TL;DR: Ferries from Koh Samui to Koh Tao run from Bangrak (Big Buddha) Pier or Maenam Pier to Koh Tao’s Mae Haad Pier, with three main operators: Lomprayah’s high-speed catamaran takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours for around ฿700-800 (about US$21-24); Seatran Discovery takes around 2 hours 15 minutes for ฿600-800 (about US$18-24); and Songserm’s slower boat takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2.5 hours for around ฿550-700 (about US$17-21). Sailings run 2-3 times daily in low season and up to 5 times in high season, with the first departure around 8am and the last around 2:30-4pm; there are no overnight or late-evening crossings. Expect prices to rise 20-30% during peak season and around Full Moon Party dates on neighbouring Koh Phangan, since many travellers route through there. It’s a genuinely choppier hop than the short Koh Phangan crossing, so take a seasickness tablet if you’re prone and pick a morning sailing for the calmest seas. All prices ฿33 = US$1 (July 2026).
Koh Tao is Koh Samui’s farther-out neighbour, known for diving rather than nightlife, and getting there means a proper open-water ferry crossing rather than the quick hop to Koh Phangan. Three operators run this route, and picking the right one comes down to a straightforward trade-off between speed, price and how much the sea is likely to move under you. This guide breaks down every operator, pier, timing and price, checked against current 2026 ferry-operator data, plus what to know if you’re prone to seasickness.
Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry comparison
| Operator | Departure pier (Samui) | Arrival pier (Koh Tao) | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lomprayah (high-speed catamaran) | Bangrak or Maenam | Mae Haad | ~1h45-2h | ฿700-800 (~$21-24) |
| Seatran Discovery | Bangrak | Mae Haad | ~2h15 | ฿600-800 (~$18-24) |
| Songserm | Bangrak or Nathon | Mae Haad | ~1h30-2h30 | ฿550-700 (~$17-21) |
Prices and durations compiled from 2026 operator and ferry-comparison listings; see Sources. All prices ฿33 = US$1 (July 2026).
Which operator should you book?
Lomprayah is the fastest and most consistent option, and it’s worth the extra baht if your schedule is tight. Its high-speed catamaran, easy to spot by its distinctive yellow-and-blue livery, covers the route in around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours for ฿700-800 (about US$21-24), and includes air-conditioned cabins and complimentary snacks on board, a genuine step up in comfort over the slower options.
Seatran Discovery runs a similar price band, ฿600-800 (about US$18-24), but takes longer at around 2 hours 15 minutes. It’s a solid middle-ground choice if Lomprayah’s specific departure times don’t line up with your plans.
Songserm is the budget pick, typically ฿550-700 (about US$17-21), with journey times ranging from about 1 hour 30 minutes on its faster boats to 2.5 hours on slower ones. It’s the right call if price matters more than speed and you don’t mind a longer ride.
Which piers do you leave from and arrive at?
Departures leave from Bangrak Pier, also called Big Buddha Pier, on Koh Samui’s north coast, the main hub for inter-island ferries, with some Lomprayah sailings also running from nearby Maenam Pier. Both are reasonably central to Chaweng and Bophut, so factor in a taxi or songthaew ride to whichever pier your ticket specifies, since the two piers aren’t interchangeable on the day. On arrival, all three operators dock at Mae Haad Pier, Koh Tao’s main harbour and the jumping-off point for the island’s dive shops and beaches. For what to do once you’re there, see outthailand.com’s things to do in Koh Tao and Koh Tao diving guides.
How often do ferries run, and when’s the first and last sailing?
Expect 2-3 sailings a day in low season, rising to as many as 5 a day across all operators in high season. The first departure of the day is typically around 8:00am, with subsequent sailings through the late morning and early afternoon, and the last boat usually leaving by 2:30-4:00pm. There is no evening or overnight service on this route, so if you miss the last sailing, you’re staying on Koh Samui another night. Book a day or two ahead in high season and around Full Moon Party dates on Koh Phangan, since ferry demand across the whole Gulf network rises sharply then even though the party itself is on a different island.
Is the crossing rough, and should I worry about seasickness?
Yes, this is a noticeably choppier ride than the short Koh Phangan hop, since Koh Tao sits farther out in more open water. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication before boarding rather than waiting until you feel unwell, sit toward the middle of the vessel where you’ll feel less motion than at the bow or stern, and where possible book a morning sailing, since seas are generally calmer earlier in the day before any afternoon wind picks up. None of the three operators are unusually rough compared to each other, the sea state matters more than which company you book.
Honest downsides
None of these options are door-to-door effortless. It’s a foot-passenger-only route, so if you’re travelling with a vehicle you’ll need a different itinerary entirely. Sailings thin out fast outside peak season, so check the timetable rather than assuming you can turn up and catch the next boat. The crossing itself can be uncomfortable in poor weather, and cancellations do happen when conditions get bad enough, so build in a buffer day either side if your travel dates are inflexible. Finally, prices aren’t fixed, expect to pay more booking last-minute in high season than you would securing a ticket a few days ahead.
Getting to Koh Samui first
If you’re arriving in Thailand rather than already on Koh Samui, see outthailand.com’s getting to Koh Samui guide for the full breakdown of flights, the Surat Thani combo, and the overland bus-and-ferry option from Bangkok before you plan the onward hop to Koh Tao. Once you’ve picked an operator and pier, check what’s on around your travel dates in case anything’s worth timing your crossing around.
Sources
- ULTIMATE Koh Samui Ferry Guide: Routes, Schedules, Pricing, and Tips - Pierre Blake: operator names, piers, durations, prices, seasickness/rough-sea notes
- Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) to Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) Ferry - Direct Ferries: operator sailing frequency, price range, journey duration, departure/last-ferry times
- Timetable for Lomprayah, Seatran, Songserm and Raja Ferry - Phangan Ferries: departure times by operator across Samui-Phangan-Tao routes
- Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) to Koh Tao Ferry - Direct Ferries: pricing range and operator comparison
- Timetable 2026 - Lomprayah: Lomprayah’s own scheduled departures