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Koh Samui / Phangan Ferry Comparison
Three operators serve the Surat Thani → Koh Samui route and they are not interchangeable. Lomprayah catamaran is the fastest and most reliable, but its pier is 60 km east of Surat Thani city. Seatran and Raja are slower but more convenient. Monsoon season (Nov–Dec) regularly cancels catamaran service.
Pick route
What this solves
Three real ferry-booking problems:
- I land at Surat Thani at 3 pm in November — will the catamaran even sail or should I take the slow ferry?
- Koh Tao-bound diver: is the Seatran Discovery 2 hours slower but more reliable than Lomprayah's high-speed in chop?
- Booking a return for the day after a full moon — full moon crowds, monsoon seas, will my operator run on time?
How to read
- Cancellation risk: based on operator-specific historical data. Lomprayah's catamaran cancels in seas > 2 m; Seatran's larger ferries tolerate up to 3 m.
- Time includes the bus from Surat Thani train station to the pier (45–90 min depending on operator).
- Luggage penalty is realistic: catamaran boarding is fast with 1 bag; large ferries tolerate more.
Limitations
- Schedules change monthly; verify on the operator website 1–2 weeks before.
- Combined bus+ferry tickets (Raja) bundle to specific hotels — confirm your hotel is included.
- Big swell from typhoons passing south can cancel ferries even when local weather looks fine.
- For Koh Lanta / Koh Phi Phi use different operators (see future tool).
FAQ
How often do ferries get cancelled?
Lomprayah catamaran: ~3 days/month Nov–Dec, ~1 day/month Jan–Mar. Seatran: rare. Raja: very rare (large ship).
Is the night ferry worth it?
Only if you want to save a hotel night. It's slow (8 hr), bumpy, and arrives at 5 am. Better to take the morning catamaran and pay 1 extra night.
Book online in advance?
Yes, especially full moon dates and Songkran week. 12Go, Bookaway, and the operator websites sell same fare; 12Go charges ~5% fee.