Islands, piers and our price to the pier
| Island | Pier | Crossing | Car to the pier from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Samui | Don Sak (Surat Thani) | Car ferry about 1–1.5 h | ฿4,400 |
| Koh Phangan | Don Sak or Chumphon | Ferry about 2–2.5 h from Don Sak | ฿4,400 |
| Koh Tao | Chumphon | Catamaran about 1.5–2 h | ฿3,000 |
| Koh Samet | Ban Phe (Rayong) | Speedboat or ferry about 30–45 min | ฿3,200 |
| Koh Chang | Laem Ngop (Trat) | Car ferry about 30–45 min | ฿5,100 |
| Koh Lanta | Hua Hin–Krabi road, car ferry + bridge | Short car ferry, then bridge | ฿5,700 |
| Phi Phi (via Krabi) | Krabi town piers | Ferry about 1.5–2 h | ฿5,200 |
Ferry operators set their own schedules and fares – check before you travel. Our price is per car, one way.
Gulf islands: Samui, Phangan, Tao
The three Gulf islands are south of Hua Hin on the same coast. Koh Tao is closest: drive about 4 hours to Chumphon and take a high-speed catamaran. Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are reached from Don Sak pier near Surat Thani, about 6–7 hours by car; car ferries operated by companies such as Raja Ferry and Seatran run frequently to Samui. See our guides Hua Hin to Koh Samui and Hua Hin to Koh Tao.
East-coast islands: Samet and Chang
Koh Samet and Koh Chang sit across the Gulf on the eastern seaboard. By road you go round the top of the Gulf via the Bangkok outer ring – about 5–6 hours to Ban Phe pier for Samet, and 7–8 hours to Trat for Koh Chang. Samet suits a short beach break; Koh Chang has bigger jungle and quieter bays. A passenger ferry across the Gulf to Pattaya has run at times – see Pattaya and Hua Hin: ferry vs car.
Andaman islands: Lanta and Phi Phi
The Andaman coast is a long but scenic day's drive across the peninsula. Koh Lanta is reached by car: a short car ferry and a bridge take you straight onto the island, so we can drive to your hotel. For Phi Phi, we take you to Krabi, where ferries leave for Phi Phi; many travellers stay a night in Krabi or Ao Nang first.
Planning tips
- Last ferries leave in the late afternoon; we time your departure from Hua Hin so you make the crossing in daylight.
- Combine routes: Hua Hin → Koh Tao → Koh Phangan → Koh Samui works well using the inter-island ferries.
- From Koh Samui you can fly home or onward from Samui Airport.
- Seasons differ: the Gulf islands are wettest in October–December; the Andaman side in May–October.
In this guide
Guide
Hua Hin to Koh Samui
How to get from Hua Hin to Koh Samui: private car to Don Sak pier and car ferry (about 8–9 hours total), joint bus-boat tickets, or flights. Times, piers, tips.
Guide
Hua Hin to Koh Tao
How to get from Hua Hin to Koh Tao: private car to Chumphon pier in about 4 hours, then a 1.5–2 hour catamaran. Bus-boat and train options, ferry tips.
Guide
Pattaya to Hua Hin: ferry vs car
Pattaya to Hua Hin by ferry or car: the Gulf ferry (when operating) takes about 2–3 hours plus transfers; a private car takes 4–5 hours door to door. Compare.
Questions
What is the closest island to Hua Hin?+
Koh Tao is the closest major island, via Chumphon pier about 4 hours away.
Can I drive from Hua Hin to Koh Samui?+
Yes – we drive you to Don Sak pier and you take the car ferry, or the car itself can board the ferry.
How do I get from Hua Hin to Phi Phi?+
Drive to Krabi (about 650 km) and take a ferry to Phi Phi.
Is there a ferry from Hua Hin to the islands?+
Not directly to the southern islands; you drive to Chumphon or Don Sak and take a ferry from there.
