There are numerous travel down to Koh Tao, but ultimately you will be taking a ferry on the final leg of the journey as Koh Tao is an island that does not have an airport. The duration of the journey will vary depending on the method of transport you elect and the connection times with the ferry. Listed below are the travel options available from Bangkok, but please note that the times quoted can be changed without Dive4Photos being notified, so please check these details at the time of booking.
Catch the bus from the Ko San Road (Banglampoo) in Bangkok with Lomprayah. The bus departs twice daily, at 6.00am and at 9.00pm. The bus arrives in Chumphon in time to catch the 1.00pm & 7.00am ferries (respectively) to Koh Tao. You are due to arrive in Koh Tao two hours after that.
Advantages:
Cheap
Disadvantages:
Least comfortable method. Also involves travelling into Bangkok from the airport (300/400 THB by Taxi), and the possibility of needing a room for a day/night in Ko San Road area, depending on your times.
Option 2:
Overnight 'Sleeper' or Day Train from Bangkok to Chumphon & Boat
Cost:
Approximately. 2,400 THB 1st class A/C sleeper cabin - 1,900 THB 2nd class A/C sleeper - 1,700 THB for 2nd class sleeper Fan. All prices including boat ticket 750 THB). 3rd class seated not recommended! Day prices are cheaper
The seats get reserve well in advance, so book early. The overnight train leaves Bangkok about 7.30pm to get you into Chumphon at 4-5am and then you are met and transferred by your chosen boat company to their pier for your crossing to Koh Tao. Day trains will likely mean you have to stop overnight in Chumphon or get the night boat to Koh Tao. Please see Thai Railways for pre-booking the train portion of this journey, or you can contact our local western travel agent for help in booking the trains and boats: Island Travel.
Once you are in Thailand, these can be booked, in person, at the main train station (Hua Lumphong) in the centre of Bangkok’s CBD, or by calling 1690, or any travel agent/hotel travel desk in Bangkok, (boat travel is with Lomprayah or Songserm or Night Boat and may need to be booked separately by yourself).
Advantages:
Cheaper than flight, and more comfortable than the bus, sleeper facilities at night.
Disadvantages:
They get fully booked well in advance! Involves travelling into Bangkok's main train station Hua Lumphong, from the airport (cost 300/400 THB by Taxi, or a few changes on the airport rail link and Metro. (Be aware there is lots of walking and steps between some of these stations, which is easy with small luggage, but not ideal with big heavy bags!). You may also need a room for a day/night, before getting on the train, depending on your times.
Option 3:
Flight to Koh Samui & Boat
Cost:
Approx. 3,500 - 7,000 THB (one-way Incl. taxes) and the boats are approx. 750 THB
Flying with Bangkok Airways from the main airport, Suvarnabhumi (code BKK). Check their website for various options and rates, Bangkok Airways (the earlier you book the cheaper you will get it), then ferry to Koh Tao (with Seatran or Lomprayah), including a free pick up from the airport/your hotel).
Advantages:
Quickest, most comfortable, you do not need to leave the main BKK airport (save time and expenses going into Bangkok), regular flights all day, from 6am to 9pm. Easy to catch connecting boat to Koh Tao, or stay a night or two in Koh Samui if you wish.
Disadvantages:
Most expensive, need to land in Samui by 3.30pm to catch the last ferries to Koh Tao. Seatran has a 4.30pm departure (takes 5 minutes from the airport to this pier) and Lomprayah departs at 5pm from Nathon pier, which is on the other side of Samui to the airport, taking approx. 1 hour to get there by minibus transfer.
Option 4:
Joint Ticket - Flight to Chumphon & Boat
Cost:
One-Way incl. taxes approx. 1,800 - 3,800 THB
Not Air operates flights to/from Chumphon on the mainland, the gateway to Koh Tao, that departs from the old Bangkok airport 'Don Mueang’ (code DMK), Please check & book through Nok Air, who offer a Fly'n'Ferry option (5.45am & 5.40pm Departure - the other times quoted are via Nakhon Si Thammarat or Surat Thani), meaning your transfers to/from the airport and boat are included all the way to Koh Tao.
However, if that time doesn’t fit with your other flights/travel, don’t worry, you can book another time by selecting to fly just to Chumphon, and then booking the transfers yourself. It is easy enough to organise these transfers, so just book the flight online with the airline and then use Ferry Samui or Island travel for the boat and transfers.
Advantages:
Second cheapest flight option, but longer transfer times in total and possible waiting around compared to flying via Koh Samui.
Disadvantages:
Flying from the old airport, which can mean changing airports to catch the flight. Leave at least one hour to go from one to the other and more in rush hour. Limited flights & times per day, which may mean you have to stay in Chumphon over night, or catch a night boat instead. Nights boats can be booked by Island Travel.
Option 5:
Joint Ticket - Flight to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat & Boat
Cost:
One-Way incl. taxes approx. 1,500 - 2,000 THB
Air Asia operates flights to/from Surat Thani & Nakhon Si Thammarat on the mainland. Air Asia departs from the old Bangkok airport 'Don Mueang’ (code DMK). Please check & book through Air Asia. who offer a Thailand Island Transfer option, meaning your transfers to/from the airport and boat are included all the way to Koh Tao. There are also options for the same route with Nok Air
However, if that time doesn’t fit with your other flights/travel, don’t worry, you can book another time by selecting to fly just to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat, and then booking the transfers yourself. Use Ferry Samui or Island Travel for the boat and transfers.
Advantages:
Cheapest flight option, but longer transfer times in total and possible waiting around compared to flying via Koh Samui.
Disadvantages:
Flying from the old airport, which can mean changing airports to catch the flight. Leave at least one hour to go from one to the other and more in rush hour. Limited flights & times per day, which may mean you have to stay in Surat Thani over night, or catch a night boat instead. Nights boats can be booked by Island Travel.
If you are coming from somewhere other than Bangkok, there are a variety of ways to get here. Travelling direct into Surat Thani Airport with Air Asia, usually via Kuala Lumpur, or direct into Koh Samui Airport with Bangkok Airways, from a variety of international destinations. Or simply arriving overland from other parts of Thailand and Malaysia by coach/minibus or train, then catching one of the many boat options (as stated above) from Surat Thani/Chumphon, or Koh Samui.
Click on the left image to find our location on Google Maps. Click on the right image to see a Map of Mae Haad showing our location.
Click on the above image to find our location on Google Maps. Click on the image below to see a Map of Mae Haad showing our location.
