Quick links

• Seatran Ferry operator page
• Seatran vs Raja Ferry
• Lomprayah vs Seatran
• Seatran Discovery guide
• Donsak
• Koh Samui
• Donsak to Koh Samui timetable
• Donsak to Koh Phangan timetable

Seatran Ferry Complete Guide 2026

Seatran Ferry is the Gulf of Thailand car-and-passenger ferry brand that runs the classic mainland crossings from Donsak (Surat Thani) to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Live routes, reviews, and booking sit on the Seatran operator page.

Not the same as Seatran Discovery. Seatran Ferry is the larger mainland ↔ island ferry (often with vehicle space and Na Thon / Donsak Seatran piers). Seatran Discovery is the separate passenger/island-hopping brand (Bangrak, Phangan, Tao). Book the one that matches your pier and itinerary.

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Why Choose Seatran Ferry?

Travellers often pick Seatran Ferry when they want a reliable Donsak crossing without paying high-speed catamaran prices:

• Core Gulf routes: Donsak ↔ Koh Samui and Donsak ↔ Koh Phangan
• Strong review score: Around 4.6 / 5 from 1,000+ traveller reviews
• Good value: Often cheaper than Raja on shared routes (typical tickets land in the mid hundreds of THB)
• Combo tickets: Airport, town, and hotel transfers are frequently sold with the ferry leg
• Organized check-in: Reviews repeatedly call out punctuality and clear pier process

If you are still deciding between the two big car-ferry names, start with Seatran vs Raja Ferry.

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Seatran Ferry Routes & Schedules

Donsak → Koh Samui (Na Thon Seatran Pier)

Detail	Typical info
Journey time	About 1–1.5 hours
Pier pair	Donsak Seatran Pier ↔ Na Thon Seatran Pier
Style	Large ferry / Ro-Ro style service
Best for	Mainland arrivals from Surat Thani airport, train, or bus

This is the flagship Seatran ferry route. It is the usual pick when you land at Surat Thani and need a straightforward boat to Samui’s west coast.

Check live sailings: Donsak to Koh Samui timetable (Seatran).

Donsak → Koh Phangan (Thong Sala)

Detail	Typical info
Journey time	About 2–2.5 hours
Pier pair	Donsak ↔ Thong Sala
Best for	Direct mainland access without changing on Samui

Useful before Full Moon Party weekends or when you want to skip the Samui hop. Live times: Donsak to Koh Phangan timetable (Seatran).

Popular combo / transfer tickets

Seatran Ferry tickets are often sold as multi-leg packages, for example:

• Surat Thani Airport → Donsak → Koh Samui
• Surat Thani town / bus terminal → ferry → island
• Island → mainland → onward van/bus toward Bangkok or Nakhon Si Thammarat

Exact legs change by season—use the Seatran operator hub or chat booking to confirm the transfer pickup point printed on your ticket.

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Ticket Prices (Approximate)

Ticket type	Typical range
Passenger (Donsak ↔ Samui)	260–400 THB
Passenger (Donsak ↔ Phangan)	300–500 THB
Ferry + transfer combos	Often 460–810 THB median range across Seatran products
Vehicle / scooter	Varies by size—confirm when booking

Prices move with season and combo inclusions. Always check live rates before you travel.

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Seatran Ferry vs Raja Ferry

Both operators compete on the same headline Gulf crossings: Donsak ↔ Koh Samui and Donsak ↔ Koh Phangan. Full side-by-side coverage lives here:

Seatran Ferry vs Raja Ferry comparison

Factor	Seatran Ferry	Raja Ferry
Traveller rating	~4.6 / 5	~4.2 / 5
Shared routes	Donsak–Samui, Donsak–Phangan + combos	Same core island crossings
Price feel	Often sharper on shared ferry legs	Wider bus+ferry network, often higher median
Best known for	Punctual, organized Donsak ferries	Broad Bangkok / Andaman combo network
Operator pages	Seatran	Raja Ferry

Quick pick

• Choose Seatran Ferry for a well-reviewed Donsak–Samui/Phangan crossing and strong value.
• Choose Raja Ferry when you need Raja pier logistics or a specific Raja combo route.
• Need speed instead of a big ferry? Compare with Lomprayah vs Seatran.

