Car ferry to Samui

[samran]

Just wondering from which pier in Surat Thani does the car ferry depart from? Also any recommended accommodation nearby?

[Gulfsailor]

From Donsak. Seatran and Raja are very close to one another.

Should you miss the last ferry (or if it's full) then I can recommend a cute little hotel on the beach very close by. From the ferry get onto the highway towards Donsak, just past the gasoline station on the right take the first road right. When you hit the beach, turn right again. Then on your tight hand side. Newly opened with big pool and affordable rooms. Staff doesn't speak a word of English though. (At least not when I was there about a month ago)

[samuijimmy]

Just follow the signs out of Surrathannii city to Donsak.... as Gulfsailor says the two terminals are very close together.... (one kilometer or so)

Look up times here... http://www.seatranferry.com/en/

Schedules are about the same for both ferries .... Raja ferry, takes you to Lipa Noi, south of Nathon...about 5 kms...

[samran]

Thanks guys. Raja sounds like the one we need. Staying near lips noi I think.

Any tricks to getting the ferry without too much of a wait?

[Tropicalevo]

Thanks guys. Raja sounds like the one we need. Staying near lips noi I think.

Any tricks to getting the ferry without too much of a wait?

You used to be able to book a ferry at a time to suit you. I do not know if you can still do that though. Try calling the ferry company?

[islandguy]

If you take the Raja ferry buy a round trip ticket. This ( used to) gives you a priority on your return leg. Confirmed reservations are with Seatrans and you need to obtain a card, not a quick process.

[gusG]

Try this link.

http://www.rajaferryport.com/

[Birdman]

Seatran can be booked with BoA ATMs all over the country.

[oldsailor35]

I use the Seatrans ferry quite often but aways book as i have been caught a couple of times in the past with anything up to three hours waiting.

You can be lucky and arrive at a quiet time but last week i arrived to find the whole park full of waiting cars, lucky i was booked on.

[Birdman]

However, it can be difficult, if inexperienced, to estimate the right ferry, if you drive from Bangkok, or even further, Chantaburi or from Yala

[samran]

Thanks all. Planning on driving down to surat the night before from Bangkok, overnighting and then catching one of the early morning ferries. Booking seems to be the way to go!

Thanks all for your tips.

[notmyself]

Thanks all. Planning on driving down to surat the night before from Bangkok, overnighting and then catching one of the early morning ferries. Booking seems to be the way to go!

Thanks all for your tips.

Sounds like a good plan.

Boats around midday seem quietest.

Hope you have a good time on Samui and if you do, don't tell anyone.

[samran]

Thanks all. Planning on driving down to surat the night before from Bangkok, overnighting and then catching one of the early morning ferries. Booking seems to be the way to go!

Thanks all for your tips.

Sounds like a good plan.

Boats around midday seem quietest.

Hope you have a good time on Samui and if you do, don't tell anyone.

Will do! Booked a house for 11 people. Should be good.

[Tropicalevo]

Thanks all. Planning on driving down to surat the night before from Bangkok, overnighting and then catching one of the early morning ferries. Booking seems to be the way to go!

Thanks all for your tips.

Sounds like a good plan.

Boats around midday seem quietest.

Hope you have a good time on Samui and if you do, don't tell anyone.

Will do! Booked a house for 11 people. Should be good.

Crikey. I am dead impressed.

I do not know 10 people that I would want to go on holiday and share a house with.

(Unless you are staying somewhere else???? )

[samran]

Thanks all. Planning on driving down to surat the night before from Bangkok, overnighting and then catching one of the early morning ferries. Booking seems to be the way to go!

Thanks all for your tips.

Sounds like a good plan.

Boats around midday seem quietest.

Hope you have a good time on Samui and if you do, don't tell anyone.

Will do! Booked a house for 11 people. Should be good.

Crikey. I am dead impressed.

I do not know 10 people that I would want to go on holiday and share a house with.

(Unless you are staying somewhere else???? )

I'm quite surprised too!