Koh Samui FAQ: Getting There

How do I get to Koh Samui?

Two main ways. (1) Fly to Samui Airport (USM) on the island's northeast coast - a private Bangkok Airways airport, mostly with connections through Bangkok; fares are higher than typical Thai domestic routes. (2) Cheaper: fly or take a bus/train to Surat Thani on the mainland, then a combined bus-plus-ferry ticket (roughly 500-650 THB from Surat Thani town or airport). Ferries run from Donsak pier to Nathon or Lipa Noi on Samui: about 1.5 hours by car ferry, 45-60 minutes by fast catamaran. Last ferries leave Donsak around 19:00.

How do I get from Bangkok to Koh Samui?

The fast way is a direct flight to Samui Airport (USM); most flights connect through Bangkok because the airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways and competition is limited, so fares are high by Thai standards. The cheaper way is a flight, train or bus to Surat Thani, then a combined bus and ferry ticket to the island (about 500-650 THB from Surat Thani town or airport, ferry leg about 1.5 hours). Nakhon Si Thammarat airport is a second mainland option with bus-plus-ferry connections.

Which pier do ferries arrive at on Koh Samui?

Koh Samui has several piers on different sides of the island. Nathon Pier (west coast): Seatran car ferries from Donsak plus some passenger services. Lipa Noi Pier (southwest): Raja car ferries from Donsak - most travellers with a car or motorbike use this one. Maenam Pier (north): Lomprayah fast catamarans to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Bang Rak Pier (northeast): Seatran Discovery fast ferries to Koh Phangan. Big Buddha Pier: Haad Rin Queen ferry to the Full Moon Party beach. Check your ticket - the pier names are easy to confuse.

How much is the ferry to Koh Samui?

From the mainland (Donsak, Surat Thani) foot passengers pay roughly 80-180 THB on the Raja or Seatran car ferries (about 1.5 hours); sources quote different fares, so treat it as a range. The Lomprayah fast catamaran to Nathon (45-60 minutes) is quoted around 200-350 THB. Combined bus-plus-ferry tickets from Surat Thani town or airport cost roughly 500-650 THB. Vehicles cost extra (a car roughly 350-1,500 THB depending on size and source). Inter-island fares to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao are a few hundred baht - verify with the operator before travel.

How do I get from Koh Samui airport to my hotel?

There is no public bus from Samui Airport (USM) and Grab cars cannot pick up inside the airport. Your options: the official taxi counter with fixed zone prices (about 400-1,200 THB depending on zone; roughly 400-500 THB to Chaweng, Sep 2026), a shared minivan that leaves when full (about 100-130 THB per person), or a pre-booked hotel or private transfer. The airport is in the northeast, about 10-15 minutes from Chaweng by car.