Is Koh Samui part of Surat Thani?

Yes. Koh Samui is a district (amphoe) of Surat Thani Province in southern Thailand. The province also includes Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Ang Thong National Marine Park and Khao Sok National Park. Surat Thani town on the mainland is about 35 km from Samui and is the main ferry gateway.

How do I get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?

Take a bus or minivan from Surat Thani town, train station or airport to Donsak pier (about 1 hour), then a ferry to Samui. Raja car ferries and Seatran ferries take about 1.5 hours; the Lomprayah catamaran takes about 1 hour. Joint bus-and-ferry tickets cost roughly 300–500 THB ($9–$15).

Is it cheaper to fly or take the ferry to Koh Samui?

The ferry route is much cheaper. A direct Bangkok to Koh Samui flight costs about $80–$170 one way, while a budget flight to Surat Thani plus bus and ferry costs about $35–$70, and the overnight train plus ferry costs about $30–$45. Flying direct saves 4–10 hours.

How much does a week in Koh Samui cost?

For one person in 2026, expect about $250–$300 for a week on a backpacker budget, $650–$800 mid-range and $1,800+ for luxury, excluding international flights. Two travelers sharing a room pay less per person.

When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?

January to April is the best time, with dry sunny weather and calm seas. July and August are also good because Samui sits in the Gulf of Thailand and avoids the southwest monsoon that hits Phuket. October and November are the wettest months.

Is Koh Samui more expensive than Phuket?

Slightly. On-island costs in Koh Samui run about 5–15% higher than Phuket, mostly due to accommodation, and flights to Samui cost more because Bangkok Airways operates the island's airport. Phuket has more cheap flight options and nightlife; Samui is quieter and better suited to couples and families.

Which is the best area to stay in Koh Samui?

Chaweng is best for nightlife and first-timers, Lamai for a balance of beach and value, Bophut and Fisherman's Village for couples and restaurants, Maenam for quiet budget stays, and Choeng Mon for families and luxury resorts.

Do I need a visa for Koh Samui?

Koh Samui follows Thailand's national entry rules. Many passports can enter visa-free, and all foreign visitors must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival. Check the official Thai e-Visa website for your nationality before you book.

Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand: 2026 Guide, Costs & Island Comparison

By Triprz Editorial Team | October 17, 2026

Everything you need to plan Koh Samui in Surat Thani, Thailand: how to get there via Surat Thani or by air, the best beaches and areas, month-by-month weather, real 2026 costs and how Samui compares with Phuket, Krabi and Bali.

Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand: 2026 Guide, Costs & Island Comparison — koh samui, surat thani travel guide

Tags: koh samui, surat thani, thailand, island, beaches, budget, southeast asia

Key Takeaways

Koh Samui is a 228.7 km² island in Surat Thani Province, in the Gulf of Thailand — Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket
Fastest route: 1h05 direct flight from Bangkok ($80–$170 one way). Cheapest: train or bus to Surat Thani, then a 1–1.5 hour ferry from Donsak pier ($30–$45 total)
Best weather: January to August. October and November are the wettest months — the opposite of Phuket's rainy season
Daily budget per person: about $35 backpacker, $90–$110 mid-range, $250+ luxury (2026)
Koh Samui is roughly 10–20% pricier than Phuket and Krabi on the ground, mainly because of accommodation and the flight premium

Article

Koh Samui is an island in **Surat Thani Province, Thailand**, sitting in the Gulf of Thailand about 35 km off the mainland. At 228.7 km² it is Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket, home to roughly 70,000 registered residents and served by its own airport (USM). You reach it either by a 65-minute flight from Bangkok or by ferry from Donsak pier near Surat Thani town. In 2026 a mid-range traveler should budget **$90–$110 per person per day** on the island.

This guide covers how Koh Samui fits into Surat Thani Province, the cheapest and fastest routes, the best beaches and areas to stay, month-by-month weather, real 2026 costs, and how Samui compares with Phuket, Krabi and Bali. Use the budget calculator at the end of the guide to price your own trip.

