Travel Guide
How to Get to Koh Tao
Koh Tao is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand with no airport. Every visitor arrives by ferry — from Chumphon, Koh Samui, or Koh Phangan. Getting there is part of the adventure.
Here are all the routes, with prices, travel times, and practical tips for each.
Schedules
Ferry Timetable to Koh Tao
Approximate departure times — schedules may vary by season. Always confirm with the operator or booking platform before travel.
| From Bangkok (bus + ferry combo) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Price |
| Lomprayah | 06:00 | 15:15 | ~9h (day bus + ferry) | 1,250–1,550 ฿ |
| Lomprayah | 21:00 | 08:45+1 | ~12h (overnight bus + morning ferry) | 1,250–1,550 ฿ |
| Boonsiri | 05:00 | 15:00 | ~10h (day bus + ferry) | 1,000 ฿ |
| Boonsiri | 22:00 | 08:45+1 | ~11h (overnight bus + morning ferry) | 1,000 ฿ |
| From Chumphon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Price |
| Lomprayah | 07:00 | 08:45 | 1h 45m | 600 ฿ |
| Lomprayah | 08:30 | 11:00 | 2h 30m (via transfer) | 600 ฿ |
| Boonsiri | 06:45 | 08:45 | 2h | 550 ฿ |
| Night Boat | 23:00 | ~06:00 | 6–7h | 400–600 ฿ |
| From Koh Samui | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Price |
| Lomprayah | 08:00 | 09:30 | 1h 30m | 700 ฿ |
| Lomprayah | 12:30 | 14:45 | 2h 15m | 700 ฿ |
| Seatran | 08:00 | 10:30 | 2h 30m | 600 ฿ |
| Seatran | 13:00 | 15:30 | 2h 30m | 600 ฿ |
| From Koh Phangan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Price |
| Lomprayah | 08:30 | 09:30 | 1h | 450 ฿ |
| Lomprayah | 13:00 | 14:00 | 1h | 450 ฿ |
| Seatran | 08:30 | 09:45 | 1h 15m | 400 ฿ |
Schedules based on high-season timetables. Night boats run seasonally. Check 12go.asia for live availability and booking.
Book Transport
Search Routes & Book Tickets
Compare ferries, buses, and combo tickets — book directly on 12go.asia
From Bangkok
Flight + Ferry
Fastest4–5 hours total2,500–6,000 ฿- 1.Fly to Koh Samui (USM) — 1 hour, Bangkok Airways
- 2.Ferry from Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) to Koh Tao — 1.5 hours via Lomprayah
- 3.Note: luggage is usually not included with budget airlines — check your allowance or pay extra
Flight to Surat Thani + Ferry
Good middle ground5–7 hours total1,500–3,000 ฿- 1.Fly to Surat Thani (URT) — 1 hour, AirAsia / Nok Air / Thai Smile
- 2.Shuttle bus to Donsak Pier — 1.5 hours (often included with combo ticket)
- 3.Ferry to Koh Tao — 2 hours via Lomprayah or Seatran
- 4.Budget airlines typically don't include luggage — book baggage allowance in advance for a better rate
Bus + Ferry
Our pick10–12 hours900–1,200 ฿- 1.Overnight VIP bus from Khao San Road or Southern Bus Terminal to Chumphon — evening departures from around 18:00–21:00
- 2.Morning ferry from Chumphon to Koh Tao — 1.5 hours via Lomprayah
- 3.Combo tickets (bus + ferry) are the way to go — available from travel agencies all over Bangkok
From our experience
This is how we travel to Koh Tao every time. The VIP buses are genuinely comfortable — reclining seats, air conditioning, a toilet on board. They make one stop along the way and hand out a snack and water. You sleep through the journey, wake up in Chumphon, and catch the morning ferry. Simple, cheap, and you save a night of accommodation.
