Complete guide to bus travel from Phuket to Surat Thani — schedules, prices, operators and booking tips.
The Phuket to Surat Thani bus connects the Andaman coast with the Gulf of Thailand, opening up access to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Surat Thani is the transport hub for the Gulf of Thailand islands. Travelling from Phuket to Surat Thani is a common route for travellers crossing from the Andaman coast to the Gulf — typically to reach Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.
The journey takes 3.5 to 4 hours by bus or minivan. Many travel agencies in Phuket sell combination tickets that include the bus to Surat Thani, the transfer to Don Sak pier, and the ferry to your chosen island — a much easier option than booking each leg separately.
From Surat Thani, ferries to Koh Samui take about 1.5 hours, to Koh Phangan about 2.5 hours, and to Koh Tao about 5 hours. Lomprayah high-speed catamaran is the fastest option for all three islands.
The following operators run regular services on the Phuket–Surat Thani route:
Compare prices across all operators before booking — fares can vary significantly by class and season.
Departures: Multiple daily 07:00–16:00
From: Phuket Bus Terminal 2
To: Surat Thani Bus Terminal
Schedules may vary by operator and season. Confirm departure times when booking, particularly during Thai public holidays.
✅ Buy a combo Phuket→Surat Thani→Koh Samui ticket for seamless island access.
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.