If you are staying in Koh Samui and want to complete a perfect vacation by visiting Phuket or Krabi; here we are going to show you the best way to travel between these stunning islands.
Koh Samui is one of the most visited islands in Thailand and one of the most accessible. You can get to Samui by airplane arriving at its own airport or through the sea from either of its neighbor islands; Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
Samui is the biggest island of the archipelago with Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. It is situated in the Gulf of Thailand just 50 km from the city of Surat Thani and 700 km from Bangkok.
Phuket is known as the “The Pearl of The Andaman” and it’s a fantastic island located off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. This is a tropical island that attracts many tourists due to its marvelous beaches and rich history.
Krabi is a mainland with many beaches and plenty of gorgeous tropical areas where you can find lots of activities on the beaches as well as in the hills with a variety of exotic wildlife. The province of Krabi is located on the west coast of southern Thailand at the mouth of the Krabi River.
How to get to Koh Samui
The most comfortable and fastest way to travel to Samui and the most popular among its visitors is by airplane. However, it is certainly the most expensive. Alternatively, travelers with a tight budget prefer a combination of Bus and Ferry, or Train and Ferry.
The Best Way to Travel from Koh Samui to Phuket (faster-cheaper)
Before deciding which type of transportation you will use to travel from Koh Samui to Phuket; you should consider some aspects. Firstly, you have to do some thinking on whether it is safe and convenient or not, secondly, how much time it will take, and finally the price.
It is a good thing to remark that in Koh Samui there is a variety of transportation services to choose from; Flight, Ferry, Bus, Minivan, and Catamaran.
So, let’s plan this!
From Koh Samui to Phuket by Plane
Everybody knows that this is the fastest way to travel between any two islands, although it is the most expensive one.
Traveling by air is undoubtedly by far the quickest way to travel from Koh Samui to Phuket. It just takes one hour, thus you are saving about 8 hours of your time to spend at the beach or a spa instead of traveling by bus.
Bangkok Airways is the only airline offering flights to Phuket.
Making sure to book through a respected travel agency to get the best deals should be a must. Also, notice that prices depend on demand and availability. Try to book the tickets in advance as they get filled up fast, and also to make sure to spend exactly the same price your agent has quoted.
Bangkok Airways provides flights at several times a day from Koh Samui to Phuket and offers an excellent service including newspapers in the airport departure room before boarding, as well as snacks, and refreshments.
How much does it cost to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui?
Flights take about one hour, the average ticket price is about $332 for a roundtrip, but it depends on the date, time, and whether it is a direct or non-direct flight.
Koh Samui to Phuket by Bus and Ferry
There are various direct transportation services operating throughout the day between Koh Samui and Phuket.
First of all, you will need to take the minibus transfer from your hotel to the Nathon new bus terminal on the west part of the island, one hour before departure time.
Once you are at the bus terminal, you will take the car ferry, then you will have a 90 minutes journey to Donsak pier.
After that, you will have to take the bus which will continue to the bus station in Surat Thani city. It will take 80 minutes, and there are two kinds of services available; standard service and VIP. The difference is if you choose the VIP service; you will have more space for your legs, more comfortable reclining seats, besides toilet and snacks on board. Both services are air-conditioned.
Once you are In Surat Thani; you have to catch the bus to Phuket, here you can take 30 minutes rest to eat something or pick up some food for the remainder of the trip. The bus attendants speak English and they can help you if you have any questions.
Of course, when we say by bus; it means that it includes a ferry or catamaran too due to the fact that they are islands. And here’s what you should take into consideration before booking any bus service:
» It should offer punctual and comfortable transfer service.
» Short delays, no more than fifteen minutes.
» Convenient catamaran with air conditioning.
» Should have a safe luggage storage area, preferable if it is within sight.
» It should include stops for snacks and refreshment.
» With toilet on board.
Traveling by bus and ferry is a good alternative if you are a trip enthusiast and want to enjoy the time and journey looking at the green terrain and a tropical environment. Of course, traveling by train or bus is much cheaper than traveling by plain.
So, it mainly depends on your budget and interests; if you’re one of the adventurous travelers; definitely cross over the country by a bus!
If you are traveling on Saturdays and Sundays; get ready for a longer trip, although the operators are obliged to pick up passengers during the weekend. You can also travel all by yourself from Koh Samui to Surat Thani and then take a bus from Surat Thani to Phuket. It takes you about 4 and half hours. It would be a great idea to take a stop in Surat Thani if you are considering saving some money, then you can take the governmental buses using the same route, they are cheaper but slower because they pick up passengers during the route.
Let us tell you about Ferrysamui.com and why we are the way to go!
From Koh Samui to Phuket by Ferrysamui.com
Ferrysamui makes the most affordable, convenient, and safest way to go from Koh Samui to Phuket (and vice versa). Take a look why!
Trustworthy: We have been in the market since 2011 and now we are trusted by 688,874 loyal customers and still growing. We are committed to maintain this trust, to work hard, to grow, and keep our thousands of consumers satisfied.
Safety: In Ferrysamui.com we are committed to providing you with a safe and enjoyable experience as well as the most affordable and high-quality ferries that have been featured with all the up-to-date navigation and passenger’s safety equipment.
Secure payment: Payments are 100% secure and easily processed as a part of the booking process through our website with just a click of a button. You can pay with your credit card or PayPal account.
Our suppliers: We partnered with a clique of the most trust-worthy operators in the region, to be certain that we provide our customers with the best service that they can hardly find anywhere else.
