The only way of getting here is by ferry. 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 stations on Koh Tao.
There are 3 alternative ways :
This is the fastest way of getting to Koh Tao. On Koh Samui, there are two airlines offering 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 now.
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 here. Currently, there is only one company that 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 now.
Travelling on the sleeper train is usually more comfortable than the bus. you will almost have a proper bed so you can sleep during the journey. The ferry company provides free transfers between their pier and the train station. From Bangkok, you need to 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
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There are two ferry companies which 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, and so travel time by boat is the quickest and shortest compared with Surat Thani. Two ferries offer services between mainland and the island; Lomlahkkhirin High Speed Ferries and Marine Passion. There are also night ferries (aka ’night boats’ or ‘sleeping boats’) available 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 gulf, the connections are from the mainland out of Chumphon and Surat Thani where you go on 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 to go. There are also flights from Koh Samui directly to Phuket and Krabi with Bangkok Airways.
Koh Tao’s stunning coral reefs with an abundance of marine life start just a few metres offshore. Here is a guide for best Koh Tao snorkeling experience.
See the island in a unique way. Here are the 5 best Koh Tao hiking trails taking you from the towns of Sairee, Mae Haad and Chalok Baan Kao.
18/3 Moo 3, Koh Tao
Surat Thani 84360 THAILAND
Tel. +66 (0) 8 1970 9580
info@kohtaocompleteguide.com
