Quick Fast-Boat Search

Fast boat route

Surat Thani to Koh Samui Ferry

Donsak on the Surat Thani coast is the mainland pier for Koh Samui and the only practical way to bring a car or motorbike across. Two vehicle ferry operators run the crossing and they land at different piers: Raja Ferry's own schedule lists hourly departures from 05:00 to 19:00 in both directions, each about 90 minutes. In festival season, 30 December to 30 April, the operator adds extra sailings if there are many vehicles waiting. Seatran Ferry runs the same crossing to Nathon Pier on the other side of the island. Check which pier is on your ticket before arranging onward transport. Donsak itself is not in Surat Thani town. It sits roughly an hour by road away, and further again from the airport or from Phunphin railway station.

Operators on this route

Who sails Surat Thani to Koh Samui

Raja Ferry
Vehicle and passenger ferry from Donsak to Koh Samui, landing at Lipa Noi Pier.
Operator →
Seatran Ferry
Vehicle and passenger ferry from Donsak to Koh Samui, landing at Nathon Pier.
Operator →

Booking basics

Refunds, baggage and pickup notes

1

Raja Ferry lands at Lipa Noi Pier; Seatran Ferry lands at Nathon Pier. These are different parts of the west coast, so confirm the operator and pier on your ticket before booking a taxi.

2

Donsak is roughly an hour by road from Surat Thani town (about 60km), and longer again from the airport or the railway station at Phunphin. It is why combined coach-and-ferry tickets are common on this route.

3

Both operators run through the day, roughly hourly from early morning to early evening. Confirm the last sailing on the day you travel.

Cancellation rules, baggage allowance and hotel pickup are set by the operator and the seller, and they differ more than you would expect. Read the terms on your own booking before paying.

Cancellation policy guide · Baggage and hotel pickup · Support options

Travel tips

Before you sail

1

Raja Ferry adds extra sailings during festival season, 30 December to 30 April, if a scheduled ferry fills up, so a departure is often available even when a sailing looks full.

2

Seatran Ferry's own site describes its Donsak-Nathon vehicle ferry as carrying up to 90 cars, taking about 1 hour 30 minutes, with departures roughly every hour.

FAQs

Surat Thani to Koh Samui ferry questions

It depends on the operator, and this is worth checking before you book. Raja Ferry docks at Lipa Noi Pier on the south west coast. Seatran Ferry docks at Nathon Pier further north. The two are not close together, so check your ticket before you send a driver to meet you.
Yes, this is the vehicle route. Donsak is the mainland pier for Koh Samui and the only practical way to take a vehicle across. Raja Ferry publishes about 90 minutes for the crossing to Lipa Noi Pier and runs roughly hourly through the day.
Roughly an hour by road from the town, about 60km, and longer from the airport or from the railway station, which is at Phunphin in a different district. Actual drive time varies with traffic, so treat that as approximate rather than exact. It is the reason combined coach and ferry tickets are so common on this route.

Plan your Surat Thani to Koh Samui crossing

Compare the operators above, then check availability with the seller.

Compare operators