Thailand by ferry

Q: How many islands are there in Thailand?

There are approximately 21 islands in Thailand.

Q: How many ferry ports are there in Thailand?

Thailand has a total of 52 ferry ports.

Q: What's the largest ferry company in Thailand?

The largest ferry company in Thailand is Andaman Wave Master with more than 5595 ferry lines.

Q: Do I need to buy the tickets in advance for the ferry departures in Thailand?

Given the increased number of travellers that are looking to travel on ferries around Thailand during the high summer season, it is advisable to purchase your tickets before the date of the trip to save yourself a spot on the ferry itself.

Q: How early should I be at the ferry port?

Depends on whether you're traveling with your car or as a pedestrian. If you're traveling as a pedestrian, there are no real time limits unless otherwise stated on your ferry ticket. However, if you're traveling with your car, it would be good to be at the ferry port as early as possible given the fact you need to be in the line to board the ferry.

Q: What happens if I miss my ferry?

Depends on the company you're traveling with and their terms and conditions regarding the ferry journey, so we advise you to read the terms and conditions of the company in question to understand their terms and conditions regarding the cancellations and rebookings.

Q: How often do the ferries sail during the winter months in Thailand?

The departures are somewhat reduced during the winter months, however, the timetable and the departures are going to be published on our website so you can always check them there directly.

Q: Can I bring my pets on board?

Depends on the carrier. However, the majority of companies does allow pets on board. Different rules apply for different animals, dogs should be brought on a leash, smaller pets need to be transported in the transport bags not to disturb the rest of the passengers.

Q: Can I bring my bicycle on board?

There are no issues with bringing the bicycles on board of the ferries given the spaciousness of the ferries. There might potentially be additional charges for the bicycle carriage, but the ferry company is the one to decide about the fees.

Q: Can foot passengers travel on car ferries in Thailand?

The foot passengers can of course board the car ferries, all you need is a ticket.

Thailand is a country with more than 21 islands and 52 ferry ports. Maritime transportation in Thailand is very well developed and there are numerous lines taking you from the mainland to the islands and back. There are also various international departures to different countries, such as Malaysia. Depending on the type of vessel that you are going to take to reach your destination, you may be able to take your car or motorbike with you, but keep in mind that you need to double check if the vessel in question is a car ferry or a passenger ferry to be sure.

Domestic Ferry Lines

There are 186 ferry lines operating inside Thailand. The most popular domestic ferry lines are Phuket - Krabi, Koh Samui - Koh Phangan and Pattaya - Koh Larn that take more than 1088 passengers between these destinations. Of course, the routes are operating even during the winter, but the departure schedule is slightly different. Also, keep in mind that if the weather is not adequate for sailing, there is always a possibility that the ferry departure might be canceled, so make sure you read the Terms and Conditions applied for the specific departure you are interested in. Here are some of the most popular ferry lines offered in Thailand:

Travel Phuket - Krabi

Travel Koh Samui - Koh Phangan

Travel Pattaya - Koh Larn

Travel Koh Samui - Koh Tao

Travel Phuket - Koh Phi Phi

Travel Phuket - Koh Lanta

Travel Surat Thani - Koh Tao

Travel Phuket - Koh Yao Yai

Travel Koh Phayam - Ranong

Travel Surat Thani - Koh Phangan

Travel Koh Phangan - Koh Tao

Travel Chumphon - Koh Tao

Travel Trat - Koh Chang

Travel Phuket - Koh Lipe

Travel Koh Tao - Surat Thani

Travel Krabi - Koh Phi Phi

Travel Koh Tao - Koh Samui

Travel Koh Lanta - Krabi

Travel Phuket - Ao Nang

Travel Koh Phangan - Koh Samui

Travel Koh Samet - Ban Phe

International Ferry Lines

Other than the domestic ferry lines, you can take a ferry from Thailand to several other destinations in Malaysia. Some of these lines do not sail daily, so make sure to check the operational intervals for each of these ferry lines. Most of the international departures start from the port of Koh Kraden. Below you can see the list of the most popular international lines for ferries from Thailand that you can purchase your tickets for:

Travel Koh Lipe - Langkawi

Ferry Companies

Thailand has around 50 ferry companies operating departures to and from the surrounding islands. Andaman Wave Master is the largest ferry operator offering more than 5595 ferry lines, whereas the smallest ferry company is Koh Yao Center Group and has 1 in their offer. The vessels vary in size and capacity, depending on the route they are sailing on, but the information regarding the type of vessel you will be boarding is going to be indicated on the ticket and on the search results when you browse through the departures. Some of the ferry companies operating in Thailand can be found below, where you can click on them for more information and reviews:

Ferry Ports in Thailand

Thailand is home to approximately 52 ferry ports. The largest ferry port is the one situated in Rassada Pier. Of course, during the high summer season, it is advisable to get to the ferry port at least 45 minutes prior to the departure time of your ferry in order to avoid any delays in your travel time. The smallest ferry port is the one in Pak Bara. Below you will find a list of the most popular ferry ports in Thailand:

Rassada Pier

Koh Kraden

Surat Thani

Phuket

Hua Hin

Koh Larn

Trat

Phang Nga

Ko Wai

Bangkok

Khao Sok

Ko Tarutao

Bangrak

Islands in Thailand

Thailand is home to more than 21 islands. The biggest island off the coast of Thailand is Phuket, while the smallest one is Koh Kraden. Based on the ticket sales for the ferry lines to the islands of Thailand, the most popular islands in terms of travellers are Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan and Phuket. For more details about each of the islands in Thailand, you can click on them below for more information about that island; ferry timetables, ferry companies, places of interest and more!

Koh Lanta Yai

Ko Yao Noi

Koh Yao Yai

Koh Ngai

Koh Muk

Koh Chang

Koh Kraden

Koh Libong

Koh Mak

Koh Phayam

Koh Samet

Koh Lanta Noi

Koh Lan

Ko Bulon Le

Transportation to the ferry ports

If you are traveling by a plane and arriving at one of the airports in Thailand, you can reach the ferry port by bus, you can see more about that here. Or if you are wanting a private, door-to-door transfer, you can have a look at the options available here.

FAQ about ferries in Thailand

How many islands are there in Thailand?

How many ferry ports are there in Thailand?

What's the largest ferry company in Thailand?

Do I need to buy the tickets in advance for the ferry departures in Thailand?

How early should I be at the ferry port?

What happens if I miss my ferry?

How often do the ferries sail during the winter months in Thailand?

Can I bring my pets on board?

Can I bring my bicycle on board?

Can foot passengers travel on car ferries in Thailand?