Train + ferry · A long scenic day

Ban Krut to Koh Samui

Quiet coast to holiday island: ride the southern line to a pier, pick your boat, and let the Gulf do the rest.

Part of the guides for: Ban Krut · Koh Samui
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Via Chumphon for scenery, Surat for simplicity

From Ban Krut the Chumphon catamaran route is shorter and prettier, island-hopping via Koh Tao and Koh Phangan to Samui. The Surat Thani route takes longer but runs bigger, steadier boats and more departures - the better bet in the rough months.

Ferries at Donsak pier
Transport

Tickets & connections

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Route at a glance

Ban Krut to Koh Samui

  • Via Chumphon: train + catamaran via Koh Tao/Phangan, about 8 hours
  • Via Surat Thani: train + bus + Donsak ferry, about 9-10 hours
  • Both routes sell as combined tickets
  • Morning departures make the connections comfortably
Good to know

Good to know

  • Book the whole chain as one ticket - missed-connection protection matters here.
  • The catamaran route doubles as a Koh Tao or Phangan stopover plan.
  • Rough season (Oct-Dec): choose the Donsak car ferries.
  • Overnighting in Surat town beats a pre-dawn scramble for early boats.
Your options

Your options

Train + catamaran via Chumphon

Early train south, then Lomprayah across - about 4 hours on the water with the island stops. Watch the Gulf turn bluer the further south you get.

Train + ferry via Surat Thani

Longer on the train, then the joined-up bus and big Donsak car ferry. More daily options and the calm-water choice.

Drive + car ferry

Driving down? Raja's car ferries from Donsak take vehicles across all day - park-and-sail also works from the Chumphon piers.

Travel guides

Travel guides

Step-by-step transport guides for this stretch of the Gulf coast.

Part of the guides for

Ban Krut · Koh Samui