Thailand Islands Ferry Guide: Routes, Timings, Prices & Map (2026)
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-23
You get between Thailand’s islands by ferry, mostly through five operators (Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja Ferry, Phuket-bound Ao Nang Express and Blue Star, and the slow government boats from Chumphon). Tickets cost between ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) and ₹5,146 (~1,800 THB or ~$53.42) depending on distance and operator, and the four big inter-island routes you care about are Surat Thani to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, Chumphon to Koh Tao, Phuket to Koh Phi Phi and Krabi, and Ao Nang to the Phi Phi and Lanta cluster. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
This guide lays out each route with current timings, departure piers, what the ticket costs in Thai baht only, and which operator most Indian backpackers end up using.
What Is the Thailand Islands Ferry Network?
The Thailand islands ferry network is the system of passenger boats that connects mainland Gulf and Andaman ports to the country’s main island destinations, including Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, and the Phi Phi islands. Five operators run scheduled fast catamarans and slower car ferries on these routes, with departures concentrated at Lomprayah piers in Surat Thani and Chumphon, Seatran’s Ban Don pier in Surat Thani, and Rassada Pier in Phuket for Andaman crossings.
If you’re planning the trip itself rather than just the ferries, how much money do I need for 5 days in Thailand lays out the full daily budget including ferry tickets.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Bangkok → islands combo | Sleeper train to Chumphon + ferry | ₹3,431-₹4,288 (~1,200-1,500 THB or ~$35.61-$44.51) total |
| Main operators | Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja Ferry, Ao Nang Express, Blue Star | , |
| Fastest Gulf crossing | Lomprayah catamaran (2 hr 30 min Chumphon → Koh Tao) | ₹3,431 (~1,200 THB or ~$35.61) |
| Cheapest Gulf crossing | Raja Ferry slow boat (6 hr Surat Thani → Koh Phangan) | ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) |
| Most booked Andaman route | Phuket → Koh Phi Phi (Ao Nang Express) | ₹3,717 (~1,300 THB or ~$38.58) |
| Booking lead time | Same-day for off-peak, 2-3 days for full moon week | , |
| FX at time of writing | 1 INR = 0.3486 THB | , |
The 4 Main Ferry Routes Indian Backpackers Use
Most Indian travellers end up on one of four ferry corridors. Pick by where you’re flying into, since that’s usually your cheapest path.
Route 1: Bangkok → Koh Samui / Koh Phangan (via Surat Thani)
This is the high-traffic Gulf route. From Bangkok you take the night train to Surat Thani, then a combined bus-plus-ferry ticket drops you at the pier the next morning.
Surat Thani → Koh Samui (Lomprayah)
- Departure pier: Tapee Pier (also called Lomprayah Pier), 14 km west of Surat Thani town
- Sailing time: 1 hr 45 min catamaran
- Departure times: typically 07:30, 11:00, 14:30, and 16:30, with seasonal frequency changes
- Operator: Lomprayah High Speed Ferries
- Ticket: ₹1,715 (~600 THB or ~$17.81) for the catamaran leg alone, ₹2,144 (~750 THB or ~$22.26) if you add the bus transfer from Surat Thani town
Surat Thani → Koh Phangan (Lomprayah)
- Same Tapee Pier
- Sailing time: 2 hr 15 min direct catamaran
- Departure times: usually 07:30, 11:00, 14:30
- Ticket: ₹2,001 (~700 THB or ~$20.77) catamaran, ₹2,430 (~850 THB or ~$25.22) with the bus transfer
Surat Thani → Koh Phangan (Raja Ferry, slow ferry)
- Departure pier: Ban Don Pier, in Surat Thani city
- Sailing time: 5 hr 30 min car ferry
- Departure times: once daily, usually 07:00, with the 11:00 sailing added in peak months (December to March and full moon weeks)
- Ticket: ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) with the bus transfer
- Worth it if you’re not in a hurry and want to save ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) per ticket
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Buy the combined train-to-ferry ticket at Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok or online via 12go. You avoid the Surat Thani station scam where touts steer you onto a partner bus that costs ₹572 (~200 THB or ~$5.94) more.
Book Surat Thani to Koh Samui on 12go
Route 2: Bangkok → Koh Tao (via Chumphon)
Koh Tao is more dive-school than beach-resort, so ferries here run with dive-tank-friendly timings.
Chumphon → Koh Tao (Lomprayah)
- Departure pier: Lomprayah Pier, 12 km from Chumphon town (free transfer if you’ve booked a combined ticket)
- Sailing time: 1 hr 30 min on the direct catamaran, 3 hr 30 min on the one-stop via Koh Phangan
- Departure times: usually 09:30 direct and 07:00 via Phangan, with extra 13:00 sailings added in peak months
- Operator: Lomprayah
- Ticket: ₹3,431 (~1,200 THB or ~$35.61) direct, ₹3,145 (~1,100 THB or ~$32.64) via Phangan
For backpackers coming down from Bangkok who dive, mekong-slow-boat is the equivalent slow-route pickup guide for Laos if you’re extending past Thailand.
