Koh Tao to Koh Samui

Koh Tao to Koh Samui

Koh Tao
Koh Samui
Fri, Jul 4
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Koh Tao to Koh Samui Destination Reviews

N
The ferry was ok, but they offer a taxi service for 150 baht. The taxi driver refused to bring us to our hotel because it was 1 km off the main road and just dropped us there. We had to walk 20 minutes chill in the burning sun with all our luggages and backpacks. It would have taken him literally 2 minutes but the driver refused anyway. Just get a normal taxi of your hotel isn't directly on the main road that goes around the island.
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jun 30, 2025
CT
Seats need updating as they are a bit worn and staff at the check in office were rude, but the staff on the ferry were very helpful and friendly so made up for it and we arrived a lot earlier than the expected which was good
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry High Speed Ferry, Songserm (ส่งเสริม), Jun 25, 2025
R
Nothing about the experience was complicated, stressful or confusing. Offered the most competitively priced fares and seamless, efficient service.
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jun 22, 2025
FN
We booked a round trip Koh Samui-Koh tao. The first ferry, we had to go upstairs because the air conditioning wasn’t working and it was really really hot inside. On the way back, the AC was working fine and you could stay inside with feeling suffocated. Upstairs there is almost no shade. The ferries left and arrive on time. Check in was easy to follow. I would say the most uncomfortable thing is that travelling with your back, they organise it depending on the amount of passangers and sometimes they are under a huge pile of backpacks and you have to find it on your own (and people put their feet on you back because they don’t have enough place..)
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jun 19, 2025
TJ
Everything went smoothly. Nothing bad to say. Super impressed with the app.
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jun 16, 2025
T
Nothing more to say...everything was ok.
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jun 14, 2025
MG
Perfect service, brought us straight to my hotel, everything went really smooth.
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Phantip 1970 (พันทิพย์ 1970), Jun 6, 2025
SS
Ferry was really comfortable but the staff at Koh Tao were so rude and unhelpful, they didn’t talk to us, were on their phones and clearly didn’t want to be there
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jun 2, 2025
MK
Simple and straightforward as always.
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), May 27, 2025
BV
We were caught off guard by riding through a monsoon storm. Travelers: Be prepared if you choose a fast ferry, choose your times wisely or go slow - we would have chosen differently in particular as we weren’t in a rush. They delivered, but the ride was one of the worst experiences were have had so far.
Koh Tao to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), May 26, 2025
4.4
1298 customer reviews
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Koh Tao to Koh Samui Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Private Speedboat 10 Pax + Van
00:00
02:00
$984.57
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Private Speedboat 20 Pax + Van
00:00
02:00
$1,046.11
Ferry
Lomlahkkhirin
Standard
07:00
08:30
$17.23
  4.7
Ferry
Lomlahkkhirin
Speedboat
07:00
08:30
$17.23
  4.7
Ferry
Lomlahkkhirin
Speedboat
07:00
08:30
$20.00
Ferry
Lomprayah
Express
09:30
11:30
$11.85
  4.4
Ferry
Songserm
High Speed Ferry
09:30
13:00
$12.31
  4.3
Ferry
Phantip 1970
Express
09:30
14:00
$20.92
  4.5
Ferry
Lomprayah
Catamaran
09:30
12:20
$18.46
  4.7
Ferry
Songserm
Express
09:30
14:00
$20.00
Ferry
Call Me Taxi Group Booking
Taxi + Ferry
13:00
18:30
$61.54
Ferry
Lomprayah
Express
15:30
17:30
$11.85
  4.4
Ferry
Lomprayah
Catamaran
15:30
18:00
$18.46
  4.7
Ferry
Lomprayah
Express
16:30
19:00
$9.32
  4.4

How safe is Koh Samui to backpack?

Koh Samui is generally a safe destination for backpackers. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, can occur, so keep valuables secure and be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.

The island's transportation includes songthaews (shared taxis) and motorbike rentals; exercise caution if renting a motorbike, as road conditions can vary and traffic rules may differ.

Tap water is not safe to drink, so stick to bottled water. Emergency services are available, with police and medical facilities on the island. Always have travel insurance to cover potential mishaps.

For accommodation, options range from budget hostels (~300-500 THB per night, $8-14) to mid-range hotels (~1,000-2,000 THB per night, $27-54).

Enjoy local attractions like beaches, night markets, and cultural sites while following basic safety precautions.

What time do people eat in Koh Samui?

In Koh Samui, meal times generally follow a typical Thai schedule, with breakfast around 7:00-9:00 AM, lunch between 12:00-2:00 PM, and dinner from 6:00-8:00 PM. However, given its popularity as a tourist destination, many restaurants offer flexible dining hours to accommodate international travelers, often staying open until late at night.

Street food stalls and night markets also provide late-night dining options. It is common for locals and tourists alike to enjoy snacks or smaller meals throughout the day due to the warm climate and active lifestyle.

How long does it take to walk across Koh Samui?

Walking across Koh Samui is not typically feasible due to its size and infrastructure. The island measures approximately 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) in length and 21 kilometers (13 miles) in width, with hilly terrain and limited pedestrian-friendly paths. For shorter distances, you can explore parts of the island on foot, such as Chaweng or Bophut, which are more pedestrian-friendly.

