How to get to Koh Tao
1. Getting to Thailand (If Coming from Abroad)
If you are traveling from outside Thailand, the nearest international airports are:
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – Bangkok
Don Mueang Airport (DMK) – Bangkok
Samui International Airport (USM) – Koh Samui
Surat Thani International Airport (URT) – Surat Thani
Chumphon Airport (CJM) – Chumphon
Once in Thailand, you’ll need to travel to Koh Tao via Koh Samui, Surat Thani, or Chumphon.
2. Traveling to Koh Tao from Major Cities
Option 1: From Bangkok
By Flight + Ferry (Fastest & Most Comfortable)
Fly to Koh Samui (USM):
Airlines: Bangkok Airways (direct from Bangkok)
Flight Time: ~1 hour
Ticket Price: 2,500 – 5,000 THB (~$70–$150)
Take a Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao:
Operators: Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery
Ferry Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Ticket Price: 600 – 800 THB (~$17–$25)
Fly to Surat Thani (URT) or Chumphon (CJM)
Airlines: Thai VietJet Air, AirAsia, Nok Air
Flight Time: ~1 hour
Ticket Price: 1,000 – 2,500 THB (~$30–$70)
From Surat Thani or Chumphon, take a ferry:
From Surat Thani:
Take a bus to Donsak Pier (~1.5-2 hours).
Ferry to Koh Tao (~4-5 hours).
Total travel time: 6-7 hours
From Chumphon:
Lomprayah high-speed catamaran (~1.5-2 hours).
Total travel time: 3-4 hours (faster than from Surat Thani).
By Train + Ferry (Budget & Scenic)
Take an overnight train from Bangkok to Chumphon or Surat Thani:
Best train: Train #85 or #167 (sleeper berth recommended)
Travel time: ~8-9 hours
Price: 1,000 – 1,500 THB (~$30–$45)
From Chumphon: ~1.5–2 hours
From Surat Thani: ~4-5 hours
By Bus + Ferry (Cheapest)
Take a bus from Bangkok to Chumphon or Surat Thani:
Operator: Lomprayah, Seatran, Phantip, 12Go Asia
Travel time: ~8-10 hours
Price: 600-1,200 THB (~$20–$35)
Take a ferry from Chumphon (~1.5-2 hours) or Surat Thani (~4-5 hours) to Koh Tao.
Option 2: From Phuket / Krabi
Take a Bus/Minivan to Surat Thani (~3-4 hours)
Take a Ferry to Koh Tao (~4-5 hours)
Total time: 7-9 hours
Option 3: From Chiang Mai
Fly to Bangkok, Surat Thani, or Koh Samui.
Follow the ferry steps above.
3. Ferry Operators and Their Schedules
OperatorRouteDurationPrice (THB)LomprayahChumphon – Koh Tao~1.5 hrs600-800LomprayahSurat Thani – Koh Tao~4-5 hrs700-1,000SeatranKoh Samui – Koh Tao~1.5-2 hrs600-800SongsermChumphon – Koh Tao~3 hrs500-700
✅ Book tickets in advance on:
4. Estimated Travel Times & Costs (Summary)
RouteTravel TimeCost (THB)Bangkok → Koh Samui → Koh Tao3-4 hours3,500-5,000Bangkok → Chumphon → Koh Tao (Train)10-12 hours1,500-2,500Bangkok → Surat Thani → Koh Tao (Bus + Ferry)12-14 hours1,000-2,000Phuket → Surat Thani → Koh Tao7-9 hours1,500-2,500
5. Tips for a Smooth Journey
✅ Book flights and ferries in advance (especially in high season: Dec-Apr).
✅ Bring cash (some ferry terminals don’t have ATMs).
✅ Take motion sickness pills if you get seasick.
✅ Check weather conditions, as rough seas can delay ferries.