Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand ("Koh" or "Ko" is mean island in Thai language). It's located in the Gulf of Thailand, Surat Thani province, Southern Thailand. Koh Samui is one of the top destination for tourist from around the world who seek for the paradise island with white sand beach, crystal clear ocean and tropical jungle. The best month to visit Koh Samui is during January to May. Beside the beautiful nature, Koh Samui is also a place for adventure, entertainment and family.
Koh Samui Travel Travel to Koh Samui
By Airplane
By Bus
By Train
By Ferry
Koh Samui Attractions
One Day Trip from Koh Samui
How to travel to Koh Samui?
✈️ By Airplane
Direct flight from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi airport) to Samui Airport
There is only 1 airline operate direct flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui which is Bangkok Airways. The journey takes about 1.20 hour.
Flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang & Suvarnabhumi) to Surat Thani Airport
There are several airlines operate route between Bangkok and Surat Thani.
- Thai AirAsia (Don Mueang)
- Thai Lion Air (Don Mueang)
- Nok Air (Don Mueang)
- Thai Smile Airways (Suvarnabhumi)
- Thai Vietjet Air (Suvarnabhumi)
Once arrive at Surat Thani airport, traveler can purchase the van and ferry ticket to Koh Samui depart at 11:00 hrs.
🚌 By Bus
Travel to Koh Samui by bus is a cheaper way to travel and there are many routes available from many major cities. The service is also including bus and ferry ticket.
Bangkok to Koh Samui
It's most popular route for backpacker tourists. The overnight bus is departing from Khaosan road, Bangkok at 22:00 hrs. and change to high-speed ferry in the next morning then arrive at Koh Samui at 11:30 hrs. The journey takes about 10-12 hours.
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Bangkok |
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21:00 |
1450 THB |
11 h |
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Chumphon |
8:00 |
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Chumphon |
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8:00 |
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Ko Tao |
9:45 |
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Ko Tao |
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15:30 |
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Ko Samui |
17:30 |
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Ko Samui |
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8:00 |
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1 h 30 m
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Ko Tao |
10:15 |
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Ko Tao |
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10:15 |
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1 h 30 m |
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Chumphon |
11:45 |
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Chumphon |
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11:45 |
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9 h |
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Bangkok |
20:30 |
Phuket to Ko Samui
For those who travel in Phuket, you can travel Koh Samui by bus too. The 3.30 hours bus journey will bring you to Surat Thani, then change to ferry and take another 1.30 hour to Koh Samui. However, due to COVID-19 situation, the service in this route is temporary suspended until further notice.
Krabi to Ko Samui
Another route is from Krabi to Surat Thani which takes about 2 -2.30 hours. journey, then take a 1.30 hour ferry ride to Koh Samui.
🚆 By Train
Travel by train is a cheap and unique way to Koh Samui. The journey takes about 10-13 hours depending to type of train. Most of the trains are overnight train and we recommended the special express sleeper train no 85. from Bangkok to Surat Thani. For more detail and timetable, please check at State Railway of Thailand website. Once arrive at Surat Thani, we suggest to purchase bus and ferry ticket to Koh Samui.
🛳 By Ferry
Ferry and boat are the only way to access to Koh Samui on land. There are several routes from the main land or the nearby islands to Koh Samui island.
Ferry from Chumphon to Koh Samui
From Chumphon province, there is ferry service to Koh Samui via Koh Tao.
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Chumphon |
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7:00 |
1200 THB |
1 h |
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Chumphon |
8:00 |
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Chumphon |
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13:30 |
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Ko Tao |
15:00 |
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Ko Tao |
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15:30 |
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Ko Samui |
17:00 |
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Ko Samui |
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8:00 |
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1 h 30 m
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Ko Tao |
9:30 |
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Ko Tao |
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10:15 |
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1 h 30 m |
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Chumphon |
11:45 |
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Chumphon |
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11:45 |
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1 h |
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Chumphon |
12:45 |
Ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui
The closest route to Koh Samui by boat. It's takes about 1.45 hour journey and Surat Thani is also close to other popular tourist destination such as Phuket and Krabi.
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Surat Thani |
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9:30 |
450 THB |
1 h 30 m |
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Surat Thani |
11:00 |
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Surat Thani |
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11:00 |
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Ko Samui |
11:45 |
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Ko Samui |
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11:45 |
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1 h
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Surat Thani |
12:45 |
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Surat Thani |
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13:00 |
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1 h 30 min |
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Surat Thani |
14:30 |
Koh Pha Ngan to Koh Samui
Koh Phangan is famous for the Full Moon Party. It's close to Koh Samui, so there are several ferries operated between these 2 islands. The journey only takes about 30 minutes.
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Ko Pha Ngan |
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8:00/ |
350 THB |
30 min
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Ko Samui |
8:30/ |
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Ko Pha Ngan |
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11:00 |
300 THB |
30 min
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Ko Samui |
11:30 |
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Ko Samui |
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8:00/ |
350 THB |
30 min
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Ko Pha Ngan |
8:30/ |
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Ko Samui |
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14:15 |
300 THB |
30 min
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Ko Pha Ngan |
14:45 |
Koh Tao to Koh Samui
From Koh Tao to Koh Samui, there are ferry operated 2 times per day which are 9:30 hrs. and 15:30 hrs. The journey takes about 1.15 hours.
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Ko Samui |
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8:00 |
700 THB |
1 h 30 min
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Ko Tao |
9:30 |
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Ko Samui |
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14:15 |
600 THB |
2 h 15 min
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Ko Tao |
16:30 |
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Ko Tao |
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9:30 |
600 THB |
2 h
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Ko Samui |
11:30 |
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Ko Tao |
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15:00 |
700 THB |
2 h
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Ko Samui |
17:00 |
Travel Inside Ko Samui
The best method to travel around Koh Samui is by renting a car or motorcycle. There is also public transportation such as local red pick-up truck and taxi. The red pick-up truck (Song Taew) is service around the island from 6:00-21:00 hrs. and it cost around 30-80 THB per way. During night time the travel fare will be double. Taxi service in Koh Samui is expensive as the price is depending on negotiation rather than using the meter.
Top 10 Attractions in Koh Samui
1. Chaweng Beach
2. Hin Ta Hin Yai
3. The Big Buddha
4. Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo
5. Lamai Beach
6.Mut Sum Island
7. ATV Adventure
8. Bo Phut Walking Street
9. Day Trip to Angthong National Marine Park
One Day Trip from Ko Samui
Angthong National Marine Park
Operation
Daily 8:30-17:00 hrs.
Price
Start at 600-990 THB per person
Duration
9 Hours
Inclusion
- Trip to the Angthong National Marine park
- Tour Guide
- Lunch Buffet
- Fruits
- Snorkeling Equipment, Life Jacket
- Insurance
- Roundtrip transfer from hotel in Samui
Exclusion
- National park fee
- Kayaking
Highlight
- Ko Wua ta Lap, Ko Mae Ko, the Blue Lagoon
Book One Day Trip Angthong National Marine Park by Boat
Ko Tao & Ko Nang Yuan Island
Operation
Daily 8:00-16:30 hrs.
Price
Start at 1,800 THB per person
Duration
6 Hours
Inclusion
- Trip to the Ko Tao and Nang Yuan Island by speedboat
- Tour Guide
- Lunch
- Fruits
- Snorkeling Equipment, Life Jacket
- Island fee for Thai
- Insurance
- Roundtrip transfer from hotel in Ko Samui
Highlight
- Ko Tao, Ko Nang Yuan
Book one day trip Samui to Ko Tao
Last updated: Sep 2021