The fastest way from Bangkok to Koh Samui is a direct Bangkok Airways flight: about 1 hour 15 minutes from Suvarnabhumi, with about 20–22 flights a day. The cheapest way is an overnight train to Surat Thani, then a bus and a boat: about 1,000 THB in total with a third-class seat, and about 13 hours or more. Smile Taxi Service drives you from your address in Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang for a fixed 600 THB by sedan, tolls included; for a private car all the way to Samui on the car ferry, ask for a quote.
Distance and travel time from Bangkok to Koh Samui
Koh Samui is about 35 km north-east of Surat Thani town in the Gulf of Thailand. There is no road link to the island: apart from a direct flight, every route ends with a boat, usually from Donsak pier in Surat Thani province.
- By air: about 470 km (290 miles), about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
- By rail: 644 km to Surat Thani station, then bus and boat; about 13 hours or more in total.
- By road: about 768 km on the through bus route, including the car ferry; the through coaches take about 12–13 hours.
Bangkok to Koh Samui: all options compared
| Option | Travel time | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct flight to Samui (Bangkok Airways) | About 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 | From about US$80 one way | Travellers short of time |
| Flight to Surat Thani + bus and boat | About 1 h 15 flight + 2 h 15 to 3 h 30 | Flight from about US$32 + 540–950 THB | Flying for less |
| Overnight train + bus and boat | About 13 hours or more | About 1,000 THB (seat) to over 3,000 THB (berth) | Lowest price, a bed on sleeper trains |
| Bus and boat on one ticket (Lomprayah) | About 11.5 to 14 hours | 1,250–1,750 THB | One ticket from Bangkok |
| Through coach (Sombat Tour) | About 12 h 50 | 804 THB + ferry fare | Overnight coach from Sai Tai Mai |
| Private car + car ferry | A long day (about 768 km) | Smile Taxi Service: ask for a quote | Groups with a lot of luggage |
Third-party prices and timetables were checked in September 2026; confirm them with the airline or operator before you travel. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed.
Flying direct to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Airways is the only airline that flies between Bangkok and Koh Samui; Thai Airways flew the route from 2008 to 2018 and no longer does. Flights leave from both Bangkok airports:
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK): about 20–22 flights a day, about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Don Mueang (DMK): about 3 flights a day, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Samui Airport (USM), owned by Bangkok Airways, is in Bo Phut, about 2 km north of Chaweng.
Price: the cheapest one-way fares seen in September 2026 were about US$80–82, and round trips started at about US$168. Fares can be much higher at busy times.
Pros and cons: by far the fastest option, but the most expensive per person.
Flying to Surat Thani, then bus and boat
You fly to Surat Thani International Airport (URT), take a bus to Donsak pier, and cross to Samui by boat. Raja Ferry and Lomprayah sell the bus and the boat together on one ticket.
Flights: from Don Mueang, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air fly to Surat Thani, about 11–12 flights a day in total, each about 1 hour 15 minutes. From Suvarnabhumi, Thai VietJet flies there about 3 times a day. One-way fares start at about US$32 from Don Mueang and are typically US$35–65 from Suvarnabhumi.
Bus and boat from the airport: Surat Thani Airport is about 60 km from Donsak pier, about 90 minutes by road.
| Operator and departure | Arrives on Samui | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Raja Ferry bus + car ferry, 09:00 | Lipa Noi Pier, 12:30 | 540 THB |
| Lomprayah bus + catamaran, 09:30 | Nathon Pier, 11:45 | 850 THB |
| Lomprayah bus + speedboat, 11:00 | Pralarn Pier, 14:00 | 950 THB |
| Lomprayah bus + catamaran, 12:30 | Nathon Pier, 15:45 | 850 THB |
For about 150 THB more, Lomprayah drops you at any Samui hotel, about an hour later. Seatran Ferry also sells coach connections from the airport to its ferry; ask its call centre (1381 or 084-065-4455, 04:00–19:00 daily) for the times.
After the last Lomprayah connection (12:30), only the hourly car ferries from Donsak remain, so choose a flight that lands in the morning.
Ferries from Donsak pier to Koh Samui
Three companies cross from Donsak pier to Samui:
- Raja Ferry (car ferry) to Lipa Noi Pier: every hour from 05:00 to 19:00, about 1 hour 30 minutes, 210 THB per passenger. See the Raja Ferry sailing schedule.
- Seatran Ferry (car ferry) to Nathon Pier: about 1 hour 30 minutes; check the times with the operator.
- Lomprayah catamaran to Nathon Pier: only at 11:00 and 15:00, 45 minutes, 450 THB (600 THB with hotel drop-off).
Car ferry fares follow a provincial table linked to the diesel price: 140–230 THB per passenger and 460–730 THB for a car, SUV, pick-up or van. Nathon and Lipa Noi are both on the west side of Samui; Lipa Noi is about 25 km from Chaweng.
