Koh Samui to Don Sak Trip Overview
Distance 26 km (16.3 miles) | |
Price range US$ 6-US$ 14 | |
Ride Duration Range 1h-3h 30m | |
Earliest Departure 22:00 | |
Latest Departure 23:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Taking a bus from Koh Samui to Don Sak
Fastest bus: 2h 17m
Cheapest bus: US$ 9

About the ride from Koh Samui to Don Sak
If there’s one place in Southeast Asia you might already have heard about, it’s probably going to be Koh Samui. This is Thailand’s second-largest island and ticks all the boxes for rainforest-clad mountains, luxury resorts and palm-fringed beaches.
The trouble is, if you’ve been on Samui for a while, you might find it hard to leave. But when travel calls, you gotta go, and there are a couple of ways you can head back to your next adventure. Flying to Bangkok is one option, but the ferry to Don Sak is the other if you’re heading south.
The distance from Koh Samui to Don Sak is 22 kilometers (13 miles). It’s a quick and easy trip with ferry journeys lasting around one hour and 30 minutes. Three local companies are working the route: Seatran Ferry, Seatran Discovery and Raja Ferry.
Ferries are very safe and have good customer satisfaction records. Amenities are modern and usually feature TVs in air-conditioned lounge areas, washrooms, and a small kiosk to buy snacks and drinks. There will also be an open plan sundeck up top.
The Koh Samui to Don Sak ferry schedule is very frequent. Numerous boats are departing and arriving throughout the day. Most leave the island early in the morning and stop in the evening. Booking in advance is sensible but not always necessary, except in high season.
Ferry tickets are cheap and start from US$5 for Raja Ferry’s high-speed ferry. This is the most popular choice for travelers looking to continue their travels around the mainland. There will be a ticket counter close to Nathon pier as well as in Koh Samui town center.
Luggage allowance for most ferries is 20kg along with 7kg for hand luggage. This is basically a guideline but worth paying attention to if you’re traveling with a particularly massive rucksack. Best advice is to be minimal when packing and leave space for souvenirs.
This trip is a very well-used route. Transport is modern and well-maintained. It’s a safe option and gets you from Koh Samui to Don Sak with the minimum of fuss. Ask your hotel if they provide a shuttle service to Nathon pier. Then all you have to do is wait in the lobby, and away you go.
What to see when traveling from Koh Samui to Don Sak
In case you’re wondering, How do I get from Koh Samui to Don Sak? There is no need to get complicated. The ferry is the only answer. It’s the quickest way to get back to the mainland, and it also provides a relaxed and effortless means of transportation with little or no hassle.
Most travelers like to catch some rays on the open-top deck, but be careful in the sun, especially if your ferry leaves around lunchtime. That last late night on the island might well take its toll, and you’ll find yourself sleeping and snoring in the blazing heat. Good luck with that tan, lobster boy!
A far less risky place to enjoy some Zs on the ferry from Koh Samui to Don Sak is downstairs in the air-conditioned seating area. You might even find a TV to stare at for 90-minutes, although reception isn’t as great as it could be when bobbing about on the waves.
Whether you’re up top or down below, use your 90 minutes onboard the ferry wisely. Catch up on some rest or chat with other passengers. Alternatively, look out at the Gulf of Thailand and see if you can see any flying fishing or maybe even a dolphin or porpoise.
You probably won’t see much more than a few fishermen or the odd streak of sand appearing around the edge of a tiny offshore island, but you never know! Keep your eyes peeled. Plus, the Gulf of Thailand is dreamy and worth staring at for days on end.
How to get from Koh Samui to Don Sak
Taking a ferry from Koh Samui to Don Sak
The best way to get from Koh Samui to Don Sak is by ferry. There are numerous daily crossings, so if you miss one, you can often catch another soon after. Tickets are very affordable, and luggage allowance is quite generous, although packing light is advisable.
Although the journey is pretty quick—no more than 90 minutes—there’s still loads of time and space to walk around. Most passengers will be looking to rest or top up their tan after completing a beach vacation, whereas others will be looking forward to traveling more.
And that’s how to get from Koh Samui to Don Sak. It’s an easy journey made more enjoyable with a positive attitude and a head full of happy memories.
Now, where did I put my passport?
Companies Operating from Koh Samui to Don Sak
Our travelers reviews about the ride from Koh Samui to Don Sak
Based on 1237 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled from Koh Samui to Don Sak
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Popular stations and stops in Koh Samui and Don Sak
Departure stations in Koh Samui
Arrival stations in Don Sak
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Questions & Answers for Traveling from Koh Samui to Don Sak
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FERRY: Seatran Ferry | Raja Ferry | Lomprayah | Raja Car Ferry
VAN+FERRY: Raja Ferry
BUS: Raja Ferry | Nakhonborrikarn
MINIVAN: Raja Ferry
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