The journey from Koh Tao to Samui is one of the most popular inter-island routes in the Gulf of Thailand — a 2-hour high-speed catamaran crossing that connects Koh Tao's world-class diving scene with Koh Samui's luxury resort infrastructure. Whether you are moving on from a diving trip, heading to catch a flight from Koh Samui Airport, or simply island-hopping between the Gulf's three main destinations, this complete guide to the Koh Tao to Koh Samui ferry covers every option — operators, prices, schedules, booking tips and what to expect on the crossing.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Koh Tao–Koh Samui corridor is among the busiest inter-island ferry routes in the Gulf of Thailand, with multiple daily departures year-round connecting the two islands via both direct services and routes via Koh Phangan.
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Koh Tao to Samui — Quick Overview
| Option | Duration | Price | Operator | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Lomprayah Catamaran (direct) | 2h | 450–600 THB | Lomprayah | Fastest · Most reliable |
| 🥈 Seatran Discovery (via Phangan) | 2h30–3h | 400–550 THB | Seatran | Budget · Scenic |
| 🥉 Raja Ferry (slower) | 3–4h | 300–400 THB | Raja | Cheapest · Car transport |
Koh Tao to Samui — Lomprayah Catamaran (Best Option)
The Lomprayah high-speed catamaran is the best Koh Tao to Samui ferry option — air-conditioned, covered passenger seating, reliable schedule and the fastest crossing time at 2 hours. Lomprayah operates two daily departures from Koh Tao Mae Haad Pier — one morning and one afternoon — giving flexibility for different itineraries. The catamaran calls at Koh Phangan's Thong Sala Pier en route before docking at Koh Samui's Na Thon Pier or Maenam Pier depending on the service.
For the koh tao to koh samui crossing, Lomprayah is the overwhelmingly preferred choice among experienced Thailand travellers — the comfort level, reliability and punctuality record significantly exceeds the slower Raja Ferry option. Booking the Lomprayah via 12Go Asia guarantees your seat and provides instant confirmation with a PDF ticket.
| Lomprayah Departure | Koh Tao Departs | Koh Samui Arrives | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning service | 08:30 (Mae Haad Pier) | ~10:30 (Na Thon/Maenam) | 450–600 THB |
| Afternoon service | 14:45 (Mae Haad Pier) | ~16:45 (Na Thon/Maenam) | 450–600 THB |
For the koh tao to samui crossing, take the morning service (08:30) if you have onward plans on the same day — arriving by 10:30 gives you the full afternoon in Koh Samui. Take the afternoon service (14:45) if you want a final morning in Koh Tao — last dive, snorkeling, or a leisurely breakfast before departure. Both services are equally reliable.
Koh Tao to Samui — Step by Step Guide
- Book in advance via 12Go Asia — particularly in peak season (December–April) when the Lomprayah fills. Print or download your PDF ticket.
- Get to Mae Haad Pier — Koh Tao's main pier is in Mae Haad village on the west coast. From Sairee Beach: 10 minutes by taxi (100–150 THB) or 5 minutes by scooter. Arrive 30 minutes before departure.
- Check in at the Lomprayah counter — on the pier, present your ticket. Large luggage is tagged and placed in the hold. Keep essentials (seasickness tablets, documents, camera) in your hand bag.
- Board the catamaran — air-conditioned interior seating. For the koh tao to samui crossing, an outdoor upper deck is available for photography and fresh air — excellent on calm days, less comfortable in choppy conditions.
- Koh Phangan stop — the ferry stops at Koh Phangan's Thong Sala Pier for 15–20 minutes. Passengers for Phangan disembark here. Do not leave the ferry unless Koh Phangan is your destination.
- Arrive Koh Samui — Na Thon Pier on the west coast. Grab drivers, taxi booths and songthaew are available on the pier. Grab to Chaweng Beach: 25 minutes, approximately 250–300 THB.
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Koh Tao to Samui — Via Koh Phangan Option
Some travellers use the koh tao to samui journey as an opportunity to add a Koh Phangan stop — spending a night or two on Koh Phangan before continuing to Koh Samui. The logistics are simple:
| Leg | Route | Duration | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leg 1 | Koh Tao → Koh Phangan | 1h | 300–400 THB | 12Go Asia |
| Stay | Koh Phangan (1–3 nights) | — | Variable | Agoda |
| Leg 2 | Koh Phangan → Koh Samui | 30–45 min | 150–250 THB | 12Go Asia |
Koh Tao to Samui — Onward Travel from Na Thon Pier
| Destination | Transport | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaweng Beach | Grab / Taxi | 25–30 min | 250–350 THB |
| Lamai Beach | Grab / Taxi | 35–40 min | 300–400 THB |
| Bophut / Fisherman's Village | Grab / Taxi | 20–25 min | 200–280 THB |
| Koh Samui Airport (USM) | Grab / Taxi | 15–20 min | 180–250 THB |
| Maenam Beach | Grab / Taxi | 15–20 min | 150–220 THB |
Koh Tao to Samui — Seasickness Guide
The koh tao to samui crossing takes 2 hours on the open Gulf of Thailand. In dry season (December–April) conditions are usually calm and the crossing is comfortable. In the transition season (May–August) there can be moderate swell. In the monsoon (September–November) the crossing can be rough and some services are cancelled:
| Month | Typical Conditions | Seasickness Risk | Cancellation Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| December–April | Calm · Smooth | ⭐ Very Low | ⭐ Very Low |
| May–August | Some swell | ⭐⭐⭐ Medium | ⭐⭐ Low |
| September–November | Rough possible | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High |
Seasickness tips for the Koh Tao to Samui crossing: Take medication 1 hour before boarding (Dramamine or Bonine). Sit in the middle of the boat at sea level — not the upper deck. Look at the horizon rather than down at the water or at your phone. Stay hydrated. The Lomprayah's catamaran hull design reduces rolling significantly compared to older single-hull ferries — most passengers find the crossing comfortable even in moderate conditions.
