Facts about the ferry from Koh Samui to Surat Thani
Cheapest Ferry
$10
Fastest Ferry
1h 30m
Earliest Ferry
4:00 AM
Latest Ferry
6:00 PM
Daily Ferry Routes
106
Distance
75 kilometers
Ferry Companies
Lomprayah, Lomprayah, Phantip 1970, Raja Ferry, Seatran Ferry
Koh Samui to Surat Thani Destination Reviews
MB
Margot B
Koh Samui to Bangkok during the night. No need to print the tickets. Ferry was on time and it was easy to find our transfer for the train (which was 30 min late but it happens).
The 3rd class train is really not a good idea, lights on all night, ventilators turn on & impossible to turn off, windows open so it’s pretty cold & lots of noises from outside that you can’t block. Seats are uncomfortable & 2x2 facing each others so you don’t have any way to try to sleep peacefully.
People come to sell a variety of food & drinks (coffee), it’s still better to buy beforehand tho ; but during the night they keep on coming every 20 min screaming so it’s impossible to sleep. Bathrooms uncleaned and without paper but it’s to be expected on a train.
I saw the seats on 2nd class & they did look a bit better but I think if you don’t book a bed it’s not a good idea to travel by train. Cheapest option but I won’t do it again, the night bus seats were way more comfortable & it was less noisy.
Highly recommend Seatran, we have used them twice now and both trips were excellent. There is even a little shop on board if you need a quick bite. The trip is super quick, only about 1 1/2 hrs. I suggest sitting up stairs on the deck under the shade to get amazing views of the islands. This time we transferred to Surat Thani by bus and had no issues. Got off the ferry and walked up to the bus area and just asked around showing our ticket until we found the right one. Bus was nice and had reclining seats and AC, perfect for a quick nap. Thank you very much!!
We booked on the same day and therefore had to go two hours early to see if we could get on the transport after paying. The lady from there helped us confirm the booking but we weren’t sure where to go as she seemed in a rush so just gave our ticket (not her fault, she helped fix our problem after awhile). There was no problems on the ferry, worked effectively and was quick. Once we arrived at the port we realised the bus wasn’t for another two hours and as two girls we had to sit around waiting (this is fine but if we had realised we would have booked a taxi at an earlier time but like I said the girl said to get on the bus straight after the taxi and not that it was a two hour wait). Whilst waiting the driver of the bus said that we had to pay another 250 each on top of what we have already paid for the bus to be dropped at our hotel (which was in the city and on route to the train station) whilst being on the bus we realised people were being charged 100-200 to make a stop in the city rather than 250 per person. It also stated that the bus would leave at 8 but left at half 8 so at this rate we were desperate to get to our accommodation we didn’t question it. I think it’s poorly run and for future reference maybe ask about peoples stops before hand and charge them with the fee of the bus then.
Ferry Ferry, Raja Ferry Port, Feb 3, 2023
HM
Henry M
Gick snabbt och smidigt. Men Gick på fel buss i Donsak. Borde vara skyltat så man inte tar någon annan buss
The ferry departed on time and when it docked, your staff were there to organize any ongoing travels, whether it was the airport, the train station or to Surat Thani and they were well trained and organized.
Ferry travel is an undeniably picturesque way to travel between Koh Samui and Surat Thani. The ferry from Koh Samui to Surat Thani departs regularly according to the schedule. We recommend booking your ferry ticket in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the high season or long weekends and national holidays. Book online to avoid long waiting queues at the pier and ensure your trip goes as planned. While ferry travel may be a real trial for those prone to motion sickness, quite often, it is the only way to reach some of the best island destinations, so get prepared and embark on your adventure!
How far is Koh Samui from Surat Thani?
If you choose to travel from Koh Samui to Surat Thani by ferry, you will have to cover 75 km.
How long does it take to get from Koh Samui to Surat Thani by ferry?
The duration of your ferry travel from Koh Samui to Surat Thani should be within 1h 30m – 2h 30m range. It may depend on the type of the ship – fast or slow, the route – direct or calling to other piers enroute, and the weather conditions – rains and winds are not the best friends for ferries. Do expect delays or trip cancellations if the weather is stormy or your travel falls on off-season or shoulder season. It is highly advisable not to plan tight onward connections after your ferry trips – even if the weather is good, delays are possible as the sea is always unpredictable.
How much does it cost to get from Koh Samui to Surat Thani by ferry?
The Koh Samui – Surat Thani route is served by the following operators: .
There are differently priced tickets, and the cheapest one is only . The most expensive one will set you back . Before you buy your ticket, make sure you understand what your fare includes as there may be different luggage allowances, seat classes, and extras – water, snacks, etc.
Travelling by ferry essentials
We do recommend buying your ferry tickets in advance, especially if your route is served by smaller vessels that offer a limited number of daily departures. To book in advance is of primary importance not only during the high season but off-season, too. Sometimes it is ok to show up at the pier and hop on the next ferry but remember that this is not possible for any destination, and you may end up waiting for hours for the next departure and to have to change your travel plans.
Shipping is highly dependent on weather conditions. It mostly refers to the open sea routes, e.g. between the destinations in the open sea and the coast as well as between the islands scattered in the sea. If the waves are high, even the islands which sit closest to the shore are often cut off from the continent – all vessels may be ordered to remain in the harbor. So do keep in mind that during stormy weather, delays and cancellations may occur. Strong winds and heavy rains may interfere with your sea journey, too. So take it into consideration while making your travel plans.
Very often, a more expensive fare means less time spent on board, though the difference in price also may be due to the different cabin classes. Always check how long your trip lasts – it may be worth paying extra to cut your travel time to an hour instead of three, right? Travel time can be crucial if you are prone to seasickness, so choosing the cheapest ferry ticket is not always a good idea.
Speedboats bring you to the destination in the shortest time possible, while fast catamarans are also a decent choice, often taking only slightly more time. On some routes, slower and sometimes overnight ships are available, proving a prudent option if you are ready to spend a night on board. It actually allows you to save some bucks in your pocket that you would have otherwise spent on a hotel room. Yet again – longer ferry trips are not for everyone.
If you are prone to seasickness, take medicine half an hour before you board your ferry, not when you have already started feeling nausea – this way it will not help. Opt for staying on the open deck with a fresh breeze blowing into your face wherever possible. On vessels with several decks, the lower one normally feels more stable, while the upper one often is more of a rock-n-roll type.
A rule of thumb, choose bigger and more stable car ferries or high-speed boats if you suffer from rough seas. The former feels very steady even when stormy, and the latter is fast. Avoid catamaran-like ferries as they ride the wave rather than cut through it – which means constant ups and downs, ups and downs, OMG. If you happen to choose a catamaran, do follow our recommendation above.
Ferry is often not the only way to travel between certain destinations. It is obviously more scenic but usually pricier and may take much longer than if opting for a flight or a bus ride. Before you go, check if your island destination is connected to the mainland with a bridge – many islands which are located close to the shore, in fact, are.
Always put on your life jacket. Regulations around the world differ greatly and, in some countries, are more relaxed than in others. Anyway, almost everywhere, passengers are supposed to wear their life vests. If you are not provided with one, do not hesitate to ask where they are located.
Note that piers at some destinations collect a special ‘pier fee’ from all arriving passengers. As a rule, this fee is not included in your ticket price and should be paid on arrival.
Reading other travellers’ reviews is the best way to get an idea of what to expect from your ferry trip. Do check their experience to get the most out of your sea journey.
