Complete guide to bus travel from Krabi to Surat Thani — schedules, prices, operators and booking tips.
Surat Thani is the main transport hub for the Gulf of Thailand islands. The Krabi to Surat Thani bus is the first leg for travellers heading to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.
Surat Thani serves as the gateway to Thailand's most popular Gulf coast islands — Koh Samui, Koh Phangan (home of the Full Moon Party) and Koh Tao (world-class diving). Most travellers pass through Surat Thani rather than staying there, but the city itself has a busy riverside market and excellent local food.
The journey from Krabi to Surat Thani takes 2 to 3 hours by bus or minivan. Most travellers find it convenient to book a combination ticket that includes the bus from Krabi, transport to the pier in Surat Thani, and the ferry to their island destination. These combo tickets are widely available from travel agencies in Krabi Town.
From Surat Thani, ferries depart from Don Sak Pier (about 60 km from the city centre — buses connect the terminal to the pier). Lomprayah high-speed catamaran is the fastest option to the islands, while Raja Ferry is the cheapest (slower car ferry).
Total journey times from Krabi: Koh Samui approximately 5–6 hours; Koh Phangan approximately 6–7 hours; Koh Tao approximately 8–9 hours.
The following operators run regular services on the Krabi–Surat Thani route:
Compare prices across all operators before booking — fares can vary significantly by class and season.
Departures: 06:00–18:00, multiple departures
From: Krabi Town Bus Station
To: Surat Thani Bus Terminal
Schedules may vary by operator and season. Confirm departure times when booking, particularly during Thai public holidays.
✅ Buy a combination bus+ferry ticket from Krabi directly to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan — much easier than booking separately.
Secure booking · Instant e-ticket
Book 1–2 days ahead on weekdays. During Songkran (April), New Year and long weekends, book at least one week in advance — buses sell out fast on popular routes.