Surat Thani
Surat Thani Ferry Services - Travel by Ferry & Speedboat
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Surat Thani Information
Traveling by ferry is one of the best ways to get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. Most ferries depart from Donsak Pier, located about an hour from Surat Thani city or the airport by shuttle or taxi. With sunny skies and beautiful seascapes, ferry travel is incredibly popular, with hundreds of passengers making the trip daily.
The ferries are large, sturdy, and safe, carrying 200–300 passengers per journey. Onboard, you can choose to relax on the deck under the sun or sit comfortably inside while reading, catching up on news, or updating your travel journal.
Traveling with FerrySamui.com makes it even easier. Our dedicated customer service team is ready to answer your questions and ensure your trip goes smoothly. At Donsak Pier, the ferry staff are familiar with our processes—just present your e-ticket, and you’ll be on your way.
Once you’ve booked your ticket, don’t forget to check out our Travel Tips to help you prepare for the journey and make the most of your day. We can’t wait to hear about your amazing island adventures!
Attraction Points
Popular Routes
Popular crossings to Surat Thani — pick a route to book.
Departures from Surat Thani
The first 8 of 21 departures leaving Surat Thani today — pick one to choose your date and book.
- 2h 15m1 stopEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 2h 15m1 stopEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 3h 15m2 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 3h 15m2 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 4h 45m3 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 4h 45m3 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1h 45m1 stopEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 2h 45m2 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
Pick-Up
Drop-Off
Arrivals in Surat Thani
The first 8 of 24 services arriving in Surat Thani today — pick one to choose your date and book.
- 2h 55m2 stops28 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is higher than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 3h 40m3 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 3h 55m4 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 3h 15m2 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 3h 30m2 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1h 55m2 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 2h 40m2 stopsEstimated CO₂ · per passengerLowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
- 1h 30mDirect20 kg CO₂Estimated CO₂ · per passengerEstimated CO₂ emissions per passenger for this trip. That is higher than similar trips in the industry.LowMediumHighInstant confirmation Refund available Amend available
Hop onward from here
Piers
Surat Thani Town: Tapee Pier
Pickup & collection points
Ferry Destination: Surat Thani
Surat Thani: gateway to the Gulf islands and Khao Sok
Surat thani is actually a big Thai province with a town that is like any other in Thailand. In tourism terms, its a hub for some extremely magnificent places surrounding it. Firstly, Surat thani is the key ferry hub for travel between the Thailand mainland and the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Secondly, the province contains the incredible Khao Sok National Park, which is older and more diverse than the Amazon Rainforest and just as spectacular. It is jam packed with great stuff to do there, and Khao Sok also hosts the awesomely beautiful Ratchaprapa Dam and huge reservoir. Suratthani is worth traveling to just for these great experiences alone.
Most travellers pass through Surat Thani on their way somewhere else, and that is exactly what makes it useful. It sits on the eastern side of southern Thailand, within reach of both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman coast, so it works as a natural changeover point between the two sides of the peninsula.
How to get to Surat Thani
Surat Thani is served by air, rail and road, and it is one of the better-connected transfer points in southern Thailand. Long-distance services arrive from other Thai cities and coastal towns, and connecting transfers link the airport, the railway station and the town centre with the piers used for island crossings.
We currently list 95 routes bookable routes touching Surat Thani. Because the same journey can be sold as a through-ticket combining more than one leg, it is worth comparing the full options on the route page rather than booking each leg separately.
Ports and departure points
The main mainland ferry gateway for the Gulf islands is Donsak, roughly an hour's drive east of Surat Thani town. Most island crossings from this area leave from the Donsak piers, with road transfers timed to connect from town, the railway station and the airport.
Check the exact pier named on your ticket before you travel. Operators in this area use more than one pier at Donsak, and the pier is not always the same for every departure or every island.
Popular routes to and from Surat Thani
Surat Thani connects to Ao Nang, Donsak, Khao Sok National Park, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui and several more destinations. The busiest patterns fall into three groups:
- Gulf islands — services towards Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, the classic reason people come here.
- Andaman coast crossings — links west towards Ao Nang and onward to Koh Phi Phi, useful if you are moving between the two coasts.
- Inland and national park — connections to Khao Sok National Park and to the Donsak piers.
Fares start from ฿120, and prices vary by operator, vehicle type and how far ahead you book.