Overnight train to Surat Thani, then bus and boat
All State Railway of Thailand (SRT) trains to Surat Thani leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, not from the old Hua Lamphong station. Surat Thani station is in Phun Phin, about 90 minutes by bus from Donsak pier. A selection of the 2026 timetable:
| Train | Departs Bangkok | Arrives Surat Thani | Fare range (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43 (day railcar, seats) | 07:30 | 16:20 | 524 |
| 31 (sleeper train) | 16:50 | 02:20 | 904–2,372 |
| 83 (express) | 18:50 | 04:58 | 256–1,832 |
| 85 (express) | 19:50 | 06:23 | 256–1,832 |
| 167 (rapid) | 20:30 | 07:16 | 216–724 |
| 39 (night railcar) | 22:50 | 07:50 | 524 |
Other trains leave at 15:10, 16:10, 17:30 and 20:10. Fares range from the cheapest seat to the most expensive berth, and the trip takes 8 hours 50 minutes to about 10 hours 45 minutes. Book on SRT D-Ticket or call the SRT hotline 1690.
From the station to the island: Lomprayah runs a 09:30 bus + catamaran to Nathon Pier (arrives 11:45, 750 THB) and an 11:00 bus + speedboat to Pralarn Pier (arrives 14:00, 850 THB); a hotel drop-off costs 150 THB more. Trains that arrive between about 04:00 and 07:50 fit the 09:30 connection: for example, train 39 (22:50 to 07:50) gets you to Nathon at 11:45, about 13 hours in total. The day train arrives after the last catamaran from Donsak (15:00), which leaves only the car ferries (the last at 19:00).
In total, train and boat cost about 1,000 THB with a third-class seat and over 3,000 THB with a first-class berth. 12Go sells combined train, bus and ferry tickets.
Via Chumphon: trains also stop at Chumphon (478 km); the overnight trains arrive there between 22:17 and 05:22. From Thung Makham Noi Pier, Lomprayah sails via Koh Tao to Samui's Pralarn Pier at 07:00 (arrives 11:30) and 13:15 (arrives 17:30) for 1,200 THB. The transfer from Chumphon station to the pier costs 150 THB. See the Lomprayah timetable.
Bus and boat from Bangkok
Lomprayah from Khaosan or Pinklao: one ticket for a bus to Chumphon and a boat via Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. The trip takes about 11.5 hours on the morning departure and about 14 hours overnight.
- From Khaosan: 06:00 (arrives at Pralarn Pier 17:30) or 22:00 (arrives 11:30 the next day).
- From Pinklao: 21:30 (arrives at Pralarn Pier 11:30).
- Fares: 1,450 THB by bus or 1,750 THB by VIP bus. A slower bus + ferry ticket (21:30 from Khaosan, 21:00 from Pinklao) costs 1,250 THB and reaches Bangrak Pier at 11:15.
Sombat Tour coach: a through coach from Sai Tai Mai (the Southern Bus Terminal, 3rd floor, channels 75–76) to Koh Samui by the Donsak car ferry. It leaves at 19:00 (arrives 07:50) or 19:30 (arrives 08:20) and costs 804 THB; the ferry fare is extra. It runs only every other day, so check the date with the call centre, 1215. Carry your passport or ID when you buy bus tickets.
The state Transport Co. (999) also runs a Bangkok to Koh Samui bus; published departure times disagree, so check them with the company.
Sai Tai Mai is in far west Bangkok: take the SRT Red Line to Taling Chan, then a taxi (about 60–80 THB).
Private car with Smile Taxi Service
A fixed-fare ride to your Bangkok airport
Smile Taxi Service drives you from your hotel or address in Bangkok to the airport for a fixed fare per vehicle, not per person:
| Vehicle | Passengers / bags | To Suvarnabhumi | To Don Mueang |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Toyota Camry or similar) | up to 3 / 2 | 600 THB | 600 THB |
| SUV (Toyota Fortuner or similar) | up to 5 / 4 | 800 THB | 800 THB |
| Van (Toyota Commuter or similar) | up to 7 / 5 | 1,100 THB | 1,000 THB |
Check your ticket first: most Samui flights leave from Suvarnabhumi, most Surat Thani flights from Don Mueang.
- Book Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi: sedan to Suvarnabhumi, SUV to Suvarnabhumi, van to Suvarnabhumi
- Book Bangkok to Don Mueang: sedan to Don Mueang, SUV to Don Mueang, van to Don Mueang
All the way to Koh Samui by car and car ferry
Cars cross on the Donsak car ferries, so one vehicle can take you from Bangkok to your door on Samui, about 768 km. Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare for this route: send your pickup address, your hotel on Samui, the date and the number of passengers on WhatsApp or LINE for a quote. It suits groups and families with a lot of luggage.
What is included, payment and cancellation
- Fares are fixed, one way, expressway tolls included, with no meter; the price is the same for one passenger or a full car.