Koh Tao to Samui — Baggage Tips
Managing luggage efficiently makes the koh tao to samui crossing significantly easier:
- Soft bags over hard cases — luggage goes in the catamaran hold and is stacked. Soft bags pack more efficiently and are less likely to be damaged than hard-shell cases.
- Keep hand luggage minimal — everything you need for the 2-hour crossing (seasickness tablets, passport, phone, snacks, camera) in one small bag. Main luggage is tagged and inaccessible during the crossing.
- Label your bags clearly — multiple bags travel together on the Lomprayah. Clear labelling with your name and destination (Koh Samui) prevents confusion at Koh Phangan, where bags for that stop are also offloaded.
- Waterproof bag for valuables — spray from waves occasionally reaches deck areas. A waterproof case or bag protects camera equipment and electronics.
Koh Tao to Samui — Connecting to a Flight
Many travellers on the koh tao to samui route are connecting to an onward flight from Koh Samui Airport (USM). Key timing considerations:
| Ferry Departure (KT) | Arrival Na Thon (KS) | Transfer to USM | Earliest Flight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 (Morning) | ~10:30 | 15–20 min by Grab | 12:30+ recommended |
| 14:45 (Afternoon) | ~16:45 | 15–20 min by Grab | 19:00+ recommended |
Never book a flight from Koh Samui Airport within 2 hours of the scheduled ferry arrival — ferries are occasionally delayed by 30–60 minutes due to weather or passenger delays at Koh Phangan. Allow minimum 2 hours between ferry arrival at Na Thon Pier and your flight departure. Book fully refundable ferry tickets via 12Go Asia in case delays require rebooking.
Koh Tao to Samui — Where to Stay in Koh Samui
Arriving by ferry at Na Thon Pier on Koh Samui's west coast, these hotels are the most practical first-night options based on proximity and quality:
| Hotel | Beach | From Na Thon | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anantara Bophut | Bophut (North) | 20 min | From $180 |
| Four Seasons Koh Samui | Maenam (North) | 15 min | From $800 |
| Centara Grand Chaweng | Chaweng (East) | 25 min | From $200 |
| Conrad Koh Samui | Taling Ngam (West) | 10 min | From $400 |
| Amari Koh Samui | Chaweng (East) | 25 min | From $70 |
🏨 Book Koh Samui Hotel — Agoda →
Koh Tao to Samui — Book Your Koh Tao Hotel
If you still need accommodation in Koh Tao before making the crossing to Koh Samui, book now via Agoda — free cancellation on most properties and best available rates across all budgets from diving hostels to luxury resorts:
🏨 Browse All Koh Tao Hotels — Agoda →
Koh Tao → Koh Samui Ferry — Book Now
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FAQ — Koh Tao to Samui
How long is the ferry from Koh Tao to Samui?
The Koh Tao to Samui ferry takes approximately 2 hours on the Lomprayah high-speed catamaran — the fastest and most comfortable option. The Seatran Discovery takes 2h30–3h via Koh Phangan. The Raja Ferry takes 3–4 hours. For most travellers, the Lomprayah catamaran is the clear choice for the koh tao to koh samui crossing.
How much does the Koh Tao to Samui ferry cost?
The Koh Tao to Koh Samui ferry costs 450–600 THB on the Lomprayah catamaran — approximately $13–17 USD. The Raja Ferry is cheaper at 300–400 THB but takes significantly longer. Book via 12Go Asia for the guaranteed rate with instant confirmation and PDF ticket.
Is there a direct ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui?
Yes — the Lomprayah catamaran operates a direct Koh Tao to Samui service with a brief stop at Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier) en route. The stop is 15–20 minutes and passengers for Koh Samui remain on the ferry. Departures from Mae Haad Pier at approximately 08:30 and 14:45 daily.
Can I get from Koh Tao to Koh Samui in one day?
Yes — the koh tao to samui crossing is straightforward as a same-day journey. Take the morning Lomprayah (08:30 from Mae Haad Pier) and arrive at Koh Samui's Na Thon Pier by approximately 10:30. Transfer to your hotel by Grab (15–30 minutes depending on location) and check in by early afternoon.
Continue Reading
- Samui to Hua Hin — Complete Route Guide
- Complete Guide to Koh Samui 2026
- Best Hotels in Koh Samui 2026
- Koh Samui Itinerary 2026
- Scooter Rental Koh Samui
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