Donsak Information
For travelers who want to reach the Thailand Gulf, Donsak is the pier that will take you there. Being the main harbor in Surat Thani province, the closest airport is located in this city, which provides buses and taxi services that drop you off in the port. Airport shuttles have a low cost and sometimes the price is already included on your ferry ticket with a journey of around 1.5 hours. Buses from Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi, are also available, however, Surat Thani Town is the fastest and easiest to get to by train, bus, or airplane from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Chiang Mai.
Popular Routes
Popular crossings to Donsak — pick a route to book.
Departures from Donsak
8 scheduled departures leaving Donsak today — pick one to choose your date and book.
- 45mDirect0.61 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1h 45mDirect0.97 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 3h 15m1 stop1.62 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 45mDirect0.61 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1h 30mDirect0.97 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 2h 45m1 stop1.62 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 45mDirectEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1h 15mDirectEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
Pick-Up
Drop-Off
Arrivals in Donsak
7 scheduled services arriving in Donsak today — pick one to choose your date and book.
- 1h 30m1 stop0.97 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1hDirect0.61 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 3h 15m2 stops1.63 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1h 45m1 stop0.97 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1hDirect0.61 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1h 15mDirectEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 45mDirect0.67 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is lower than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
Hop onward from here
Piers
Donsak Lomprayah Ferry
Donsak Pier
Donsak Pier Raja
Laem Thuat Pier, Samui Seaway
Laem Tuad Pier
Raja Ferry Port
Seatran Ferry Pier
Donsak Information
Donsak: the mainland gateway to the Gulf of Thailand islands
Donsak lies in the south of Surat Thani Town and it's the gateway to the popular islands located in the Thailand Gulf. The district is composed by three piers; Leam Tuad Pier, Seatran Ferry Pier, and Raja Ferry Port which is the favorite among tourists due to its car-ferry service. There isn't so much to see and explore in Donsak, other than to relax watching the sea and be caressed by the cool breeze meanwhile you are waiting for your ferry, however, its neighboring cities definitely deserve a visit.
For most travellers, Donsak is a transit point rather than a final stop — a place where road transport from the mainland meets the boats heading out to the islands. Knowing which pier your ticket departs from, and how much time to leave for the transfer, is the main thing to get right here.
Where Donsak connects to
Donsak is linked to six destinations in southern Thailand: Khao Sok National Park, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Phuket and Surat Thani. Between them there are 24 routes bookable routes, so you can usually build a full mainland-to-island journey in a single booking.
The island connections are the busiest. Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are the two closest island destinations, while Koh Tao sits further north in the Gulf. On the mainland side, Surat Thani is the main hub for onward travel, and Khao Sok National Park and Phuket link Donsak across to the Andaman side of the country.
Popular routes to and from Donsak
- Donsak to Koh Samui — the shortest island hop and the busiest connection from the district's piers.
- Donsak to Koh Phangan — for Thong Sala and the beaches on the island's south and east coasts.
- Donsak to Koh Tao — the furthest of the three Gulf islands served from here, popular with divers.
- Donsak to Surat Thani — back to the mainland hub for trains, buses and the airport.
- Donsak to Khao Sok National Park — an inland option for travellers combining islands with jungle and lake scenery.
- Donsak to Phuket — the long cross-country link between the Gulf and Andamancoasts.
Return journeys run in the same direction on the same routes, so island-to-mainland travel from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao also passes through Donsak.
The three Donsak piers
Because the district has three separate piers, always check the departure point printed on your ticket before you set off.
Raja Ferry Port
The favourite among tourists thanks to its car-ferry service, which is what you need if you are bringing a vehicle or a motorbike to the islands.
Seatran Ferry Pier
A separate terminal within the same district, used by its own scheduled island crossings.
Leam Tuad Pier
The third pier in Donsak, also serving Gulf island departures.
The piers are not within walking distance of one another, so allow time for a short road transfer if you arrive at the wrong one.
How to get to Donsak
Most travellers reach Donsak overland from Surat Thani, which is the regional gateway for trains from Bangkok and the south, long-distance buses and Surat Thani Airport. Combined tickets typically cover the road leg to the pier and the sea crossing together, so you do not have to arrange each stage separately.
Operators serving Donsak include Lomprayah High Speed Ferries Co., Ltd. and Phantip 1970 Co., Ltd. Available services, departure times and vehicle types vary by route and by date — the live search results show exactly what several operators is running on your chosen day.
