How to Get to Koh Samui from Surat Thani: A Complete Guide

Living in Bangkok means I spend almost every spare moment I have planning my next trip and Koh Samui is one of my favourite escapes. If you are researching how to get to Koh Samui, you are in the right place. In this guide, I am going to walk you through how to travel from Bangkok to Koh Samui via Surat Thani. It’s a route that can save you over £250 compared to flying direct. It takes a little more planning and time, but trust me, your bank account will thank you. I have done this journey myself and I am sharing everything you need to know.

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Starting Your Journey -What to Know About Bangkok First

Before you even think about how to get to Koh Samui, you need to get yourself to Bangkok first. For most UK travellers, Bangkok is the natural starting point for any Thailand trip and honestly, it deserves way more than just a quick stopover. I live here, and I can tell you that Bangkok is one of the most exciting, vibrant and surprising cities in the world. The food is outstanding, the temples are breathtaking, the nightlife is legendary, and the shopping is incredible. If you are planning your trip from the UK, I would strongly recommend building in at least two to three nights in the city before heading south to the island. You will not regret it.

For everything you need to know about where to sleep, eat and explore, check out my guides on the best things to do in Bangkok and the best places to stay in Bangkok.

Getting to Koh Samui – Which Route is Right for You?

There are three main ways to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok. Each one suits a different type of traveller, budget, and schedule. The first option is a direct flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui – the quickest and most convenient, but also the most expensive. The second is an overnight bus and ferry from Bangkok all the way to the island, the cheapest option, but the longest journey. The third, and the route I personally took, is flying from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then completing the journey by bus and ferry. Here is a quick comparison to help you decide:

Route	Travel Time	Approx Cost (GBP)	Best For
Direct flight BKK → Koh Samui	1.5 hrs	£180 +	Speed and convenience
Overnight bus BKK → Koh Samui	10–12 hrs	£15–£40	Budget travellers
Flight to Surat Thani + bus + ferry	4–5 hrs	£60 – £90	Best value for money

1. Take a Direct Flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui

If money is not a concern and you want the fastest way to get to Koh Samui, a direct flight from Bangkok is your best option. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK) both offer flights to Samui Airport (USM). Bangkok Airways operates the majority of direct routes and flights take around 1 hour 30 minutes. Prices start from around £180 depending on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Peak season and last minute bookings will push that price up significantly, sometimes in the region of £300 or more. If you want a direct flight, I recommend booking as early as possible through Trip.com to get the best available price. It is the easiest and most stress-free way to get to Koh Samui, you just need to be prepared to pay for that convenience.

2. Take the Overnight Bus from Bangkok to Koh Samui

If you are travelling on a tight budget, the overnight bus is the cheapest way to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok. Buses depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) and the journey takes around 10 to 12 hours in total, including the ferry crossing from Surat Thani to the island. Prices start from as little as £15 to £40 depending on the operator and the level of comfort you choose. Most overnight buses are air conditioned and have reclining seats, so it is manageable, but it is a long trip. The biggest advantage is that you travel overnight and wake up at your destination, saving on a night’s accommodation. Book your overnight bus tickets in advance through 12Go to compare operators, times and prices in one place.

3. Fly to Surat Thani then Take the Bus and Ferry to Koh Samui

This is my personal favourite way to get to Koh Samui and the route I use every time I make the trip from Bangkok. It takes a little more effort than jumping on a direct flight, but the saving is significant. Flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani cost around £60 to £90, a fraction of the price of a direct flight to the island. From Surat Thani, you then take a combination of land transport and a ferry to reach Koh Samui. The total journey time from leaving Bangkok to arriving on the island is around 4 to 5 hours, which is very reasonable. It is a straightforward route once you know the steps, and I am going to break each one down for you right now.

Step 1 -Getting Your Flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani

Several airlines operate flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani, including AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air. Flights take around 1 hour 20 minutes and prices start from £60 to £90 return depending on the season and how early you book. I always use Trip.com to compare prices across all airlines in one place. It’s quick, reliable and regularly has good deals on this route. Book as early as you can, especially if you are travelling during Thai public holidays or peak tourist season between December and February. Getting this flight booked first is the most important step in planning how to get to Koh Samui via Surat Thani.

