Bangkok Airways is the only airline that flies directly to Koh Samui. They have approximately 10 flights per day, depending on the season. The Bangkok Airways counter at Don Muang Airport is on the arrivals level in the domestic terminal. For further information regarding flights to Koh Samui from Bangkok.
You can also fly by Thai Airways to the Surat Thani airport and arrange for bus and ferry transportation to Koh Samui. Click for more information from Thai Airways.

Train

There are many trains running throughout the day from Bangkok to Surat Thani and return. The Surat Thani train station is about an hour from the ferry pier where you catch the boat to Koh Samui. You will need transportation from the railway station to the pier.
The most popular trains are the sleeper trains where you travel at night and arrive in either Bangkok or Surat Thani in the morning.
Any travel agent in Bangkok or Koh Samui can book a ticket for you that will include train, bus and boat, to or from Koh Samui. Prices vary depending on the class of train travel 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
We recommend 2nd class air conditioned as the best value at approximately 700 baht for the train, bus and boat ticket combined.

Bus

All buses for Koh Samui leave from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. There are different classes of buses running between Bangkok and Koh Samui. There are buses run by private companies and there are buses run by the government.

If you are taking the bus from Bangkok to Koh Samui, or vice versa, we recommend any of the VIP bus as there are fewer seats on the bus, and the seats recline to somewhat of a sleeping position. These buses tend to leave late afternoon, early evening. A one way ticket including the ferry boat will cost you approximately 900 Baht.

You can purchase a ticket that includes bus and ferry at the Southern Bus Terminal, or through any travel agent in Bangkok. The bus ride to Surat Thani is about 10 hours. Then you have another hour to the pier and then about a 90 ferry trip to Nathon. (Hint, bring a long sleeve shirt on the bus with you because they tend to really crank up the air conditioning.)

You have the same options taking the bus back to Bangkok. There are different class buses departing at different times of the day. Again we recommend the VIP bus and that you book a combination bus and ferry ticket with one of the many reputable Koh Samui travel agents.

 

If you like air, train or VIP bus ticket, please send an e-mail : busticket@thailandwebhotels.com

Ferry

If you have your own transportation, or just finding your own way, you can walk on, or drive on to the ferries.
There are two ferry piers to choose from. Both piers are about one hour from Surat Thani and they are close to each other. The only difference is that they are run by different companies. Cost for car and driver is about 250 baht. Cost for walk on is 60 baht. Ferries leave the pier approximately every two hours starting at 6:00 am. (Hint, if you go outside on the ferry, remember your sun-screen. You don't want to arrive in Koh Samui sun burned!)

 

1.Express boat
1.1 An express ferry boat of Songserm Travel departs from Tha Thong Pier in Surat Thani at 8.00 a.m. and arrives at Na Thon Pier in Samui at 10.30 a.m. every day. For the return trip, the boat leaves Na Thon Pier at 2.00 p.m. and reaches Tha Thong at 4.30 p.m.
1.2 Express boats of Seatran Express operate three times a day between Ban Don and Ko Samui. Departure times are 7.00 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. The trip takes two hours.

2. Ferry Boats of Seatran
Seatran Ferry, which can accommodate 60 cars and 400 passengers, operates several trips per day between Don Sak (Surat Thani) and Ko Samui, from 5.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The trip takes about 1.30 hours.

3. Night ferry
A slow night ferry leaves Ban Don Pier nightly at 11 p.m. and reaches Na Thon Pier at Samui around 5 a.m. (6 hours). For the return trip, the boat leaves Na Thon Pier at 9.00 p.m. and arrives at Ban Don Pier at 4.00 a.m. (7 hours).

Getting around Koh Samui

Samui is an explorer's dream to discover something new. Offering a wealth of diversity of landscape, vistas, flora and fauna, and yet small enough to seek adventure in its many out-of-the-way places, Samui is best seen by taking songthaews (red local bus) which operate around the island. The fare starts at 20 baht, depending on the distance of the destination.

By Taxi
For many reasons, the least suitable for exploring, but the safest and easiest way to get to the destination is to go by taxi. The official taxi service time is until 9.00 p.m. Visitors are recommended to negotiate strongly for the fare and keep in mind that negotiation should always be dome before boarding. Note that the fare at night will be escalated.

By a rented Jeep
Rented Jeep, 4WD, is available from many family-owned agencies and some well known large companies. The vehicle will serve as the basic means of transportation taking visitors around many hillside natural and man-made attractions which are easily accessible from the ring road. Some of these vehicles come with insurance, but the coverage is limited. Always ask for details first. The minimum price is from 800 baht.

By Motorcycle
A more flexible way to get around the island, rented motorcycle costs approximately 200 baht / day. Beware, as roads other than the main roads on Ko Samui are quite rough in some parts.

Getting to nearby Islands from Samui

1. Ko Pha-ngan

1.1 Na Thon Pier (Ko Samui) -- Thong Sala Pier (Ko Pha-ngan)
Songserm Travel Co. operates ferry boats and express boats between Na Thon Pier on Ko Samui and Thong Sala Pier on Ko Pha-ngan, four times a day. The trip takes about 45 minutes for express boats, and one hour for ordinary ferry boats.

1.2 Bo Phut (Ko Samui) -- Hat Rin (Ko Pha-ngan)
There is a ferry boat leaving Bo Phut for Ko Pha-ngan twice daily at 9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The return trips depart Hat Rin on Ko Pha-ngan at 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.

2. Ang Thong Islands
Visitors can hire a boat on Ko Samui to Ang Thong. The charge depends on the boat size and number of passengers. The trip takes 1.30 hours. It is also possible to join a full-day excursion organized by tour operators in Ko Samui.

3. Ko Tao
Boat services for Ko Tao are available at Na Thon Pier of Ko Samui.