Distance 252 km (157.5 miles) | |
Price range US$19-US$123 | |
Ride Duration Range 1h-11h | |
Earliest Departure 01:15 | |
Latest Departure 22:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Fastest bus: 8h 15m
Cheapest bus: US$24
Prepare for double the energy as you leave the somewhat relaxed island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand and head to the largest island in Thailand, Phuket.
Known for its crazy bars and wild nightclubs, Phuket is the place to party. Expect unforgettable nights here…or forgettable, depending on how many buckets of alcohol you consume.
Want to avoid this side of Phuket? Easy! Spend time on its pristine beaches, exploring the underwater world or wandering around the Old Town. Phuket is what you make it!
There are four ways to cover the 332 km (206 miles) between Koh Samui and Phuket:
Bus + ferry
Flight
Van + ferry
Minivan
Unless you take a flight that takes only one hour, prepare for a long travel day to get from Koh Samui to Phuket.
The bus/van and ferry combos take 6.5-10.5 hours. There are multiple departures to choose from. However, they all leave in the morning, getting you to Phuket late afternoon or early evening.
The cheapest way is to take the combined bus and ferry option, starting at $17.
Ready to swap one Thai island for another? Keep reading to learn exactly how to get from Koh Samui to Phuket.
Phuket has earned itself a party reputation. You won't be surprised by that when you walk along Bangla Road with its pulsing bars and clubs. But there's more to Phuket than just partying.
Check out some alternative fun things to do in Phuket:
Experience Patong Beach. Known for its lively atmosphere, Patong Beach is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. It's also the center of Phuket's nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants along Bangla Road. Looking for more relaxing beaches? Head to Kata Beach and Karon Beach.
Explore Phuket Old Town. Wander through the historic streets of Phuket Old Town and admire the well-preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture. Visit local markets and boutiques, and enjoy the street art and murals.
See the Big Buddha. This iconic 45-meter-tall statue on Nakkerd Hill offers panoramic views of the island.
Chill at a beach club. Phuket is home to several stylish beach clubs like Catch Beach Club and Café del Mar, where you can relax with good food, drinks, and music right by the sea.
Visit the night markets. This island knows how to hold a night market! Phuket Weekend Market (Naka Market) and Chillva Market are two places to check out if you're after a lively atmosphere, incredible food, and a chance to interact with locals.
There are four ways to travel between Koh Samui and Phuket:
Bus + ferry
Flight
Van + ferry
Minivan
The bus and ferry combination is the cheapest way to get from Koh Samui to Phuket, with prices starting from $17. However, it's definitely not the quickest. Expect to travel for at least 6.5 hours. Some buses can take over 10 hours.
The first part of your journey will be a ferry from Koh Samui to mainland Thailand. The ferries depart from various ports around the island, depending on the tour agency. Try to pick the most convenient one from your accommodation.
The ferry takes 1-2 hours and arrives at Don Sak Pier on the mainland.
From there, you'll hop on a prearranged bus that will take you all the way to Phuket. The island is connected to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge.
When you're booking, pay attention to the arrival locations in Phuket. There are various drop-off spots throughout the island, including the Phuket Bus Terminal, the airport, and your hotel.
Buses covering this route are comfortable, offering air conditioning and sometimes a toilet onboard.
If you're not a fan of ferry rides and long journeys, consider taking a plane. The flight from Koh Samui to Phuket takes only an hour, but make sure to take into consideration the time it takes to get to and from the airports, plus waiting time when you're there.
Flights depart from Koh Samui Airport and arrive at Phuket Airport. Tickets cost around $100.
There are multiple departures every day, offering you flexibility.
This is a similar story to the bus + ferry combo but it takes around 7.5 hours.
You'll depart from Phantip Travel in Koh Samui, where you'll hop on a ferry to the mainland. There, you'll get in a minivan that will take you to Phuket.
All vans have air conditioning, and the ticket includes 20 kg (44 lbs) of luggage.
Tickets start around $25, and your drop-off choices are Kata, Patong, or Karon Beaches.
Seeking more flexibility with your arrival and departure locations, transportation companies, or pick-up times?
Check out the minivan options. Similar to the van + ferry tickets, this option involves boarding a ferry to the mainland and then proceeding to Phuket in a minivan.
Tickets start at $19, and the ride takes about 9-10 hours.
If you fly from Koh Samui to Phuket, it shouldn't be a long travel day.
Those taking the bus/van and ferry should prepare for a long day ahead. Some tips to make the journey more enjoyable:
Bring lots of snacks and some drinks
Download podcasts, movies or a series
Create a playlist of your favorite songs
Have travel sickness pills on hand if you get motion sickness
And just know that stunning beaches and refreshing turquoise waters await you in Phuket.
The best time to visit Phuket is generally during the dry season, from November to April. This period offers the most pleasant weather, with plenty of sunshine, low humidity, and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for beach activities, water sports, and exploring the island.
Temperatures hover between 24°C and 32°C (75-90°F) during the dry season.
May to October is the monsoon season in Phuket.
Expect heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas…not ideal for a beach holiday. On the bright side, this period has lower prices, fewer tourists and lush green landscapes.
Surfing also becomes popular on the West Coast beaches during this time due to the larger waves.
Some people like to visit Phuket simply to see what it's all about and say they've been.
If you want to dip your toe in the water, stay for 3-4 days. This gives you enough time to check out the party scene, recover from your hangover(s), beach hop, and explore some of the cultural sites.
Some go to Phuket just for a holiday and stick around for 1-2 weeks. There's an endless choice of spectacular villas and resorts in Phuket to use as a relaxing base for exploration.
Want to continue your island adventures in Thailand? In under an hour, you can be on the paradise island of Koh Phi Phi. Hop on a ferry with tickets starting from $10, and you'll be there in no time!
Based on 1623 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled from Koh Samui to Phuket
Magdalena W.
Simone A.
Staying in Koh Samui and toying with the idea of visiting the Andaman Sea? Read this and get some idea of the trip from Koh Samui to Phuket.
Going to Phuket and looking for remote shores? Visit these five hard-to-reach beaches, and you’re in for an adventure, far away from the crowds.
Going to Thailand? You need to know the best things to do in Koh Samui. Check out these trip ideas to have a blast on your vacation.
Bookaway.com makes it simple and easy to find, compare, and buy city-to-city tickets via bus, train, ferry, and more. We support over 13 languages and 23 currencies worldwide, and we believe that everyone should easily be able to find and purchase what they are looking for. We don’t just want to help you get where you want to go - we want you to enjoy the ride.
