How to get from Koh Samui to Krabi and back (best ways)

how-to-get-from-koh-samui-to-krabi-and-backMany travelers have the need to get from Koh Samui to Krabi (or do the reverse route), to visit at once two of the resort. This can be explained by the fact that the direct distance between said coconut island and the center of the most beautiful province of the country is only 270 km. In doing so, the resorts of Krabi and the island of Koh Samui located in the waters of the different oceans with are significant differences in the tourist season, local cultural traditions, natural environment and entertainment. This article describes the most convenient and fastest ways to overcome the route Koh Samui – Krabi and how to get from Krabi to Koh Samui.

CONTENTS OF ARTICLE ( you can click on the link for quick transition)

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Flight Koh Samui – Krabi: advantages and disadvantages

At first glance, a ticket on the flight Koh Samui – Krabi or Krabi – Koh Samui is the simplest and most logical option, as in Krabi and Koh Samui, you can find a small, but quite modern own airport with good transport accessibility. Also this option is the most simple due to the fact that in contrast to the Krabi Province, most of resorts of which is still located on the mainland (including the city Krabi town and some of the popular resorts of Krabi province), Koh Samui is still an island, so logical to assume that only allows you to make the necessary flight distance using only one kind of transportation – airplane.

However in real practice, air travel between Koh Samui and Krabi do not enjoy high popularity tourists, no locals. If you will use placed below the search form flight at the best price, you can see for themselves that the cost of airfare Koh Samui – Krabi unreasonably high for such a small distance and is, at best, about $ 100 one way. It should be borne in mind that only one flight is accomplished in a day, and not throughout the year, but only during the high tourist season.

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Therefore, it is possible to encounter a situation where you will be offered a flight with a long transfer in Bangkok (sometimes more than 12 hours), which makes a way to get from Krabi to Koh Samui or back at all meaningless, even if you have budget more big  than average traveler’s budget (option with a change in Bangkok is worth  more than the direct flight is about three times and even more).

In the article “Koh Samui Airport: a detailed review” I wrote that the main reason for the high cost of tickets  – is Bangkok Airways airline a monopoly on flights to Samui airport, which is a privately owned airline. Perhaps the ongoing construction of a new state airport on Samui, sooner or later the situation will improve in this matter, and fly from Krabi to Koh Samui and Koh Samui to Krabi Airport, one day we will not only quickly (less than an hour), but also inexpensive.

Aircraft Bangkok Air - a quick but expensive way to get from Koh Samui to Krabi

Aircraft Bangkok Air – a quick but expensive way to get from Koh Samui to Krabi

From Koh Samui to Krabi and back by intercity bus

Since Koh Samui – is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, the way to get to Krabi necessarily involves the use of big (passenger and cargo) ferry to Koh Samui one of the local ferry companies. This variant of overcoming the distance between Krabi and Koh Samui today is not the most affordable (ticket price 500 baht) and, moreover, can not boast of a record speed. Bus travel between these resorts a little – once or twice a day depending on the time of year.

The advantages for some can be attributed only to the fact that most of the way it will be possible to overcome the big tour bus, where you can recline your seat and take a nap a few hours, and your oversized baggage will be placed not on the lap or in the legs, as it is sometimes necessary to do for travel on thai minibus, but in bulk luggage compartment. A major shortcoming of buses is not too good of their schedule. For example, riding a bus from Krabi Bus Station at 11.30 am on the island of Koh Samui you’ll get only after six hours.

Intercity bus from Koh Samui to Krabi and back

Intercity bus from Koh Samui to Krabi and back

This means that, firstly, almost the entire day of rest will be spent on the road (although if you try it in the morning for a quick swim, you can succeed in Ao Nang), and secondly, to the island of Koh Samui your bus arrives almost to the beginning of twilight. But at this time, all route songthaew on Koh Samui – is no longer a relatively cheap way to travel between the island’s beaches and its administrative center.  After sunset this already not cheap transport, but transport with a contractual price (same expensive taxi). You can find more information in the article “Public transport in Samui: routes and prices”.

Search for a hotel on the island in the dark is also not a pleasant occupation, of course, if you do not take care about it in advance and did not find himself a cool hotel at minimal cost by using below the search form and hotel price comparisons in the same room in different systems booking. The second bus from Krabi to Koh Samui generally uses a night ferry to the island, therefore in the way  to Koh Samui you need to be more than 12 hours. With the latter option, you can save on one night in a hotel, but personally I’d rather sleep on the beach of Koh Samui, than in a chair of night ferry.

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There is also the option of using no direct buses, but bus routes with a transfer, for example, in Surat Thani. In this case, the total price of the route Koh Samui – Krabi will be calculated as the cost of the ferry between Koh Samui and the mainland (150 baht), the cost of transfer from mainland pier to the bus station Surat Thani (70 km, or from 150 to 200 baht), as well as a bus or Mini Bus from Suratthani to Krabi (150-170 baht respectively). Total obtain at least 450 baht, but it is better to calculate the amount of not less than 500 baht. Make this way (or reverse route Krabi – Koh Samui) in general, not too hard, but in a situation where there is a more convenient, described below is an option, I would not :).

