HOW TO GET TO

koh tao

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A tiny island in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao is located just above Koh Phaghan and Koh Samui, approximately 72 km. from Koh Samui, 47 km. from Koh Phaghan and 74 km. off Chumphon province, the East Coast of Thailand.

Koh Tao is a little more challenge to get to than some of the other islands around Thailand. The island can only be reached by boat. Fortunately, the trip is pleasant and the scenery fascinating. Getting to Koh Tao is very easy as two step process.., by train or bus or a plane…. then a ferry of course.

Best of all, the extra step means there are fewer visitors on Koh Tao at any given time.

STEP I : FROM MAINLAND

Route 1

Via Samui

You could take an hour flight to Koh Samui and pass through one of the most charming and beautiful airport in Thailand. Fare is the quite expensive but obviously the fastest and the most comfortable trip. Upon arrival at Samui airport, you can get a ferry across to Koh Tao via Koh Phaghan.
Bangkok Airways
Thai Airways International

Imac

Route 2

Via Chumporn

By plane

The Fastest way to go to Chumphon and less expensive alternative than go to Samui. Only 1-hour direct flight from Don Meung to Chumporn everyday.

By train

You can take an overnight train from Bangkok’s Hualamphong train station all the way to Chumphon. The trains are inexpensive and comfortable with a reasonable bed so long as you book in advance. Once you arrive in Chumphon it is easy to arrange a ferry ticket to Koh Tao from the station.

Express #85 - (Bangkok - Chumphon) leaves Bangkok 19:15 daily and arrives in Chumphon between 3:30 and 5:00. (2nd class air conditioned and fan-cooled sleeping carriages and air-conditioned and fan-cooled ordinary carriages available). Ask the conductor to wake you up for Chumphon Station.

Diesel - (Bangkok - Chumphon) leaves Bangkok at 22:30 and arrives 06:00. 2nd class air conditioned ordinary carriages only.

By coach

From Southern Bus Terminal - Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches leave the Southern Bus Terminal for Chumphon throughout from about 09:30 to 22:00 daily. (We highly recommend air-conditioned coaches - non-air conditioned buses can be cramped and uncomfortable, particularly for taller people). The journey normally takes about seven hours. Fares range from 136-317 baht

From Kaosarn Road - daily bus & mini bus depart at 20:00-21.00 and arrives Chumphon at approximately 04:00

Alternatively, you also can arrange a combined ticket for a bus to Chumphon pier and ferry to Koh Tao. There are 2 companies who offer this joint ticket : Lomprayah and Songserm Express

Route 3

Via Surat Thani

You can either or take a train or fly to Surat Thani, flight fares are normally cheaper than flying to Samui; and then take a ferry or a long night boat to Koh Tao. This route takes longer travel time and might not work if you wish to get to Koh Tao in one day.

By plane

Thai Airways International, Air Asia and Nok Air has daily direct flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) to Surat Thani. The flight time is approximately 70 minutes.

By train

you can purchase train tickets that include a bus from the Surat Thani train station (Phun Phin) to the Ban Don pier

hr
Koh Samui
hr
Chumphon
high speed boat
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Chumphon
overnight boat
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Koh Pha Ngan
hr
Surat Thani
high speed boat
hr
Surat Thani
overnight boat

STEP II CRUSING TO KOH TAO

from Samui

Lompraya Catamaran high speed boat provide a daily boat service which leaves Wat Pra Lan pier at 08:00 and 12.30

Seatran Discovery Ferry : high speed boat provide a daily boat service which leaves Bangrak pier at 07:30 and 12.30

Songserm Travel provide a daily boat service which leaves Na Thorn Pier at 10:30

from Chumphon

Lompraya Catamaran high speed boat provides a daily boat service which leaves from Tong ma kam (far from Ta Yang Pier about 6 km.) at 7.00 and 13.00.

