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?
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
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.
Need help organising your trips in Thailand?
Between ferries, trains, internal flights, vans, and transfers between islands, organising an itinerary in Thailand can quickly become complicated. If you have questions about the best routes, journey times, or regions to combine, you can also consult our page Contact to get advice tailored to your trip.
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.
