Koh Samui Ferry Piers Explained — Nathon, Bang Rak, Maenam, Lipa Noi

Overview

Koh Samui has five working piers, each tied to a different route. Nathon on the west coast handles mainland car ferries to Donsak. Bang Rak (Big Buddha Pier) and Maenam Pier (Pralarn) run fast boats to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao — Seatran Discovery and Haad Rin Queen from Bang Rak, Lomprayah from Maenam. Lipa Noi is Raja Ferry’s car-ferry terminal to the mainland. Thong Krut has no scheduled ferry — just longtail boats to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum.

Picking the wrong pier costs time: taxi fares between beaches and piers run 150-550 THB (~4.50-16 USD), and missing a departure often means a 1-3 hour wait. Fares below are cross-checked against operator timetables and 12Go Asia as of Sep 2026 — confirm before booking, since schedules shift with the monsoon.

Key takeaways

• Nathon (west coast): main mainland gateway, Seatran Ferry and Songserm to Donsak, ~1h30 crossing.
• Bang Rak / Big Buddha (northeast): Seatran Discovery and Haad Rin Queen to Koh Phangan, 5 min from the airport.
• Maenam (Pralarn) (north): Lomprayah’s only Samui base, catamarans to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
• Lipa Noi (southwest): Raja Ferry’s car ferry to Donsak, the only pier that loads vehicles.
• Thong Krut (south): no scheduled ferry — longtail charters to Koh Tan (Coral Island) and Koh Madsum (Pig Island).

---

Koh Samui Pier Comparison Table

Each pier serves a different purpose, so the closest one is not always the right one — check operators and destinations before booking a taxi.

Distances are approximate road-taxi estimates via the Route 4169 ring road; actual fares vary with traffic and vehicle type.

---

Nathon Pier — Main Mainland Ferry Terminal

Nathon Pier, next to Nathon town on the west coast, is Koh Samui’s busiest mainland ferry terminal. Seatran Ferry runs the main car-and-passenger service to Donsak Pier, roughly 1h30, several sailings daily between about 06:00 and 18:00. Songserm runs a cheaper, slower boat on the same route; both sell onward bus/van tickets to Surat Thani and Bangkok. The pier doubles as Koh Samui’s administrative center, a short walk from the district office and the Nathon Hainan Shrine.

Facilities: an enclosed waiting hall with ticket counters, ATMs, a 7-Eleven, and food stalls. Parking: free roadside spots and paid lots (~20-50 THB/day) near the gates. Taxis: a rank outside the terminal; fares to the east-coast beaches run 300-550 THB.

---

Bang Rak Pier (Big Buddha Pier) — Fastest to the Airport and Koh Phangan

Bang Rak Pier, known as Big Buddha Pier for the Wat Phra Yai temple next door, is Koh Samui’s northeast gateway to Koh Phangan. Seatran Discovery runs the main fast-boat service to Thong Sala in roughly 30-45 minutes for 330-355 THB (~9.50-10 USD). Haad Rin Queen is the only boat that lands directly at Haad Rin, skipping the 8 km songthaew ride from Thong Sala; it runs fewer, slower sailings, up to roughly 495 THB (~14 USD). Its biggest advantage is location — about 5 minutes and 3 km from Samui International Airport (USM).

Facilities: a small open-air terminal with separate operator counters, food stalls, and a 7-Eleven across the road. Parking: informal roadside parking, free but limited at peak times. Taxis: wait outside; airport transfers run 100-200 THB, Chaweng runs 150-250 THB.

---

Maenam Pier (Pralarn) — Lomprayah’s Home Base

Maenam Pier, officially Pralarn Pier, is Lomprayah’s only terminal on Koh Samui. Every high-speed catamaran to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala, ~30 min, 250-400 THB / ~7-11 USD), Koh Tao, and Chumphon on the mainland departs from here — the default choice for island-hopping north. The pier sits inside Maenam village, 5-10 minutes from Bophut and 10-15 minutes from Nathon, and being purpose-built for one operator, it is the most modern of the five piers.

Facilities: an air-conditioned check-in hall, a small cafe, luggage storage, and clean restrooms. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure. Parking: a dedicated free area, larger than at Bang Rak or Nathon. Taxis: a rank at the entrance; fares to Chaweng run 250-350 THB, to Bophut 100-150 THB.

