Koh Samui, Koh Phangan & Koh Tao Ferries: Mainland Piers, Times & Operators
Ferries to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao from Chumphon, Surat Thani and Donsak, and between the islands: departure times, crossing times and operators.
📋 Essential Pre-Departure Checklist
- ✓Going to Koh Tao first? Chumphon is the shortest crossing
- ✓Taking a car or motorbike? Use Raja Ferry or Seatran Ferry from Donsak
- ✓Check which Samui pier your operator uses: Nathon, Lipa Noi, Pralarn (Maenam) or Bangrak
- ✓For Haad Rin, the Haadrin Queen sails direct from Bangrak on Samui
- ✓Check the operator’s timetable on the day: services change with the season and sea conditions
Which mainland pier: Chumphon or Donsak/Surat Thani?
Pick the pier by which island you want first. Chumphon, on the mainland north of the islands, is closest to Koh Tao: 5 boats a day (Lomprayah’s 05:45 ferry and 07:00 and 13:15 catamarans, and Boonsiri’s 06:45 and 13:00 catamarans from its own Pak Nam pier) take 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, and the catamarans continue to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Donsak, south-east of Surat Thani, is closest to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan: two car-ferry lines each sail hourly to Samui from 05:00 to 19:00 (Raja Ferry to Lipa Noi, Seatran Ferry to Nathon, about 1 hour 30 minutes), and Raja and Seatran each run 5 sailings a day to Koh Phangan (about 2 hours 30 minutes). Lomprayah adds catamarans from Donsak at 11:00 and 15:00, and speedboats from Tapee Pier in Surat Thani town.
Koh Samui’s piers
Samui has four ferry piers, and the operator decides which you use. Nathon on the west coast takes the Seatran car ferries and Lomprayah and Songserm boats from Donsak; Lipa Noi, further south, is Raja Ferry’s car-ferry pier. On the north coast, Pralarn (Maenam) is Lomprayah’s pier for Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Chumphon, and Bangrak (Big Buddha) is used by Boonsiri, Seatran and the Haadrin Queen to Haad Rin.
Hopping between the islands
Koh Samui to Koh Phangan is the busiest hop: about 30 departures a day to Thong Sala from Lomprayah, Boonsiri, Songserm and Seatran, taking 20–35 minutes by speedboat or catamaran. For Haad Rin, the Haadrin Queen sails direct from Bangrak 4 times a day each way (two ferries and two speedboats, 25–50 minutes). Koh Samui to Koh Tao has about 18 departures a day (Lomprayah, Boonsiri, Songserm), taking 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours direct. Koh Phangan to Koh Tao has about 14 a day (Lomprayah up to 8, Boonsiri 3, Songserm 3), taking 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Night boats from Surat Thani to Koh Tao
A night boat leaves the Ban Don riverfront in Surat Thani for Koh Tao every night at 21:00 and arrives around 05:00, with several boats sailing in rotation (Sea Crest Ferry, ST 4289 and Chor. Maetapee, plus Ko Jaroen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). The return also leaves Koh Tao at 21:00. From Koh Tao, longtail and speedboat taxis cross to Koh Nangyuan in 10–20 minutes; day visitors may stay from 10:00 to 15:00.
Bringing a car or motorbike
Use the car ferries from Donsak: Raja Ferry to Lipa Noi on Samui and to Koh Phangan, or Seatran Ferry to Nathon and Koh Phangan. Raja also runs a car ferry from Lipa Noi to Koh Phangan (about 1 hour 30 minutes). Lomprayah, Boonsiri and Songserm catamarans and speedboats carry passengers only.
Gulf islands: departures and crossing times
As published by each operator (Lomprayah, Raja Ferry, Seatran, Boonsiri, Songserm and Haadrin Queen; checked 29 September – 4 October 2026). Confirm on the operator’s site before travelling.
| Route | Operators | Departs | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chumphon → Koh Tao | Lomprayah, Boonsiri | 05:45 (ferry), 06:45, 07:00, 13:00, 13:15 | 1h 30m – 2h 30m |
| Chumphon → Koh Phangan | Lomprayah, Boonsiri | 06:45, 07:00, 13:00, 13:15 | 3h 15m – 4h 45m |
| Chumphon → Koh Samui | Lomprayah, Boonsiri | 06:45, 07:00, 13:00, 13:15 | 3h 45m – 4h 45m |
| Donsak → Koh Samui | Raja Ferry, Seatran Ferry (car ferries) | Hourly 05:00–19:00 on each line | about 1h 30m |
| Donsak → Koh Samui (Nathon) | Lomprayah, Songserm | 11:00, 15:00, 17:00 | about 45m |
| Donsak → Koh Phangan | Raja Ferry, Seatran Ferry, Lomprayah | 5 + 5 car ferries a day; 11:00, 15:00 | 1h 30m – 2h 30m |
| Surat Thani (Tapee Pier) → Koh Samui | Lomprayah | 12:00 | 1h 30m – 2h |
| Koh Samui → Koh Phangan | Lomprayah, Boonsiri, Songserm, Seatran | about 30 a day, 08:00–17:45 | 20m – 35m (Songserm ferry 50m) |
| Koh Samui (Bangrak) → Haad Rin | Haadrin Queen | 4 a day each way | 25m – 50m |
| Koh Samui → Koh Tao | Lomprayah, Boonsiri, Songserm | about 18 a day, 08:00–16:00 | 1h 30m – 2h direct |
| Koh Phangan → Koh Tao | Lomprayah, Boonsiri, Songserm | about 14 a day | 45m – 2h |
Checked 2026-10-04 against: Lomprayah timetable · Raja Ferry sailing schedule · Boonsiri High Speed Ferries · Songserm timetable · Seatran Discovery · Haadrin Queen schedule. Policies change; confirm with the operator before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get to Koh Tao?
From Chumphon. Lomprayah’s and Boonsiri’s catamarans take about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, with 4 catamaran departures a day (06:45, 07:00, 13:00, 13:15).
How often is the ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?
About 30 departures a day to Thong Sala from Lomprayah, Boonsiri, Songserm and Seatran, mostly from Bangrak, taking 20–35 minutes. The Haadrin Queen sails direct to Haad Rin 4 times a day.
Can I take a car to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan?
Yes. From Donsak, Raja Ferry (to Lipa Noi) and Seatran Ferry (to Nathon) each sail hourly to Samui from 05:00 to 19:00, and each runs 5 sailings a day to Koh Phangan.
How long is the ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao?
45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the boat, with about 14 departures a day from Thong Sala (Lomprayah up to 8, Boonsiri 3, Songserm 3).