Surat Thani Airport to Koh Samui Island Information

Surat Thani International Airport arrivals from Don Muang International Airport Bangkok to Koh Samui Island, cause some confusion for lots of new visitors.

Please read through my blog to help you understand fully the process, and how to ensure that you choose the correct booking via Air Asia online booking system from Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok to Surat Thani Airport to Koh Samui Island.

Booking Online with Air Asia Airlines

When choosing your destinations on the Air Asia Airlines booking system do not choose the arrival destination as Surat Thani Airport you must choose Koh Samui Island. This can be found further down on the right-hand side.

If you do not choose Koh Samui as the destination the joint ticket option is not included. Therefore once you arrive at Surat Thani International Airport, you must purchase a ticket for the Bus/Ferry joint combo ticket to Lipa Noi Pier Raja Ferry, Seatran Ferry or Lompraya Ferry.

If you have chosen the destination as Koh Samui the Bus/Ferry Seatran joint combo ticket applies. Air Asia has also included Nakon Sii Thammaret Airport on the booking platform, but do not worry if this is booked the process is the same bus/ferry transfer included.

Above You see the arrivals – from domestic- or international flights.

Surat Thani International Airport to Koh Samui Island, via Donsak Pier Raja Ferry

If you have booked already the bus/joint ticket – Once exiting the baggage re-claim head to exit 2 where you will be guided to the correct bus waiting outside.

If you have not booked already the bus/joint ticket. Once exiting the Baggage Re-claim wait straight ahead to the far end of the airport. The ticket booths are displayed for Seatran Ferry, Lompraya Ferry, and Raja Ferry. Phantip Transport Company also has a booth, they offer transfers for Seatran Ferry.

Once the joint ticket bus/ferry has been purchased make the way to Exit 2 where the buses are waiting. You show the staff outside the sticker given which represents the Ferry Company.

The bus journey to Donsak Pier is approx 1.5 hours. Once you arrive at Donsak Pier the waiting staff will hand you the ferry ticket and guide you in the correct direction for the ferry. Once arriving at Nathon Pier Koh Samui taxis are available for transfers to the hotel ( this is not included in the joint ticket)

If the Raja Ferry ticket is purchased the ferry will arrive at  Lipa Noi Pier Koh Samui. 

The ferry ride to Lipa Noi Pier Koh Samui is 1.5 hours.

Once you arrive at Lipa Noi Pier, exit the ferry and walk down the sheltered walkway. At the end, the drivers, and the taxi will be waiting. A hotel transfer from Lipa Noi Pier is not included on the Air Asia Joint Ticket.
If Lomprayah Ferry is purchased, the ferry will arrive at Donsak Pier. The ferry ride is 45 minutes.
For those arriving in Thailand for the first time please follow our Thailand Travel Tips by Samui Explorer: Thailand Travel Tips by Samui Explorer

Exit 2 Buses await

See the images below, the different styles of buses. The bus style is dependent on the ferry ticket purchased.

Internet – WiFi

Wifi is available in arrivals, connection is straightforward.

Drinks and Snacks

Surat Thani International Airport arrivals is a small area but offers plenty of coffee shops, and vending machines to purchase drinks and snacks.

Getting Cash

There is no currency booth to exchange money however there are two cash point machines to withdraw money.

Car hire / rental

Next to the ticket booths are global car hire companies, such as Sixt, Avis and Hertz.

Private Taxis

Next to the ticket booths is a Private Taxi stand offering transfers to various areas around Southern Thailand.