Krabi to Koh Samui: Two Van-and-Boat Transfers Compared
5 min read
The short answer. Krabi is on the Andaman Sea and Koh Samui is in the Gulf of Thailand, and both transfers on offer combine a road leg with a boat leg. The listing we would book first is the combined transfer by minivan or bus and speedboat or catamaran: €46.98, 4.2 stars from 155 reviews, three departures a day and hotel pick-up in Ao Nam Mao and Krabi Town. The other option is the Seatran Discovery ferry and van ticket at €21.65, which combines the same modes of transport but lists a longer duration. Both starting prices are per person.
How the journey works
Both are two-part trips. Seatran describes it as a ferry ride of about 1.5 hours across the Gulf of Thailand and a van transfer of around 3 hours by road, and says that combination is the most convenient and popular way between the two places. The other listing starts with an air-conditioned minivan or coach to the pier at Surat Thani, then a speedboat or high-speed catamaran to Samui.
Add the check-in time, a wait at the pier and the transfer at the other end, and the travel day gets long. The Seatran listing gives the total as 5 to 8.5 hours. The other listing gives 4 hours. We cannot tell you which figure is closer on your date, so base your plans on the arrival time in your confirmation and not on the duration printed above it.
The two side by side
| Tour | Duration | From | Rating | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krabi to Koh Samui by combined transfer | 4 hours | €46.98 | 4.2 (155 reviews) | Fixed departures, pick-up in Krabi Town and Ao Nam Mao |
| Ferry transfer to or from Koh Samui | 5 - 8.5 hours | €21.65 | 4.2 (105 reviews) | Van and ferry with a cabin-size suitcase |
The combined transfer
The listing offers three departures. At 8:00 am, a bus and catamaran go to Nathon Pier, with pickup about 7:00 am–7:30 am. At 9:30 am, a minivan and speedboat go to Mae Nam Pier, with pickup about 8:30 am–9:00 am. At 11:30 am, a bus and catamaran go to Nathon Pier, with pickup about 10:00 am–11:00 am. Confirm the timetable for your travel date.
Check three things before you book, because the listing is specific about them:
- Pick-up. It covers Ao Nam Mao and Krabi Town. In Ao Nang it only reaches as far as the 23 Roasters Cafe area, and there is no pick-up from Klong Muang or Tubkaek.
- Luggage. The allowance is 20 kg per person; above that weight limit, the operator charges 200 THB for each additional piece.
- Children. The child fare is for ages 2 to 11.
There is a toilet on board, and basic travel insurance is included. The departures arrive at different piers, so choose by where on Samui you are staying and not only by the time.
See availability and prices for the Krabi to Koh Samui combined transfer
The Seatran ticket
This is a ferry ticket and a van ticket combined, with travel insurance. Check in at least 30 minutes before departure. The luggage rule is tighter: one suitcase and one hand-carry per person, with a maximum suitcase size of 22 inches (40 × 23 × 55 cm), and if you bring more, you have to buy more tickets. Pets are not allowed in the vehicle. Pickup and the meeting point depend on the selected option; confirm both the origin and destination, as the ticket is sold in either direction.
Check the Seatran ferry and van ticket to Koh Samui
What both have in common
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and the option to reserve now and pay later. If the operator has to cancel, the combined-transfer listing promises another date, an alternative tour or a full refund.
Who should think twice
Anyone who hates long transfers. This is a day of travel, not a ferry ride, and you spend more of it in a vehicle than on a boat. If you are staying a few nights on Koh Samui, that is a small price. If you have only a couple of days, work out whether the island is worth one of them.
Our pick
Book the combined transfer if you value a choice of three departures and a hotel pick-up in Krabi Town or Ao Nam Mao. Book the Seatran ticket if the price matters more than the clock and you can manage with one suitcase. The other day trips by sea are on the island tours page.
