and careful attention to Koh Samui’s winding roads; reserve the option only if you’re confident and plan a short, relaxed trajetto close to your hotel. Always wear a helmet and avoid peak traffic moments, especially near Chaweng.

Ferry or barche connections from some piers to nearby beaches can be an alternative to road transport, particularly for hotel areas directly served by water taxis. In busy periods, these can be less efficient, but they remain a viable opción for certain routes and gia valori. For ongoing choices, many travelers are proud (orgogliosi) to mix barche with a short road leg when time permits and the hotel is near a pier with water access.

Practical tips: dove to start, contattare your hotel in advance, and have a backup plan if your lbl arrival changes. When cercando a fast option, spør your hotel reception to arrange a private transfer and request a voucher sent via pagina or Facebook page (facebook). If you arrive with a large group, ask for a multi-seat vehicle, which saves time and reduces waiting moments (momento). If you hit any problems, you can contact the operator’s ответственный (источник) for a quick solution and ensure you’re not stuck in a long queue.