The pier Koh Samui network is the beating heart of island transport — every ferry, speedboat and catamaran connecting Koh Samui to the mainland and neighbouring islands departs from one of the island's five main piers. Understanding which pier in Koh Samui you need — and why — is the difference between a smooth journey and a costly, stressful mistake. This complete guide covers every pier on Koh Samui in 2026: their locations, which operators use them, what ferries depart from each one, and exactly how to get there from anywhere on the island.
According to Lomprayah Ferry, over 3,000 passengers per day pass through Koh Samui's piers during peak season — making the island's pier network one of the busiest in the Gulf of Thailand.
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Pier Koh Samui — Quick Reference
| Pier | Location | Operators | Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nathon Pier | West Coast | Raja Ferry · Seatran · Lomprayah | Donsak · Pralarn (mainland) |
| Lomprayah Maenam Pier | North Coast | Lomprayah | Koh Phangan · Koh Tao · Chumphon |
| Bangrak Pier (Big Buddha) | North-East | Songserm · speedboats | Koh Phangan · Koh Tao |
| Chaweng Pier | East Coast | Speedboats · private tours | Ang Thong · day trips |
| Thong Krut Pier | South Coast | Longtail boats | Five Islands · day trips |
1. Nathon Pier — The Main Pier Koh Samui for Mainland Ferries
Nathon Pier is the most important pier on Koh Samui — the primary departure point for all car ferries and passenger ferries to the mainland. Located on the west coast in Nathon town, it is the pier used by Raja Ferry, Seatran Ferry and Lomprayah for their regular crossings to Donsak Pier and Pralarn Pier in Surat Thani Province. If you are travelling to or from the mainland — whether heading to Bangkok by bus or train, flying from Surat Thani Airport, or arriving from anywhere on the mainland — Nathon Pier is almost certainly the pier Koh Samui you will use.
Location: Nathon Town, West Coast · GPS: 9.5349°N, 100.0588°E · Operators: Raja Ferry · Seatran · Lomprayah · Destinations: Donsak Pier · Pralarn Pier (Surat Thani mainland) · Crossings daily: 8–12 · Journey time to mainland: 1h–1h30
Ferries from Nathon Pier
| Operator | To | Departures | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raja Ferry | Donsak Pier | ~5:30am–6:30pm (every 1–2h) | 1h30 | 80–100 THB |
| Seatran | Pralarn Pier | ~7am–5:30pm (every 1–2h) | 1h | 100–150 THB |
| Lomprayah | Donsak Pier | ~8am · 1pm | 1h | 200 THB |
Raja Ferry is the cheapest option at 80–100 THB but also the slowest at 1h30. Seatran is the best balance of price and speed. Lomprayah is fastest but twice the price. For early morning flights from Surat Thani Airport, take the first Raja Ferry at 5:30am — it arrives at Donsak with time to connect. Book all ferries from Nathon Pier via 12Go Asia to guarantee your seat in high season.
Getting to Nathon Pier from Around Koh Samui
| From | Transport | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaweng | Taxi / Grab | 300–500 THB | 25–35 min |
| Lamai | Taxi | 400–550 THB | 35–45 min |
| Bophut | Taxi / Grab | 200–300 THB | 15–20 min |
| Maenam | Taxi / Scooter | 150–200 THB | 10–15 min |
| Airport (USM) | Taxi | 450–600 THB | 35–45 min |
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2. Lomprayah Maenam Pier — Best Pier Koh Samui for Island Hopping
The Lomprayah Maenam Pier on the north coast is the fastest and most comfortable pier Koh Samui offers for island hopping — the dedicated departure point for Lomprayah's high-speed catamarans to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Chumphon. If you are island hopping to Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party, heading to Koh Tao for diving, or connecting to Bangkok via the overnight train from Chumphon, this is the pier you need. The pier is modern, well-organised and significantly more comfortable than the other piers on the island.
