How to Get to Koh Samui: From Bangkok, Phuket & Krabi

Last updated: Jul 14, 2026

Key takeaways

Koh Samui has no land bridge — every route ends in a flight into Samui Airport (USM) or a ferry from Donsak Pier.
Bangkok Airways operates the only direct flights: about 1h05m from Bangkok, 55 minutes from Phuket, and 50 minutes from Krabi.
The bus-and-ferry combo is far cheaper but far slower — 10 to 18 hours from Bangkok versus as little as 5 hours from Krabi.
Krabi is the fastest and cheapest overland gateway to Koh Samui; Bangkok is the longest and priciest by bus and ferry.
Time-pressed travelers should fly; budget travelers save the most on the Krabi or Phuket overland routes.

Table of Contents

Why you can’t drive straight to Koh Samui

Koh Samui sits in the Gulf of Thailand, off the coast of Surat Thani province, with no bridge or causeway connecting it to the mainland.

Every overland route ends at a pier, most often Donsak Pier near Surat Thani, where a ferry makes the final crossing to the island.

The one shortcut is flying directly into Koh Samui’s Samui Airport (USM), which Bangkok Airways built and still owns and operates.

The airport opened in 1989 and remains one of the only privately owned airports in Thailand.

Comparing time and cost, route by route

Here’s how flying stacks up against the bus-and-ferry combo — and Phuket’s private-transfer option — once you put real numbers side by side.

Bangkok, Phuket & Krabi to Koh Samui: time and cost by mode

Bar length shows typical door-to-door travel time, scaled to a 12-hour maximum.

Flight (Bangkok Airways)

Bus & ferry

Private transfer

Bangkok → Koh Samui

Flight

~1h 05m · THB 4,500–4,600 (~$134–137)

Bus & ferry

~10–12h (up to 18h) · THB 600–1,000 (~$17–29)

Phuket → Koh Samui

Flight

~55 min · fare varies by season

Bus & ferry

~7–9h · THB 700–1,200 (~$20–34)

Private

~6h · THB 5,800–7,000 total (~$165–200)

Krabi → Koh Samui

Flight

~50 min · fare varies by season

Bus & ferry

~5–7h · THB 500–900 (~$14–25)

Figures are typical ranges at the time of writing and vary by season, operator, and how far ahead you book — see Sources below.

The pattern holds across all three cities: flying costs more, but it turns most of a day of travel into well under 90 minutes.

Getting to Koh Samui from Bangkok

Bangkok is the busiest gateway to Koh Samui, with direct flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport and a well-worn overnight bus-and-ferry route.

Fly direct with Bangkok Airways

Bangkok Airways flies nonstop from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Samui Airport in about 1 hour and 5 minutes on average.

The route covers roughly 465 kilometers (289 miles), with the first departure around 06:05 and the last around 20:05.

Fares on this route typically run THB 4,500 to 4,600 one-way (about $134 to $137 as of July 2026), reflecting strong demand and limited competition on what is effectively Bangkok Airways’ flagship route.

Compare current fares for flights to Bangkok if you’re arriving from elsewhere before continuing on to Samui.

The budget option: bus and ferry

The classic backpacker route runs by overnight bus or van from Bangkok to Surat Thani, a shared minivan transfer to Donsak Pier, then a ferry across to Koh Samui.

Combo tickets cost around THB 600 to 1,000 (about $17 to $29), and the journey typically takes 10 to 12 hours door-to-door.

Build in extra time for connections or peak-season queues, as the full trip can stretch to 18 hours.

If you need a night in the capital first, hotels in Bangkok near the bus terminals make an early departure easier.

Getting to Koh Samui from Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s other major island hub, and Bangkok Airways connects it to Koh Samui with some of its most frequent short-haul flights.

Fly direct with Bangkok Airways

The nonstop flight from Phuket International Airport takes about 55 minutes and covers roughly 249 kilometers (155 miles).

Bangkok Airways operates this route several times a day, with departures spread between about 07:30 and 19:30.

Compare fares for flights to Phuket if you’re routing through the island first.

Bus and ferry

The overland option runs by bus or van from Phuket to Surat Thani and Donsak Pier, then a ferry to Koh Samui’s Nathon Pier.

