How Often Do Ferries Run From Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?
One of the busiest inter-island crossings in Thailand
Ferries run extremely frequently on this route, up to 48 sailings a day across 9 different operators as of recent schedules, making it one of the busiest inter-island crossings in Thailand. The crossing itself takes 20 to 50 minutes depending on the specific pier and operator, and costs roughly $6 to $9 (RM26–38) one-way.
The real frequency, by pier
The specific pier you depart from matters more than expected
Not all Koh Samui piers offer the same frequency, and the specific pier you depart from matters more than most travellers expect:
Bangrak Pier is the busiest departure point, with Songserm running 5 sailings daily and Seatran Discovery adding 4 more, alongside Lomprayah and Lomlahkkhirin services. This pier also runs direct sailings to Haad Rin Pier specifically, useful if you're heading straight to the beach known for the Full Moon Party.
Nathon Pier runs less frequently but still reliably, with Songserm offering 1 daily sailing and Lomprayah running 2, totalling around 15 weekly departures.
Mae Nam Pier is served by Lomprayah specifically, with roughly 3 to 4 sailings a day.
Lipa Noi Pier connects via Raja Ferry's car ferry service, running around 2 sailings daily, slower than the passenger-only options but useful if you're bringing a vehicle.
Real schedule example
| Departure (Nathon Pier) | Arrival (Thong Sala) | Operator | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~08:00 | ~08:30 | Lomprayah | 250 THB (RM32) |
| ~10:00 | ~10:30 | Lomprayah | 250 THB (RM32) |
| ~12:30 | ~13:00 | Lomprayah | 250 THB (RM32) |
| ~15:00 | ~15:30 | Lomprayah | 250 THB (RM32) |
| ~17:00 | ~17:30 | Lomprayah | 250 THB (RM32) |
Seatran Discovery runs a parallel schedule from the same pier at a slightly lower price point, around 200 THB (RM26) per sailing.
Sourced from insidesamui.com's Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry guide, thailandlife.info's current ferry schedule, directferries.com's route listing, and phanganlife.com's ferry schedule guide. RM figures are approximate conversions and will shift with the exchange rate.
An honest note on which pier to choose
Most services land at Thong Sala, not Haad Rin
Practical tips
Book with Lomprayah or Seatran Discovery if you want the most frequent, most reliable daytime schedule from Nathon or Bangrak Pier.
Choose a direct Haad Rin Queen Ferry sailing if your destination is Haad Rin specifically, this avoids an extra overland transfer on arrival.
Travel during the daytime hours (roughly 7:30am to 5:30pm) for the widest choice of departures. Evening options exist but are far more limited.
Check which Koh Samui pier is closest to your hotel before booking, Bangrak, Nathon, Mae Nam, and Lipa Noi all serve this route, and picking the nearest one saves a longer transfer on the Samui side.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every ferry from Koh Samui lands at the same pier on Koh Phangan. Most go to Thong Sala, but a few specifically serve Haad Rin, check this before booking if your destination is fixed.
- Booking a Lipa Noi departure expecting the same frequency as Bangrak or Nathon. Raja Ferry's car ferry service runs only around twice daily, considerably less often than the passenger-focused piers.
- Waiting until the evening to book same-day travel. Departures thin out significantly after 5:30pm, and the last realistic option can leave you with limited choice.
- Not comparing operators on the same route. Lomprayah and Seatran Discovery both run frequent schedules from similar piers at slightly different prices and times, worth checking both before booking.