Phuket to Koh Samui An hour in the air, or a day across the peninsula.
The short answer: there is no direct ferry: the islands are on opposite coasts. Bangkok Airways flies nonstop several times a day in about an hour, for about 3,000 to 5,000 baht. Overland, buses and vans cross the peninsula to Donsak pier near Surat Thani and a ferry takes you on to Samui, about six to eight hours for roughly 800 to 1,500 baht.
Below: the flight and every overland option side by side, which Samui pier you arrive at, and the last departure of the day.
Phuket to Koh Samui at a glance
Times and fares from Visit Thailand Today's guide (Lomprayah's 2026 timetable and 12Go, checked August to October 2026). Fares change with the date.
| Option | Leaves Phuket | Arrives Samui | Price (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok Airways flight | Six or seven flights a day | About 55 minutes later, at Samui Airport | About 3,000–5,000 baht, bag included | Saving the day |
| Lomprayah coach + catamaran | 09:30 from its Phuket office (07:30 hotel or 10:00 airport pickup) | Nathon pier, 15:45 | 1,300 baht (1,500 with pickup) | The quickest overland option |
| Phantip bus + ferry | 08:00, Phuket Bus Terminal 2 | Nathon, about 15:30 | About 820 baht on 12Go | A lower fare |
| Raja Ferry bus + car ferry | 07:30, Phuket Bus Terminal 2 | Lipa Noi, about 15:30 | About 775 baht on 12Go | The cheapest ticket |
Compare live times and prices: all Phuket to Koh Samui options on 12Go.
Which one should you pick?
Fly if you can. It turns a full day of travel into an hour, and the airport on Samui is 10 to 15 minutes from Chaweng and Bophut.
Take Lomprayah's coach and catamaran if you would rather not fly. It is the fastest overland ticket, and you can add a pickup from your Phuket hotel and a drop at your Samui hotel.
Take the Phantip or Raja bus if you are counting every baht. Allow a full day, and leave from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 in the early morning.
Flying
Bangkok Airways is the only airline flying nonstop between Phuket and Samui. In October and November 2026 it had six or seven flights a day, and more in December; the flight takes about 55 minutes and fares include a checked bag. Samui Airport is owned by the airline, which is one reason fares are high. Connections through Bangkok take much longer and are rarely cheaper.
Overland via Donsak
All overland tickets cross the peninsula to Donsak, the ferry pier on the Gulf coast near Surat Thani, about 290 km by road from Phuket. From there the boat takes about 45 minutes on Lomprayah's catamaran, or 1 to 1.5 hours on the car ferries.
Boats arrive at Nathon on Samui's west coast (Lomprayah, Seatran, Phantip, Songserm) or Lipa Noi, a few kilometres south (Raja Ferry). Both are 40 to 45 minutes by road from Chaweng, so a ticket with a hotel drop is worth it if you are staying on the east side.
The last overland departure from Phuket is around 10:00. If you miss it, the flight is the only way to reach Samui the same day.
Booking Phuket to Koh Samui on 12Go
12Go shows the Bangkok Airways flights and the bus, van and ferry tickets on one page, with pickup options for Patong, Kata and Karon.
Prices on 12Go can include a booking fee, and bus terminals may charge a small cash fee for extra bags.
Phuket to Koh Samui FAQ
Is there a ferry from Phuket to Koh Samui?
Not directly. Phuket is on the Andaman Sea and Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. Overland tickets take a bus or van to Donsak pier and a ferry from there.
How long is the flight from Phuket to Koh Samui?
About 55 minutes, nonstop with Bangkok Airways.
How long does the bus and ferry take?
About six hours on Lomprayah's coach and catamaran, and seven to eight hours on the other bus and ferry tickets.
Where do the boats arrive on Koh Samui?
At Nathon pier on the west coast, or Lipa Noi a little further south for Raja Ferry.
Should I choose Phuket or Koh Samui?
Their rainy seasons fall at different times of year; see our Phuket vs Koh Samui comparison.
Last checked: 7 November 2026. Flights, overland times, fares and piers from Visit Thailand Today's Phuket to Koh Samui guide (Lomprayah's 2026 timetable and 12Go), cross-checked with 12Go and SiamTickets; airport ownership from our Bangkok to Koh Samui page. Prices change daily, so check before you book.