Koh Tao is a remote island in the Gulf of Thailand, known for its epic diving spots and laid-back island vibes. But being so isolated means there’s no airport and the only way to get to Koh Tao is by boat, that’s either a speedboat, fast ferry, or overnight slow boat (don’t worry, I’ll break down these options below).
Where you take the boat from is the main difference to consider. The fastest option is flying to neabry Koh Samui from anywhere in Thailand and taking a speedboat from there.
However, if you’re not starting from Koh Samui, there are plenty of other ports to choose from, including Chumphon and Surat Thani. Sound too complicated? Don’t worry, after many trips to Koh Tao I’ve taken almost every option and I’ll break down the details of each route—covering costs, travel times, and recommendations to help you plan your trip.
Getting to Koh Tao: Overview
Want to skip the logistics and jump into the fun things to do on Koh Tao? Here's a quick summary of how to get to Koh Tao, but read on for recommendations and tips on how to book at the right price online.
- Fastest: The quickest way to reach Koh Tao is by flying to Koh Samui, then taking a high-speed ferry. Flights from Bangkok and Phuket to Koh Samui take around 1 hour, followed by a 1.5-hour ferry ride to Koh Tao.
- Cheapest: The most budget-friendly option is to take an overnight bus or (train) from Bangkok or bus from Phuket to Chumphon or Surat Thani. From here you can take the cheap night ferry to Koh Tao which takes 5-8 hours (850 THB for a bunk bed usually with AC).
- Koh Tao from Bangkok Airport: Catch a flight to Koh Samui for the fastest route, or take a taxi to Bangkok city, followed by an overnight bus or train to Chumphon or Surat Thani for the cheapest option.
- Koh Tao from Phuket Airport: Fly to Koh Samui for a faster journey or book a bus-and-ferry combo via Surat Thani (I recommend Lomprayah). This trip takes around 8-10 hours.
Tip: The most vast and reliable transport service, including buses and ferries to Koh Tao is run by Lomprayah. You can book their tickets online using 12Go Asia for the best rates and to avoid commissions at the pier.
Koh Tao Ferry Departure Points & Durations
Below is a summary table of all the ferry, fastboat, speedboat, and overnight sleeper boats operating trips to Koh Tao. These all arrive at the main pier in Koh Tao Called Mae Haad Pier. From here you can easily get to your Koh Tao hotel easily by organizing with your accommodation or local taxi.
You can book tickets from all of these ports online using 12Go Asia for the best rates and to avoid commissions at the pier. This is what I do every trip.
| Departure Pier | Boat Type | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Surat Thani Night Boat Pier, Surat Thani Town | Ferry (Night Boat) | 8 hours |
| Tapee pier Lomprayah, Surat Thani | Speedboat | 4 hours |
| Pontaweesin Pier, Chumphon | Sleeper Boat | 6 hours |
| Talaysub Pier, Chumphon | Sleeper Boat | 7 hours |
| Lomprayah Pier Chumphon | Speedboat | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Maenam Pier, Koh Samui | Fast Ferry | 2 hours 30 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes speedboat) |
| Petcherat Marina Bangrak, Koh Samui | Fast Ferry | 2 hours 45 minutes |
Fastest & Easiest Way to Get to Koh Tao
If you want the fastest and most straightforward transport route to Koh Tao and get into diving and exploring amazing beaches, then I recommend flying straight to Koh Samui Airport (USM).
Koh Samui is the closest island to Koh Tao with an airport, offering frequent domestic and international flights from major hubs like Bangkok, Phuket, and Singapore. From Koh Samui, you can easily get to Koh Tao via high-speed ferries operated by Lomprayah (or less commonly Seatran).
These ferries depart from the nearby Bangrak or Maenam piers, with multiple daily departures. The ferry journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the weather conditions.
Budget Option For Backpackers Getting to Koh Tao
If you have more time than travel funds on your trip, then the cheapest possible way to get to Koh Tao is to overland to Surat Thani and get the night ferry to Koh Tao.
