Surat Thani

Surat Thani city overnight before Phangan — cheaper hotels near Talat Kaset, night market for dinner. Booked Seatran joint ticket: bus to Donsak + ferry to Thong Sala. Total door-to-door about 4 hours tomorrow morning. Lomprayah from city is just a transfer to Donsak btw, not a direct boat.

Raja ferry to Lipa Noi (Samui) vs Seatran to Nathon — both fine. Raja is bigger, less sway if seas are choppy. Seatran has more frequent departures. Either way get to Donsak 30 min before — the pier area is confusing first time.

Sleeper train Bangkok → Surat was fine but arrived Phunphin 2 hours late. Lomprayah pickup still waited. Tip: if you're doing Tao, catamaran from Donsak is faster than night ferry — worth the extra baht if you get seasick.

Full moon week logistics: ferries to Phangan fill up. Booked 2 days ahead through hotel in Surat. Morning Seatran 8:30 from Donsak, at Thong Sala by 11. Night ferry from riverside is budget option but 6+ hours — I'd pass unless you love suffering.

URT airport → Samui same day is doable. Shared van to Donsak 400 baht, then Seatran. Last ferry timing is tight if you land after 3pm — we stayed one night and leaving relaxed tomorrow.