---

Lipa Noi Pier — Raja Ferry’s Car Ferry to Donsak

Lipa Noi Pier, on Koh Samui’s southwest coast, is Raja Ferry’s only Samui terminal and the sole pier that regularly carries vehicles to the mainland. The car-and-passenger ferry to Donsak Pier departs roughly hourly between about 05:00 and 19:00, crossing in 1h30-1h41. Passenger fares run from about 130-140 THB (~3.50-4 USD); motorbikes add roughly 180 THB and cars from around 420 THB (~12 USD). Unlike Nathon, Lipa Noi has almost no surrounding town — travelers without a vehicle usually find Nathon more convenient. Lipa Noi Beach, popular with sunset watchers, runs along the coast next to the pier.

Facilities: basic — a covered walkway over the water, a single ticket office, and a couple of drink stalls, no large waiting hall. Parking: an open gravel area handles drop-off and the vehicle queue; arrive at least 30 minutes early in the December-January peak. Taxis: available but less frequent than at Nathon — book ahead.

---

Thong Krut Pier — Longtail Boats to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum

Thong Krut Pier, at the fishing village of the same name on Koh Samui’s south coast, has no scheduled ferry operator. Independent longtail boat owners run charters to Koh Tan (Coral Island, good for snorkeling) and Koh Madsum (“Pig Island,” known for pigs that swim out to greet boats). Private half-day trips start around 3,000-3,200 THB (~86-91 USD) per boat (4-6 people), rising to 5,000-6,000 THB (~143-171 USD) for three islands. It is 15-20 minutes south of Lamai — closest for southeast-coast visitors — but 35-40 minutes from Bophut or Maenam.

Facilities: no ticket counters — boat owners work directly from the pier, so prices are negotiable outside peak season. Seafood restaurants line the road. Parking: a small gravel area, free and rarely full. Taxis: limited; most arrive by pre-booked transfer or scooter.

---

Which Pier Should You Use?

The right pier depends on where you are going, not your hotel’s distance to it. Thong Sala: Bang Rak (Seatran Discovery) or Maenam (Lomprayah). Haad Rin directly: only Bang Rak, via Haad Rin Queen. Mainland, no vehicle: Nathon, most sailings and bus connections. Mainland with a car or scooter: only Lipa Noi (Raja Ferry). Koh Tan or Koh Madsum: only Thong Krut, negotiate dockside.

If two piers work for your route, pick the closer one — the time saved often exceeds any difference in ferry price. See the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry guide for a full price and schedule comparison, and How to Get to Koh Samui for the mainland routes into Nathon and Lipa Noi.

---

FAQ

Which pier do I use for Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?

Bang Rak Pier (Seatran Discovery, ~30-45 min) and Maenam Pier (Lomprayah, ~30 min) are fastest to Thong Sala, Koh Phangan’s main pier. For Haad Rin directly, Bang Rak’s Haad Rin Queen boat is the only service — every other operator lands at Thong Sala, an 8 km songthaew ride away.

Which pier goes to the Koh Samui mainland ferry (Donsak)?

Nathon Pier (Seatran Ferry, Songserm) and Lipa Noi Pier (Raja Ferry) both cross to Donsak, roughly 1h30. Lipa Noi is the only one that loads cars and motorbikes; Nathon has more sailings and easier onward bus connections to Surat Thani and Bangkok.

Can I take a car ferry from Koh Samui?

Yes, but only from Lipa Noi Pier. Raja Ferry runs the island’s only vehicle service, crossing to Donsak roughly hourly between about 05:00 and 19:00. No other Koh Samui pier loads cars or motorbikes.

How do I get to Koh Tan or Koh Madsum from Koh Samui?

Thong Krut Pier, on the south coast near Lamai, is the departure point for longtail boats to Koh Tan (Coral Island) and Koh Madsum (Pig Island). There is no scheduled ferry; independent owners run private charters from around 3,000-3,200 THB (~86-91 USD) per boat, negotiated at the pier.

Which pier is closest to Samui Airport?

Bang Rak Pier (Big Buddha Pier) is closest, about 5 minutes and 3 km from Samui International Airport — the practical choice for anyone flying in and heading straight to Koh Phangan.