Operators serving Surat Thani
Companies running services here include Lomlahkkhirin High Speed Ferries, Lomprayah High Speed Ferries Co., Ltd. and Phantip 1970 Co., Ltd, alongside other operators listed on individual route pages. Each has its own timetable, luggage policy and pier, so the details shown for several operators at checkout are the ones that apply to your booking.
Practical travel information
- Allow buffer time. Island crossings from the mainland involve a road leg plus a sea leg. If you have a flight or an onward connection the same day, leave margin.
- Travel light where you can. Combined road-and-sea tickets often mean moving your own bags between vehicles at the pier.
- Book ahead in peak season. Popular island sailings fill up around Thai holidays and the high season, and the Full Moon dates on Koh Phangan put heavy pressure on seats in both directions.
- Weather matters. Sea conditions can affect sailings, particularly during the monsoon months. Operators publish changes on the day, so keep an eye on your confirmation.
- Check the conditions on your ticket. Amendment and cancellation rules differ between operators and are shown before you pay.
What to see and do
Khao Sok National Park is the standout inland attraction, with limestone cliffs, jungle trails and the Ratchaprapa Dam reservoir, where floating raft houses sit beneath towering karsts. Wildlife spotting, kayaking and boat trips on the reservoir are the main draws, and many visitors stay overnight rather than day-tripping.
In town, the riverside night market and the local temples are worth an evening if your onward service leaves the following morning. Surat Thani town is not a resort, and that is part of its appeal — it is a working Thai town rather than a tourist strip, and prices reflect that.
Beyond the province, Surat Thani is the natural staging point for the Gulf island trio. Divers and snorkellers usually push on to the smaller islands, while travellers heading west use the province as a crossing point towards the Andaman.
Book your Surat Thani journey
Enter your travel dates to compare departures, prices and operators across every route serving Surat Thani, then confirm your seats online. Search availability to see today's options.
Note: the list of connected destinations above is partial — the booking system reports three further destinations that were not named in the source data, and specific journey times, departure counts and vehicle types were not supplied, so they have been described generally rather than stated. Internal link URLs are assumed slugs and should be checked against the site's actual route pages before publishing.
Highlights
Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok is an amazing national park and wildlife reserve covering almost 740 square kilometres of completely unspoilt natural rainforest land. It's covered with great limestone mountains and great waterfalls, with hiking and biking trails that beckon tourists and adventurers from all walks of life to explore and discover the ancient Thai evergreen rainforest. There's also elephant trekking, canoeing, and jeep safaris that will get you into the lush forest. All kinds of wildlife are found here that are unique to the region and you're hardly ever disappointed. The amazing "Bua Phut" (wild lotus), one of the world's largest flowers is found only here in Khao Sok, it can grow to 80cm in diameter! For the budding "David Livingstones" of the world, what an adventure you have in store.
Ratchaprapa Dam
Ratchaprapa Dam (also known as the Cheow Lan Resevoir) is an absolutely stunning area of Thailand that really needs to be experienced because it's very difficult to put into words how amazing it is. The enormous dam itself was built in 1982 to provide hydroelectric power to nearby provinces, and it is a magnificent sight with great viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the 185 square kilometre body of water contained within dense forest and mountainous terrain. The lake contained within the dam is really deep, yet over one hundred small little islands jut out of the great expanse of water, which you can see up close on rented long tail boats. What a fantastic place.
Cheow Lan Lake
The natural result of the building of the great Ratchaprapa Dam is the incredible Cheow Lan Lake, which demands a travel summary all by itself. As mentioned, the lake covers 185 square meters. It is absolutely well worth the cost of an unforgettable long tail boat ride to see the natural beauty of the place for yourself. Ask the long tail boat sailor to take you to "Guilin", a set of rock structures in a small alcove on the lake that makes for stunning photos. And it's possible to actually stay on the lake in one of the fascinating bamboo lodges. The serenity of the experience long fills the memory, hours spent floating in the lake, kayaking around its perimeter, fresh fish meals and unhindered starlit-moonlit night skies. Incredible moments!
Suratthani Itself
The province's name means "city of good people"; the title being given by a former king of Thailand, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). The main road that runs through Suratthani connects to both Phuket in the south and Bangkok in the north. Suratthani is also known as "province of a thousand islands", because of the nearby "Ang Thong Marine National Park", which is an extravagant natural group of beautiful islands that rise up out of the seascape surrounding the mainland. While there's not so much for tourists in Suratthani Town itself, the province is also in a prime spot to be a travel hub to the spectacular surrounding islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. You can read about these destinations on our website.
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.
