Khao Sok to Koh Samui
Koh Samui is an island paradise in the Gulf of Thailand. There is plenty to see and do, making it the perfect place to relax.
Koh Samui is chock full of pristine beaches, intricate Buddhist temples, and countless activities to get your adrenaline pumping or help you find your inner zen.
There are plenty of quirky things to do.
Visit the Secret Buddha Garden, which is part sculpture park, part viewpoint. You’ll have a slightly challenging climb to reach this magical area, but it’s absolutely worth it.
If hiking isn’t your thing, the Hin Tan & Hin Yai rocks are a great place to learn about local folklore.
Of course, Chaweng Beach and Wat Phra Yai are always crowd favorites.
Now you may be wondering, How do I get from Khao Sok to Koh Samui? Check out your options below to plan your trip.
About the ride from Khao Sok to Koh Samui
The distance from Khao Sok to Koh Samui is about 190 km (~118 miles).
You will most likely travel overland through the center of the Thai peninsula until you reach Don Sak pier. From there, you will take a ferry to Koh Samui.
As you leave Khao Sok, you will drive through very rural areas. The roads are quite beautiful, lined with lush palm trees and thick jungle beyond the road. You’ll pass through small towns and villages on your way to the coast.
It may not be the most exciting drive, but since you never know what you might see, grab a window seat anyway.
How to get from Khao Sok to Koh Samui
When you are thinking about how to get from Koh Sok to Koh Samui, you should consider how convenient the trip is and the cost of the ticket.
Koh Samui is not the cheapest of the Thai islands, so you may want to save money on the journey. There are a few luxury choices, though, if you’re ready to splash out.
You have five options for transport from Khao Sok to Koh Samui: bus + ferry, taxi + ferry, flight, bus + bus ferry, or private transfer.
In the end, the best way to get from Khao Sok to Koh Samui is the option that fits within your budget and with your travel schedule.
Bus + Ferry
Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery, and Songserm offer tickets from Khao Sok to Koh Samui.
All three have boats that come equipped with AC and bathrooms, and they allow passengers to bring ample luggage with them.
Lomprayah recommends you book tickets early, as they often sell out. Tickets cost $19 per person. Their minivans depart from the Khao Sok Bus Station and drop passengers at Nathon Pier in Koh Samui.
Nathon is one of Koh Samui’s four main ports and is located on the island’s northwest side. It is quite busy here, with shops, ATMs, and plenty of Tuk Tuk drivers waiting to take you to your accommodation.
If you choose this option, you can cancel or change your ticket up to 72 hours before departure for free.
Seatran Discovery has similar amenities and has a snack bar where passengers can buy food and drinks. Tickets cost $26, and the cancelation policy allows you to make modifications up to 24 hours before departure. That makes this option one of the best ways to get from Khao Sok to Koh Samui, especially for the spontaneous traveler.
Seatran will pick you up at the entrance to Khao Sok park, and the ferry drops you off at Bangrak Pier, just north of the airport in Koh Samui.
Seatran owns this port and is the only company that uses it. They’ve spent a lot of money upgrading it to add cafes and restaurants to make waiting for the ferry and arriving in Koh Samui more comfortable.
Bangrak Pier is near the Big Buddha temple, but it will easily connect you to anywhere you need to go on the island.
Songserm is slightly different, transporting passengers in a coach bus rather than a minivan. Seats on the bus are a bit more comfortable, as they have more legroom and recline.
The downside to this option is that it takes over seven hours to get to Koh Samui, two hours longer than the minivan options.
While those two extra hours are a bummer, the bus does make extra stops to stretch your legs. They also offer a free hotel pick up in Khao Sok, something the other companies do not. The bus will drop you off at Nathon Pier in Koh Samui.
Songserm also has a 24-hour cancelation policy.
In general, the combo ticket is a great way to travel to Koh Samui. You simply need to see which one works best for you!
When you think about how far it is from Khao Sok to Koh Samui, combo tickets make the most sense. And they help ensure you don’t miss a connection.
Taxi + Ferry
If you prefer to set your schedule, you could take a taxi from Khao Sok to Surat Thani City. It would take approximately two hours and cost between $45 and $60.
From Surat Thani, you can take the ferry to Koh Samui. This ferry takes about an hour and a half and departs at 11:30 am each day. Tickets cost $20.
Pro tip: taxis do not typically wait around the National Park. If you think this may be the option for you, try to book your taxi ahead of time.
Flight
It is possible to fly from Khao Sok to Koh Samui, but it’s a pricey option and not the most convenient.
If you are dead set on taking a flight, you will need to take a taxi or a bus from the national park to Krabi. It will take approximately two and a half hours and cost $10.
From Krabi, you can fly directly to the island. Flight tickets to Koh Samui cost between $100 and $200. It’s pretty steep – the flight takes less than an hour.
Bus + Bus Ferry
The bus + bus ferry combo is a good way to get to Koh Samui. You’ll need to take the $10 bus from Khao Sok to Surat Thani Airport. It takes about 2-hours and 15-minutes.
From there you can take the bus ferry, which departs at 11 am each day. This portion of the trip takes an additional 2-hours and 45-minutes and costs $26.
Private Transfer
It’s also possible to organize a private transfer through your accommodation in Khao Sok. Many of the finer hotels will help travelers book transport from Khao Sok to Koh Samui.
These transfers can be private cars with a driver or a minivan that seats up to 10 people. Prices start at $150+ per vehicle but can be a great way to get from Khao Sok to Koh Samui if you are traveling with a group of friends and can split the cost.
No matter how you choose to tackle the Khao Sok to Koh Samui distance, all of that travel will be completely worth it once you have your toes in the sand.