- Before the trip, the team sends the driver's name, car and plate number.
- Airport pickups (for example, on your way back) include 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time; a name sign at the arrivals gate costs 100 THB on request.
- Extras: pickup or drop-off west of the Chao Phraya river (Thonburi side) 100–200 THB, child seat 100 THB on request, extra stops 250 THB per hour.
- Not every driver speaks English; you can request an English-speaking driver when booking, subject to availability.
- Payment: cash (THB) to the driver at the end of the trip; no online payment and no deposit. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (5% fee added).
- Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
Smile Taxi Service is rated 5.0 on Google and 5.0 on Tripadvisor and has served more than 8,000 passengers. See all Smile Taxi Service routes and fares.
Practical tips for the Bangkok to Koh Samui trip
- Check your Samui pier. Boats land at Nathon, Lipa Noi, Pralarn or Bangrak; plan the ride to your beach from that pier. Bangrak Pier, in the Big Buddha area, appears on Lomprayah tickets as "Koh Samui Airport (Bangrak Pier)"; it is a pier, not the airport.
- Getting to the train station. From Don Mueang, the SRT Red Line reaches Krung Thep Aphiwat in about 23 minutes; in the city, use the MRT to Bang Sue.
- Families and luggage. A car to the airport saves carrying bags through the metro.
- Weather. The Thai Meteorological Department's 2026 forecast says that on the Gulf side, where Samui is, rain continues until December. Ferry schedules can change, so if you travel by boat, leave a spare day before an international flight home.
The return journey from Koh Samui to Bangkok
- By air: Bangkok Airways flies from Samui to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang.
- Ferry only: Raja Ferry sails from Lipa Noi to Donsak every hour from 05:00 to 19:00, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- To Surat Thani Airport: Raja Ferry's bus + ferry leaves Lipa Noi at 05:00 and reaches the airport at 10:00 (540 THB). Lomprayah picks you up at your hotel at 07:00 or 10:15 and reaches the airport at 11:30 or 15:00 (1,000 THB).
- By train: Lomprayah reaches Surat Thani station at 11:15 or 14:15 (900 THB with hotel pickup). Train 40 leaves Surat Thani at 09:00 and arrives at Krung Thep Aphiwat at 18:05 (524 THB); evening trains leave between 18:32 and 23:28 and arrive between 05:10 and 10:50.
- Bus and boat: Lomprayah picks you up at 06:30 and reaches Khaosan or Pinklao at 20:30 (1,600 THB) or Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang at about 23:00 (2,100 THB).
- Through coach: Sombat Tour leaves Samui at 15:30 (arrives 04:20) or 16:30 (arrives 04:00) for 804 THB plus the ferry fare, every other day.
Your ride from the Bangkok airport: Smile Taxi Service charges the same fixed fares in this direction: from Suvarnabhumi 600 / 800 / 1,100 THB and from Don Mueang 600 / 800 / 1,000 THB (sedan / SUV / van). A person checks your flight, and waiting is free for 60 minutes from the actual landing time. The car stops at Suvarnabhumi Level 4 (Departures), near Gate 4, or at Don Mueang Level 3 (Departures), where the exact door comes with the driver's details. Message on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags, and the car pulls up in about 5–10 minutes. You can ask for a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM when booking, and for a return-trip discount by message.
- Book Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok: sedan from Suvarnabhumi, SUV from Suvarnabhumi, van from Suvarnabhumi
- Book Don Mueang to Bangkok: sedan from Don Mueang, SUV from Don Mueang, van from Don Mueang
Also visiting Phuket? Read how to get from Bangkok to Phuket.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way from Bangkok to Koh Samui? A direct Bangkok Airways flight: about 1 hour 15 minutes from Suvarnabhumi (about 20–22 flights a day) or about 1 hour 30 minutes from Don Mueang (about 3 a day).
What is the cheapest way? A rapid-train seat to Surat Thani from 216 THB plus the 750 THB Lomprayah bus and boat, or the 804 THB Sombat Tour coach plus the ferry fare (about 210 THB).
Is it cheaper to fly to Surat Thani? Usually. Flights start at about US$32 one way, against about US$80 to Samui, but the bus and boat add 540–950 THB and 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes.
Which airlines fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui? Only Bangkok Airways, from Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Thai Airways stopped flying the route in 2018.
Which Bangkok station do trains to Surat Thani leave from? Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, not Hua Lamphong. From Don Mueang, the SRT Red Line gets there in about 23 minutes.
Can I take a taxi from Bangkok to Koh Samui? Yes, a car can cross on the Donsak car ferry (460–730 THB per car). Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare for this route, so ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
Do ferries to Samui get cancelled? Schedules can change, especially in the rainy months until December. Keep a spare day before a flight home.
Planning the trip? Book your fixed-fare ride to Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang online, or message us on WhatsApp or LINE for a quote to Samui.