Koh Samui Ferries: how to get to the mainland
Ferry service is one of the most affordable and scenic ways to get from Koh Samui to the mainland: to Bangkok, Phuket and other ports in Thailand. There are 4 main piers in Koh Samui: in the area of Nathon, Bang Rak, Lipa Noi, and Maenam beaches.
Nathon Pier
Located on the western side of the island in the Nathon area. From this pier, you can reach destinations such as Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok, Koh Phangan, Don Sak, and more. Nathon Port also accommodates cruise ships and vehicles. The pier operates every hour from 5 AM to 6 PM.
Lipa Noi Pier
Situated just south of Nathon Pier, near Lipa Noi Beach. Transport services are also available here.
Bang Rak Pier
Located in the northeast of Koh Samui, near Bo Phut Beach and close to the Big Buddha. Small boats depart from here to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao twice a day.
Maenam Pier
Located in the northern part of the island. Ferries from this pier also travel to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Ferry operators:
- Lomprayah;
- Seatran Ferry;
- Raja Ferry;
- Songserm Express.
Popular routes:
- Samui — Phangan Ferry. One of the most popular tourist routes from Samui. Ferries depart from all piers, and the journey takes 20–30 minutes.
- Samui — Don Sak Ferry. This route connects Koh Samui with Surat Thani Province in Thailand. A combined «ferry + bus» ticket from Seatran Ferry is available. Travel time: 1.5 hours.
- Samui — Phuket Ferry. A ferry runs between the two popular island resorts, with travel time from Koh Samui to Phuket taking 7–8 hours.
Samui — Bangkok Ferry. From Koh Samui, you can travel to Bangkok by water, with a long layover on Koh Tao, from where a direct ferry departs to Bangkok. The entire journey takes about 24 hours.
Taling Ngam Cruise Terminal
By 2032, it is planned to build a large cruise terminal in the southwest of Koh Samui. The new port will be able to simultaneously accommodate up to two liners with a capacity of 2,500 and 4,000 passengers, and the annual passenger traffic will reach 180,000 tourists and 120 ship arrivals.
As early as 2025, Koh Samui regularly hosts cruise ships such as Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Solstice, Viking Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and others on routes that include stops in Bangkok.
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