Step 2 – Getting from Surat Thani Airport to the Ferry Pier

Once you land at Surat Thani Airport, you need to get to the ferry pier to continue your journey. This is the step that most guides on how to get to Koh Samui fail to explain clearly, so pay attention here. The most straightforward option is to book a combined minivan and ferry ticket in advance, which takes you directly from the airport to Donsak Pier and straight onto the ferry. Seatran Ferry and Raja Ferry both offer this combined service. The minivan transfer from Surat Thani Airport to Donsak Pier takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. A combined minivan and ferry ticket costs around ฿850 to ฿950 (£19 to £22). You can book this easily in advance through 12Go. You can also book tickets on the day, in the building opposite the airport terminal, however, be mindful that during peak season, things often get booked up in advance, so you’re taking a risk.

Step 3 – Taking the Seatran Ferry to Koh Samui

This is the final step in how to get to Koh Samui via Surat Thani. Once your minivan drops you at Donsak Pier, you board the Seatran Ferry for the crossing to Koh Samui. The ferry ride takes around 1 hour 30 minutes and the views out on the water are gorgeous. The ferry is large, comfortable and air conditioned inside, with open deck seating available if you want to enjoy the sea breeze. There are snacks and drinks available on board too. The ferry arrives at Nathon Pier on Koh Samui, where taxis and songthaews are waiting to take you to your final destination on the island. It is a really enjoyable end to the journey and a brilliant introduction to the island.I would recommend taking a grab bike / taxi, as the taxi’s that wait by the pier often charger much higher prices. Depending on which part of the island you are staying in, you can expect the final leg of the journey to take around an hour.

The Most Important Thing Nobody Talks About – Ferry Times

This is the single most important tip I can give you when planning how to get to Koh Samui via Surat Thani and it is something that most travel guides completely overlook. The last bus from Surat Thani Airport to Koh Samui, with SeaTran, departs at around 4pm and arrives on Samui 20:30. That is earlier than most people expect, and if you do not plan around it, you will miss your crossing entirely. This is especially important for solo female travellers. Being stranded at a pier in an unfamiliar place as it gets dark is not a situation you want to find yourself in. Plan your flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani carefully. Make sure you land with enough time to complete the minivan transfer to Donsak Pier and board your ferry before that last sailing. I cannot stress this enough, check the ferry timetable before you book anything else.

How Much Does It Cost to Get to Koh Samui from Surat Thani?

One of the most common questions people ask when figuring out how to get to Koh Samui is how much the whole journey costs. The honest answer is, it depends entirely on which route you choose. Flying direct is the most expensive option by far. Taking the bus is the cheapest but the longest. The Surat Thani route sits perfectly in the middle – great value, reasonable travel time, and a genuinely enjoyable journey. Here is a full cost breakdown across all three routes so you can plan your budget before you go:

Route	Flight/Bus	Transfer + Ferry	Total (GBP)
Direct flight BKK → Koh Samui	£180+	—	£180+
Overnight bus BKK → Koh Samui	£15–£40	Included	£15 – £40
Flight BKK → Surat Thani + bus + ferry	£60–£90	£12	£72 – £102

The combined bus and ferry ticket from Surat Thani Airport to Koh Samui costs just ฿510 (£11.72) one way. Once you arrive at Nathon Pier on the island, taxi prices vary greatly so I would strongly recommend using the Grab app to get a fair, fixed price to your accommodation. It takes all the stress out of haggling and is by far the easiest option. The Surat Thani route saves you a minimum of £80 and potentially well over £250 compared to flying direct during peak season. For budget-conscious UK visitors, this route makes a lot of financial sense.

Where to Stay in Koh Samui

You have figured out how to get to Koh Samui – now comes the fun part. Choosing where to stay.

Koh Samui has accommodation for every budget, from simple guesthouses steps from the beach to stunning luxury resorts with private pools. The most popular areas to stay are Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut and Maenam – each with its own personality and vibe. Chaweng is the busiest and most lively, while Maenam and Bophut offer a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. I always use Booking.com to find and compare accommodation on the island. It has the widest range of options at every price point and the reviews are genuinely helpful. For a full guide to the best beaches on the island, check out my dedicated guide to the best beaches in Koh Samui to help you decide which part of the island suits you best.

Things to Do in Koh Samui -My Personal Recommendations

Once you have figured out how to get to Koh Samui and you have arrived on the island, the real fun begins. Koh Samui has a brilliant range of activities and day trips to keep you busy, whether you are after adventure, culture, relaxation or a mix of all three. My personal highlight was the Ang Thong Marine Park tour, an absolutely stunning national park made up of 42 islands, with dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and some of the clearest water I have ever seen. It is a full day trip from Koh Samui and one I would recommend without hesitation. It is the kind of experience that stays with you long after you leave the island. Browse and book tours and activities directly below -I use GetYourGuide for all my activity bookings in Thailand and the reviews are always reliable and honest.

Frequently Asked Questions: How to get to Koh Samui from Surat Thani