How To Get To Koh Tao From Bangkok By Bus, Ferry and Flight
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The most common way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao is via bus and boat. The Lomprayah bus leaves Bangkok at 21:00 and travels to Chumphon in 8 hours, followed by a 3-4 hour boat ride to Koh Tao (arrival: 08:45). Other choices include riding the train to Chumphon (about 7 hours) or Surat Thani (approximately 7 hours) (11.5 hours).
Getting to Koh Tao depends on what mode of transportation you are using. If you are travelling with limited time or finances, the most convenient way is to purchase a flight ticket directly to Koh Tao. This can however get very expensive especially for longer tickets. If you are going to use your own vehicle and want to avoid driving yourself, you can get a ferry from Ranong or Surat Thani. The best way is probably to go through the land, either by bus or train. Both are comfortable and safe options that will cost significantly less than flying.
I’ve put together this guide to give you the best information about How To get to Koh Tao. We’ll cover all forms of transport including flights, boats and trains and give you full prices and useful links so you can book your tickets safely.
Ways To Get from Bangkok To Koh Tao
The most common way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao is via bus and boat. The Lomprayah bus leaves Bangkok at 21:00 and travels to Chumphon in 8 hours, followed by a 3-4 hour boat ride to Koh Tao (arrival: 08:45). Other choices include riding the train to Chumphon (about 7 hours) or Surat Thani (approximately 7 hours) (11.5 hours).
When travelling by train, we recommend using the Chumphon overnight train. You may take a combination van and boat travel to Koh Tao from there. If you travel through Chumphon, the total cost is $32.75 and the journey time is around 11 hours. The train from Bangkok to Surat Thani takes 19 hours, and ferry + train tickets from Bangkok to Surat Thani cost around $45.
Last but not least, you may fly to Koh Samui and then take the boat to Koh Tao. Keep in mind, though, that airfares to Koh Samui are rather costly.
#1 Bangkok to Koh Tao Bus and ferry ticket
The most convenient method to get to Koh Tao from Bangkok is to take an overnight bus and connect with a boat. Only one transfer is required for the combination bus and boat option, which has already been planned for you. The travel takes roughly 12 hours and costs $38 for a pair of tickets.
We recommend taking a night bus so that you may catch up on sleep and arrive fully refreshed.
Keep in mind, though, that not all buses on this trip have sleeper berths, so you could have to sleep on a reclining chair.
#2 Flying From Bangkok To Koh Samui Then Catching The Ferry
Step 1: This is the quickest way! But… What will it cost? From Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) to Koh Samui airport (USM) there are several airlines and flight times, bearing in mind that some flights make a stop in Surat Thani. Roughly from US$100 one way. From Koh Samui to Koh Tao there are two options. A tourist shuttle boat for approximately US$60 per person each way. And you can take the expensive option.
Step 2: Then you can take the Lomprayah catamaran from Samui to Koh Tao. The ferry ride takes about two hours. One thing to keep in mind is that ferries only run three times a day, at 08:00, 12:30, and 16:45. As a result, it’s best to schedule your domestic flight to coincide with one of those periods. If you arrive in Samui from the last ferry, you’ll have to stay the evening on the island of Koh Samui.
Top Tips;
- Try and book your flight to Koh Samui with a minimum of 2 hours connection time. When you arrive at the airport check in straight away for your flight to Koh Tao. Our boatmen will be waiting for you as your plane arrives, holding a sign with your name on it.
- Keep a full charged phone
- Remember your passport
- Carry some cash
- Take snacks
#3 Bangkok to Surat Thani flight and then ferry to Koh Tao
Step 1:If getting to Koh Tao by land isn’t a choice and you’d rather have a shorter flight time than pay more, flying from Chumphon or Suratthani rather than Don Muang will save you about an hour of flying time but will cost more.
Step 2: The Lomprayah catamaran is a fast, safe and convenient way to travel to Koh Tao from the mainland. Journey times from Chumphon vary according to the weather but generally take around 2 and a half hours. It’s not too late to combine your flight with a short stay on either Koh Samui or Koh Phangan the day before your ferry departure. From Chumphon, it’s possible to travel as far south as Phuket, Krabi and even Singapore. The terminal at Chumphon is only 20 minutes drive from the pier, meaning transfers are hassle-free.
#4 Bangkok to Koh Tao overnight sleeper train + ferry
If the cost of flights and ferries has deterred you from visiting Thailand’s popular diving island of Koh Tao, this might be the ideal travel choice for you. This trip combines a night train ride from Bangkok to Chumporn with a short Lomprayah ferry ride from Chumphon to Koh Tao. You arrive in Chumphon early in the morning, and a minivan will take you straight to the pier from Chumphon station. Since the ferry tickets are pre-paid, there will be no delays when they arrive at their pier.
Lomprayah, a ferry operator, runs a twice-daily service from the Chumphon pier. It takes 4 hours to get there. Koh Tao is just a 45-minute boat ride from the pier, so you can easily get to your accommodation by tuk tuk or rent a scooter for the day once you arrive.
You will also find the Bangkok to Koh Samui guide helpful as well!
Coach and Ferry cost?
It will cost you less than $50. The bus ferry combo ticket from Bangkok to Koh Tao is the cheapest and fastest way to travel between the two destinations. The air conditioned bus drive takes you from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal all the way down to Chumphon where you board a high speed catamaran for Koh Tao.
How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Koh tao?
The most common mode of transport between Bangkok and Koh Tao is by bus and ferry. The Lomprayah bus leaves Bangkok at 21:00 and flies to Chumphon in 7 hours, with a 2-4 hour ferry ride to Koh Tao in between (arrival: 09:00). Other choices include taking the train to Chumphon or Surat Thani (approximately 8 hours) (11 hours).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Koh Tao dangerous?
The oddity is that Koh Tao is safe for the vast majority of visitors, at least by Thailand’s perilous standards. In the last year, 362 British tourists died in Thailand, many more than in France, which draws nearly 20 times the amount of British visitors.
What To Do in Koh Tao?
You can check out this guide on things to do Koh Tao, beaches Koh Tao and where to stay Koh Tao on your visit!
Here are some other useful travel guides;
Is it worth going to Koh Tao?
Where is the best place to stay in Koh Tao?
Here are 3 great Koh Tao hotels;
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