Phuket or Krabi to Koh Samui — Flight vs Bus + Ferry (2026)

Flying from Phuket or Krabi to Koh Samui takes about 1 hour on Bangkok Airways, from roughly 2,500-6,800 THB (~71-194 USD) one-way as of September 2026. The bus-and-ferry combo via Donsak takes 7-9 hours for about 800-1,500 THB (~23-43 USD). Phuket has one direct ferry a day; Krabi has no direct sea route.

Key takeaways

• Fastest from Phuket: Bangkok Airways direct flight, ~1h5m, from ~2,500-6,800 THB (~71-194 USD) one-way.
• Fastest from Krabi: Bangkok Airways direct flight, ~50 min, from ~3,700 THB (~106 USD) — yes, this route exists, despite what some older guides say.
• Cheapest from Phuket: bus and ferry via Donsak, ~800-1,400 THB (~23-40 USD), 7-9 hours.
• Cheapest from Krabi: minivan and ferry via Donsak, ~500-1,500 THB (~14-43 USD), 4-9 hours depending on the operator.
• One direct ferry exists: Raja Ferry’s Phuket Town-Lipa Noi crossing, once daily, about 8 hours, from ~1,000 THB (~29 USD) — no equivalent runs from Krabi.

Quick Comparison of Ways from Phuket and Krabi to Koh Samui

Bangkok Airways flies nonstop from both Phuket and Krabi; every ground option finishes with a car ferry from the Surat Thani area, since no boat sails directly between Krabi and the island.

Option 1: Fly from Phuket with Bangkok Airways

Bangkok Airways, the only carrier on this route, flies nonstop between Phuket International Airport (HKT) and Koh Samui Airport (USM) once daily — flight PG252 departs Phuket at 09:41 and lands 1 hour 5 minutes later.

1. Book through Bangkok Airways or a travel agent; fares run from around 2,500 THB (~71 USD) in low season up to 6,800 THB (~194 USD) in December-February.
2. Check in at Phuket International Airport at least 60-90 minutes before the 09:41 departure at Bangkok Airways’ own counters.
3. The ATR72/A320 flies over the Andaman coast and across the peninsula to the Gulf of Thailand side.
4. Land at Koh Samui Airport, a small open-air terminal a short drive from Chaweng and Bophut.
5. Reach your hotel via the airport taxi counter (300-700 THB / ~8.50-20 USD) — Grab and Bolt cannot pick up inside the airport grounds.

With only one departure a day, book early if that time slot matters; a missed flight means waiting until tomorrow or rerouting through Bangkok.

Option 2: Phuket Bus and Ferry via Donsak

Combined bus-and-ferry tickets, run by Phantip Travel and booked through operators like Lomprayah or 12Go, cost roughly a third of the direct flight and need no airport transfer.

1. Book a through ticket on 12Go or directly with Phantip Travel; combined fares run 800-1,400 THB (~23-40 USD).
2. Depart from a Phuket bus terminal or hotel pickup, typically in the morning; the coach runs roughly 4-5 hours up the peninsula toward Surat Thani.
3. Transfer at Donsak Pier onto a Seatran or Raja Ferry car ferry included in the through ticket (crossing about 1-1.5 hours).
4. Arrive at Nathon Pier (main terminal, west coast) or Lipa Noi Pier (southwest, Raja Ferry’s terminal).
5. Continue by taxi, songthaew, or pre-arranged hotel transfer to your beach.

Total journey time runs 7-9 hours, the cheapest way to reach Koh Samui from Phuket, though it depends on the bus staying on schedule for the ferry connection. See our ferry piers guide for what Nathon and Lipa Noi piers offer once you land.

Option 3: Fly from Krabi with Bangkok Airways

Bangkok Airways also flies nonstop between Krabi International Airport (KBV) and Koh Samui — a route some older travel guides mistakenly call nonexistent. As of September 2026 it runs roughly twice daily on a small ATR72, a 50-minute hop across the peninsula.

1. Book directly through Bangkok Airways; departures run between roughly 13:45 and 18:25, fares from around 3,700 THB (~106 USD) rising toward 5,500 THB (~157 USD) in peak season.
2. Arrive at Krabi International Airport at least 60 minutes before departure.
3. Board the ATR72 — a 70-seat turboprop with one free checked bag and a light inflight snack.
4. Land at Koh Samui Airport after the short 50-minute flight.
5. Take the airport taxi counter (300-700 THB / ~8.50-20 USD); ride-hailing apps cannot collect passengers inside the terminal.

This small aircraft sells out faster than the busier Bangkok-Samui route — book at least a week ahead in December-February.