Location: Maenam, North Coast · Operator: Lomprayah only · Destinations: Koh Phangan · Koh Tao · Chumphon · Departures: ~8am · 1pm (check current schedule on 12Go Asia) · Journey: 30 min to Koh Phangan · 2h to Koh Tao
Ferries from Lomprayah Maenam Pier
| Destination | Duration | Price | Departures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Phangan (Thong Sala) | 30 min | 250 THB | ~8am · 1pm · 5pm |
| Koh Tao (Mae Haad) | 2h | 450–600 THB | ~8am · 1pm |
| Chumphon (mainland) | 3h30 | 650–800 THB | ~8am |
Always arrive at Lomprayah Maenam Pier at least 30 minutes before departure — the pier closes check-in 15 minutes before sailing and will not hold the boat. In high season (December–February) and around Full Moon Party dates, book your Lomprayah ferry 48–72 hours ahead via 12Go Asia — the catamaran sells out completely.
3. Bangrak Pier (Big Buddha Pier) — North-East Koh Samui
Bangrak Pier, also known as Big Buddha Pier due to its proximity to the Big Buddha temple, is the pier Koh Samui's Songserm slow ferry service uses for routes to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Located on the north-east coast near Bophut, it also serves private speedboat charters and some tour operators running day trips. It is less frequently used than Nathon or Lomprayah Maenam Pier but is conveniently located for guests staying in Chaweng, Bophut or near the airport.
Location: Bangrak, North-East Coast (near Big Buddha) · Operators: Songserm · Private speedboats · Tour operators · Best for: Guests staying in Chaweng or Bophut · Closest pier to the airport (15–20 min)
Ferries from Bangrak Pier
| Operator | Destination | Duration | Price | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Songserm | Koh Phangan | 45 min–1h | 200–250 THB | ~8am · 1pm |
| Songserm | Koh Tao | 2h30 | 400–500 THB | ~8am |
| Private speedboat | Custom (tours) | Varies | Negotiated | By booking |
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4. Chaweng Pier — Day Trips & Ang Thong Tours
Chaweng Pier on the east coast is not a major commercial ferry terminal — it primarily serves day trip operators running tours to Ang Thong National Marine Park, snorkeling trips to the Five Islands and private speedboat charters. If you have booked an Ang Thong Marine Park tour via Klook, your speedboat will most likely depart from this pier or Thong Krut Pier on the south coast. It is not the pier Koh Samui uses for regular scheduled ferry services.
Location: Chaweng Beach, East Coast · Best for: Day trip speedboats · Ang Thong Marine Park tours · Private charters · NOT for: Regular scheduled ferries to mainland or islands
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5. Thong Krut Pier — Five Islands & South Coast Tours
Thong Krut Pier on the south coast is the departure point for longtail boats running day trips to the Five Islands (Ko Ha) — one of Koh Samui's best snorkeling experiences. It is also used by some Ang Thong Marine Park speedboat tours. The pier itself sits within the authentic Thong Krut fishing village — one of the most genuine local experiences on the south coast and worth visiting even without a boat trip.
The Five Islands snorkeling trip from Thong Krut Pier is one of the best-value activities on Koh Samui — around 800–1,200 THB per person for a half-day tour covering 5 snorkeling spots with crystal-clear water and abundant marine life. Book via Klook for the most reliable operators and guaranteed departures.