Book Chumphon to Koh Tao on 12go
Route 3: Bangkok → Phuket → Koh Phi Phi / Krabi (via Andaman)
The Andaman side is longer, with Phuket as the launch pad for the Phi Phi and Krabi islands.
Phuket → Koh Phi Phi
- Departure pier: Rassada Pier in Phuket town
- Sailing time: 1 hr 30 min on Ao Nang Express, 2 hr on the Blue Star slow ferry
- Departure times: between 08:00 and 15:30, typically 4-6 sailings per day
- Operators: Ao Nang Express and Blue Star
- Ticket: ₹3,717 (~1,300 THB or ~$38.58) fast ferry, ₹2,859 (~1,000 THB or ~$29.68) slow ferry
Phuket → Krabi / Ao Nang
- Departure pier: Rassada Pier
- Sailing time: 2 hr 15 min to Ao Nang, 2 hr to Krabi town
- Departure times: 4-5 sailings per day starting around 08:00
- Ticket: ₹2,716-₹3,145 (~950-1,100 THB or ~$28.19-$32.64) depending on the drop-off pier
Book Phuket to Koh Phi Phi on 12go
Route 4: Ao Nang / Krabi → Koh Phi Phi / Koh Lanta
A common way to do the Andaman is ferry-hop between the islands themselves, not just from the mainland.
Ao Nang / Railay → Koh Phi Phi
- Sailing time: 1 hr 30 min from Ao Nang, 1 hr from Railay (which requires a longtail boat to reach the main ferry)
- Departure times: usually 3-4 sailings a day, often 09:00, 11:00, and 14:00
- Operator: Ao Nang Express
- Ticket: ₹1,858 (~650 THB or ~$19.29) from Ao Nang, ₹2,144 (~750 THB or ~$22.26) from Railay
Koh Phi Phi → Koh Lanta
- Sailing time: 1 hr
- Departure times: usually 09:00, 11:00, and 14:00
- Ticket: ₹1,287 (~450 THB or ~$13.35)
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Ao Nang and Railay are technically different departure points. Railay bookings add ₹715-₹858 (~250-300 THB or ~$7.42-$8.90) in longtail boat fee. Book from Ao Nang unless you’re already staying on Railay.
Book Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi on 12go
Where to Stay in Each Ferry Hub
You usually sleep one or two nights in transit hubs before or after your ferry. These hubs are Surat Thani (overnight before the Gulf crossing), Chumphon (overnight if you miss the morning boat), Phuket Rassada Pier area (often just a few hours), and Krabi Ao Nang (1-2 nights for Andaman trips). Real hostel recommendations for each hub are in the average spend in Thailand per day guide.
Common Mistakes Indians Make
Booking the wrong pier. Surat Thani has THREE piers. Ban Don pier is for Raja Ferry, Tapee pier is for Lomprayah, and Donsak pier is for Seatran. They’re not interchangeable and a wrong pier means missing your ferry. Confirm the pier name on your e-ticket before you board the train or bus.
Missing the free transfer window. Most ferry combos include a bus pickup from Surat Thani train station. The bus leaves at fixed times, usually 05:30. If your sleeper train arrives at 09:00, the included bus isn’t running anymore and you’ll pay ₹572-₹858 (~200-300 THB or ~$5.94-$8.90) for a private taxi.
Not buying combined tickets. Three-leg booking (train + bus + ferry) from agents at the Bangkok station is sometimes ₹1,144 (~400 THB or ~$11.87) more than online. The other pitfall: agents sell you a Surat Thani pier ticket when you wanted the Chumphon routing, so check which pier is on the ticket.
Showing up during monsoon without a buffer day. The Gulf crossing is calm most of the year but closes for safety when waves hit 3+ meters. May to October sailings get cancelled. Build in one extra night at the departure hub if you’re travelling May through October, which lines up with what is the rainy season in Thailand.
Going on full moon week without pre-booking. Koh Phangan’s Haad Rin pier sells out 5 days before full moon. The Lomprayah sailing that’s still open costs double, at ₹4,288 (~1,500 THB or ~$44.51).
What Most Guides Don’t Tell You
Luggage weight limits. All five operators cap bags at 20 kg for foot passengers, and the catamaran captains measure with a luggage belt. Overweight bags get loaded into cargo at ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) per kg. Travellers report this hits especially hard on the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan slow ferry because the car ferry deck is unmonitored for the first hour.
