title: "Getting to Koh Tao, Thailand" description: "How to get to Koh Tao, Thailand by road, rail, sea and air. Compare the best routes for different budgets" slug: "getting_there" content_type: html show_affiliate_disclaimer: true authors: [{"image": "/static/images/authors/Graham Smith.jpg", "name": "Graham Smith"}, {"image": "/static/images/authors/Hannah McKinsey.jpg", "name": "Hannah McKinsey"}, {"image": "/static/images/authors/Lorraine Aust.jpg", "name": "Lorraine Aust"}, {"image": "/static/images/authors/Somchai Boonmee.jpg", "name": "Somchai Boonmee"}] parts: ["south-east-asia", "thailand", "southern-thailand---gulf-coast", "koh-tao"] publication_date: "2025-07-30T14:17:00.268562" og_image: "https://images.tfaworldguide.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,format=auto,height=1024,fit=cover,gravity=auto/image_library/pexels/koh_tao/koh_tao_29496456.jpeg"
Getting There and Away
<p>Koh Tao, an island in Thailand, is not directly accessible by air or land, meaning all journeys to and from the island require a ferry connection. The main ferry port on Koh Tao is Mae Haad Pier. Travelers typically connect through mainland hubs like Chumphon and Surat Thani, or from nearby islands such as Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. </p>
<div class="article-style-list">
<div class="article-section article-section--no-image">
<div class="article-content">
<h3>From Bangkok (Flight + Ferry - Fastest but more expensive):</h3>
<div class="prose">
<ul>
<li>
Fly from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport - BKK or Don Mueang International Airport - DMK) to Koh Samui (USM) (approx. 1 hour flight).
</li>
<li>
Then, take a high-speed ferry from Koh Samui (e.g., Bangrak or Maenam piers) to Koh Tao (1.5 to 2 hours).
</li>
<li>
<strong>Total travel time:</strong> 3-4 hours.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Indicative cost:</strong> ฿2,500-4,000 for the flight and ferry combined.
</li>
<li>
Alternatively, fly from Bangkok (DMK) to Chumphon (CJM) (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes flight), followed by a bus transfer to the pier and a ferry to Koh Tao (1.5-2 hours).
</li>
<li>
Another option is to fly from Bangkok to Surat Thani, then take a bus to Donsak Pier (1.5 hours) and a ferry to Koh Tao (4 hours).
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="article-section article-section--no-image">
<div class="article-content">
<h3>From Bangkok (Bus + Ferry - Most popular and economical):</h3>
<div class="prose">
<ul>
<li>
Combined bus and ferry tickets are available from Bangkok (e.g., Khao San Road or Arun Amarin) to Chumphon pier, then by ferry to Koh Tao.
</li>
<li>
Operators like Lomprayah offer combined services; Lomprayah's journey includes an air-conditioned bus to Chumphon pier (approx. 7 hours) and then a ferry to Koh Tao (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes).
</li>
<li>
<strong>Total travel time:</strong> 9 to 14.5 hours.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Indicative cost:</strong> USD 31-44 , or ฿1,100-1,550 for a standard to VIP ticket.
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="article-section article-section--no-image">
<div class="article-content">
<h3>From Bangkok (Train + Ferry - Comfortable overnight option):</h3>
<div class="prose">
<ul>
<li>
Take an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok (Hua Lamphong Station) to Chumphon.
</li>
<li>
From Chumphon railway station, transfer to the ferry pier (often a free transfer with combined tickets), and then take a ferry to Koh Tao (1.5-2 hours).
</li>
<li>
Train journey to Chumphon is approximately 6-8 hours.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Indicative cost:</strong> Around ฿1,500 for the combined train and ferry.
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="article-section article-section--no-image">
<div class="article-content">
<h3>From Phuket/Krabi (Western Thailand):</h3>
<div class="prose">
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Flight + Ferry::</strong> Fly to Koh Samui, then take a ferry to Koh Tao (total 3-4 hours, ฿3,000-6,000).
</li>
<li>
<strong>Overland + Ferry::</strong> Take a bus or van to Surat Thani or Chumphon, then a ferry.
</li>
<li>
For example, a bus from Phuket to Surat Thani takes 6-8 hours, followed by a ferry from Donsak Pier to Koh Tao (4 hours for high-speed ferry, or an overnight boat taking 8-10 hours, approximately ฿850 for a bunk).
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="article-section article-section--no-image">
<div class="article-content">
<h3>From Koh Samui (Ferry):</h3>
<div class="prose">
<ul>
<li>
Ferries depart from piers such as Mae Nam or Bangrak to Koh Tao.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Travel time:</strong> 1.5 to 3 hours.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Indicative cost:</strong> Approximately $54-$92, varying from $22-$133 depending on operator and season.
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="article-section article-section--no-image">
<div class="article-content">
<h3>From Koh Phangan (Ferry):</h3>
<div class="prose">
<ul>
<li>
Ferries depart from Thong Sala Pier to Koh Tao.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Travel time:</strong> 1 to 1.5 hours.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Indicative cost:</strong> From ฿400.
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
