Koh Samui has no cheap direct flights. That’s the first thing to know. Bangkok Airways owns Samui Airport (USM) and has held a near-monopoly on flights into it for years. You have two realistic routes: pay for the convenience of a direct flight, or take the longer overland-and-ferry route for a fraction of the price.
The short version
- Quickest: fly direct to USM from Bangkok. About 1 hour 15 minutes. Bangkok Airways is the dominant operator; fares typically US$70–130 each way.
- Cheapest: fly to Surat Thani (URT) on a budget airline, then bus and ferry to the island. Total journey from Bangkok: 5–7 hours; total cost from around ฿600–1,200 (US$17–33) if you book ahead.
- Scenic: overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, then a morning ferry. Around 12–14 hours total; sleeper berths from around ฿750–1,500 (US$21–42) plus the ferry.
Flying Direct to Samui Airport (USM)
Samui Airport is a privately owned facility built and operated by Bangkok Airways. This is why only Bangkok Airways and airlines in commercial arrangements with them fly into USM. In 2026, the main operators on the Bangkok–Samui route are:
- Bangkok Airways — the primary carrier, with multiple daily flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK). Flight time around 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air — both operate some services to USM, though check schedules directly, as availability changes.
Fares from Bangkok to Samui start around US$70–80 for economy booked in advance, rising to US$100–150 or more in peak season (December–January and March–April). Bangkok Airways also flies to Samui from Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Hong Kong — useful if you’re connecting from another Thai destination rather than starting in Bangkok.
At USM: The terminal is small, open-air, and done in Bangkok Airways’ signature thatched-pavilion style. Baggage comes out quickly; you’re through arrivals in 20 minutes. Taxis from the official counter cost ฿300–400 to Chaweng; shared songthaews (red pickup trucks) are ฿100–150 but take longer and may wait for more passengers to fill up. There is no metered taxi service — all fares are agreed in advance at the counter or with the driver.
The Budget Route: Surat Thani + Ferry
If you want to avoid Bangkok Airways’ pricing, fly to Surat Thani Airport (URT) instead. Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air both serve URT from Bangkok for ฿600–1,500 depending on how far ahead you book — often a third of the cost of a direct Samui flight.
From Surat Thani Airport, combined bus-and-ferry tickets to Koh Samui are sold directly by the ferry operators and through booking sites. The standard sequence:
- Shared minivan from the airport to Donsak or Ban Don pier (45–90 minutes depending on traffic)
- Ferry from Donsak to Nathon Pier, Koh Samui (approximately 1.5 hours)
The three main ferry operators running this route:
- Seatran Ferry — frequent departures, foot passenger fares around ฿250–350 (US$7–10)
- Raja Ferry — vehicle ferry, the cheapest foot passenger option at around ฿200 (US$6); slower crossing
- Lomprayah — high-speed catamaran, faster but more expensive at around ฿500–600 (US$14–17)
Lomprayah and Seatran both sell combined minivan-plus-ferry tickets through their offices and online booking platforms. The combination ticket is generally simpler than arranging each leg separately.
Total journey time from Bangkok: Allow 5–7 hours including the flight, airport-to-pier transfer, and ferry. With variable connections it can stretch to 8 hours.
Note on Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST): Some budget travellers also fly into NST (Nakhon Si Thammarat, also served by Thai AirAsia and Nok Air) and arrange onward transport to the ferry. It’s a viable but less convenient option than URT; the transfer to the pier is longer and there are fewer combined ticket options available.
Overnight Sleeper Train from Bangkok
The most atmospheric way to travel south — and if you factor in a saved night of accommodation, often cost-competitive with the budget flight route.
The overnight train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue Grand Station to Surat Thani takes 10–13 hours, arriving early morning in time for the first ferry sailings to Koh Samui. Train 85 (departing Bangkok around 19:50) is the main recommended service — 2nd-class air-conditioned sleeper carriages with upper and lower berths. Berths run around ฿750–1,100 (US$21–31) for 2nd class; 1st-class private cabins around ฿1,500 (US$42). Non-sleeping seats are cheaper but not advisable for an overnight trip.
Book in advance: Sleeper berths sell out weeks ahead in peak season. Book online through the State Railway of Thailand or via a ticketing agent.
From Surat Thani train station, a short taxi or minivan to the ferry pier adds approximately ฿100–200 and 20 minutes.
Total cost: Train plus ferry typically runs ฿900–1,700 (US$25–47), cheaper than a direct flight and you save a night’s hotel.
From Other Gulf Islands
If you’re island-hopping, regular ferry connections run between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao:
- Koh Phangan to Samui: 30–40 minutes by high-speed catamaran, ฿200–300 (US$6–8)
- Koh Tao to Samui: approximately 1.5–2 hours by speed ferry
Lomprayah, Seatran, and several smaller operators run these routes with multiple daily sailings. Tickets are available pier-side or online. Booking a day ahead avoids waiting at the pier during busy periods.
Booking Tips
Flights: For direct USM flights, Bangkok Airways’ own site is typically the cheapest channel, though comparison engines (Google Flights, Skyscanner) are worth checking for any partner fares. Prices jump sharply within two weeks of departure.
Ferries: The Seatran and Raja ferry offices at Surat Thani pier sell walk-up tickets with no surcharge, but the combined minivan-plus-ferry packages sold online by Lomprayah and Seatran remove the hassle of coordinating transfers yourself. Book the package if you’re arriving on a tight schedule.
Train: The State Railway of Thailand sells tickets online up to 60 days in advance. For Train 85 in peak season (December–January, March–April), book as soon as the booking window opens — lower-berth sleepers in 2nd class are usually the first to go.
Time buffer: If your flight to Bangkok arrives at Suvarnabhumi and you’re connecting same-day to Koh Samui by ferry via Surat Thani, allow at least 4–5 hours of buffer for the connection. The combined journey has three moving parts and delays compound.
Which Route Should You Take?
| Route | Typical Cost | Journey Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct flight BKK–USM | US$70–150 | ~2 hrs total | Convenience, short trips |
| Budget flight to URT + ferry | US$17–45 total | 5–7 hrs | Saving money |
| Overnight sleeper train + ferry | US$25–47 | 12–14 hrs | Budget plus the experience |
Getting Around Once You’re There
Koh Samui has no metered taxis. Songthaews, scooter hire, and private transfers are the main options. Sorting this out before you arrive avoids being overcharged by airport touts offering fixed-price rides with no competition. See the getting-around guide for the full picture.
Before you book anything, check the best time to visit guide — Koh Samui’s wet season falls at the opposite time of year from Phuket’s, which catches a lot of people out. Once you’ve picked your dates, the where-to-stay guide covers which beach suits which kind of trip; browse properties at /hotels/.
