🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Donsak is a coastal district on the eastern side of Surat Thani, right on the Gulf of Thailand, and it's the biggest crossing point on the southern Gulf coast. Most people passing through Donsak are on their way to or back from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The thing that trips people up most is that Donsak doesn't have just one pier — there are several, run by different companies, and they're a fair distance apart. Whichever company you booked with, that's the pier you need to go to.
How many piers does Donsak have, and whose are they?
The key thing to understand before you book is that Donsak has two main piers in different spots. Both are within Donsak district, but they're several kilometres apart by road. Don't show up at the wrong one — the boats won't wait.
Raja Ferry Port
Raja Ferry's pier runs car ferries that land at Lipa Noi on the west side of Koh Samui, and also serve Thong Sala on Koh Phangan. Best if you're driving your own vehicle across.
Seatran Ferry Pier
Seatran's pier also runs car ferries, landing at Nathon in the centre of Samui's west coast, close to Samui town, and continuing on to Thong Sala on Koh Phangan.
Besides these two, there's also Lomprayah, which runs fast catamarans, and Seahorse / Songserm, which at certain times depart from Donsak or nearby. These speedboats are much faster than the ferries but cost more and can't carry vehicles. If you book through an app or a ticketing site, the system will state your departure pier on the ticket — check the name matches before you set off from town.
Don't go to the wrong pier
The Raja pier and the Seatran pier are separate places, several kilometres apart. If you come by minivan or taxi, tell the driver clearly whether you want "Raja Ferry Port" or "Seatran pier" — not just a vague "Donsak pier".
Want more out of Surat Thani? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Ferry vs speedboat — which should you take?
The two are clearly different. Choose based on whether you care more about time, money, or needing to bring a vehicle.
- Car ferry (Raja / Seatran) — big vessels, comfortable seating, and they take cars and motorbikes across. Cheaper but slower: Donsak–Samui is about an hour and a half, Donsak–Phangan about 2 to 2.5 hours. Good if you're driving over, hauling a lot of luggage, or simply not in a rush.
- Fast catamaran (Lomprayah) — much faster: Donsak–Samui in about 45 minutes to an hour, Donsak–Phangan in roughly 1.5 to 1 hour 45. But it's pricier, can't carry vehicles, and on rough days it can feel bumpier than the big ferries.
- If you're driving your own car — you must use a car ferry (Raja or Seatran). Book a vehicle slot ahead during high season and long weekends, or your car misses that crossing.
- If you've got no car and want to arrive fast — the Lomprayah speedboat is worth it for the time saved, especially if you're continuing to Phangan.
Rough schedule + approximate fares
The list below gives you a feel for how often each operator runs. Fares and times shift with the season and fuel prices, so before you actually travel, double-check the company's website or a booking app — especially the early-morning and late-afternoon runs, which tend to change most often.
Donsak → Koh Samui (car ferry, Raja/Seatran)
Departs roughly every hour from around 5am through the evening. Big, comfortable vessels that take vehicles. Raja lands at Lipa Noi, Seatran at Nathon.
Donsak → Koh Samui (Lomprayah speedboat)
Fast catamaran, good for people in a hurry with no car. Only a few runs a day, so book ahead.
Donsak → Koh Phangan (car ferry, Raja/Seatran)
Ferry to Thong Sala pier, some runs stopping at Samui first. Several departures a day — morning, late morning, midday. Good if you're bringing a vehicle or lots of luggage.
Donsak → Koh Phangan (Lomprayah speedboat)
Much faster than the ferry, ideal if you want to reach Phangan quickly without a vehicle. Few runs, so book ahead.
Donsak → Koh Tao (connecting speedboat)
Koh Tao is the furthest out. Most people connect via the Lomprayah speedboat or route through Samui/Phangan. It takes longer and the seas are rougher, so check the schedule carefully — not every day or every run is available.
Small kids ride free
Almost every operator lets children up to 100 cm tall ride free, but at certain times you may need to get the child's ticket at the pier itself. Allow at least 30–45 minutes to check in before the boat leaves.
How to get to Donsak Pier
Donsak is about 60–70 km from Surat Thani town and around 100 km from Surat Thani Airport — roughly an hour and a half by car. There are several ways to get there.
- Joint ticket (bus + boat) — the easiest option if you don't have a car. Buy a combined ticket from the airport or town all the way to the island in one go, from around ฿500 per trip and up, covering the transfer to the pier plus the boat ticket. The ferry companies have booths at the airport and the train station.
- Public bus / minivan — from Surat Thani town to Donsak pier, from around ฿160 per trip, with several departures a day.
- Train + onward transfer — get off at Surat Thani station (which is in Phunphin district), then take a ferry company's minivan or shuttle to the pier. Some operators have vehicles waiting at the station.
- Drive yourself — there's parking at the pier. You can leave your car on the Donsak side and travel over by boat, or drive straight onto the ferry and cross with it (you'll need to book a vehicle slot).
Leave buffer time on the way back for flights
If you have a flight out of Surat Thani Airport, don't cut it fine. Boats often get delayed by rough seas or by queues for the car ferry. Budget at least 4–5 hours to get from the island back to the airport and you'll be a lot more relaxed.
Where to eat around Donsak before you board
Donsak is a fishing town, so the standouts are fresh seafood and bold southern-Thai local spots. If you arrive before your boat or you're hungry just off the island, this is a good place to stop. The highlight is the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that drivers passing through tend to pull over for.
Pa Thing (Donsak branch)
A southern-Thai and seafood restaurant picked for the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand — the real deal in Donsak. Bold, fully seasoned flavours and fresh seafood, and a fixed stop for drivers passing through. Queues get long at peak times, so allow extra time.
Seafood restaurants by Donsak pier
There are several local seafood spots around the pier — fresh blue crab, prawns, fish and squid at market prices. Good for a big meal before boarding or a celebratory one after coming back from the island.
Southern-Thai curry-and-rice shops in Donsak
Proper southern-style rice plates — gaeng tai pla, yellow curry, khua kling, fresh raw veg on the side. Quick, cheap dishes, ideal for lining your stomach before the boat without losing time.
Coffee shops and cafes near the pier
There are cafes and coffee shops near the pier to sit and wait for the boat — sip a coffee, charge your phone, get out of the sun. Handy if you arrive well before your departure.
Snack and souvenir stalls at the pier
By the pier there are stalls selling fruit, snacks, drinking water and grab-and-go bites for the boat. Stock up on water and a little something to eat onboard, in case it's a long run with nothing for sale on the boat.
Sample itineraries — reach the island without missing the boat
To give you a sense of how to time an island-bound day, here are two versions: one with no car using a joint ticket, and one driving across yourself.
No car · joint ticket from Surat Thani town to Koh Samui
Driving yourself · take the car ferry across to Koh Phangan
Check the seas during monsoon season
The Gulf coast gets heavy monsoon weather late in the year (roughly October–December). On some days the swell is strong enough that speedboats stop running or shift their schedules. If you're travelling then, keep a backup plan and check the company's announcements before leaving your accommodation.
Plan your whole Surat Thani–Samui trip across the province
See the Surat Thani travel guide →