Immediate e-ticket: As soon as you book your trip with us, we will immediately send you an email with a confirmed e-ticket. Most affordable: By consistently studying the market and the prices; we are able to offer the most affordable and cheapest rates. Let us know if you came across better prices.
Money back guarantee: For your convenience; we apply a money back guarantee policy in case of cancellations prior to 72 hours before ferry departure.
Devoted Customer Service: We are dedicated passionate people, whom at your service for almost 24 hours, from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Thailand Time/ 365 days a year!
The Best Way to Travel from Koh Samui to Krabi
Krabi is the mother town in the area of Krabi Thesaban Mueang on the west bank of southern Thailand at the mouth of the Krabi River.
How long does it take from Koh Samui to Krabi?
It takes 5 hours and 28 minutes on average by ferry and Bus, depending on the operator and the vehicle.
What time is the earliest departure?
The earliest departure is at 07:30
What time is the latest departure?
The last trip is at 13:30 local Thailand time.
What are the operators that cover the route Koh Samui-Krabi?
They are Seatran Discovery, Phantip 1970, Lomprayah, Songserm. (Boats)
Bangkok Airways is the only airline that operates the route from Koh Samui to Krabi. To guarantee a safe and comfortable trip; choose the highest rated trips.
The best ways to get from Koh Samui to Krabi
(Flights) Traveling by airplane
Taking a flight from Koh Samui to Krabi is the simplest and the most logical option to travel between the two places. And Koh Samui has its own small airport with good transport accessibility and many resorts around.
Flight’s prices depend on the time of the year and weather conditions.
Koh Samui to Krabi Transfer via high-speed catamaran, minivan, and coach
From Koh Samui to Krabi (Combined Transport)
Travel from Koh Samui to Krabi with 4 daily departures by catamaran and coach via Donsak Pier in Surat Thani.
You can book a suitable pickup service from your hotel or get your own to the meeting point at Nathon Pier on Koh Samui, just thirty minutes before departure.
After that, get into a comfortable cruise by a high-speed catamaran to Donsak Pier in Surat Thani without any stops on the road, then change to the coach which will take you further to Krabi. Try not to sleep and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the road. Drop off in Krabi Town for a quick spin, then make your way to your hostel or hotel.
Traveling by ferry and bus
Many people prefer to travel by bus and ferry because they get to enjoy the gorgeous scenery, the beautiful surroundings, and live the whole experience.
When traveling from Koh Samui to Krabi; the bus and the ferry will probably be a convenient option, as they don’t cost so much and it’s not a very long trip either.
However, it is also important to book everything in advance to avoid any hassle.
Some tips you should bear in mind when booking your transfer
» It is important to guarantee a booking as soon as possible, no later than 15 hours before the scheduled departure.
» During national holidays or the high season (November - April) you should book the trip as early as possible because most of the catamaran’s seats are sold out faster.
» You have to know that in case of bad weather, unstable sea conditions or limited availability; the trip may be delayed, postponed or canceled. Make sure to ask what your company is offering in such cases.
» You must show the printed ticket voucher to the staff before boarding the ferry.
» Check with the agent or the operator on the maximum kilograms of luggage you are allowed to carry on the boat.
Our available trips
We have 8 daily trips from Koh Samui to Krabi. They take more or less than five hours.
» The first boat leaves at 07:30 am from Samui Bus Terminal and arrives at Krabi Town: Krabi Sea Pearl at 12:30 pm
» The second one leaves at 8:00 am from Nathon Pier in Koh Samui and arrives at Thunglong Road at 12:00 pm
» Another one Leaves at 8:00 am from Nathon Pier and arrives at Krabi, Krabi Town: Khaotong Rd. at 12:30 pm
» And the last boat leaves from Nahon Pier at 13:30 pm and arrives at Krabi Town Khaotong Rd. at 18:30 pm
Book now and enjoy our 15% instant discount on most trips between Koh Samui and Krabi!
Some information about Krabi town
Krabi is a very special town near the Andaman Sea. And the people there are very friendly and welcoming. When you visit this town you can see (especially in the evening) many outdoor eating stands with a variety of food for hungry tourists and locals. In this town, you have a lot of entertainment and in the markets, you will feel the warm Krabi culture with many local arts and crafts stores, it is a town where some animal statues are holding the town’s central traffic lights, and you can see other sculptures around the town too.
In Krabi town, there is a nice river where you can walk or jog along in the morning on its shore passing through Thara Park where you can find some interesting sculptures like “an eagle”.
Why visit Koh Samui, Phuket and Krabi?
Each of these magnificent three islands has its own charm and characteristics that will capture your senses in its own special way.
If you love Diving and snorkeling, you have arrived at the right place because they are the most popular activities on those islands. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anything about diving. There are many diving schools available in these places, all of them full of beaches that you will never forget; the crystal-blue waters and the white sand as well as the abundance of exotic fish. Moreover, you have the opportunity to walk on many hiking trails everywhere, and of course, there are many places to practice bouldering as well as many activities, events, and shows. In these magical places, you have everything to enjoy even during your travel by bus or minivan.
Some Important tips before your trip
» Make sure to print out your e-ticket for a smoother boarding process as it will be requested by the boat staff before boarding. And showing the ticket on your Smartphone or tablet may not be enough in some cases.
» It is important to print your pier information in order to be certain about how to get to the pier, and feel confident, sure and ready. And let’s admit it; sometimes we may forget very important details like a pier address or a boat name. A traveler should always be prepared!