About the ride from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui
Traveling from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui can't be done using only one form of transport. As Phi Phi is an island, you're going to need to take a ferry first before opting for a tourist bus or a private car/minivan. A combined ferry & bus ride is the easiest option.
The 237 kilometer (147 mile) distance takes from six to eight hours in total to complete and there are around five scheduled ferry departures throughout the day. Choosing to travel at night is a good idea for saving money on an additional night's accommodation.
The first leg of the ride from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui, on board the high speed passenger ferry, is pretty speedy and usually undertaken in approximately two hours.
Once you reach Krabi pier, on the mainland, you can switch to an air-conditioned tourist bus or a private hire car/minivan, with a driver. Tourist buses are a lot cheaper and as they're usually part of a combined ferry service ticket they're also in sync.
Both buses and hire cars will break up the overland leg of the journey to Koh Samui from Koh Phi Phi with one or two rest stops so travelers and drivers can stretch their legs. This can be a good time to buy provisions and more water for the journey.
Once you arrive at Surat Thani on Thailand's east coast you'll transfer to another ferry to take you across to Bangrak Tourism Port on Koh Samui. The ferry ride from the mainland to Koh Samui usually takes about three hours.
In some instances you can arrange to get picked up by your hotel on arrival in Koh Samui from Koh Phi Phi. This does cost a little bit extra but a few Baht can go a long way, especially if you've just finished an overnight sleeper bus journey.
There are no airports on Koh Phi Phi so you can't fly to Koh Samui. That said, you can take the ferry to Krabi and then fly from there. However, it's an expensive option and won't usually get you from west to east coast any quicker than by car or bus service.
What to see when traveling from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui
During the high speed ferry ride from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui you can expect to see several white fringed islands juxtaposed against the blue hues of the Andaman Sea. Arrive early for a good spot on the sun deck or an air-conditioned window seat below deck.
There is a service that transfers you from Bangrak Tourism Port on Koh Samui to your hotel's front door. This isn't the case on Koh Phi Phi as there aren't any motorized vehicles on the island. Your only option is to walk to Ao Tonsai Pier to catch the ferry.
Make sure to set your alarm to arrive at Ao Tonsai Pier on time for the ferry's departure. Not only will you avoid a mad rush but you'll also be able to enjoy one last sunrise overlooking the Andaman. Always accompanied by a breakfast smoothie, of course.
Once you've reached Klong Jilad Pier on the mainland you'll transfer to a tourist bus or a pre-booked taxi or minivan.
Tourist buses are modern, comfortable and air-conditioned. Grabbing a window seat is your best chance of being able to see anything when traveling overland from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui.
There's usually quite a lot of traffic as you leave the outskirts of Krabi and, again, as you get closer to Surat Thani. The distance overland is roughly 156 kilometers (96 miles) which takes about two hours to drive following Thailand's Highway 44.
What you'll see along the way depends on which time you're traveling. Often southern Thailand's roadside villages are lit up at night with food carts and open kitchens making for quite enjoyable sights to keep an eye out for, if you're not already fast asleep.
If you're traveling in the day you're more likely to see much more of life along the way with one or two villages making interesting window entertainment, alongside the delights of the service stations.
Once you board the ferry at Surat Thani for the final leg of the journey from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui you can compare and contrast the waves and skies on Thailand's east coast with what you've witnessed in the west.
How to get to Koh Samui from Koh Phi Phi
Taking ferry and bus
The high speed bus & ferry run by Lomprayah is the most popular way to travel to Koh Samui from Koh Phi Phi. Ferries are modern and will feature an air-conditioned seating area on the lower deck and seats for sun worshippers, up top.
The distance from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi, on the mainland, is around 49 kilometers (31 miles) and takes approximately two hours by standard ferry. There are also speedboats or long-tail motorized boats that can also get you across to Krabi from Koh Phi Phi, although these aren't part of the tourist bus + ferry combination.
Once you arrive at Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi you'll board a high speed air-conditioned bus bound for Surat Thani on Thailand's east coast. The 156 kilometer (96 mile) journey takes about two hours with a midpoint rest stop for a comfort break.
The Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui ferry and bus combo is the most efficient and most popular way to travel. Seating is comfortable throughout which makes for a relaxing ride; and prices are also very affordable, starting from US$43 for two passengers.
The ferry + bus ride from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui usually takes around eight hours in total and the journey can be made either overnight or during daylight hours.
Taking a private car or minivan
Although you can travel to Koh Samui from Koh Phi Phi by private car, you will need to buy separate ferry tickets first. Remember, there are no motorized vehicles on Koh Phi Phi so the first part of the journey to Ao Tonsai Pier will have to take place on foot.
Hire cars, and drivers, can then be booked to take you from Krabi to Surat Thani from where you'll need another separate ticket for the ferry to Koh Samui.
Minivans, and drivers, can also be hired if you're traveling in a small group or you've picked up some newfound friends along the way. The more people in the minivan, the more affordable the fare.
Taking a private ride gives you the security that your luggage is close at hand and your co-passengers are people that you know. Although more expensive than a bus, private car and minivan rides will get you from west to east coast in under two hours.
Cars and minivans are air-conditioned and can pick you up from Krabi pier at a time that suits you. You can also arrange a return journey, if you're planning on coming back from Koh Samui to Koh Phi Phi. You can usually fit around 3 to 4 people per car and anything from 6 – 12 people in a minivan.