Phuket to Koh Samui
Flight time About 1h
In short
Phuket to Koh Samui is about 1 hour on the direct Bangkok Airways flight.
Every way there, side by side
- Time
- About 1 hour
- How often
- Bangkok Airways only
- Booking
- Book early for December to April; one airline flies it
Andaman first, then the Gulf
Phuket then Samui is the classic two-island party trip: five days on the Andaman side, then five on the Gulf for the villas and the Full Moon on Koh Phangan next door.
See our Phuket holidays and our Koh Samui guide.
The fastest way and the easiest way
The flight is the fastest and the easiest. The combo is cheap, but it means an early start, a long bus and a pier change with every bag.
Direct flight
- Time:
- About 1 hour
- Good to know:
- Bangkok Airways only; the fastest by far
Bus and ferry combo
- Time:
- About 6h15 on Lomprayah
- Good to know:
- From ฿1,300; leaves 09:30
Private car and ferry
- Time:
- About 3h45 to Donsak, plus about 1.5 hours by ferry
- Good to know:
- Door to the pier, on your schedule
Train
- Time:
- Not possible
- Good to know:
- No railway on this route
- About 1 hour, Bangkok Airways only
- Lomprayah, 09:30 to 15:45, from ฿1,300, via Donsak
- About 3h45 to Donsak pier, then about 1.5 hours by ferry
- None; the route has no railway
The flight
Bangkok Airways is the only airline flying it, so seats are limited and fares run higher than on other domestic routes.
Samui airport is near Chaweng, a short drive from most villas. Want it private? Ask Tanner to quote a private jet with the rest of the trip.
AIWhen to book
Book early: one airline flies it, and December to April sells out first. October to December is the wet season on the Gulf, so fly and keep a spare day before the flight home.
Put everyone on the same flight, so the group lands together.
The ferry route
There's no ferry straight across. Combo tickets bundle a bus or van across southern Thailand with the boat from Donsak. Lomprayah's 2026 timetable lists one van-and-catamaran run a day, leaving Phuket at 09:30 and reaching Nathon Pier at 15:45, from ฿1,300.
Seatran and Phantip sell slower combos on the big car ferries; check their times and fares at the counter. Next: the same trip in your own car.
Your own car and the ferry
A private car takes the group from Phuket to Donsak pier in about 3 hours 45 minutes, stopping when you want. Seatran's car ferry crosses in about 1.5 hours, and another car meets you on Samui.
A luxury van for up to 4 from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, a party van for up to 10, or a coach for 20 and more. See our private drivers, and ask Tanner to set both cars.
AIWhat the tickets cost
The Phuket to Koh Samui flight fare changes daily, so check it when you book. Lomprayah's van-and-catamaran combo is from ฿1,300.
Four of you on the flight, with our luxury van for up to 4 waiting at Samui arrivals, from ฿6,500 for 10 hours. Tanner books both.
Take a morning flight and you're in the villa pool by lunch. Ask Tanner to book the seats together.
Bangkok Airways, direct
- Time:
- About 1 hour
- Fare:
- Changes daily; check when you book
Lomprayah van and catamaran
- Time:
- About 6h15, 09:30 to 15:45
- Fare:
- From ฿1,300
Phantip bus and Seatran ferry
- Time:
- Longer
- Fare:
- Check at the counter
Raja Ferry bus to Lipa Noi
- Time:
- Longer
- Fare:
- Check at the counter
Phuket to Koh Samui in short
- Fastest: the direct Bangkok Airways flight, about an hour, the only airline on the route.
- Cheapest: the ferry combo via Donsak, about 6h15 on Lomprayah, from ฿1,300.
- There's no direct ferry and no railway on this route.
- By car: about 3h45 to Donsak pier, then about 1.5 hours on the ferry.
- October to December is the Gulf's wet season; keep a spare day before the flight home.
- For a group: fly together, with cars at both ends.
Checked 7 November 2026.
When you land on Samui
Samui airport is near Chaweng, and the main villa areas are a short drive away. Your cars wait at arrivals or the pier and take everyone to the villa together.
The Full Moon on Koh Phangan is a short boat away. See Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, our Koh Samui villas and Bangkok to Koh Samui, then plan it with Tanner.
Before you travel
Book early: one airline, and December to April sells out
Put everyone on the same flight
Lomprayah's van leaves Phuket at 09:30 for Donsak
October to December: keep a spare day before flying home
No alcohol at public piers or on scheduled boats
Luxury van for up to 4, from ฿6,500 for 10 hours
The alcohol ban at public piers and on scheduled boats runs from 12 May 2026.
Checked Nov 2026
AI
Written by Tanner Altman · Updated 7 November 2026
Questions
Questions people ask about Phuket to Koh Samui
What is the best way to travel from Phuket to Koh Samui?
The direct Bangkok Airways flight: about an hour in the air. On a budget, Lomprayah's van-and-catamaran combo via Donsak takes about 6 hours 15 minutes, from ฿1,300.
What are the ways to get from Phuket to Samui?
By direct flight, by bus and ferry combo via Donsak pier, or by private car to Donsak and the ferry across.
Is there a direct ferry?
No. The combo goes by van to Donsak, then by boat. Lomprayah's leaves Phuket at 09:30 and reaches Nathon Pier on Samui at 15:45, from ฿1,300.
Can you fly direct?
Yes. Bangkok Airways flies direct in about an hour, and it's the only airline on the route, so book early for December to April.
Which is nicer, Samui or Phuket?
They suit different trips. Phuket has the big clubs and the most nightlife; Samui is quieter, with villas and the Full Moon on Koh Phangan next door. Many groups do both.
How much is the flight from Phuket to Koh Samui?
Fares change daily and climb in high season, so check them when you book. Bangkok Airways is the only airline flying it, so book early for December to April.
Which month should you avoid on Koh Samui?
October to December is the Gulf's wet season, with November the wettest. Come from January, when the sea calms.
Can you take a taxi from Phuket to Koh Samui?
Only as far as the sea: a car takes you to Donsak pier in about 3 hours 45 minutes, and the car ferry crosses in about 1.5 hours. For a group, our van does the drive.
Plan it
Plan it with Tanner
Are you in Thailand now?
Last checked 7 November 2026
Sources
Credits: top photo AI-generated image.