Which Pier Koh Samui Do I Need?
| Your Journey | Pier to Use | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| To mainland (Surat Thani, Bangkok, airport) | Nathon Pier | Raja · Seatran · Lomprayah |
| To Koh Phangan (fast, comfortable) | Lomprayah Maenam Pier | Lomprayah |
| To Koh Phangan (budget, slow) | Bangrak Pier | Songserm |
| To Koh Tao (fast) | Lomprayah Maenam Pier | Lomprayah |
| To Koh Tao (budget) | Bangrak Pier | Songserm |
| Ang Thong Marine Park day trip | Chaweng or Maenam Pier | Tour operators |
| Five Islands snorkeling | Thong Krut Pier | Longtail boats |
| To Krabi / Phuket (Lomprayah combined) | Nathon Pier | Lomprayah |
The most common mistake tourists make is going to the wrong pier. Nathon Pier (west coast) and Lomprayah Maenam Pier (north coast) are 20 km apart. If your taxi driver takes you to the wrong pier Koh Samui, you will miss your ferry. Always confirm the exact pier name — and GPS coordinates if needed — with your driver before departure.
Pier Koh Samui — Practical Tips
- Arrive 30 minutes early — every pier Koh Samui closes check-in 15–20 minutes before departure. Missing the window means missing the boat entirely.
- Book via 12Go Asia — all major ferry operators at every pier on Koh Samui are bookable on 12Go Asia with real-time availability. One booking, QR code delivery, guaranteed seat.
- Confirm your pier with your hotel — when arranging a taxi to the pier, always name the specific pier (Nathon, Lomprayah Maenam, Bangrak) rather than just saying “the ferry pier” — there are five different piers on Koh Samui.
- High season — book 48h ahead — Lomprayah ferries to Koh Phangan sell out completely around Full Moon Party dates. Nathon Pier car ferries fill up in both directions during peak December–February.
- Get your scooter on the ferry — if you've rented a scooter from Tonton Samui and want to take it to the mainland, Raja Ferry at Nathon Pier accepts motorbikes for approximately 50–80 THB extra.
- Keep your eSIM active — your Thailand eSIM is essential for navigating to the correct pier and using Grab when your taxi drops you at the wrong one.
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FAQ — Pier Koh Samui
How many piers are there in Koh Samui?
Koh Samui has five main piers in 2026 — Nathon Pier (west coast, main mainland ferry terminal), Lomprayah Maenam Pier (north coast, island hopping), Bangrak Pier (north-east, Songserm ferries), Chaweng Pier (east coast, day trips) and Thong Krut Pier (south coast, Five Islands tours). Each pier Koh Samui serves different routes and operators.
Which pier in Koh Samui goes to the mainland?
Nathon Pier on the west coast is the main pier Koh Samui uses for all mainland ferry connections — Raja Ferry, Seatran and Lomprayah all operate from Nathon Pier to Donsak Pier and Pralarn Pier in Surat Thani Province. This is the pier you need for connecting to buses, trains and flights from the mainland.
Which pier in Koh Samui goes to Koh Phangan?
The best pier Koh Samui has for Koh Phangan is Lomprayah Maenam Pier — 30 minutes to Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan by high-speed catamaran, from 250 THB. Bangrak Pier also has Songserm ferries to Koh Phangan but they are slower. Book both via 12Go Asia.
How far is Nathon Pier from Chaweng?
Nathon Pier is approximately 25 km from Chaweng Beach — about 25–35 minutes by taxi (300–500 THB) or Grab. Allow at least 45 minutes from Chaweng to ensure you arrive at Nathon Pier with time for check-in. Traffic near the pier can add 10–15 minutes during morning peak hours.
How do I get from the pier to my hotel in Koh Samui?
From Nathon Pier, taxis wait outside the terminal and charge fixed rates to all areas of the island (200–600 THB depending on destination). Grab is available and typically 15–20% cheaper. A rental scooter from Tonton Samui can also be arranged for pickup directly at Nathon Pier — the most flexible option for longer stays.
Continue Reading
- Complete Ferry Guide to Koh Samui — All Routes
- Surat Thani to Koh Samui Ferry Schedule 2026
- Koh Samui to Koh Phangan — Essential Ferry Guide
- Nathon Pier to Samui Airport — Transfer Guide
- Scooter Rental Koh Samui — From 150 THB/day
- Best eSIM Thailand 2026 — Stay Connected
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