The “free taxi” scam at Surat Thani station. Drivers offering free rides to piers often bundle a ₹1,144 (~400 THB or ~$11.87) tour commission. Decline politely and tell them you’ve booked a transfer. The fixed-rate metered taxi from Surat Thani train station to Ban Don or Tapee pier is ₹572-₹858 (~200-300 THB or ~$5.94-$8.90).
Cash-only at the pier. Even when ferry operators confirm online bookings, the ticket counter at Donsak pier is cash only. Carrying ₹2,859 (~1,000 THB or ~$29.68) in small bills for any on-the-day emergency is standard practice. The best forex card for India guide covers which cards work best at Thai piers.
Phuket-to-Krabi vs Phuket-to-Ko Lanta confusion. Phuket doesn’t run a direct ferry to Koh Lanta. You go Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, then Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta. Two ferries, 2.5 hours total plus a 1-2 hour transfer wait.
Ferry Schedule Timing and Seasons
The high season is November to March, when all operators run at full frequency and ferries leave on time. The shoulder months of April and October see 80-90% of scheduled sailings, with the occasional mid-afternoon weather delay. The low season is May to September in the Gulf, and May to October on the Andaman coast. Heavy weather is most common in October on the Andaman side. Off-peak ferries still run, but cancellations jump from around 1% in January to over 10% in September. For a fuller timeline, is November a good time to visit Thailand breaks it down by month.
Safety Alert: Tap your phone to the MEA India travel advisory page before booking. Ferry incidents have happened in past seasons and the operator fleet has tightened safety rules since.
The Thailand Islands Ferry Map
A working transit map by Thailand ferry operator is on 12go’s Thailand ferry map. It covers all five operators, the four corridors, real-time departure piers, and current ticket prices.
You can use the map the same way locals book ferries. Set origin (Bangkok, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Phuket, or Ao Nang) and any of the Gulf or Andaman destinations. It shows the next 3-5 ferries per route, costs in Thai baht, and the operator before you book. Tickets are e-tickets, with QR codes scanned at the pier gate.
Getting Connected (SIM / eSIM)
Ferries cross mobile coverage gaps on long routes. On the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan leg, you’re usually offline for 45 minutes. AIS and TrueMove tourist SIMs work on the boats for the Gulf crossing but not the Andaman ferries, so the eSIM option with coverage for both is the safer play.
For the 12go checkout flow you need data. Get Nomad eSIM gives you data from landing without needing a Thai SIM swap. AIS tourist SIMs at Phuket and Surat Thani airports run ₹855 (~299 THB or ~$8.87) for 8 days, with the local 7-Eleven option same SKU at ₹798 (~279 THB or ~$8.28).
Subodh’s Take
Boat rides hit seasickness, weather delays, and last-minute pier changes hardest on unprepared travellers. Book from Surat Thani or Chumphon via Lomprayah for the Gulf crossing. Book from Phuket via Ao Nang Express or Blue Star on the Andaman side. Avoid the slow ferries if you’re pressed for time: in low season the catamaran outruns the wave pattern. Otherwise Raja Ferry is fine and cheaper.
FAQ
How much does the Thailand ferry cost from Bangkok to Koh Samui? The full Bangkok to Koh Samui combo runs ₹4,288-₹5,146 (~1,500-1,800 THB or ~$44.51-$53.42) with sleeper train and Lomprayah fast ferry included. The ferry leg alone from Surat Thani is ₹1,715 (~600 THB or ~$17.81).
What is the fastest Thailand ferry? Lomprayah catamarans are the fastest passenger option. Chumphon to Koh Tao is 1 hour 30 minutes direct. The slowest government boat is the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan Raja Ferry at 5 hours 30 minutes.
Do I need to book the Thailand ferry in advance? Off-peak, same-day booking is fine. During full moon weeks (Haad Rin pier, Koh Phangan) and the December peak season, book 3-5 days ahead to lock in the cheaper catamaran slots.
Is there a single map of all Thailand ferry routes? Yes, 12go’s Thailand ferry map covers all five operators with current prices and pier locations.
Which Thailand ferry is the cheapest? Raja Ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan at ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) with bus transfer is the cheapest in the network. Slower but reliable outside monsoon months.
Can I bring luggage on Thailand ferries? Yes, foot-passenger luggage cap is 20 kg. Most operators allow a backpack plus one large bag. Heavier bags go to cargo at ₹143 (~50 THB or ~$1.48) per kg. Check your specific operator’s policy before the trip.
What happens if my Thailand ferry gets cancelled due to weather? Operators rebook you on the next sailing at no cost during wind-closure cancellations. Some routes have a same-day-rebooking policy and some rebook only the next morning. Full refunds happen for major storm cancellations, but the staff typically offer a rebooking option first. Carry at least ₹4,288 (~1,500 THB or ~$44.51) for unexpected overnight stays.
