Phuket to Koh Samui

Phuket and Koh Samui are both popular islands in Thailand, situated in the southern part of the country. Phuket is located on the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Koh Samui, on the other hand, is situated in the Gulf of Thailand, on the eastern side of the Malay Peninsula. If you’re looking to change a scene and explore one of Koh Samui’s beaches (or maybe you have a flight from Koh Samui Airport), you need to know exactly how to get there from Phuket. Below, we will describe all the possible travel options: direct flight, bus+ferry, van+ferry,and taxi+ferry.

Phuket to Koh Samui by Flight

• Price: from 3,000 THB
• Transport type: flight
• Companies: Bangkok Air
• Travel time: 1 hour

If you’re planning to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui, catching a flight is your best and most convenient option. Bangkok Air operates direct flights between Phuket Airport (HKT) and Samui International Airport (USM). These flights usually start from around 3,000 THB, offering a reasonably priced journey that takes just about 1 hour to reach Koh Samui from Phuket.

You have two flight options with Bangkok Air daily: one departing at 09:45 am and another at 19:55 pm.

Once you land at Samui International Airport, you’ll find it conveniently close to Chaweng Beach, one of Koh Samui’s popular spots, just about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away. You can easily reach Chaweng Beach within an 8-minute drive from the airport.

Currently, Bangkok Air is the only airline offering direct flights between Phuket and Koh Samui. While you might search for cheaper alternatives, there are no other direct flight options available at the moment. Therefore, flying with Bangkok Air remains the most recommended and fast way to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui.

Phuket to Koh Samui by Bus and Ferry

• Price: from 640 THB
• Transport type: bus + ferry
• Companies: 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport, Raja Ferry, Phantip 1970, Lomprayah 
• Travel time: 6.5-10 hours

If you’re considering traveling from Phuket to Koh Samui by bus and ferry, it’s an option that combines both modes of transportation and is typically the cheapest available. The journey involves a combination of buses and ferry rides, with prices starting from around 640 THB.

Several companies like 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport, Raja Ferry, Phantip 1970, and Lomprayah offer combo tickets for this route. Buses from 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport, Raja Ferry, and Phantip 1970 depart from Phuket Bus Terminal 2, while Lomprayah buses depart from the Phuket Lomprayah Office.

Upon arrival in Koh Samui, 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport, Phantip 1970, and Lomprayah usually arrive at Nathon Pier, whereas Raja Ferry arrives at Lipa Noi Pier.

Despite being the most cost-effective option, traveling by bus and ferry has its drawbacks. It’s known to be relatively time-consuming because of the transfers, and is often referred to as “the backpackers’ option.” The bus may not always adhere to a strict schedule, and additional time might be spent on the road as the driver collects passengers along the way.

Phuket to Koh Samui by Van and Ferry

• Price: from 850 THB
• Transport type: van + ferry
• Companies: Phantip 1970, Call Me Taxi
• Travel time: 6 hours

This convenient combo joint ticket includes pickup by a minivan in Phuket, the trip by van to the pier, a ferry ride, which finally takes you to Nathon Pier in Phuket (or even another transfer to the hotel in Koh Samui – option offered by Phantip 1970).

The total travel time for such a journey is about 6 hours in total, but the trip may be longer because the van will stop to pick up fellow passengers. Also, you should keep in mind that the space inside the vans is limited, so only 20 kg of luggage is allowed per passenger.

This option is great for the budget travelers, who wish to travel almost door-to-door, and are ready to enjoy a short ferry ride.

Phuket to Koh Samui by Taxi and Ferry

• Price: from 6,900 THB
• Transport type: taxi (comfort, SUV, van) + ferry
• Companies: Glassflower, BangkokTaxi24, Firstplan Transport Services
• Travel time: 6 hours

Traveling to Koh Samui by taxi and ferry is a comfortable door-to-door option, but it comes at a higher price point, typically starting from 6,900 THB. Companies like Glassflower, BangkokTaxi24, and Firstplan Transport Services provide various car options to choose from, such as comfort, SUVs, and vans.

We recommend booking a taxi for this transfer online in advance. 

The travel time for this type of transportation is approximately 6 hours, including both the taxi ride and the ferry journey. The service usually includes a pick-up from your hotel in Phuket or Phuket Airport and drop-off at your hotel in Koh Samui.

While a taxi provides true comfort and a personalized experience, the cost is high. It may be more affordable if shared among 2–3 people.