Hua Hin to Koh Samui

About the ride from Hua Hin to Koh Samui

When traveling the 573 kilometer (356 mile) distance between Hua Hin and Koh Samui, you’re only one bus and ferry ride away from the ultimate Thai island experience. Koh Samui attracts many different types of travelers, and no matter what kind of trip you’re looking for, you’ll find something that suits your needs here.

The best way to travel between Hua Hin and Koh Samui is on a bus and ferry combo. The journey is quite long, and you’ll need between 9 and 10 hours to arrive at your destination. However, buses have reclining seats, and you’ll be able to catch a good few hours of sleep during your ride.

After 8 hours on a bus, you’ll arrive in Donsak where you’ll board the ferry to Koh Samui island. The ferry ride is short, and usually lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour. Even though the ride is short, you might still experience some motion sickness during your ride. Once you arrive at the island, the operator will provide a free shuttle to your hotel from the pier.

The best time to visit Koh Samui is between December and February. This is the dry season, but it’s also the most popular time to visit the island, meaning it might be crowded at this time of the year. The Chinese New Year also falls in late January, and the entire island goes all out with the celebration. You can also visit Koh Samui in other months, but you can expect high humidity and higher chances of rainfall.

 

What to see when traveling from Hua Hin to Koh Samui

What you’re able to see during your trip from Hua Hin to Koh Samui depends on what time of the day you’re departing from Hua Hin. If you’re leaving in the evening, you’ll be traveling during the night, and there won’t be much to see until you reach Donsak. However, this is the perfect time to rest a bit, so that you arrive in Koh Samui fresh and energized.

Those who are leaving in the morning will have the opportunity to enjoy neverending views of the lush green forests and the Thai countryside. No matter what your departure time is, both groups will be able to enjoy the ferry ride. Ferries only go during daylight hours, and you’ll be gliding across the beautiful blue seas towards the ultimate Thai island.

As soon as you arrive in Koh Samui, you’ll feel like you stepped straight into paradise! No matter what you’re looking for, a 5-star resort or a cozy backpackers’ hostel, you’ll find it here. In addition to that, you’ll be able to enjoy marvelous white sand beaches, beautiful nature, and the tropical vibes of the island.

Even though the coast is amazing, don’t miss out on other inland attractions. Koh Samui has several amazing waterfalls. The most popular ones are the two Na Muang waterfalls, which you can reach after a short walk from the entrance to the park.

The most popular attraction on the island, the Big Buddha shrine is located on the northern coast. This is a 12-meter golden Buddha monument, visible from kilometers away. Right next to the shrine, you’ll find another interesting Buddhist Temple, Wat Plai Laem, famous for its colorful exterior.

Travelers who like watersports will have many activities to choose from during their stay on the island. There are snorkeling, kayaking, and diving tours available. If you’re looking for something more exotic than this, you can even try flyboarding or some other extreme sport.

 

How to get from Hua Hin to Koh Samui

Taking a bus and ferry 

The most convenient way to travel between Hua Hin and Koh Samui is on a bus and ferry combo. You can choose between traveling during the day, or on an overnight bus. If you choose the first one, you’ll be able to enjoy the views of the lush green countryside. But, if you choose the latter, you might catch a few good hours of sleep and save money on accommodation. The journey usually lasts between 9 and 10 hours, and because of that, there are toilets on board the ferries. 

Both buses and ferries have A/C, and the buses also have WiFi, reclining seats, and meals on board. Both bus and ferry operators on this route provide free shuttles to various Koh Samui hotels from the pier. The bus ride lasts for about 8 to 9 hours, and the ferry ride takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. Even though the ferry ride is short, you might still experience some motion sickness during your trip.