Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani — the main ferry route connecting Koh Samui island with the Thai mainland. Whether you're heading to catch a train, bus or flight from Surat Thani, this complete guide covers every ferry operator from Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani, every schedule, real prices and the exact steps to make your mainland connection smoothly in 2026.
According to the Lomprayah Ferry, the Koh Samui to Surat Thani mainland crossing is one of the busiest ferry routes in the Gulf of Thailand with over 20 daily departures across all operators.
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Koh Samui Pier to Surat Thani — Which Pier?
The key thing to understand about the Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani route is that all ferries depart from Nathon Pier on Koh Samui's west coast — not from any other pier on the island. Nathon Pier is the island's main commercial pier and the only departure point for mainland ferries. All ferries from Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani arrive at Donsak Pier in Surat Thani Province, approximately 70 km east of Surat Thani city.
Departure pier (Koh Samui): Nathon Pier (west coast) · Arrival pier (mainland): Donsak Pier · Distance: ~30 km sea crossing · Duration: 1h (Lomprayah) or 1h30 (car ferry) · From: 80 THB (~$2.30) · Operators: Raja Ferry · Seatran · Lomprayah · Book via: 12Go Asia
All Operators — Koh Samui Pier to Surat Thani
| Operator | Type | Duration | Daily Departures | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raja Ferry | Car Ferry | 1h30 | ~12 | 80 THB (~$2.30) |
| Seatran Ferry | Car Ferry | 1h30 | ~8 | 100 THB (~$2.90) |
| Lomprayah | High Speed Catamaran | 1h | ~3 | 200 THB (~$5.80) |
Raja Ferry — Most Frequent
Raja Ferry operates the most frequent Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani service — approximately 12 daily departures from Nathon Pier, running from 5am to 9pm. At 80 THB it's the cheapest option and can carry vehicles. The 1h30 crossing arrives at Donsak Pier in Surat Thani Province.
Seatran Ferry — Reliable Alternative
Seatran operates a similar car ferry service from Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani — 8 daily departures, 100 THB per passenger, 1h30 crossing. Well-maintained boats with good reliability. Also arrives at Donsak Pier.
Lomprayah — Fastest Option
Lomprayah's high-speed catamaran completes the Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani crossing in just 1 hour — 30 minutes faster than car ferries. Fully air-conditioned with assigned seats. 3 daily departures from Nathon Pier. Also offers combined tickets for onward connections to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Arrives at Donsak Pier.
Lomprayah if you want the fastest crossing and maximum comfort. Raja Ferry if you want maximum flexibility with 12 daily departures or need to transport a vehicle. Seatran as a reliable middle option. All three depart from Nathon Pier on Koh Samui and arrive at Donsak Pier in Surat Thani.
Complete Schedule — Koh Samui Pier to Surat Thani 2026
Raja Ferry — Nathon Pier Departures
| Depart Nathon Pier | Arrive Donsak | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30am | 7:00am | 80 THB |
| 7:00am | 8:30am | 80 THB |
| 8:30am | 10:00am | 80 THB |
| 10:00am | 11:30am | 80 THB |
| 11:30am | 1:00pm | 80 THB |
| 1:00pm | 2:30pm | 80 THB |
| 2:30pm | 4:00pm | 80 THB |
| 4:00pm | 5:30pm | 80 THB |
| 5:30pm | 7:00pm | 80 THB |
| 7:00pm | 8:30pm | 80 THB |
| 9:00pm | 10:30pm | 80 THB |
Lomprayah — Nathon Pier Departures
| Depart Nathon Pier | Arrive Donsak | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ~8:00am | ~9:00am | 200 THB |
| ~1:00pm | ~2:00pm | 200 THB |
| ~5:30pm | ~6:30pm | 200 THB |
Schedules change seasonally. Always verify the current Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani timetable on 12Go Asia before planning your journey — real-time availability for all three operators in one place.
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Prices — Koh Samui Pier to Surat Thani 2026
| Ticket Type | Raja Ferry | Seatran | Lomprayah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult passenger | 80 THB (~$2.30) | 100 THB (~$2.90) | 200 THB (~$5.80) |
| Child (3–11 yrs) | 40 THB | 50 THB | 100 THB |
| Motorbike | 120–150 THB | 130–160 THB | N/A |
| Car (standard) | 350–500 THB | 400–550 THB | N/A |
Getting to Nathon Pier from Koh Samui
All ferries from Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani depart from Nathon Pier on the west coast. Here's how to get there from the main beach areas:
| From | Transport | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaweng Beach | Taxi / Grab | 300–500 THB | 25–35 min |
| Bophut Beach | Taxi / Grab | 250–350 THB | 20–25 min |
| Lamai Beach | Taxi | 400–550 THB | 35–45 min |
| Maenam Beach | Taxi | 200–300 THB | 15–20 min |
| Koh Samui Airport | Taxi | 450–600 THB | 35–45 min |
| Songthaew (ring road) | Shared pickup truck | 60–90 THB | 30–45 min |
Koh Samui's ring road can get congested, especially in the morning. From Chaweng, allow at least 45 minutes to Nathon Pier. Arrive at the pier 30 minutes before your scheduled Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani departure.
Step-by-Step — Koh Samui Pier to Surat Thani
- Book your ferry in advance — via 12Go Asia. Select operator, departure time and number of passengers. QR code confirmed instantly.