Start by taking a train or bus to Surat Thani, which serves as the main overland gateway to Koh Tao.
- From Bangkok, trains on the Southern Line depart from Hua Lamphong Station, with options ranging from third-class seats to affordable second-class sleepers. Alternatively, buses to Surat Thani are available from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal and are often slightly faster than the train.
- Once you arrive in Surat Thani, head to the ferry terminal for the night ferry operated by local companies.
- The night ferry departs around 11 PM and takes 6-7 hours, arriving in Koh Tao early the next morning. Tickets are very affordable (around 850 THB) and typically include basic sleeping mats so you'll save on a night's accommodation too.
How to Get to Koh Tao From Bangkok
There are multiple ways to get to Koh Tao from Thailand's capital city but the best option for you will depend on your budget and time. Here's a breakdown of my recommended options:
- Fly to Koh Samui
This is the fastest and most straightforward route mentioned above. Flights cost around 2,500 THB, including baggage, and take just over an hour. From Koh Samui, ferries to Koh Tao take 1.5 to 2 hours, with multiple daily departures from piers near the airport operated by Lomprayah or Seatran. - Fly to Surat Thani + Ferry
For a more budget-friendly alternative, fly to Surat Thani, with tickets starting from 1,200–1,800 THB. From Surat Thani Airport, take a bus to Donsak Pier (1.5 hours) and then a ferry to Koh Tao (4 hours). - Overland to Surat Thani + Ferry
The cheapest option is traveling overland via train or bus to Surat Thani (8–12 hours). From there, transfer to Donsak Pier for the fast ferry or overnight boat. While this method is cheaper, it’s significantly slower and requires more time for transfers.
How to Get to Koh Tao From Phuket
Phuket International Airport is a major travel hub with direct flights from many cities worldwide, making it one of the cheapest and most convenient airports to fly into Thailand. However, since Phuket is on the west coast of Thailand and Koh Tao is on the east coast, you’ll need to either fly or travel overland to one of the ferry departure points. Here's a breakdown of the best ways to get to Koh Tao from Phuket:
- Recommended: Van + fast ferry combo with Lomprayah for a convenient and affordable journey.
- Fastest: Fly to Koh Samui and connect via ferry.
- Budget Options: Overland to Surat Thani or Chumphon, followed by a ferry.
Van + Fast Ferry Combo with Lomprayah (Recommended)
For a good balance of time, money, and convenience, I recommend booking the van and fast ferry combo with Lomprayah. This package includes overland transport from Phuket to one of Lomprayah's departure piers above, followed by a fast ferry to Koh Tao.
The overland journey is very comfortable, usually in air-conditioned vans or smaller buses, and eliminates the hassle of airport check-ins and connections. Once you arrive at the Lomprayah pier, you can board the ferry straight to Koh Tao.
Fly to Koh Samui + Ferry
If you’re short on time, flying to Koh Samui and taking a ferry to Koh Tao is the fastest option.
From Phuket International Airport, direct flights to Koh Samui are available and typically take about an hour. Once in Koh Samui, ferries to Koh Tao take 1.5 to 2 hours, with multiple daily departures operated by Lomprayah or Seatran from either Petcherat Pier (Bangkrak Pier) or Maenam Pier.
Overland to Surat Thani + Ferry
For a budget-friendly alternative, you can take public overland buses to Surat Thani and take a ferry to Koh Tao.
Buses from Phuket to Surat Thani take 6–8 hours, and once in Surat Thani, you’ll need to transfer to Donsak Pier for the ferry. High-speed ferries from Donsak Pier take about 4 hours to reach Koh Tao but you can also take the night boat.
Overland to Chumphon + Ferry
Another budget option is traveling overland to Chumphon and taking a ferry to Koh Tao. Buses from Phuket to Chumphon take about 8–10 hours, and ferries from Chumphon to Koh Tao take 1.5 to 2 hours on a high-speed ferry or 6–8 hours on an overnight boat.
