How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao

Bangkok Airways Round-Up

• The quickest and most convenient way to travel to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao from Bangkok is by plane. Bangkok Airways operates multiple flights daily directly to Koh Samui Airport, the main gateway to the Gulf of Thailand. From there, take a short ferry ride to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.
• It is recommended to book your ferry tickets in advance when visiting during the high season (November-April). To maximize your adventure on the islands, plan at least 10 days to enjoy all three islands. You will have enough time to explore each island’s charm, from world-class diving experiences to a rich island culture and vibrant nightlife.

The Gulf of Thailand is home to some of Southeast Asia’s most stunning islands, including Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. Situated in the same turquoise waters, these three islands are located near each other, making it easy for travelers to travel between all of them.

Bangkok Airways has gathered essential travel tips on how to get to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao from Bangkok, as well as how to travel between the islands. In this guide, find out the best ways to reach your destination and start planning your journey soon.

How to Travel from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao

1. By Plane with Bangkok Airways to Koh Samui: The Fastest Way

The quickest and easiest way to reach the islands is by plane. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, take a Bangkok Airways flight to Samui International Airport. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, bringing you straight from Bangkok to Koh Samui with ease. From the airport, travelers can get a ferry transfer to other nearby islands, including Koh Tao and Koh Phangan

2. By Train: A Scenic Journey Through Surat Thani

Another way of traveling to the south from Bangkok is by train. The journey requires two steps from Bangkok to reach Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan. While it may take approximately 10 to 14 hours

While there is no direct route from Bangkok straight to Koh Samui, travelers can still enjoy the experience by embarking on an overnight sleeper train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station to Surat Thani Railway Station. Then, head to Donsak Pier and take ferry services to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao

• To Koh Samui: The total journey takes around 10-12 hours.
• To Koh Phangan: The total journey takes around 12-13 hours.
• To Koh Tao: The total journey takes around 13-14 hours.

Step 1: Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station to Surat Thani

Starting at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station (Bang Sue), get on the southbound train to Surat Thani railway station. The journey takes approximately 9-10 hours.

Step 2: Surat Thani Railway Station to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao 

Once you arrive at Surat Thani Station, take a taxi or bus to Donsak Pier to go to the islands. At the pier, there are many ferry operators, including Raja Ferry Port, Seatran Ferry, and Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran. Below are the ticket prices and travel times for each operator.

1. Raja Ferry Port: To Koh Samui and Koh Phangan

• To Koh Samui: Takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The ferry fees are 140 baht per person and 460 baht per four-wheel vehicle.
• To Koh Phangan: Takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The ferry fees are 210 baht and 550 baht per four-wheel vehicle.

Purchase the tickets in advance through their website rajaferryport.com, or at the counter on the day.

2. Seatran Ferry: To Koh Samui and Koh Phangan

• To Koh Samui: Takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The ferry fees are 170 baht per person and 550 baht per four-wheel vehicle.
• To Koh Phangan: Takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The ferry fees are 240 baht per person and 760 baht per four-wheel vehicle.

Purchase the tickets up to 90 days in advance through the website seatranferry.com, at a 7-Eleven counter, or add Line Official @seatranferry.

3. Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran: To Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao

• To Koh Samui: Takes approximately 45 minutes. The fee is 450 baht per person.
• To Koh Phangan: Takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with the fee of 550 baht.
• To Koh Tao: Takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes with the fee of 750 baht.

Book your ticket in advance through the website at lomprayahcatamaran.com or call 063-081-5000, 063-081-6000. Contact through Line Official: @lomprayah (callcenter05 or callcenter06)

3. By Bus: The Budget-Friendly Choice Through Surat Thani or Chumphon

For travelers on a budget, going to the islands by bus is a perfect choice. Many bus operators offer good legroom and reclining seats, ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 baht. Travelers can choose whether to travel from Bangkok to Surat Thani or from Bangkok to Chumphon.

• To Koh Samui: The journey takes approximately 9-11 hours.
• To Koh Phangan: The journey takes approximately 11-12 hours.
• To Koh Tao: The journey takes approximately 12-13 hours.

1. Travel Route from Bangkok to Surat Thani to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao

The first part of the journey is traveling by bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani, which takes around 8 to 10 hours. The second part, the ferry crossing to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao takes approximately 1 to 3 hours, depending on the destination. 

Step 1: Bus terminal in Chatuchak / Sai Tai Mai / Khao San Road to Surat Thani Bus Terminal

The distance from Bangkok to Surat Thani is around 650 kilometers, taking about 8-10 hours to arrive. Here are the bus operators that travelers can choose from.

• The Transport Company Limited: Departs from Chatuchak (Mo Chit 2) Bus Terminal and travels directly to Donsak Pier in Surat Thani.
• Private Bus Operators: Departs from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal on Borromratchachonnani Road, traveling directly to Surat Thani. Some of the operators are Sri Suthep Tour, Krungsiam Tour, and Sap Phaisan Tour.
• Joint bus service operated by ferry companies: Some ferry companies, such as Raja Ferry, offer joint bus services from Bangkok to the pier, such as Raja Ferry. The bus departs from Khao San Road in Bangkok and travels directly to Donsak Pier, where passengers can connect to the ferry.