Songserm high speed boat provides a daily boat which leaves Ta Yang Pier at 7:00. The journey takes 2.30 hours. Return from Kohtao at 14.30. Service fee round trip 700 Baht.

from Surat Thani

Songserm high speed boat provides a daily boat which leaves Tha Thong Pier, Suratthani, Songserm Express Boat, Surat Thani-Koh Tao, 8:00 - 14:30, 455 baht/trip. Koh Tao-Surat Thani, 10:30 - 16:30

Night Boat from Ban Don Pier, Suratthani, Surat Thani-Koh Tao, 23:00 - 6.00, 400 baht/trip. Koh Tao-Surat Thani, 21:00 - 5:00.

Ferry Notes

Please also remember that travelling from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, the ferry stops at Koh Phangan on route and therefore you do not need to change boats. The ferry staff are friendly and will assist you with any queries. There is only one stop on the journey, so when you stop for a second time you have arrived. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours and while the boats are relatively small, the views are stunning so sit back and take them in. Be sure to have your camera at the ready too.

Once you arrive on Koh Tao at Mae Haad, (both operators arrive at the same location) one of our representatives will meet you from the boat and transfer you to The Koh Tao Cabana Resort.ﾠ Please ensure you advise us which operator you are using and your arrival time to allow us to facilitate the transfer.

We recommend that you take either the Lomprayah Catamaran or Seatran Discovery Ferry, which leave twice daily for Koh Tao.ﾠ It is also worth noting that these two operators leave from different locations on Koh Samui, so be sure to check your ticket and get a road transfer from the airport to the appropriate ferry terminal.ﾠThe resort can arrange pickup and return trips.

Travel Information

State Railway of Thailand

Call Centre 1690 www.railway.co.th
Check Timetable & Fare

Bangkok Airways

Tel.+66-2-229 3434 www.bangkokair.com have scheduled services departing from Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Thai Airways International

Tel.+66-2-628 2000 www.thaiair.com offers daily flight to Samui and Suratthani.

Nok Air

Tel.+66-2-529-8766 www.nokair.com have scheduled services parting from Bangkok, Suratthani, Krabi, Phuket, and Singapore. Also Offer joint Ticket

Solar Air

Tel. +66-2-535-2456 www.solarair.co.th Only offer direct flight to Chumphon and combined ticket to Koh Samui, Koh Phaghan and Koh Tao

Lomprayah Catamaran

Tel. Bangkok +66-2–629-2569, Koh Tao +66-77-456-176 www.lomprayah.com
Check Timetable

Seatran Discovery

Tel. Bangkok +66-2-629 2833, Koh Tao +66-77-456-907 www.seatrandiscovery.com
Check Timetable

Songserm Express

Tel. Bangkok +66-2-629-3415, Koh Tao +66-77-506-205 www.songserm.co.th
Check Timetable

BUS & BOAT TIMETABLE

ROUTE INBOUND TO KOH TAO
Bangkok - Chumphon - Koh Tao - Suratthani
Click image to Large View
  Bangkok Hun Hin Chumphon Koh Tao Koh Phaghan Koh Samui Pralarn Koh Samui
Na thon		 Koh Samui Bangrak Surat Thani
Don Sak		 Surat City Surat Train Surat Airport
Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr.
Lomprayah
Catamaran
 08:00 08:30 08:30 09:30 09:30 11:00 11:00 11:15 11:15 14:30
21:00 23:30 23:30 07:00 07:00 08:45 09:30 10:30 11:00 11:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 12:45 12:45 14:00 14:00 14:15 14:15 14:30
12:30 13:00
13:00 14:45 15:30 16:10 17:00 17:30
Songserm
Night Ferry
Night Boat
ROUTE OUTBOUND FROM KOH TAO
Surrat - Koh Tao - Chumphon - Bangkok
Click image to Large View
  Surat Airport Surat Train Surat City Surat Thani
Don Sak 		Koh Samui
Bangrak		 Koh Samui
Na Thon 		Koh Samui
Pralarn		 Koh Phaghan Koh Tao Chumphon Hun Hin Bangkok
Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr.
Lomprayah
Catamaran
 08:00 08:30 08:30 09:30 10:15 11:45 11:45 18:00 18:00 20:30
09:30 09:30 09:30 10:00 10:00 11:00 11:00 11:45 12:15 12:30 13:00 13:00 14:15 14:45 16:30
12:30 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00 15:45 16:00 16:30 17:00 16:45 17:45
Songserm
Night Ferry
Night Boat