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Dive Location

How to Get to Koh Tao: A Complete Travel Guide

By Sorrasek Phiboonthammasak Date 16 Jan 2025
Planning a trip to Koh Tao? Our complete travel guide breaks down all your options—whether you prefer flying, ferrying, or taking the scenic train route. Discover tips to align your budget, schedule, and comfort for a seamless journey to this idyllic diving paradise in the Gulf of Thailand. Let us simplify your travel planning so you can focus on enjoying the beauty of Turtle Island!

Why people love getting to Koh Tao 

Koh Tao or translated directly as “Turtle Island” is an island located in the gulf of Thailand. The island is 60 kilometers away from Chumphon shoreline, making it far enough to have pristine nature yet close enough to be reachable by travellers. 

The island is known for its laid back vibe, local restaurant, beautiful beach and most importantly affordable scuba diving. Koh Tao only has 21 square kilometers of land, and it is packed with more than 70+ dive centers. This small island produces the most number of divers per year than any other place in the world. Getting to Koh Tao could be hectic, let us help simplify the choice and the process, so that you could reach Koh Tao sooner. 

What to consider when getting to Koh Tao

In order to get to Koh Tao, travelers can choose from many different transportation options, which we will all explore together in this guide. However, before jumping into all the options here are a few things you need to consider before selecting any options. 

Where do you want to depart before getting into Koh Tao? 

Koh Tao is reachable from many locations. You could plan to visit all these locations before or after Koh Tao, hence it is good to know all these locations before booking. The location will include Bangkok, Chumphon, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Phuket 

What budget do you have ? 

You can travel to Koh Tao by bus, by plane or by train. Each and every option has a different price. 

The bus + ferry could cost only 1,000 - 1,500 THB. 
The train + ferry would cost around 1,500 - 2,000 THB. 
The plane + ferry could vary from 3,000 - 6,000 THB depending on when you book. 

So please keep in mind as each has different pros and cons that will explain further. 

What time do you have and what the experience are you looking for? 

Obviously, time constraint is a real thing when traveling, as you might want to cover as much as possible. If you want the minimum transportation time, a plane ticket would be the most efficient option. As it only takes 1 hour plan ride plus 2 hours ferry ride. The bus and overnight train will take approximately 7 hours to reach the pier, and it will add 2 hours on the boat ride. The pros is that you save 1 night of accommodation, however you might not have a proper sleep. 

The experience might also be different as well. For the plane, it is the same experience you can expect anywhere in the world with a local airline. They are fast, efficient and easy to manage. For the overnight train, you can sleep on your back and lay flat to enjoy your sleep. However if you are sensitive to sound, it might not be the best option. The bus is easy to get in from Khao San road, at the center of Bangkok, however the bus is quite old and you can sit/lay sleeping, which for me, is not the most comfortable option.

Now let’s explore all the options that are available to travel to Koh Tao. 

Getting to Koh Tao from Bangkok

If you are planning to go to Koh Tao directly from Bangkok, here are a few options that you can do. However, if you are travelling via Koh Samui, it might be best to stop at Koh Samui and add another Thailand exotic island to your bucket list. 

1. Flight + Ferry Combo via Koh Samui (Most Comfortable and Most Expensive)

Flight
  • Airlines: Bangkok Airways operates direct flights from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Koh Samui Airport (USM).
  • Schedule: Multiple daily flights from early morning to evening.
  • Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
  • Price: Ranges from ฿3,000 to ฿5,000 ($90 to $150 USD), depending on booking time and season.
  • Booking: Bangkok Airways

Ferry
  • Operators: Lomprayah High-Speed Catamaran and Seatran Discovery.
  • Departure Points: Maenam Pier or Bangrak Pier on Koh Samui.
  • Schedule:
  • Morning departures around 8:00 AM.
  • Afternoon departures around 1:00 PM.
  • Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
  • Price: Approximately ฿500 to ฿700 ($15 to $21 USD).
  • Booking: Lomprayah

2. Flight + Ferry Combo via Chumphon

Flight
  • Airlines: Nok Air and Thai AirAsia operate flights from Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Chumphon Airport (CJM).
  • Schedule: Multiple daily flights.
  • Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
  • Price: Ranges from ฿1,000 to ฿3,000 ($30 to $90 USD).
  • Booking: Nok Air, Thai AirAsia

Transfer and Ferry
  • Operators: Lomprayah offers combined tickets that include flight, bus transfer to the pier, and ferry to Koh Tao.
  • Schedule: Ferries typically depart Chumphon in the morning to align with flight arrivals.
  • Duration: Ferry journey is about 1.5 to 3 hours.
  • Price: Combined tickets range from ฿1,500 to ฿2,500 ($45 to $75 USD).
  • Booking: Lomprayah

3. Bus + Ferry Combo from Khao San Road (Cheapest Option, May Not Be the Most Comfortable)

  • Operator: Lomprayah offers combined bus and ferry services.
  • Schedule:
  • Evening departure around 9:00 PM from Khao San Road, arriving in Chumphon early in the morning.
  • Ferry departs Chumphon around 7:00 AM, arriving at Koh Tao by mid-morning.
  • Duration: Total journey time is approximately 11 to 12 hours.
  • Price: Approximately ฿1,550 ($45 USD).
  • Booking: BusOnlineTicket

