KL To Koh Samui Without Flying? Yes It's Possible!

By Kristina Andita Pradani -

 I know, you know, we know, flying to Koh Samui is a bit challenging on the price side, and also is quite tiring when we need to put all our snorkeling, diving, and swimming gear into the airplane baggage, hence, you might be wondering, is it possible to just use a "non-flying" route?

Or... you just want to experience the beauty of Malaysia and cross the country border by walking?

This post is for you. If you want to swap the clouds for coastal views and local life, here is your ultimate guide on how to travel from KL to Koh Samui completely by land and sea, without ever setting foot inside an airplane cabin.


Step 1: The Train Ride from KL Sentral to Padang Besar

Your journey kicks off at KL Sentral, where you will board the Electric Train Service (ETS) operated by Malaysia’s national railway company, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).

  • The Route: Hop on an ETS train heading north toward Padang Besar, which is the border town nestled right on the Malaysia Thailand boundary. The ride takes roughly 5 to 6 hours, rolling past endless green hills, limestone karsts, and sleepy rural towns.

  • The Price: Tickets typically range between 76 MYR and 102 MYR depending on the specific flexi-fare tier and how early you book.

  • Official Booking: You can secure your tickets directly through the official KTMB KITS Portal.


Step 2: Cross the Border and Catch the Train to Surat Thani

Once you arrive at Padang Besar station, you will clear both Malaysian exit and Thai entry immigration right there on the platform. Easy, seamless, and zero chaotic airport terminals.

  • The Route: From Padang Besar, you can catch the local cross-border shuttle or State Railway of Thailand (SRT) trains heading further north into Thailand toward Hat Yai or directly onward to Surat Thani (the mainland gateway for the islands). If you catch a sleeper train or transfer at Hat Yai, you can book a connection straight to Surat Thani.

  • The Price: The short shuttle train from Padang Besar to Hat Yai costs around 50 THB (roughly 7 MYR), while onward train tickets down to Surat Thani vary by class, usually running between 200 THB to 600 THB for standard sleeper or seater carriages.

  • Official Booking: Thai railway schedules and tickets can be cross-checked or booked via the official State Railway of Thailand D-Ticket System.


Step 3: The Ferry to Koh Samui

Once you roll into Surat Thani (either at the railway station or the town center), head straight to the piers at Donsak, where the island ferries live.

  • The Route: Hop on a high-speed catamaran or car ferry crossing the Gulf of Thailand straight to Koh Samui (landing at either Nathon Pier or Lipa Noi Pier). The ferry ride takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, with sweeping blue-ocean views and a healthy dose of tropical island breeze.

  • The Price: Ferry tickets generally range from 350 THB to 500 THB depending on whether you choose a standard ferry or a high-speed catamaran service like Seatran or Lomprayah. Combined bus-and-ferry transfer tickets from Surat Thani station to the pier and across to Samui can also be easily bundled together.

  • Official Booking: You can check ferry timetables and secure tickets via trusted operators like Seatran Ferry or Lomprayah High Speed Ferries.

Overland travel across Southeast Asia reminds you that the journey is genuinely half the fun. You get to watch the landscape shift from Malaysian rainforests to bustling Thai markets and finally into sparkling turquoise gulf waters.

Have you ever taken a multi-day overland trip across borders, or are you team flight all the way? Let me know in the comments below! ✨


Warm Regards,

Your travel bestie 🩵


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