Ferries to Samui and Koh Pha Ngan - ferry timetable
It's only a short hop from Samui, but a bumpy one!
Ferries are the most popular means of reaching Samui, and the only way to get to Koh Phan Ngan and Koh Tao. By taking the train or bus to Surat Thani you then have the option of almost hourly ferry services to Samui, and a few times a day to Koh Phan Ngan and Koh Tao from several piers nearby. There is also the option to catch a twice daily fast catamaran from Chumpon, halfway down the coast from Bangkok, which is the quickest way to reach Koh Tao.
Don Sak is the busiest and closest mainland pier to Samui, there is also Ao Ban Don and Tha Thong. In reality, travel agents in Bangkok and elsewhere will arrange a combined ticket including transfers, meet and greet personnel and the ferry, with lots of waiting around.
The ferry ride to Samui takes two-and-a-half hours (longer on the night ferry), and arrives at Nathon, before continuing onto Koh Phan Ngan. There are also direct ferries to Koh Phan Ngan. An hourly ferry also connects Big Buddha beach on Samui with Haad Rin on Koh Phan Ngan
Note! It’s easier to make enquiries with local travel agents in Surat Thani or on Samui about ferry journeys. They will have up-to-date information (during the high season extra sailings are added) and will arrange a transfer for you to the terminal.
Planning it yourself can be tricky, as timings are never absolute in Thailand. Invariably you set out in the morning, there’s some waiting around and you arrive at your destination at about midday, don’t try to be more efficient. Whether you begin your trip in Khao San Road or Phi Phi, it's a well oiled route with other travellers, and agents on hand to help you change from one mode of transport to the other, aided by coloured stickers.
Updated and correct: January 2012
Samui ferry timetable
Seatran Ferries from Surat Thani (Donsak Seatran ferry Pier) to Koh Samui (Na thon Pier) Daily; 06.00 - 19.00 (every hour). Surat Thani Town office tel. (077) 275061-2,Donsak Office: (077) 251 150-2, Samui Office: (077) 246 000-1, Koh Pha Ngan Office: (077) 238 130.
Raja Ferries from Surat Thani (Donsak Raja ferry Pier) to Koh Samui (Li pa Noi Pier) Daily; 05.00 - 18.00 (every hour). Don Sak office tel. (077) 471 206-8, Samui office tel. (077) 415 230-3, Koh Pha Ngan Office: (077) 377 452-3, email: rajaferryport.com.
Song Serm Express boat from Surat Thani (Lame Toua,Song Serm Pier Donsak) to Koh Samui (Na Thon). Daily; bus leaves from Surat Thani Town 08.00, 13.00. Journey time is approx one hour and tickets cost 350 baht. Tel: (077) 289894.
Seatran Ferries from Koh Samui to Surat Thani (Donsak Pier)
Daily; 05.00-18.00 (every hour).
Journey time is approx 1.5 hours and ticket price (one way) 140 baht/person (adult), 70 baht/person (child 4-12 years old).
Raja Ferries from Koh Samui (Na Thon) to Koh Phan Ngan (Tong Sala)
Daily; 9.40, 10.30, 15.30.
Ferries from Koh Phan Ngan (Tong Sala) to Koh Samui (Na Thon)
Daily: 7.15, 12.00, 14.45
Journey time is approx 45 minutes and ticket price (one way) 75 baht/person.
Ferries from Koh Samui (Big Buddha Beach) to Koh Phan Ngan (Haad Rin). Daily; 10.30, 13.00, 16.00, 18.30.
Ferries from Koh Pha Ngan (Haad Rin) to Koh Samui (Big Buddha Beach). Daily: 9.30, 11.40, 14.30, 17.30.
Journey time is approx 45-50 minutes and ticket price (one way) 200 baht/person (adult), 50 baht/person (child 4-12 years old). free (child 1-8 years old).
Night ferries from Surat Thani and Samui
This crossing lasts roughly five hours and there are small bunks for sleeping. This is a good option if you arrive in Surat Thani late at night and don’t want to stay in town. It’s best not to board just before departure as it’s likely all the beds will be taken and you will have to sleep on the deck.
| From | To | Dept. | Arr. | Price/person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surat Thani | Koh Tao | 23.00 | 08.00 | 500 |
| Koh Tao | Surat Thani | 20.00 | 05.30 | 500 |
| Surat Thani | Koh Samui | 23.30 | 05.30 | 100 |
| Koh Samui | Surat Thani | 21.00 | 04.30 | 100 |
| Surat Thani | Koh Phan Ngan | 23.00 | 05.00 | 100 |
| Koh Phan Ngan | Surat Thani | 22.00 | 04.00 | 100 |
Koh Phan Ngan and Koh Tao ferry timetable
Ferries from Koh Pha Ngan to Koh Tao
Daily: 12.30
Koh Tao to Koh Pha Ngan
Daily: 10.00
Journey time is approx 1.5 hours and ticket price (one way) 250 Baht/person (adult), 125 Baht/person (child 4-12 years old).
High speed ferries from Samui - Koh Phan Ngan - Koh Tao - Chumphon
| From | To | Dept. | Arr. | Price/person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Samui | Koh Phan Ngan | 08.00 | 08.20 | 300 |
| 12.30 | 12.50 | 300 | ||
| 17.00 | 17.30 | 300 | ||
| Koh Phan Ngan | Koh Tao | 08.30 | 09.45 | 450 |
| 13.00 | 14.15 | 450 | ||
| Koh Tao | Chumporn | 10.15 | 11.20 | 600 |
| 14.45 | 16.30 | 600 |
High speed ferries from Chumphon - Koh Tao - Koh Phan Ngan - Samui
| From | To | Dept. | Arr. | Price/person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chumporn | Koh Tao | 07.00 | 08.45 | 600 |
| 13.00 | 14.45 | 600 | ||
| Koh Tao | Koh Phan Ngan | 09.30 | 10.45 | 450 |
| 15.00 | 16.10 | 450 | ||
| Koh Phan Ngan | Koh Samui | 07.15 | 07.45 | 300 |
| 11.00 | 11.20 | 300 | ||
| 12.00 | 12.30 | 300 | ||
| 16.20 | 16.40 | 300 |
More information: Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Tel: 077 427765-6
Safety warning! Every year there are ferry accidents from overcrowding and poor safety judgement, resulting in drownings. This has occurred on the ferry returning from the full moon parties, and it’s worth being patient and stepping off a crowded ferry, especially when the sea is looking rough.
Updated and correct: January 2012
