How to get to Koh Tao

The island has no airport, so it must be reached by ferry boat from: CHUMPON, SURAT THANI, KO PHANGAN or KO SAMUI. 

Therefore, if you are in Bangkok, you need to reach one of those destinations first and then take a ferry to Koh Tao.

By ferry

Note: if you travel with your motorbike, the best option is to travel to Chumpon and take a car ferry from there.

Chumpton has 2 piers, Ao Thung Makham Noi, 25 kms south of the city, served by Lomprayah   Lomprayah Website and Pak Nam, 14 kms southeast of Chumpon, served by Songserm Express Songserm Website.

From Surat Thani the trip is much longer and the boat goes via Samui and Ko Phangan. Many travellers start the journey in Samui and then they visit Ko Phangan and Ko Tao afterwards. The company serving this route is Songserm Express.

From Samui speedboats of Lomprayah are originated in the north, in Bangrak, Bophut and Maenam, while Songserm Express leaves from Na Thon.

From Ko Phangan all boats depart from Thong Sala pier. Songserm Express is cheaper but slower, while Lomprayah has a catamaran and a speedboat.


From Bangkok by plane + ferry

You need to fly to Chumphon, to Surat Thani or to Samui and then take a ferry as explained here above.

From Bangkok by bus + ferry

The easiest option is to buy a ticket including bus + ferry in any of the agencies in Kao San Road, although, let me warn you, this will be more expensive. If you are on a shoestring but with plenty of time at disposal, you may then want to go by bus from Bangkok Southern Terminal to Chumphon and once there you may purchase a ferry ticket to Koh Tao.

From Bangkok by train + ferry

Koh Tao has no railway, therefore, if you opt for a train journey, you will need to reach Chumphon from Bangkok and once there, you may purchase your ferry ticket to the island. Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok may be reached straight from Suvarnabhumi Airport. There are 8 daily trains connecting Bangkok to Chumpon. You may either choose a regular seat or a sleeper (advisable if you travel during the night) and the cost is between 10$ and 40$ depending on the class. Click here to check the timetable.

Have you been to Koh Tao? How was your experience there?