
Koh Tao
Koh Tao boasts stunning coral reefs and abundant marine life, combined with a relaxed lifestyle, making it an unforgettable destination for thousands of visitors per year.
The only way of getting to Koh Tao is by boat. Services run from the mainland, leaving Chumphon and Surat Thani and from the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. There is no airport, bus or train station on Koh Tao.
There are 3 alternative ways:
This is the fastest way of getting to Koh Tao. On Koh Samui, two airlines offer services, Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways, with the former operating more flights from Bangkok, making it convenient for boat connections. Flights depart every half an hour from 06:00-22:00. Check the ferry timetables before you book your flight. From Koh Samui to Koh Tao, Lomlahkkhirin and Marine Passion offer high-speed ferry services twice daily. The boat journey is between 1:30 and 2 hours. Book Samui – Koh Tao ferry tickets.
On the mainland, a low-cost airline Nok Air is offering combined tickets of flight, coach and ferry at Chumphon, Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat. Another airline, Air Asia also operates flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani and Chumphon.
This is the cheapest and most popular way of getting to Koh Tao. Currently, only one company offers this service; Lomlahkkhirin High-Speed Ferries (formerly called Lomprayah Catamaran). Their air-conditioned bus departs from Khaosan Road in Bangkok and arrives at their pier at Chumphon. The boat journey to Koh Tao (arriving at Mae Haad Bay) is between 1:45 and 2:30 hours, depending on the sea condition. Book Bangkok – Koh Tao combined tickets.
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 Lomlahkkhirin High-Speed Ferries. To Bangkok, it’s better to take an afternoon boat from Koh Tao to catch the first sleeper train from Chumphon at 19:30.
Lomlahkkhirin High Speed Ferry
|
Two ferry companies operate between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. They are Lomlahkkhirin High-Speed Ferries (formerly called Lomprayah Catamaran) and Marine Passion. Ferry tickets can be purchased here.
Chumphon is the closest part of the mainland to Koh Tao, so travel time by boat is the quickest and shortest compared with Surat Thani. Two ferries offer services between the mainland and the island; Lomlahkkhirin High-Speed Ferries and Marine Passion. There are also night ferries (aka ’night boats’ or ‘sleeping boats’) that offer varying degrees of bed-like comfort on mattresses. Journey time on these ferries is approximately 6 hours from Chumphon and 9 hours from Surat Thani. If you want to fly, Chumphon has service with Nok Air. Surat Thani offers flights with Air Asia, Nok Air and Thai Airways.
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 for information. Ferry companies also offer combined tickets to some destinations. 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.
Featured Transportations |
Koh Tao boasts stunning coral reefs and abundant marine life, combined with a relaxed lifestyle, making it an unforgettable destination for thousands of visitors per year.
Koh Tao beaches and bays are perfect for snorkeling and diving, with shallow coral reefs only a short distance from the shore.
Diving schools on Koh Tao are some of the best dive facilities worldwide. Here is our list of Koh Tao diving school recommendations.
18/3 Moo 3, Koh Tao
Surat Thani 84360 THAILAND
info@kohtaocompleteguide.com