- Get to Nathon Pier — taxi, Grab or songthaew. Allow sufficient time from your beach area.
- Check in at the operator counter — Raja Ferry, Seatran and Lomprayah have separate counters at Nathon Pier. Show your QR code 20–30 minutes before departure.
- Board the ferry — car ferries have indoor A/C seating and open deck. Head to the rear open deck for the best views and freshest air on the Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani crossing.
- Arrive at Donsak Pier — 1h (Lomprayah) or 1h30 (car ferry) after departure. Connect to your onward transport.
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From Donsak Pier — Onward Connections
Once you arrive at Donsak Pier from Koh Samui, here are your onward options to Surat Thani city, the airport and beyond:
To Surat Thani City Centre
Shared minivans run from Donsak Pier to Surat Thani city centre for 80–120 THB per person, approximately 1 hour. Multiple departures throughout the day connecting with ferry arrivals.
To Surat Thani Airport (URT)
Shared minivans from Donsak Pier to Surat Thani Airport cost 150–200 THB per person, approximately 1h15. A private taxi costs 800–1,000 THB. Book a combined Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani Airport transfer via 12Go Asia — one ticket covers both the ferry and the airport transfer.
To Phunphin Train Station
Shared minivans from Donsak Pier to Phunphin train station cost 100–150 THB per person, approximately 1 hour. The main connection point for overnight trains to Bangkok. Book the combined Koh Samui to Bangkok train connection via 12Go Asia.
To Surat Thani Bus Terminal
Shared minivans from Donsak Pier to Surat Thani bus terminal cost 80–120 THB, approximately 1 hour. Connects to buses to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and other southern Thailand destinations.
| Destination from Donsak | Transport | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surat Thani city | Shared minivan | 80–120 THB | ~1h |
| Surat Thani Airport (URT) | Shared minivan / Taxi | 150–200 THB / 800–1,000 THB | ~1h15 |
| Phunphin train station | Shared minivan | 100–150 THB | ~1h |
| Bus terminal | Shared minivan | 80–120 THB | ~1h |
Insider Tips — Koh Samui Pier to Surat Thani
- Raja Ferry for maximum flexibility — with 12 daily departures, Raja Ferry gives you the most options if your plans change. Just show up at Nathon Pier and board the next available crossing.
- Lomprayah for time-sensitive connections — if you have a flight or train to catch from Surat Thani, the 1-hour Lomprayah crossing gives you 30 extra minutes versus car ferry. Worth the extra 120 THB.
- Book combined tickets for airport/train connections — use 12Go Asia's combined Koh Samui to Surat Thani Airport or Koh Samui to Bangkok train tickets. Guaranteed connections included.
- Open deck is best on car ferries — head straight to the rear open deck on Raja Ferry and Seatran. Best views, best air — far superior to the indoor seating.
- Don't miss the last ferry — the last Raja Ferry from Nathon Pier to Donsak is typically around 9–10pm. Missing it means spending the night on Koh Samui.
- Keep your eSIM active — your Thailand eSIM works as soon as you arrive at Donsak Pier. Essential for navigation and transport booking on the mainland.
FAQ — Koh Samui Pier to Surat Thani
Which pier on Koh Samui goes to Surat Thani?
All ferries from Koh Samui to Surat Thani depart from Nathon Pier on the west coast of Koh Samui. This is the island's main commercial pier. Nathon Pier is approximately 25–35 minutes by taxi from Chaweng Beach and 20–25 minutes from Bophut.
How long is the ferry from Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani?
The Lomprayah catamaran takes approximately 1 hour from Nathon Pier (Koh Samui) to Donsak Pier (Surat Thani). Raja Ferry and Seatran car ferries take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. All operators depart from Nathon Pier and arrive at Donsak Pier.
How much does the ferry from Koh Samui pier to Surat Thani cost?
Adult passenger tickets cost 80 THB (~$2.30) on Raja Ferry, 100 THB (~$2.90) on Seatran and 200 THB (~$5.80) on Lomprayah. Car transport costs an additional 350–550 THB. Book via 12Go Asia for real-time pricing and instant confirmation.
How many ferries go from Koh Samui to Surat Thani per day?
Over 20 daily departures from Nathon Pier across all operators — Raja Ferry alone runs approximately 11 daily crossings. The first departure is around 5:30am and the last around 9pm. Always verify current schedules on 12Go Asia as times change seasonally.
How do I get from Nathon Pier to Surat Thani Airport?
From Donsak Pier (where the ferry arrives), shared minivans run to Surat Thani Airport for 150–200 THB per person, approximately 1h15. Book a combined Koh Samui to Surat Thani Airport transfer via 12Go Asia — the ferry and airport transfer are included in one booking with guaranteed connection.
Continue Reading
- Donsak Pier Surat Thani — Definitive Ferry Guide
- Surat Thani to Koh Samui Ferry Schedule 2026
- Koh Samui to Surat Thani Airport — Complete Guide
- Complete Ferry Guide to Koh Samui
- Koh Samui to Koh Phangan — Essential Ferry Guide
- Best eSIM Thailand 2026 — From $3
- Best Hotels in Koh Samui 2026
Some links in this article are affiliate links. InsideSamui.com earns a commission if you book through our 12Go Asia links, at no extra cost to you. Ferry schedules are indicative for 2026 — always verify on 12Go Asia before travelling.