About this tour
When Tom from our team caught the Songserm ferry between Koh Samui and Koh Tao, it ticked the boxes for what you actually need from an inter-island hop: a reliable boat that leaves on schedule, decent seating with a view, and no faffing about. The 3.5-hour crossing cuts through the Gulf of Thailand with multiple daily runs, so you're not locked into one departure time. It's the kind of operator that's been running this route long enough to know what they're doing — no frills, but solid. Solo travellers, couples, and groups all use it regularly.
Highlights
- Multiple departures daily — flexibility to fit your island schedule
- Shaded seating and sea views beat staring at a cabin wall
- Onboard bar-restaurant for stretching legs and grabbing a drink
- Local staff who know the route and handle boarding smoothly
- 20 kg luggage allowance per person covers most backpack travel
- Email confirmation and clear boarding instructions sent upfront
- Operator with genuine track record — not a fly-by-night outfit
What to expect
The ferry boards efficiently with signage and staff pointing you in the right direction — no mysterious queuing or confusion. You'll get a cabin or open-air seating depending on your ticket type, both decent options. The crossing itself is straightforward: most travellers settle in, watch the water, or grab a snack from the onboard bar. Three and a half hours is long enough that you'll appreciate somewhere to sit properly and maybe move around, short enough that you're not stuck for a whole day. The boat handles the Gulf reasonably well, though if you're prone to seasickness, take precautions before boarding — it's not a glass-smooth ride.
Arrival into Koh Tao is organised. Staff guide you off, and you sort your own onward transport from the pier. The whole experience feels like what it is: a working transport link between islands, not a tourist spectacle. That's exactly what you want.
What travellers say
- Daily multiple departures fit flexible island-hopping plans
- Operator reliability — consistent scheduling, sorted boarding
- Decent legroom and views beat cramped minibus alternatives
- Generous 20 kg luggage per person suits backpack travel
- Onboard facilities let you move around on longer crossing
- Gulf swells make seasickness a real risk for some
- No included hotel transfers — own transport to pier required
- Food and drinks cost extra, add up over crossing
- Busy periods mean arriving early for preferred seating
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you're island-hopping in Thailand, this beats hiring a private speedboat and blows those sketchy minibus-to-ferry combos out of the water. Songserm's been doing this long enough to have systems in place, departures actually run, and you get a proper receipt. The 20 kg luggage allowance is generous for backpackers. Families with small kids can bring prams; infants sit on your lap. Works for all fitness levels — it's a boat ride, not a trek.
If you're prone to seasickness, this isn't a gentle option — the Gulf can chop. You'll need to arrange your own transport to and from the pier (hotel pickups aren't included). Food and drinks onboard aren't free, so budget for them. The ferry doesn't frills itself up for tourists; it's functional. Early or late departures might mean awkward connection times with your accommodation. Peak season can be busy, so arriving early for good seating is smart.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.