Step 2: Surat Thani Bus Terminal to Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao

Take a taxi or bus from Surat Thani Bus Terminal to Donsak Pier for your ferry transfer to go to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. Travelers can choose the ferry services such as Seatran Ferry, Raja Ferry Port, or Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran. 

2. Travel Route from Bangkok to Chumphon to Koh Tao

Another route to Koh Tao from Bangkok is via Chumphon. For those wishing to head straight to Koh Tao, taking a bus from Bangkok to Chumphon is ideal, with a travel time of approximately 6-8 hours. 

Step 1: Bus Terminal in Chatuchak / Sai Tai Mai to Chumphon Bus Terminal

• The Transport Company Limited 999: Departs from Chatuchak Bus Terminal and travels to Chumphon.
• Private Bus Operators: Several private bus companies operate the Bangkok to Chumphon route. For example, Suwannatee Tour departs from the Samae Dam bus stop, and Choke Anan Tour departs from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal on Borromratchachonnani Road. 

Step 2: Ferry service operated by Lomprayah / Boonsiri Sealine to Koh Tao

• Lomprayah Ferry: Ferries run twice daily, departing at 7.00 a.m.-8.45 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.-3.15 p.m. The ticket fare is 750 for one way.
• Boonsiri Sealine: Ferries run twice daily, departing at 6.45 a.m.-8.45 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.-3.00 p.m. The ticket fare is 750 baht for one way.

How to Travel Between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao

1. Koh Samui – Koh Phangan

The ferry ride from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan takes around 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the departure point. The most convenient and popular pier is Bangrak Pier, located closest to Chaweng Beach. 

Below are the operators that provide ferry crossing services.

• Haad Rin Queen Ferry: Offering both a large ferry and speedboat option, it departs from Bangrak Pier to Haad Rin Pier in Koh Phangan. Ticket prices are 200 THB for the ferry and 500 THB for the speedboat.
• Seatran Discovery: Departing from Bangrak Pier, it takes you to Thong Sala Pier in Koh Phangan in just 45 minutes, with ticket prices starting at 350 baht.
• Lomprayah High Speed Ferry: Departing from Pralarn Pier, travelers can reach Koh Phangan in just 30 minutes, with ticket prices starting at 250 baht.
• Ferry Advice: Providing transfers to Thong Sala Pier in approximately 30-45 minutes, it departs from either Bangrak Pier or Pralarn Pier. Ticket prices start at 350 baht.

2. Koh Samui – Koh Tao

The route from Koh Samui to Koh Tao relies on sea transport, including ferry, catamaran, and speedboat. With multiple daily crossings from Pralarn and Nathon Piers, the journey takes approximately 1.5 to 3.0 hours, with fares ranging from 600 to 700 baht. The travel time and price vary between operators and transportation options. 

• Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran: With tickets starting from 700 baht, travelers can depart from Pralarn Pier to Koh Tao in about 2 hours. 
• Lomlahkkhirin Speedboat: Travel with a medium-sized speedboat from Pralarn Pier to Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao, taking just 1 hour and 30 minutes with tickets starting at 700 baht.
• Songserm Ferry: Two options of different travel routes are available.
  1. Departs from Bangrak Pier to Songserm Pier in Koh Tao, taking about 2 hours and 45 minutes, with a ticket price of 700 baht.
  2. Departs from Nathon Pier to Songserm Pier in about 3 hours and 45 minutes with a ticket price of 600 baht. 

3. Koh Phangan – Koh Tao

The route connecting Koh Phangan and Koh Tao is via ferry operated by two operators, Songserm and Lomprayah. 

• Songserm Ferry: Operates up to 5 trips per week, departing from Thong Sala Pier to Songserm Pier in Koh Tao. The journey takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes on a high-speed ferry, with ticket prices at 450 baht.
• Lomprayah High Speed Ferry: Operates up to 14 trips per week, departing from Thong Sala Pier to Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao. The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, with the ticket starting at 600 baht.
• Lomlahkkhirin Speedboat: Departing from the Lomprayah office at Thong Sala Pier, the speedboat reaches Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao in just 1 hour. Ticket prices start at 600 baht.

FAQs about Traveling to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao

Experience more travel in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, Thailand

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• Best Yoga Retreats in Koh Phangan to find Peace in Paradise
• Koh Tao | A Compact Travel Guide For First Time Traveler

Reach Your Island Destination in Comfort with Bangkok Airways

Explore the most iconic islands in the south of Thailand, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, with a perfect mix of white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich island culture. Begin your journey with a Bangkok Airways flight and land directly in Koh Samui. With comfortable service and a short flight time from Bangkok, your adventure starts without hassle.

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Embark on seamless travel adventures with Bangkok Airways’ extensive network of flights connecting you to Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, and Hong Kong. Additionally, enjoy our domestic flights to Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Sukhothai, and Trat.

• Seat Selection: Choose your preferred seat on your flight to ensure a comfortable journey.
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