Best Option for Most Travellers
Flying via Surat Thani on a low-cost carrier is the best value — significantly cheaper than direct Bangkok Airways flights, only 1–2 hours longer total journey time.
All Transport Options
| Method | Duration | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 1h 15m | ฿1,500–5,000 | 10–15 daily flights (Bangkok Airways monopoly) |
| Fly to Surat Thani + Ferry | 3–4 hours total | ฿799–2,500 (flight) + ฿180 (ferry) | Multiple daily flights; ferries run frequently |
| Overnight Bus + Ferry | 10–13 hours total | ฿600–900 | Multiple daily buses from Southern Bus Terminal |
| Train to Surat Thani + Ferry | 12–15 hours | ฿600–1,100 | Several daily trains; afternoon/overnight departures |
Flight
฿1,500–5,000Bangkok Airways has a near-monopoly on Bangkok–Koh Samui flights (USM airport is private, owned by Bangkok Airways). Flights depart from both BKK and DMK. Fares are significantly higher than other Thai routes — ฿1,500 is a good fare, ฿3,000+ is common.
Fly to Surat Thani + Ferry
฿799–2,500 (flight) + ฿180 (ferry)Fly low-cost to Surat Thani (URT) with Thai AirAsia or Nok Air, then taxi/minibus to ferry pier (45 minutes), then ferry to Koh Samui (45–90 minutes). Total cost is usually 30–50% cheaper than a direct Bangkok Airways flight.
Overnight Bus + Ferry
฿600–900Night bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani ferry pier, then combined Seatran or Lomprayah boat to Samui. Departure around 7–8pm, arriving Samui around 8–10am.
Train to Surat Thani + Ferry
฿600–1,100Scenic option. Train to Phun Phin station (Surat Thani), then shared songthaew to ferry pier. Overnight sleeper train is comfortable. Good for travellers with time and on a budget.
Who runs Bangkok to Koh Samui
Operators publishing this route on their own site. Booking direct is usually cheaper than through an agent.
Lomprayah High Speed Ferries
checked 2026-08-21High-speed catamaran, with connecting coach
Publishes a full 2026 timetable; book direct rather than through a beach-front agent.
Book direct
Where you actually leave from and arrive
The transport infrastructure mapped at each end. Distances are straight-line from the town centre, not travel time — in Bangkok in particular the two are very different.
Bangkok
- Don Mueang International Airport(DMK)· Airport21 km
- Sam Yot· Train station1 km
- Public Minivan Station (to Kanchanaburi / Koh Chang)· Bus station1 km
- Phanfa Leelard· Ferry pier1 km
Koh Samui
- Samui Airport(USM)· Airport7 km
- Bus Terminal· Bus station8 km
- Haad Rin Queen Big Buddha Pier· Ferry pier7 km
© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Harvested 2026-08-01.
Tips & Things to Know
- 1
Bangkok Airways' monopoly on Samui Airport (USM) inflates prices. The Surat Thani alternative is almost always cheaper. Only book direct if you value the convenience.
- 2
Lomprayah and Seatran Discovery combo tickets (bus + ferry) from Bangkok are available from travel agents and online — these are the most popular budget option.
- 3
Koh Samui Airport (USM) is privately owned — departure taxes and fees are built into the Bangkok Airways fare. Additional charges appear at check-in.
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