Koh Samui Pier Guide: Which of the 5 Ferry Piers to Use (2026)

Which Koh Samui Pier Do You Need?

Koh Samui has five working ferry piers, each tied to different routes, and Nathon is the main pier. Nathon on the west coast handles Seatran car ferries and Songserm boats to Donsak. Bang Rak (Big Buddha Pier) and Maenam Pier (Pralarn) run fast boats to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao: Seatran Discovery and Haad Rin Queen from Bang Rak, Lomprayah from Maenam. Lipa Noi is Raja Ferry’s car-ferry terminal to the mainland. Thong Krut has no scheduled ferry: just longtail boats to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum. For each operator in turn, see Koh Samui ferry companies.

Picking the wrong pier costs time: taxi fares between beaches and piers run 150-550 THB (~4.50-16 USD), and missing a departure often means a 1-3 hour wait. Fares below are cross-checked against operator timetables and 12Go Asia as of Sep 2026: confirm before booking, since schedules shift with the monsoon.

Key takeaways

• Nathon (west coast): the main pier, Seatran Ferry (cars and motorbikes) and Songserm to Donsak, ~1h30 crossing.
• Bang Rak / Big Buddha (northeast): Seatran Discovery and Haad Rin Queen to Koh Phangan, 5 min from the airport.
• Maenam (Pralarn) (north): Lomprayah’s only Samui base, catamarans to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
• Lipa Noi (southwest): Raja Ferry’s car ferry to Donsak, carries cars and motorbikes.
• Thong Krut (south): no scheduled ferry, longtail charters to Koh Tan (Coral Island) and Koh Madsum (Pig Island).

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Koh Samui Pier Comparison Table

Each pier serves a different purpose, so the closest one is not always the right one: check operators and destinations before booking a taxi.

Taxi times and fares from the other main beaches:

Cruise ships also tender passengers to Nathon Pier (see the Koh Samui cruise port guide). Nearby sights while you wait: Nathon town beach and the Nathon Hainan Shrine, Bang Rak Beach and Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha) (hotels and eating near the pier are covered in the Bangrak area guide), Maenam Beach, Lipa Noi Beach, Thong Krut Beach.

Distances are approximate road-taxi estimates via the Route 4169 ring road; actual fares vary with traffic and vehicle type.

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Which Ferry Operator Uses Which Koh Samui Pier?

Operators sell tickets for their own pier only, so a ticket for “Seatran Samui” or “Lomprayah Samui” already fixes the pier. Fares and times vary by source and season: give yourself a range and confirm at the pier.

For Koh Tao, Lomprayah (Maenam) costs about 650-740 THB (~18-21 USD) and Songserm or Seatran about 550-600 THB (~15-17 USD); see Koh Samui to Koh Tao.

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Nathon Pier: Main Mainland Ferry Terminal

Nathon Pier, next to Nathon town on the west coast, is the main pier on Koh Samui and its busiest mainland ferry terminal. Seatran Ferry runs a car-and-passenger service to Donsak Pier (cars about 350-550 THB, motorbikes 120-180 THB), roughly 1h30, several sailings daily between about 06:00 and 18:00. Songserm runs a cheaper, slower boat on the same route; both sell onward bus/van tickets to Surat Thani and Bangkok. The pier doubles as Koh Samui’s administrative center, a short walk from the district office and the Nathon Hainan Shrine.

Facilities: an enclosed waiting hall with ticket counters, ATMs, a 7-Eleven, and food stalls. Parking: free roadside spots and paid lots (~20-50 THB/day) near the gates. Taxis: a rank outside the terminal; fares to the east-coast beaches run 300-550 THB.

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Bang Rak Pier (Big Buddha Pier): Fastest to the Airport and Koh Phangan

Bang Rak Pier, known as Big Buddha Pier for the Wat Phra Yai temple next door, is Koh Samui’s northeast gateway to Koh Phangan. Seatran Discovery runs the main fast-boat service to Thong Sala in roughly 30-45 minutes for 330-355 THB (~9.50-10 USD). Haad Rin Queen is the only boat that lands directly at Haad Rin, skipping the 8 km songthaew ride from Thong Sala; it runs fewer, slower sailings, up to roughly 495 THB (~14 USD). Its biggest advantage is location: about 5 minutes and 3 km from Samui International Airport (USM).

Facilities: a small open-air terminal with separate operator counters, food stalls, and a 7-Eleven across the road. Parking: informal roadside parking, free but limited at peak times. Taxis: wait outside; airport transfers run 100-200 THB, Chaweng runs 150-250 THB.

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Maenam Pier (Pralarn): Lomprayah’s Home Base

Maenam Pier, officially Pralarn Pier, is Lomprayah’s only terminal on Koh Samui. Every high-speed catamaran to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala, ~30 min, 250-400 THB / ~7-11 USD), Koh Tao, and Chumphon on the mainland departs from here, the default choice for island-hopping north. The pier sits inside Maenam village, 5-10 minutes from Bophut and 10-15 minutes from Nathon, and being purpose-built for one operator, it is the most modern of the five piers. With time before a boat, the free Wat Na Phra Lan temple is about a 10-minute walk away.