4. Train + Ferry Combo (Best Option if You Have Time)

Train
  • Operator: State Railway of Thailand.
  • Schedule: Overnight sleeper trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station around 7:30 PM, arriving in Chumphon early in the morning.
  • Duration: Approximately 7 to 9 hours.
  • Price: Sleeper tickets range from ฿600 to ฿1,500 ($18 to $45 USD), depending on class.
  • Booking: Thailand Trains

Transfer and Ferry
  • Operators: Lomprayah and other ferry services.
  • Schedule: Morning ferries depart Chumphon around 7:00 AM, aligning with train arrivals.
  • Duration: Ferry journey is about 2 to 3 hours.
  • Price: Ferry tickets cost around ฿750 ($22 USD).
  • Booking: Lomprayah

Getting to Koh Tao from Chumphon or Surat Thani

Koh Tao is reachable from the mainland by two provinces. One is Chumphon, another is Surat Thani. If you want the least travelling time on the boat, Chumphon ferry will be the fastest route. However, some might want to travel from Surat as they visited the west coast or travel in Surat before going to Koh Tao. Both locations offer two ways of transportation. One is by ferry boat which is faster. Another one is an overnight boat which is a bit cheaper and provides a serene travel experience over a night on the open sea. 

1. Ferry boat from Chumphon - Lomprayah High-Speed Catamaran

  • Departure Points: Thung Makham Noi Pier.
  • Schedule:
  • Morning: ~7:00 AM.
  • Afternoon: ~1:00 PM.
  • Duration: ~1.5 to 2 hours.
  • Price: ฿700 to ฿1,000 ($20 to $30 USD).
  • Booking: Lomprayah

2. Overnight Boat from Chumphon to Koh Tao

  • Operators: Chumphon Ferry, Porntaweesin, and Talay Sub
  • Schedule:
  • Departure: Approximately 11:00 PM
  • Arrival: Around 5:00 AM the following day
  • Duration: Approximately 6 hours
  • Facilities: Bunk beds in mixed air-conditioned dormitories
  • Price: Approximately ฿600 to ฿700 ($18 to $21 USD)
  • Booking: Chumphon Night Ferry

3. Ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Tao

  • Operators: Lomprayah High Speed Ferries
  • Departure Points: Surat Thani City and Donsak Pier
  • Schedule:
  • Morning Departure: Approximately 9:00 AM
  • Afternoon Departure: Approximately 1:00 PM
  • Duration: Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes
  • Price: Approximately ฿1,100 to ฿1,200 ($32 to $35 USD)
  • Booking: Direct Ferries

4. Overnight Boat from Surat Thani to Koh Tao

  • Operators: Lomprayah High Speed Ferries
  • Schedule:
  • Departure: Approximately 9:00 PM
  • Arrival: Around 5:00 AM the following day
  • Duration: Approximately 8 hours
  • Facilities: Sleeping arrangements vary; it's advisable to check with the operator for specific accommodations
  • Price: Approximately ฿850 to ฿1,000 ($25 to $30 USD)
  • Booking: 12Go Asia

Getting to Koh Tao from the western coast or the southern part

In order to get to Koh Tao on the western coast or the southern province. Travellers need to travel either to Surat or Chumphon piers. Then you have an option to pick from a ferry boat or the overnight ferry to reach the island. Aligning your timing to reach the pier is the key, as you do not want to miss the boat transfer and need to wait another day or hours more. 
In order to get to those locations, you can explore the Thailand Railway or check the bus schedule to reach those destinations. Some travel agencies might have a total combo package where you can purchase and rest assure you have all the tickets. In my opinion, if you have time to travel I would recommend to spend time in Surat, Koh Samui then later visit Koh Tao to have a full itinerary of the south eastern coast of Thailand. 


Final Considerations

Booking in Advance: It's advisable to book all segments, especially during peak tourist seasons, to ensure availability.
Alignment of Schedules: Ensure that flight or train arrivals align with ferry departure times to avoid long waiting periods.
Comfort vs. Cost: Flights via Koh Samui offer the most comfort but at a higher price. Bus and ferry combinations are more economical but may lack comfort. Trains provide a balance between comfort and cost.

By selecting the option that best fits your schedule, budget, and comfort preferences, you can enjoy a seamless journey from Bangkok to the beautiful island of Koh Tao.


What can you do in Koh Tao? 

Now you might know what you want to do in Koh Tao. However, scuba diving in Koh Tao if it is not in your plan, it should be right now. Whether you are a skilled scuba diver or you have never experienced diving in your lifetime. Koh Tao is the best place to dive for any skilled level. You can check out a non-experience scuba diving service or check out a diving trip for certified diver in Koh Tao. And if you need to learn more about diving in Koh Tao, you can visit our Koh Tao information page. 

Contact us for more information? 

If you are still not sure about the travel option or how to get to Koh Tao, you can contact us to ask a question regarding the travel or regarding scuba diving. We will give you the advice for free, and we promise to not pressure any customer to book with us. Just give us a call and we will help you with our best.
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