You arrive in Thailand, you want to hop between the islands... and then you realise one thing: between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Krabi or Phuket, you'll have to travel by sea.
And that's where it all begins: ferry, speedboat, timetables, companies, connections…
Good news: it's simple, provided you understand how it works and avoid a few common mistakes.
Why use 12Go for booking your transport in Thailand
Nowadays, booking a ferry or speedboat directly on the spot can quickly become complicated: queues, unclear timetables, or unpleasant surprises.
Use 12Go allows for the complete simplification of organising your journeys.
The advantages of 12Go
- Compare ferry, speed boat, bus, and train easily
- See real-time schedules
- Book in advance without stress
- Access combined tickets (bus + ferry)
- Avoid unpleasant surprises on location
When to use 12Go?
This is particularly useful if:
- You are travelling in high season
- Do you often change islands?
- You want to organise your itinerary in advance
- You want to avoid queues at ports
Important tip
Always check your journeys here:
12Go
This allows you to:
- Compare the options
- to choose the best time/price ratio
- secure your place
Ferry or speedboat: what's the difference?
Before booking, you need to understand the two main options.
Ferry
- Slower
- More stable
- Cheaper
- Ideal if the sea is rough or for luggage.
Perfect for travelling comfortably without stress.
Speedboat
- Faster
- More direct
- More athletic
Ideal if you want to save time… but it might change.
To easily compare options:
👉 12Go
The most used inter-island crossings
Here are the most frequent journeys in Thailand.
Koh Samui – Koh Phangan
- 30 min to 1h
- Very frequent
- Several departures per day
Koh Phangan – Koh Tao
- About 1 hour
- Often combined with Samui
Phuket – Koh Phi Phi
- 1h to 2h
- Very touristy
Krabi – Koh Phi Phi
- 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
Surat Thani – islands (Samui / Phangan / Tao)
- Budget-friendly option via train or bus
- Next ferry
Tip:
Surat Thani is often the best option for saving money.
How to easily book your ferry
Today, everything is done online.
Why:
- quick comparison
- Clear times
- combined tickets (bus + ferry)
- Secure payment
It's the simplest solution when you don't want to waste time on-site.
Estimated travel times
Common mistake: thinking everything is quick.
In reality:
- Boarding: 30 to 60 minutes
- Waiting: possible
- port transfer to hotel
Example:
A “1-hour boat trip” can easily become 3 to 4 hours in total.
Practical advice (what makes all the difference)
- Arrive at the port 30 to 45 minutes beforehand.
- Travel light if possible
- Waterproof bag prediction
- Keep your valuables with you
- Check the weather first
A small important detail:
The ports are not always close to the hotels.
Mistakes to avoid
This is often where travellers waste time or money.
To avoid
- Booking at the last minute during peak season
- Do not check matches
- Choose only the cheapest
- Underestimating the weather
- Take a speedboat if you are prone to seasickness.
Simple advice:
Always favour the most fluid solution, not the cheapest.
Which option to choose according to your profile?
- You want comfort
- You want to go fast → speedboat
- You travel with luggage → ferry
- You're in a hurry
There isn't a right answer, only the one that suits you.
Best time to take the ferry
- Morning: sea calmer
- Afternoon: windier
- Dry season: ideal conditions
Always check first:
Yes, especially during peak season.
Yes, the companies are well organised.
Yes, no problem on the ferry and speed boat.
No, but more agitated.
Ferry for comfort, speed boat for speed.