## Koh Samui and Surat Thani at a Glance

| Fact | Detail |
|------|--------|
| Province | Surat Thani, southern Thailand |
| Location | Gulf of Thailand, ~35 km from the mainland |
| Size | 228.7 km² — 2nd-largest island in Thailand |
| Main town | Nathon (ferry port and district office) |
| Airport | Samui International Airport (USM) |
| Mainland gateway | Surat Thani town, airport (URT) and Donsak pier |
| Currency | Thai baht (THB), roughly 33–35 THB per US dollar |
| Best weather | January–August |
| Wettest months | October–November |
| Mid-range daily cost | $90–$110 per person |

### What Surat Thani Province includes

Surat Thani is Thailand's largest southern province, and most travelers only see it in passing on the way to the islands. That is a missed opportunity. The province contains:

- **Koh Samui** — the most developed island, with resorts, an airport and the widest choice of hotels
- **[Koh Phangan](/blog/island-hopping-on-a-budget-complete-2026-guide)** — 30 minutes north of Samui by boat, famous for the Full Moon Party and quieter northern beaches
- **Koh Tao** — 1.5–2 hours from Samui, one of the cheapest places in the world to get a PADI dive certification
- **Ang Thong National Marine Park** — 42 limestone islands about 30 km northwest of Samui
- **Khao Sok National Park** — rainforest and the floating raft houses of Cheow Lan Lake, about 2 hours inland from Surat Thani town

If you have 10 days or more, combine Samui with one or two of these. Our [island hopping on a budget guide](/blog/island-hopping-on-a-budget-complete-2026-guide) shows how to string them together cheaply.

## How to Get to Koh Samui

There are two ways in: fly directly to Samui, or travel to Surat Thani on the mainland and take a ferry. The direct flight is fastest; the Surat Thani route is far cheaper.

| Route | Total time | One-way cost (per person) | Best for |
|-------|-----------|---------------------------|----------|
| Direct flight Bangkok (BKK) → Samui (USM) | 1h05 flight | $80–$170 | Short trips, families |
| Direct flight Singapore → Samui | 1h50 | $120–$220 | Travelers from Singapore hub |
| Budget flight Bangkok (DMK/BKK) → Surat Thani (URT) + bus + ferry | 4–5 hrs | $35–$70 | Best value for most |
| Overnight train Bangkok → Surat Thani + bus + ferry | 13–15 hrs | $30–$45 | Slow travelers, saving a night |
| VIP bus Bangkok → Donsak + ferry | 12–14 hrs | $20–$35 | Tightest budgets |
| Ferry from Koh Phangan | 30 min | $7–$12 | Island hoppers |

### Flying direct to Koh Samui

Samui Airport is privately owned by [Bangkok Airways](https://www.bangkokair.com), which operates most flights, with Thai Airways also serving the route. Because competition is limited, fares are 2–3 times higher than flights to Surat Thani. Book 6–8 weeks ahead for the lowest prices and check our [Flight Price Predictor](/flights) to see whether fares are likely to drop. The open-air terminal is 10–20 minutes from Chaweng, Bophut and Choeng Mon; a taxi costs 300–600 THB ($9–$18).

### Surat Thani to Koh Samui by ferry

This is the route most budget travelers use, and it is straightforward:

1. **Get to Surat Thani.** Low-cost airlines fly Bangkok to Surat Thani Airport (URT) in about 1 hour 10 minutes, often for $25–$60. The [State Railway of Thailand](https://www.railway.co.th) runs overnight sleeper trains to Phun Phin station, Surat Thani's rail stop.
2. **Transfer to Donsak pier.** Buses and minivans meet flights and trains and take about 1 hour to the pier.
3. **Cross to Samui.** Raja car ferries (to Lipa Noi) and Seatran ferries (to Nathon) take about 1.5 hours; the Lomprayah high-speed catamaran takes about 1 hour.

Buy a **joint ticket** (bus + ferry) at the airport or station for 300–500 THB ($9–$15). It is the easiest option and the connections are timed to each other.

## Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Koh Samui's weather is different from Phuket and Krabi. Because it sits in the Gulf of Thailand, it is largely sheltered from the southwest monsoon (May–October) that brings rain to the Andaman coast. Its rainy season comes later, from October to mid-December.

| Month | Weather | Crowds & prices | Verdict |
|-------|---------|-----------------|---------|
| Janua

[...]

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