Thailand’s ferries run on two coasts. In the Gulf, around Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, car ferries, catamarans and speedboats serve a tight cluster of islands. On the Andaman side, boats connect Phuket, Krabi, Railay and the Phi Phi Islands. This hub brings the Thailand ferries we cover into one place, with the main operators, crossing times and starting fares, and links to the full guide for each route.
Thailand Ferry Routes at a Glance
| Route | Main boats | Crossing | Fares from (THB) | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donsak to Koh Samui | Raja and Seatran car ferries, Lomprayah catamaran | 1 h 30 by car ferry, 45 min by catamaran | 220 car ferry 450 catamaran | How to Get to Koh Samui |
| Koh Samui to Koh Phangan | Lomprayah and other speedboats and catamarans | 20 to 35 min | 250 to 350 | How to Get to Koh Phangan |
| Mainland to Koh Phangan | Raja and Seatran car ferries, Lomprayah catamaran | 2 h 30 by car ferry, 1 h 30 to 1 h 45 by catamaran | 290 car ferry 550 catamaran | How to Get to Koh Phangan |
| Koh Phangan to Koh Tao | Lomprayah, Boonsiri, Songserm | About 1 h by speedboat or catamaran | 450 | How to Get to Koh Tao |
| Chumphon to Koh Tao | Lomprayah ferry, night boat | Night boat 21:00 to 05:00 | 450 ferry 600 night boat | How to Get to Koh Tao |
| Phuket to Koh Samui | Bus plus ferry through Donsak (no direct ferry) | 6 h 15 to 8 h 30 | about 660 to 1,300 | Phuket to Koh Samui |
| Phuket to Phi Phi | Chao Koh, Andaman Wave Master and Phi Phi Cruiser ferries, plus Chao Koh, Bundhaya and Satun Pakbara speedboats | 2 h by ferry, about 1 h by speedboat | 500 to 700 ferry 800 to 900 speedboat | Phuket to Koh Phi Phi |
| Krabi to Phi Phi | Andaman Wave Master from Klong Jilad, plus boats from Ao Nang and Railay | 2 h by ferry, 30 min to 1 h by speedboat | 450 ferry 849 to 1,000 speedboat | Krabi to Koh Phi Phi |
| Ao Nang to Railay | Shared longtail boats | About 20 min | 100 | How to Get to Railay Beach |
See the sailings and fares for your date.
Gulf of Thailand: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao
Most boats to these islands leave from the Donsak area of Surat Thani or from Chumphon. The cheapest crossings are the Raja and Seatran car ferries from Donsak, which run hourly and cost around 220 THB to Koh Samui, and the Lomprayah catamaran halves the crossing time for a higher fare. Our Koh Samui guide covers the piers on Samui and the options from Bangkok, and the Koh Phangan guide covers the short hop from Samui and the boats from the mainland, with Full Moon Party dates. For the smallest of the three, the Koh Tao guide compares the boats from Phangan with the Lomprayah and night boats from Chumphon.
Andaman Coast: Phuket, Krabi, Railay and Phi Phi
Phi Phi is reached from two mainland sides. From Phuket, the Phuket to Phi Phi guide compares the Chao Koh and Andaman Wave Master boats from Rassada Pier. From Krabi, the Krabi to Phi Phi guide covers the cheaper ferry from Klong Jilad Pier and the faster speedboats from Ao Nang, Railay and Koh Lanta. Railay itself has no road, so the Railay guide explains the longtails and the piers on each side of the peninsula.
Going between coasts, there is no direct ferry from Phuket to Koh Samui: every overland route goes by road to Donsak and then crosses by ferry, and the Phuket to Koh Samui guide compares the bus plus ferry tickets by price and time.
Choosing the Right Type of Boat
| Boat | What it is like | Where we cover it |
|---|---|---|
| Car ferry | The slowest and cheapest crossing, with hourly sailings on the busiest routes | Donsak to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan |
| Catamaran | A faster passenger boat with a higher fare | Donsak to Koh Samui, Samui to Phangan, Chumphon to Koh Tao |
| Speedboat | The fastest option, from about 30 minutes to 1 hour on the Andaman side | Phuket, Krabi and Railay to Phi Phi |
| Shared longtail | No timetable: it leaves when about 8 passengers are aboard | Ao Nang, Ao Nam Mao and Chao Fah to Railay |
Booking Tips That Apply Everywhere
- Check the operator’s booking form for your exact date. Fares and the number of daily sailings change with the season, and ticket sellers sometimes quote different prices for the same boat.
- Allow a margin if you have a flight to catch. Any boat can be delayed or cancelled when the sea is rough, even where no seasonal break is announced.
- Check which pier your ticket names. Samui, Phangan and Phi Phi each have more than one pier, and the operators do not all use the same one.
- Read the baggage rules before you pack. Limits differ by operator, and some boats charge for an extra bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest ferry to Koh Samui?
The Raja and Seatran car ferries from Donsak, at about 220 THB for the 1 h 30 crossing, with hourly sailings.
Is there a direct ferry from Phuket to Koh Samui?
No. Every overland route goes by road to Donsak and then crosses to Koh Samui by ferry, which takes between 6 h 15 and 8 h 30 depending on the ticket.
How long is the ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi?
About 2 hours by ferry and about 1 hour by speedboat, from Rassada Pier to Tonsai Pier.
Do I need to book Thailand ferries in advance?
Not always, but booking ahead gives you the time you want on busy routes, and you can check the fare for your date in the operator’s booking form.
Can ferries be cancelled because of the weather?
Yes. Any sailing can be delayed or cancelled when the sea is rough, so leave a buffer before a flight.