Transfer from Koh Samui  to Krabi (or Krabi – Koh Samui) – the best option!

To date, one of the most convenient options that allow fast and high quality service, is accessible from Koh Samui to Krabi in the opposite direction – the use of an organized transfer, which is a trip on a comfortable Mini Bus by land and overcome the offshore section of the way by speedboat or ferry.

When you are on Koh Samui, it is easier and cheaper to contact the office of one of the ferry companies. This is due to the fact that this companies do not only carry out passenger transportation between the mainland, the island of Koh Samui and the other islands in the region, but also organize full transfers from Koh Samui to other resorts, including Phuket, Krabi, on the of Phi Phi  islands and Ko Lanta . The cost of a transfer from ferry companies is often the lowest, but it is not their most important advantage over other companies, which also offers a shuttle service between Koh Samui and Krabi.

Modern transfer bus of Lomprayah company

Modern transfer bus of Lomprayah company

Option to transfer the ferry companies, such as Lomprayah, allows you to quickly get to your destination with a minimum of transport changes. Often it is not just the way to Koh Samui pier to the bus station, but the full path from the door of the hotel in Koh Samui to the door of the hotel in Krabi or Ao Nang. Those. ultimately this is a very convenient and efficient for the money option. The cost of such a full transfer in 2015 is 400-450 thai baht for use on the offshore section of the way conventional ferry and between 550 baht to 600 when using high-speed boats.

In the case of transfer in the reverse direction, i.e. when you need to get from Krabi to Koh Samui, often have to resort to intermediaries and to pay, though quite a bit ($ 2-3). To avoid such overpayment is also possible, but for this you should at least not be afraid to speak English (thai english) on the phone with the ferry companies on Samui, which will need to explain what day you want to make a way, at what time and from which the hotel you will need to pick up.

If you do not want to talk on the phone, you can simply go to any tourist information office in Ao Nang or to the seller excursions on the street. Overpayments will be, as I have already said a little, but it is desirable to specify initially all the conditions and choose the options that transfer will provide again the company Lomprayah or transport company in the region with a good reputation under the name Joint Ticket (transfer of 450 Baht per Mini Bus + ferry or 600 THB + Mini Bus speed boat).

Comfortable speedy catamaran of Lomprayah company

Comfortable speedy catamaran of Lomprayah company

When choosing a trip to Koh Samui or Krabi, always remember that to be ready for the trip you will need about an hour before mentioned in the brochure departure time. This is due to the fact that the local Mini Bus takes some time for a detour hotels and collect all the passengers. As a rule, this will remind you of the time of purchase the transfer. For example, paying shuttle Ao Nang – Koh Samui with departure at 11 am, for you zaedut by 10:30 to take a small private bus station in the area of Krabi Town.

Sometimes on the streets of resorts (as in Koh Samui and Krabi) you can find more attractive offers in terms of cost of transfers between these resorts. You not must think that it is fraudsters. But there are some unpleasant nuances that may be encountered: a long crossing, repeated change of transport in transit and the possibility of landing in the wrong place on arrival, where have to go on an expensive taxi to the hotel. If you are not too scary, you can save money and take the risk, but it is advisable to look for a pre least some information about the carrier in internet.

I personally have had the experience. when I wanted to get from Koh Samui to Krabi and used the services of local companies the transfer. As a result, I was taken to the bus station Krabi only late in the evening. After 8 hours on the road. In a way it was a lot of transplants, about an hour I spent at the bus station in Surat Thani and about 5 kilometers, I was forced to go to an open pick-up truck on the floor, along with backpacks and other travelers. The bus was old and broke down several times on the road. On the other hand, it was fun and unusual! 🙂

Taxi transfer Krabi – Koh Samui and back

Another option, which allows you to quickly get from Krabi to Koh Samui or to make the return journey – the use of a taxi transfer from the Kiwitaxi. Of course, this option is not the cheapest, but in some situations it is ideal for travelers. The fare on the modern car taxi between the resorts can be found at the link above. It is important to understand that unlike the flight ticket, several people (four or more) can be accommodated in the vehicle. This means that the price for each transfer of the passengers will be very attractive.

And if you add the travel speed, comfort, the ability to choose the car class, install child seats, card payment, etc., the option at all remarkable. If you want to get from Krabi to Koh Samui, I advise you to book a taxi transfer from Krabi only to the Donsak pier. Because makes no sense to overpay for the car will go to the island with you, and then will come back (at your expense).I wish you a quick and comfortable travel from Koh Samui to Krabi, and no less pleasant transfers, allowing quick and inexpensive to get from Krabi to Koh Samui!

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Jassie
Jassie
4 years ago

Thanks for the idea! What do you think, if I have 2 weeks in Thailand, I need to visit both islands or better to be in Phuket more (I have a flight to Phuket). Thanks!

Jassie
Jassie
4 years ago
Reply to  ThaiRest

Ok, I will try 🙂

Poul
Poul
4 years ago

It is was really a good idea to spend our vacation right away in 2 oceans! Thanks for the idea and information about transport between Koh Samui and Phuket.

Patty
Patty
4 years ago

Thanks for information! Really, I like Thailand because way from Koh Samui to Krabi or Phuket always easy