How to Get from Ao Nang to Koh Samui
You just finished your adventures in Ao Nang, and you’re trying to figure out how to get from Ao Nang to Koh Samui? You’ve come to the right place!
This complete transportation guide will tell you how to travel from Ao Nang to Koh Samui.
Also, for those staying in Railay Beach and looking to go to Koh Samui, I’ll cover how to get to Koh Samui from there!
The first option includes a minivan bus taxi to Donsak Pier and then a ferry to Koh Samui.
The second option includes a taxi/airport shuttle to Krabi Airport and then a flight to Samui International Airport.
Ao Nang to Koh Samui by Van and Ferry
This is the cheapest and most popular way to get to Koh Samui from Ao Nang.
You will be given a meetup point from where the minibus van taxi will depart. There you will board a minibus that fits around 12 people. The total trip time is approximately 6.5 hours from Ao Nang to Koh Samui.
The drive from Ao Nang to the ferry pier is around 4.5 hours. Sit back, relax, and look out your window; the landscape is beautiful on the way to Donsak Pier/Raja Pier from Ao Nang!
Once you arrive at Donsak Pier/Raja Pier, you will board a ferry for 2 hours from the pier to Koh Samui. The total distance of the trip is 172 km. Both tickets included in the purchase price will cost you $16 US.
Book MiniBus Van/Ferry Tickets Here
Ticket price includes both minibus ride and ferry ticket. Don’t worry about the transfer from your minibus van ride to the ferry; your driver will give you your ferry ticket and instruct you which ferry to walk over too!
There are different types of ferries. You may take one that is modern or a cargo ferry. Regardless, there’s AC so you can stay cool, the ferries are comfortable, and a small snack shop is inside.
Ao Nang to Koh Samui by Taxi + Flight
The fastest way to get to Koh Samui from Ao Nang is by taxi and flying from Krabi Airport to Samui International Airport.
While this method is faster than the first, it’s also significantly more expensive than the first option.
First, you must get to Krabi International Airport from Ao Nang. There are a few transportation methods you can use to do so.
The total cost for taxi + flight will cost you around $75 -$100 US.
The fastest and easiest way to get to Krabi Airport from Ao Nang is by taxi; it will take 35 minutes and should cost you 600 Baht/$18 US. You may be offered higher, negotiate your way to 600, or close to it!
Private Airport Transfer is the best way to get to Krabi Airport from Ao Nang; it will take 35 minutes and cost you $15+ US+, depending on your vehicle choice. Knowing you have a private driver waiting for you gives you ease of mind!
Airport shuttles tend to operate from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang and vice versa. But they take a long time because of all the different pickup spots the van will make before going to the airport.
I wouldn’t recommend you take an airport shuttle to Krabi Airport; it’s better to have direct transportation when catching a flight. The shuttle costs $5 US per person, so private transportation is slightly more!
Once you’ve arrived at Krabi International Airport (KBV), you will fly from there to Samui International Airport (USM). Flight time from Krabi to Koh Samui is only 50 minutes.
Depending on the time of year, flights may cost less or more; expect to pay around $60-$95 US for your flight from Krabi to Koh Samui. Use SkyScanner to get the cheapest domestic flight price!
Bangkok Airways is the only company operating between Krabi and Koh Samui.
Can you fly direct from Krabi to Koh Samui?
You can fly directly from Krabi International Airport to Koh Samui International Airport. The flight time is only 50 minutes, and it’s a convenient and fastest way to get to Koh Samui from Krabi.
You can use any of these transportation methods above to get from Koh Samui to Ao Nang if you choose!
Railay Beach to Koh Samui
There are three different ways to get from Railay Beach to Koh Samui.
The cheapest and most popular way is by taking this longtail boat taxi from Floating Pier East Railay to Ao Nam Mao Pier and then taking a Minibus van taxi/ferry to Koh Samui.
Another option similar to the first is taking a longtail boat taxi from Railay West Beach to Ao Nang Beach and then taking a Minibus van taxi/ferry to Koh Samui from Ao Nang.
The fastest way from Railay to Koh Samui is by taking this longtail boat taxi from Floating Pier East Railay to Ao Nam Mao Pier and then taking a private transfer from Ao Nam Pier to Krabi Airport.
Then from there, fly from Krabi International Airport to Koh Samui International. Use SkyScanner to get the cheapest domestic flight price!
All prices and travel times for Railay Beach to Koh Samui are the same as those suggested above for Ao Nang to Koh Samui.
Ao Nang to Koh Samui FAQS
By land, the travel time from Krabi to Koh Samui is around 5-6 hours by car and boat. If you fly, it’s 50 minutes from Krabi to Koh Samui.
By land, the travel time totals around 6 hours with a distance of 488 km, and by flight, the travel time totals 2 hours.
The ferry ride from Donsak Pier/Raja Pier to Koh Samui is slightly over 2 hours long.
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