Practical travel information
- Arrive early. Give yourself a comfortable buffer at the pier, especially with a car ferry booking or with checked luggage.
- Match pier to ticket. Three piers means three possible pick-up points; confirm yours at the time of booking.
- Book ahead in high season. Island crossings fill up around Thai public holidays and during the peak months, and combined bus-and-ferry tickets sell out first.
- Check the last departure. Sea crossings finish earlier in the day than road transport, so a late arrival in Surat Thani may mean an overnight stop before travelling on.
- Weather. Gulf crossings can be affected by sea conditions; operators may adjust services at short notice.
What to do around Donsak
Donsak itself is quiet, and the sea view from the pier is the main attraction while you wait. The surrounding area is where the interest lies: Surat Thani for markets, food and onward transport; Khao Sok National Park inland for limestone scenery, rainforest and lake trips; and the Gulf islands offshore for beaches and diving.
If you are planning a longer trip, Donsak works well as the pivot point between an island stay and an inland stop at Khao Sok National Park, or as the first leg of a coast-to-coast journey towards Phuket.
Book your Donsak journey
Compare all 24 routes routes serving Donsak, with fares from ฿165, and choose the departure that fits your plans. Prices, timetables and seat availability update in real time, and your ticket is confirmed as soon as you pay.
Search availability for your travel date to see live departures, operators and prices from Donsak.
Highlights
Hug Village
Surat Thani Town
Wat Khao Suwan Pradit
Khanom
Khanom is another district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province and it's not far away from Donsak's piers. This town radiates a beautiful natural beauty making it a charming place that as soon as you get here you would want to stay longer. Magnificent caves, refreshing waterfalls and isolated beaches, the main one called Nadan, the main attraction in Khanom. Besides being a small town and not a party city, it possesses a wide range of Thai food and some nice bars.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the pier that my ferry departing from?
Phuket Ferry :
We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents; we are happy to help.
Ferry Samui :
FWe understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.
Bali Ferry :
We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Departure Point Information page for the most comprehensive information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.
What are the tourist seasons ?
Phuket Ferry :
Phuket really just has two seasons, which are known as "high season" and "low season" (or "green season"). During the low season months (May- September), boat numbers are reduced. During the high season (October - April), boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options.
Ferry Samui :
There are three distinct weather seasons on the tropical island of Koh Samui: the dry season (December until February), the hot season (March until August) and the rainy season (September until November).
Bali Ferry :
Bali actually has a variety of tourist periods, notably around the Balinese New Year, 15 December - 15 January, and 1 June - 30 September. During these high traffic periods, boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options. The quieter periods are between 16 January - 30 April and 1 October - 14 December historically.
Will bad weather affect my travels?
Ferries are large and can usually operate in the rain, except in extremely bad weather. During storms or strong winds, the journey may take a little longer than usual.
Speedboats are more likely to be canceled than ferries. If a trip is canceled due to bad weather, you can choose to receive a refund or reschedule. Please note that refunds for bad weather are only issued if the ferry operator cancels the trip.
On rough days, we recommend bringing motion sickness medication and taking it about 20 minutes before boarding if you are prone to seasickness. Boat staff may also provide Dramamine upon request, but you will need to remain indoors during rough conditions. On sunny and calm days, the sun deck is open for passengers to enjoy the weather.
What's the boarding process on the day of my trip?
At the pier named on your ticket, look for the staff of the ferry operator listed on your ticket as well. Please present your e-ticket (QR code) from your phone or other device—they’ll provide you with a sticker and/or boarding pass and direct you to your boat. Most piers have staff available to help load your luggage. In Koh Samui, staff are usually stationed at booths near the boarding area; at other locations, they’re typically near the boats, wearing their company uniforms.
When will I receive my ticket confirmation?
After completing your online booking, your reservation will remain in “Pending” status until it is processed. Once confirmed, we will send your e-ticket via email. The process is usually very quick.
On the day of travel, please present your e-ticket to the ferry staff at the relevant booking counter. If you do not receive your confirmation within 24 hours, contact us immediately.
What are the baggage allowances?
Your ferry e-ticket includes ferry transport, baggage fees, and handling. The free baggage allowance per person is 20–25 kg, depending on the operator. If your baggage exceeds this limit, you can pay the extra fee directly to the ferry operator in cash.
To check the baggage allowance for your specific trip, please refer to the trip details for your selected route.