For traveling across the island, renting a scooter or car is recommended. Scooter rentals cost around 150-300 THB ($4-8) per day, while car rentals are approximately 800-1,500 THB ($22-42) per day. Public transportation, like songthaews (shared taxis), is also available, with fares typically ranging from 50-150 THB ($1.50-4) per trip.

How to get from Koh Tao to Koh Samui

Crystal clear waters and idyllic beaches, lush tropical greenery and modern ‘island style’ shopping molls, fancy jewellery shops and colourful local markets – you name it – Samui has it all. No wonder that the third-largest island in Thailand, Samui has become popular amongst both luxurious holiday makers and backpackers on a budget who can each find the experience, accommodation, activities and entertainment that they come for. Whether its candle-lit dinners on post-card beaches, wild and adventurous partying through the night, treks through forests and jungles or days spent oiled up on the beach, Koh Samui is the right choice to get it.

Samui makes a great contrast to Koh Tao with its quiet village life and almost no night scene. Though there are diving and snorkelling tours offered on Samui, you’d better make all the underwater explorations on Koh Tao, and dedicate your time on Samui to partying, shopping or sunbathing.

Getting to Koh Samui from Koh Tao

There are three ferry companies which link Koh Tao to Koh Samui via Koh Phangan. They are Lomprayah High Speed Sai 2, Seatran Discovery and Songserm.

Lomprayah takes about 1¾ hr to bring passengers from Koh Tao to Samui, leaving from Mae Haad on Koh Tao and arriving to Maenam on Samui. Tickets cost from THB600 to THB750, depending on the departure time. There are boats at 9.30am and 3pm.

Seatran Discovery offers similar service but is a bit slower and cheaper: transit time is 2½ hrs, the ticket cost is THB 580. On Samui boats moor to Bangrak Seatran Pier. There are three departures a day at 6.30am, 9am and 3pm.

Songserm has only one express boat a day at 10am which arrives to Samui via Koh Phangan at 1.30pm. It costs THB 450 and the hotel pick-ups are included in the price.

Tip: As your sea travel between Koh Tao and Koh Samui will last from two to three hours, have all the necessary medications at hand if you are prone to seasickness. When the sea is choppy, opt for Seatran instead of Lomprayah, as the catamaran actually rides the swell, while Seatran cuts through it, which help avoid endless ups and downs.

Getting around

Koh Samui is large and you will need a way to get around easily, since doing it on foot is very limiting and uncomfortably hot, but there are many far better options available depending on how you like to get around.

Taxis (songthaews) are a great way to travel long distances on the island, or if you want to go out partying and know you shouldn't drive yourself around. While they are convenient and can get you everywhere from anywhere, this is probably the most expensive option, as you can expect to pay between 50 and 100 THB a person which adds up quickly.

Motorcycles are a fantastic way to get around. Motorcycles (and bicycles, too) can be rented from almost every resort on the island. Rentals are cheap, petrol is cheap, and they give you the freedom to go just about anywhere you want to go as you explore the island’s natural wonders. A word of caution though, you will undoubtedly see many tourists about with bandages and scrapes on their arms and legs, almost all of the time these are caused by accidents on scooters. You should be able to find a scooter for less than 200 THB a day. Most of the rental shops insist that you leave your passport behind. While this is a bit unnerving, it is also standard practice throughout Thailand, so be very careful with your scooter if you want to avoid any trouble.

Where to stay

Hat Chaweng is packed with all kinds of accommodation to suit any budget. It is the epicentre of the action, and the northern part of the beach can be quite noisy. Hat Lamai is another popular choice attracting holiday-makers both with its long stretch of white sand and a good choice of restaurants, bars and shops along the main road. In between the two beaches hides a little gem of Crystal Bay with – as the name suggests – crystal clear waters embraced with imposing boulders of a small bay. Hat Bang Rak (or Big Buddha Beach) leis relatively close to the airport (you may hear some noise), but the white sand of its western part compensate for it. Bo Phut is of particular interest not because of the beach but thanks to its trendy boutique hotels peppering Fishermen’s Village where strong Chinese influence can be felt even today. Families often opt for Mae Nam with its gentle sea. The West Coast is not a good choice if you come for the sea, but the sunsets are exceptional there.
Tip: Do not spend all your time on Samui on one and the same beach; try at least a couple of them and you will be rewarded with the diversity which this island has to offer.

Activities

Besides usual diving, snorkelling, kayaking, jungle-trekking and waterfalls find a couple of hours to visit the only rum distillery in Thailand, Magic Alambic. They produce Caribbean rum with a variety of natural flavours (obviously, they have coconut rum, too). They offer tasting sessions and sell rum, too (600-700 THB per 700ml bottle). Located in Baan Bang Kao. Travellers with the little ones in tow will love Paradise Park, which is a considerably large petting zoo, which is also one of the best viewpoints on the island.

Transportation from Koh Tao to Koh Samui

Facts about the transport from Koh Tao to Koh Samui

Cheapest Transport$17
Fastest Transport1h 30m
Earliest Departure7:00 AM
Latest Departure4:30 PM
Departures per day6
Distance75 kilometers
Transport CompaniesKoh Tao Booking Center, Lomlahkkhirin, Lomprayah, Phantip 1970, Seatran Discovery, Songserm