Expect THB 700 to 1,200 (about $20 to $34) and a total journey of roughly 7 to 9 hours.

Private transfer plus speedboat

A private car covers the 4- to 5-hour drive from Phuket to Donsak Pier, followed by a high-speed ferry or speedboat crossing of about 1.5 hours.

Budget roughly THB 5,800 to 7,000 total (about $165 to $200), usually split between passengers, for a door-to-door time of around 6 hours with no overnight bus.

If you’re island-hopping before Koh Samui, hotels in Phuket are worth booking for a night around your transfer time.

Getting to Koh Samui from Krabi

Krabi is the closest of the three gateways to Koh Samui, which makes both flying and the bus-and-ferry combo quicker here than from Bangkok or Phuket.

Fly direct with Bangkok Airways

Bangkok Airways flies nonstop from Krabi Airport to Samui Airport in about 50 minutes, covering roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles) on an ATR turboprop.

This route runs about twice a day, with departures scheduled around 14:00 and 18:25.

Compare fares for flights to Krabi if you’re starting your trip on the Andaman coast.

Bus and ferry

Krabi’s bus-and-ferry combo is the fastest and cheapest overland route to Koh Samui of the three gateways.

Journeys run about 5 to 7 hours depending on the connection, for THB 500 to 900 (about $14 to $25).

If you’re spending a night in Krabi before continuing, hotels in Krabi are close to both the bus terminal and the airport.

What the budget route actually looks like

If you’re taking the bus-and-ferry combo from any of the three cities, the journey follows the same basic shape.

The classic budget route, step by step

Bangkok, Phuket, or Krabi — same journey once you reach Surat Thani.

1

Bus or van departs your city

From the Bangkok, Phuket, or Krabi bus terminal — often overnight from Bangkok, by day from Phuket or Krabi.

2

Arrive in Surat Thani

The mainland gateway province for Koh Samui and the other Gulf islands.

3

Transfer to Donsak Pier

A short shared-minivan hop, about 1 hour.

4

Ferry crossing to Koh Samui

Raja Ferry, Seatran, or Lomprayah, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the operator.

5

Arrival at Nathon or Lipa Noi Pier

Koh Samui’s two main ferry piers, both on the island’s west side.

6

Final transfer to your hotel

By taxi or songthaew from the pier to your beach of choice.

Which route fits your trip?

Traveler type	Best route
Time-pressed travelers	Fly Bangkok Airways — 65 minutes or less from any of the three cities and the only way to skip an overnight bus.
Budget travelers	Take the bus-and-ferry combo, especially from Krabi, where it’s both the cheapest and the shortest overland option.
Comfort-seekers without a convenient flight	Phuket’s private car and speedboat combo cuts the overland time by roughly a third with no overnight bus.
Travelers arriving from abroad	Connect through Bangkok, which has the widest choice of international flights before the short hop onward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get to Koh Samui?

Flying Bangkok Airways into Samui Airport (USM) is fastest from all three gateways — as quick as 50 minutes from Krabi, 55 minutes from Phuket, and about 1h05m from Bangkok.

Is there a direct flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui?

Yes. Bangkok Airways flies nonstop from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Samui Airport, taking about 1 hour 5 minutes with frequent daily departures between 06:05 and 20:05.

How do you get to Koh Samui without flying?

Take a bus or van to Surat Thani, transfer by shared minivan to Donsak Pier, then board a ferry across to Koh Samui’s Nathon or Lipa Noi Pier.

Which pier do ferries to Koh Samui leave from?

Nearly all ferries to Koh Samui depart from Donsak Pier in Surat Thani province, run by operators including Raja Ferry, Seatran, and Lomprayah.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the bus and ferry to Koh Samui?

The bus-and-ferry combo is almost always cheaper — as low as $14 from Krabi — but flying saves many hours, especially on the long haul from Bangkok.

Ready to book your route to Koh Samui

Whichever gateway you’re starting from, compare live fares before you commit to flying or riding the ferry.

Search flights to Koh Samui directly, or browse hotels in Koh Samui for your stay once you land.

Planning a wider Thailand trip? Compare flights to Thailand and hotels across Thailand in one search.

Sources

Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.