Option 4: Krabi Bus and Ferry Combo

No boat sails directly between Krabi and Koh Samui, so every ground option connects through the Surat Thani area — either a fast coach with Lomprayah or a cheaper minivan-and-ferry combo.

1. Book through 12Go or directly with Lomprayah; the fastest service leaves Lomprayah’s office on Vatchara Road in Krabi Town, roughly 1,200-1,400 THB (~34-40 USD) for a 3h45m-6h journey.
2. For less money, book a minivan-and-ferry combo instead; fares run 500-1,500 THB (~14-43 USD) but total time stretches to 4-9 hours depending on the connection wait.
3. Ride the coach or minivan roughly 3-5 hours to Donsak Pier, passing through or near Surat Thani.
4. Board the connecting Raja Ferry, Seatran, or Lomprayah crossing (about 1-1.5 hours by car ferry, less on the fast catamaran).
5. Disembark at Nathon Pier and continue by taxi or songthaew to your final destination.

Lomprayah’s faster service is worth the extra baht on a tight schedule; the budget minivan combo saves money but adds hours of waiting.

Getting to Koh Samui from Ao Nang and Koh Lanta

Travellers based in Ao Nang or Koh Lanta add a short transfer before joining the same Donsak route, since neither has its own direct connection to Koh Samui.

From Ao Nang: No dedicated service exists. Take a shared minivan to Krabi’s bus terminal or the Lomprayah office (30-45 minutes, 100-150 THB / ~3-4.50 USD), then follow the Krabi bus-and-ferry route above — about 5-7 hours total on the fast Lomprayah service.

From Koh Lanta: Combined bus-and-ferry tickets run from Saladan Pier through to Nathon Pier, taking 7.5-9 hours for 1,000-1,700 THB (~29-49 USD). The trip starts with a boat off Koh Lanta, continues by road to Donsak, and finishes with the same car-ferry crossing used on the Krabi route. Book the whole itinerary as one through ticket on 12Go to avoid missed connections.

Best Choice by Traveller Type

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Most delays and overcharges on these routes trace back to three predictable causes.

Missed ferry connections: buses and minivans occasionally run late, and ferries do not wait. Book a through ticket (bus/minivan + ferry combined) so the operator rebooks you free if a connection is missed, and build in a 60-90 minute buffer where possible.

Assuming Krabi has a direct ferry: it does not. Every ground route from Krabi, Ao Nang, or Koh Lanta connects through Donsak by bus or minivan first. Only Phuket has a direct sea option, sailing once a day.

Overpaying for last-minute flights: Bangkok Airways is the only carrier on both routes, so fares climb steeply near departure and during December-February. Book 2-4 weeks ahead, or price out the bus-and-ferry combo if the flight looks unreasonable.

Once you land, most travellers head to Chaweng or continue from Nathon or Lipa Noi pier toward their beach. See Koh Samui vs Koh Phangan if weighing the neighbouring island, and the how to get to Koh Samui hub for routes from Bangkok and Koh Phangan.

FAQ

What is the fastest way from Phuket to Koh Samui?

The Bangkok Airways direct flight, PG252, is fastest — about 1 hour 5 minutes in the air, departing Phuket at 09:41 daily. Fares run from roughly 2,500 THB (~71 USD) in low season up to 6,800 THB (~194 USD) at peak times. The bus-and-ferry alternative takes 7-9 hours.

Is there a direct flight from Krabi to Koh Samui?

Yes. Bangkok Airways flies nonstop between Krabi (KBV) and Koh Samui (USM) roughly twice daily, a 50-minute hop on an ATR72 aircraft, with fares from around 3,700 THB (~106 USD). Some older guides claim no direct Krabi-Samui flight exists — that is out of date as of September 2026.

Is there a direct ferry from Phuket to Koh Samui?

Yes, one. Raja Ferry runs a Phuket Town-Lipa Noi crossing once daily at around 07:30, taking about 8 hours and costing from roughly 1,000 THB (~29 USD). Most travellers instead take the faster bus-and-ferry combo via Donsak, which totals 7-9 hours at a similar price.

How do I get from Krabi to Koh Samui by bus and ferry?

Book a through ticket on 12Go or with Lomprayah. The fast Lomprayah service takes 3 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours for 1,200-1,400 THB (~34-40 USD); cheaper minivan-and-ferry combos take 4-9 hours for 500-1,500 THB (~14-43 USD). All routes connect through Donsak Pier before the final ferry to Nathon.

Which is cheaper, flying or the bus and ferry?

The bus-and-ferry combo is cheaper from both cities — roughly 800-1,500 THB (~23-43 USD) against 2,500-6,800 THB (~71-194 USD) for a flight — but it takes 7-9 hours compared with under 1 hour 10 minutes in the air. Choose the flight if your time is limited; choose the bus and ferry to save money.