Getting to Koh Tao

The only way of getting to Koh Tao is by boat, with daily ferry services from Chumphon, Surat Thani, and the neighbouring islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Connections by flight, VIP bus, and sleeper train are available from Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.

Getting to Koh Tao from Bangkok

There are 3 alternative ways:

1. Fly to Koh Samui

This is the fastest way of getting to Koh Tao. Bangkok Airways offers flights between Bangkok and Koh Samui. Flights depart every half an hour from 06:00 to 22:00. Check the ferry timetables before you book your flight. Lomprayah Catamaran, Songserm Express, and Boonsiri provide high-speed ferry services four times daily from Koh Samui to Koh Tao. The boat journey is between 1:30 and 1:45 hours.

2. Bus and Ferry combined ticket

The combined ticket is the cheapest and most popular way of getting to Koh Tao from Bangkok. Two companies offer this service: Lomprayah Catamaran and Boonsiri Ferry. Their air-conditioned buses depart from Arun Amarin and Bang Lamphu in Bangkok respectively and arrive at their piers in Chumphon. From there, the boat ride to Koh Tao, arriving at Mae Haad Bay, takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Click here to book Koh Tao ferry tickets

3. Sleeper train to Chumphon

Travelling on the sleeper train is usually more comfortable than the bus. You will almost have a proper bed to sleep in during the journey. The ferry company provides free transfers between their pier and the train station. From Bangkok, you must arrive at Chumphon station before 06:00 as the ferry departs at 07:00. Delays are possible on this train, so you may have to get the afternoon boat with Lomprayah Catamaran High-Speed Ferry. To Bangkok, it’s better to take an afternoon boat from Koh Tao to catch the first sleeper train from Chumphon at 19:30.

Lomprayah Catamaran High-Speed Ferry

Book Koh Tao Ferry Tickets

Getting to Koh Tao from Koh Phangan or Koh Samui

Three ferry companies operate services between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao: Lomprayah Catamaran, Songserm Express and Boonsiri Ferry.

Getting to Koh Tao from Chumphon or Surat Thani

Chumphon is the closest part of the mainland to Koh Tao, making the boat journey quicker and shorter compared with departures from Surat Thani. Lomprayah and Boonsiri operate high-speed catamaran ferry services between the mainland and the island. Additionally, there are night ferries, often called “night boats” or “sleeping boats,” that offer comfortable, air-conditioned cabins with dormitory-style beds. Several companies, including Chor Maetapee Ferry, operate these night boats on a rotating schedule. For the latest boat schedules on Surat Thani routes, you can check their Facebook page. The journey on these night ferries takes approximately 6 hours from Chumphon and 9 hours from Surat Thani.

If you’re looking to fly from Bangkok, you can find flights to Chumphon operated by Air Asia. Surat Thani provides flight services through Air Asia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet Air.

Surat Thani – Koh Tao night ferry

Koh Tao Ferry Timetables 2026

Route: Bangkok > Chumphon > Koh Tao > Surat Thani

Route: Surat Thani > Koh Tao > Chumphon > Bangkok

Getting away to Andaman Coast or Southern

If travelling to the Andaman Coast or lower Southern of Thailand, the connections are from the mainland out of Chumphon and Surat Thani, where you go by bus, van or train. Check with travel agencies on Koh Tao for information. Ferry companies also provide combined tickets for certain popular destinations along the Andaman Coast, like Khao Sok, Khao Lak, Ao Nang, and Krabi.

The trains from Chumphon to the south only go to Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phattalung, Songkhla, Hat Yai, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Hardly any of the Andaman coast is accessible via train. Going by road is the only way. There are also flights from Koh Samui directly to Phuket and Krabi with Bangkok Airways.