Facilities: an air-conditioned check-in hall, a small cafe, luggage storage, and clean restrooms. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure. Parking: a dedicated free area, larger than at Bang Rak or Nathon. Taxis: a rank at the entrance; fares to Chaweng run 250-350 THB, to Bophut 100-150 THB.

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Lipa Noi Pier: Raja Ferry’s Car Ferry to Donsak

Lipa Noi Pier, on Koh Samui’s southwest coast, is Raja Ferry’s only Samui terminal. Raja and Seatran (from Nathon) both carry vehicles to Donsak. The car-and-passenger ferry to Donsak Pier departs roughly hourly between about 05:00 and 19:00, crossing in 1h30-1h41. Passenger fares run from about 130-140 THB (~3.50-4 USD); motorbikes cost roughly 120-180 THB and cars about 350-550 THB (~10-16 USD), as of 2026. Unlike Nathon, Lipa Noi has almost no surrounding town: travelers without a vehicle usually find Nathon more convenient. Lipa Noi Beach, popular with sunset watchers, runs along the coast next to the pier. Donsak is also the gateway for the mainland trip to Cheow Lan Lake: see Koh Samui to Khao Sok National Park for the minivan times and prices onward.

Facilities: basic, a covered walkway over the water, a single ticket office, and a couple of drink stalls, no large waiting hall. Parking: an open gravel area handles drop-off and the vehicle queue; arrive at least 30 minutes early in the December-January peak. Taxis: available but less frequent than at Nathon, book ahead.

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Thong Krut Pier: Longtail Boats to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum

Thong Krut Pier, at the fishing village of the same name on Koh Samui’s south coast, has no scheduled ferry operator. Independent longtail boat owners run charters to Koh Tan (Coral Island, good for snorkeling) and Koh Madsum (“Pig Island,” known for pigs that swim out to greet boats). Private half-day trips start around 3,000-3,200 THB (~86-91 USD) per boat (4-6 people), rising to 5,000-6,000 THB (~143-171 USD) for three islands. It is 15-20 minutes south of Lamai (closest for southeast-coast visitors) but 35-40 minutes from Bophut or Maenam.

For what each island offers and how the options compare, see the island hopping guide.

Facilities: no ticket counters, boat owners work directly from the pier, so prices are negotiable outside peak season. Seafood restaurants line the road. Parking: a small gravel area, free and rarely full. Taxis: limited; most arrive by pre-booked transfer or scooter.

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Which Pier Should You Use?

The right pier depends on where you are going, not your hotel’s distance to it. Thong Sala: Bang Rak (Seatran Discovery) or Maenam (Lomprayah). Haad Rin directly: only Bang Rak, via Haad Rin Queen. Mainland, no vehicle: Nathon, most sailings and bus connections. Mainland with a car or scooter: Lipa Noi (Raja Ferry) or Nathon (Seatran Ferry). Koh Tan or Koh Madsum: only Thong Krut, negotiate dockside.

If two piers work for your route, pick the closer one: the time saved often exceeds any difference in ferry price. See the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry guide for a full price and schedule comparison, and How to Get to Koh Samui for the mainland routes into Nathon and Lipa Noi.

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FAQ

Which pier do I use for Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?

Bang Rak Pier (Seatran Discovery, ~30-45 min) and Maenam Pier (Lomprayah, ~30 min) are fastest to Thong Sala, Koh Phangan’s main pier. For Haad Rin directly, Bang Rak’s Haad Rin Queen boat is the only service: every other operator lands at Thong Sala, an 8 km songthaew ride away.

What is the main pier in Koh Samui?

Nathon Pier on the west coast is the main pier: it has Seatran Ferry and Songserm crossings to Donsak (about 1h30), plus bus connections to Surat Thani and Bangkok. Lipa Noi (Raja Ferry) also crosses to Donsak, while Bang Rak and Maenam are the fast-boat piers for Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Which ferry is best from Koh Samui to Surat Thani?

Use Nathon (Seatran Ferry or Songserm) or Lipa Noi (Raja Ferry) for the Donsak crossing, about 1h30, then a minivan or bus on. Choose Lipa Noi if you live in the south or west, Nathon otherwise. Full options are in the Surat Thani to Koh Samui guide.

Can I take a car ferry from Koh Samui?

Yes, from two piers. Raja Ferry at Lipa Noi crosses to Donsak roughly hourly between about 05:00 and 19:00, and Seatran Ferry does the same from Nathon. Expect about 350-550 THB for a car and 120-180 THB for a motorbike (2026 listings).

How do I get to Koh Tan or Koh Madsum from Koh Samui?

Thong Krut Pier, on the south coast near Lamai, is the departure point for longtail boats to Koh Tan (Coral Island) and Koh Madsum (Pig Island). There is no scheduled ferry; independent owners run private charters from around 3,000-3,200 THB (~86-91 USD) per boat, negotiated at the pier.

Which pier is closest to Samui Airport?

Bang Rak Pier (Big Buddha Pier) is closest, about 5 minutes and 3 km from Samui International Airport, the practical choice for anyone flying in and heading straight to Koh Phangan.