How to Get to Koh Tao from Krabi
There are multiple ways to overland to Surat Thani or Chumpon piers from Krabi. However, in my opinion the easiest way to get to Koh Tao from Krabi is by booking a combined bus and ferry ticket with Lomprayah (8–10 hours). This is similar to the option from Phuket with air conditioned coaches or minivans for the overland part.
Lomprayah operates a well-organized service that departs from their office in Krabi Town and includes a transfer to Donsak Pier (4.5 hours), where you'll board the high-speed ferry to Koh Tao (4 hours).
- Departure Point: Lomprayah office in Krabi Town.
- Pier: Donsak Pier, Surat Thani.
- Arrival Point: Mae Haad Pier, Koh Tao.
- Ticket Price: Around 1,400 THB for the full journey.
What to Expect on the Way to Koh Tao
After traveling to Koh Tao from nearly every port and transport route, here’s a detailed recap of my experiences to help you understand what to expect. My favorite route, especially when flying in from overseas, is to start at Phuket Airport since flights are often cheaper with many direct international connections.
From there, I usually book the Lomprayah bus and ferry combo, which is convenient and straightforward.
The journey starts at the Lomprayah office in Phuket, located about 15 minutes from Phuket Old Town. It’s easy to reach by taxi or Grab. While Lomprayah recommends arriving an hour before departure, I’ve found that 30 minutes is usually fine. There’s a small Lomprayah café at the office that serves decent espresso coffee.
If you prefer other options, you can walk to nearby cafes—there’s one about 5 minutes to the right, and Central Phuket is just 5 minutes to the left for more food and drinks.
The bus to Surat Thani is air-conditioned and comfortable, though legroom can be tight if the van is full. After about 2 hours, the bus makes a stop at a local food court in Phang Nga, where you can grab a plate of rice with curry for 80 THB or other affordable Thai dishes. It’s a nice chance to stretch your legs and enjoy a meal before continuing. The full drive from Phuket to Surat Thani takes around 4–6 hours, depending on traffic.
Upon arriving at the Lomprayah Tapi Pier in Surat Thani, you’ll find a large waiting area with plenty of seats. If there’s a wait for the ferry, this is where you’ll spend the time. The pier has a mini-mart with air conditioning, snacks, and drinks, along with an ATM if you need cash. Free Wi-Fi is available (password: ilovelomprayah) and the toilets are clean—be sure to use them before boarding, as there are no toilets on the speedboat!
Final Tips for the Journey to Koh Tao
Getting to Koh Tao isn't as straightforward as many of the other popular islands like Phi Phi etc. However, Thai's do a pretty great job of making the process as smooth as possible with many transport options as you can see above.
Before you go, here are a few tips that I've learned along the way for your trip.
- Bring snacks and water, as options on the ferry are limited.
- If you have time to explore before departure, Phuket Old Town is a great area for food and sightseeing.
- Use the restroom before boarding the ferry—no toilets onboard the speedboat!
- Consider downloading offline maps or podcasts to make the journey more enjoyable, especially during waiting times.
Overall, the bus and ferry combo with Lomprayah remains my favorite option due to its balance of cost, comfort, and ease. It’s well-organized and eliminates the stress of navigating multiple transfers on your own. Happy travels!
When is the Best Time To Visit Koh Tao?
If you're going to spend a lot of time in the water, then the best time to visit Koh Tao is from March to May, when the weather is hotter and the underwater visibility is the best.
However, Koh Tao enjoys hot tropical weather patterns and the best time to travel will depend on the monsoon season and what you'd like to do on the island. The Monsoon typically arrives in November with heavy rains and can continue well into December.
Option: July to November is my favorite time to visit Koh Tao. This season sees the start of the stronger winds sweeping across the island. However, the weather is still hot, at around 32 degrees and you'll enjoy some light evening showers.
