Thailand island hopping planner

Catamarans and speedboats run all day between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, mainly Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery and Songserm. Samui to Phangan takes 20 to 45 minutes, Phangan to Tao about one to two hours. The boats run all year round.

Ferries and speedboats run daily to Koh Phi Phi from Rassada pier on Phuket; the trip takes one to two hours. From Phi Phi you continue to Koh Lanta in 30 to 90 minutes. Both routes are served all year round, with fewer departures in the low season.

The main routes in the Gulf and between Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi and Lanta run all year round. Many routes further south, for example to Koh Lipe from Koh Lanta or to Koh Ngai, only run from about mid-October to mid-May. In rough seas it is mainly speedboats that are cancelled, in the Gulf especially in November and December.

A car ferry runs to Koh Chang about every hour from Ao Thammachat near Trat; the crossing takes 25 to 40 minutes. You reach Koh Kood and Koh Mak from Laem Sok pier. Boonsiri runs between Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood all year round, but only once a day from June to September. There is no direct boat from Koh Samet to Koh Chang.

All year round you can take the speedboat from Pak Bara, about one and a half to two hours. In the high season from about mid-October to mid-May, speedboats also run from Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai and Koh Phi Phi, often three to six hours with stops.

For most routes you can still get a ticket at the pier. In the high season, over Christmas and New Year and in July and August, however, the boats are often full. Then book one or two days ahead, and always allow enough time between ferry and flight.