Train + Ferry
Most scenic12–14 hours800–1,500 ฿- 1.Overnight sleeper train from Hua Lamphong to Chumphon — ~8 hours
- 2.Morning ferry from Chumphon to Koh Tao — 1.5 hours
- 3.Book train tickets in advance via the Thai Railway website — comfortable sleeper berths sell out quickly
From Koh Samui
High-speed catamaran
Easy hop1.5 hours600–800 ฿- 1.Lomprayah departs from Nathon Pier or Maenam Pier
- 2.Seatran Discovery departs from Bangrak Pier
- 3.Multiple departures daily — book online or at the pier
From Koh Phangan
High-speed catamaran
Quick crossing45 minutes – 1 hour400–600 ฿- 1.Lomprayah departs from Thong Sala Pier — typically 2–3 times daily
- 2.Seatran Discovery offers a similar route from Thong Sala
- 3.Last ferry usually departs around 2–3pm — check schedules the day before
From Chumphon
Lomprayah catamaran
Most popular1.5 hours600–800 ฿- 1.Departs from Chumphon (Tha Yang Pier) — morning departure
- 2.Fastest and most comfortable option
Night boat
Budget6–7 hours400–600 ฿- 1.Departs around midnight, arrives early morning
- 2.Budget option — basic sleeping mats on the deck
- 3.Buy tickets at the pier or from local travel agents
Ferry Companies
Which Ferry to Take
Lomprayah
High-speed catamaran
Most popular. Fast, reliable, comfortable AC seats. Runs from Chumphon, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan. Also offers bus + ferry combos from Bangkok.
Seatran Discovery
High-speed ferry
Solid alternative to Lomprayah. Similar speed and comfort. Runs from Donsak, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan.
Boonsiri
High-speed catamaran
Great value bus + ferry combos from Bangkok. Also runs ferries from Chumphon. Comfortable VIP sleeper buses on the overnight route.
Songserm
Standard ferry
Budget option. Slower but cheaper. Runs from Chumphon and between the islands.
Tips
Good to Know
- Book ferry tickets online at least 1–2 days ahead during high season (Dec–April).
- Combo tickets (bus + ferry or flight + ferry) save money and hassle — available from travel agencies.
- Lomprayah combos include pickup from hotels in Bangkok, making the trip seamless.
- Bring motion sickness pills if you're prone — the Gulf of Thailand can be choppy, especially Oct–Dec.
- Ferries arrive at Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao. Taxis and songthaews are available right at the pier.
- Ferries have a 20 kg luggage limit per person — extra weight costs extra. They've started weighing bags on Koh Tao, so don't count on it being ignored.
- Morning ferries generally have calmer seas than afternoon departures.
FAQ
Common Questions
How long does it take to get to Koh Tao from Bangkok?
The fastest route is a flight to Koh Samui or Surat Thani (1 hour) plus a ferry (1.5–2 hours), totalling about 4–5 hours. The budget option is an overnight bus + ferry combo which takes 10–12 hours but saves on accommodation.
Which ferry company is best for Koh Tao?
Lomprayah is the most popular — fast catamarans, reliable schedules, and comfortable seats. Seatran Discovery is a solid alternative with similar routes. Boonsiri is great value, especially for bus + ferry combos from Bangkok with comfortable VIP sleeper buses. Songserm is the budget option but slower. For most travellers, Lomprayah or Boonsiri are the best choices depending on your route.
Can you fly directly to Koh Tao?
No. Koh Tao has no airport. The closest airports are Koh Samui (USM) and Surat Thani (URT). From either, you take a ferry to Koh Tao. Koh Samui flights are more expensive but the ferry is shorter (1.5 hours). Surat Thani flights are cheaper but the ferry takes longer (2+ hours) with a bus transfer to the pier.
How much does the ferry to Koh Tao cost?
Lomprayah high-speed catamaran: 600–800 ฿ one way from Koh Samui or Chumphon. Seatran Discovery: 500–700 ฿. Night boat from Chumphon: 400–600 ฿. Combo tickets (bus + ferry from Bangkok) start around 900–1,200 ฿.
Once you arrive
We'll take it from there.
Book your freediving session before you arrive — we'll help you plan the rest around it.