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Seatran Ferry vs Seatran Discovery

	Seatran Ferry	Seatran Discovery
Role	Mainland ↔ island ferry brand	Passenger / island-hopping brand
Typical piers	Donsak Seatran, Na Thon Seatran	Bangrak, Thong Sala, Mae Haad, etc.
Common use	Arrive from Surat Thani with bags (or vehicle)	Hop Samui ↔ Phangan ↔ Tao
Guide	This page	Seatran Discovery ferry guide

If your ticket says Bangrak or is an inter-island hop to Koh Tao, you usually want Discovery—not the Seatran Ferry Donsak/Na Thon product.

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Booking Seatran Ferry Tickets

1. Open the Seatran operator page or a route timetable (e.g. Donsak → Samui).
2. Confirm pier names on the ticket (Donsak Seatran / Na Thon Seatran vs Raja or Discovery piers).
3. Book online for e-ticket confirmation—especially useful for airport transfer combos.
4. Arrive early for vehicle loading; passengers should still allow buffer for check-in queues.

Booking tips

• Peak season (Nov–Feb) and Full Moon weeks: book ahead.
• Airport arrivals: match the transfer pickup time to your flight, not just the ferry.
• Vehicles: arrive earlier than foot passengers; slots can fill on weekends.
• Still comparing? Use Seatran vs Raja before you pay.

Book with Thailand Boat Tickets

Message our Virtual Ticket Assistant on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, or LINE with:

• Travel date
• From / to (e.g. Surat Thani Airport → Koh Samui)
• Passengers (and vehicle if needed)
• Preferred operator: Seatran Ferry, Raja, or Discovery

You get live options, pier guidance, and an e-ticket without standing in the pier queue.

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Practical Travel Tips

• Check-in usually opens well before departure—follow the time printed on your ticket.
• Keep valuables with you; larger bags go in the designated luggage area.
• Seas can be choppier in monsoon months (roughly May–October); the larger ferry hull is usually calmer than a speedboat.
• After Na Thon arrival, taxis and songthaews cover Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, and Maenam.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about this topic.

Is Seatran Ferry the same as Seatran Discovery?

No. Seatran Ferry is the mainland–island ferry brand (Donsak ↔ Koh Samui / Koh Phangan, often Na Thon Seatran Pier). Seatran Discovery is a separate passenger/island-hopping brand used more for Samui–Phangan–Tao hops from piers like Bangrak.

Where does Seatran Ferry depart from?

The main mainland pier is Donsak Seatran Pier in Surat Thani province. On Koh Samui, Seatran Ferry typically uses Na Thon Seatran Pier. Koh Phangan sailings usually use Thong Sala.

Can I bring a car or motorbike on Seatran Ferry?

Seatran Ferry operates large ferry services on the Donsak–island corridor where vehicle transport is commonly available. Confirm vehicle class and price when booking, and arrive early for loading.

Seatran Ferry or Raja Ferry—which should I book?

Both run Donsak ↔ Koh Samui and Donsak ↔ Koh Phangan. Seatran Ferry usually scores higher in traveller reviews (~4.6 vs ~4.2) and often looks sharper on shared ferry legs. Raja can win when you need a specific Raja pier or wider combo network. See our Seatran vs Raja Ferry comparison for the full breakdown.

How long is the Seatran ferry from Donsak to Koh Samui?

Expect roughly 1 to 1.5 hours pier to pier, plus check-in and transfer time if your ticket includes an airport or hotel pickup.

How do I book Seatran Ferry tickets?

Book via the Seatran operator page on Thailand Boat Tickets, a route timetable filtered to Seatran, or chat with the Virtual Ticket Assistant for live schedules and e-tickets.