What to expect when visiting Koh Tao
Koh Tao is also a popular diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand. Known as one of the cheapest locations in the world to get your PADI license, the island offers beautiful underwater scenery with gorgeous coral gardens and tons of fish.
It may be just 1/10 the size of its neighbour Koh Samui, but that doesn’t mean there is less to see in Koh Tao. Here, you’ll find beautiful bays, beaches and viewpoints — all just a motorbike ride away. And the best part? You can enjoy all these at a more laidback and slow pace.
5 ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao
There are 5 ways to travel the distance of 415 kilometers (258 miles) from Bangkok to Koh Tao by bus (8 hours 45 minutes to 14 hours 30 minutes), minivan (16 hours), train via Chumphon (7 hours 25 minutes to 17 hours), flight (3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours) and train via Suratthani (11 hours 30 minutes to 20 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 3 hours 15 minutes to 20 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 781 THB ($24) for the train via Chumphon.Where to stay in Koh Tao?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Koh Tao at the bottom of this page.
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Train via Chumphon
When taking the train from Bangkok to Koh Tao, you can choose to go either via Chumphon or via Surat Thani.
We recommend travelling by train via Chumphon, as this province is nearer to Koh Tao. From there, it takes around 3 hours to reach Koh Tao by ferry.
Step 1: Bangkok to Chumphon by Train
From your hotel in Bangkok, you will first have to go to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, which is the starting point for all trains going to Chumphon.
We recommend that you take a night train that arrives early morning in Chumphon. This way, you can immediately transfer to the only van leaving in the morning, which is at 06:00, and arrive early in Koh Tao.
The train ride to Chumphon Railway Station can take around 5h 40m - 9h 10m, depending on the train you take.
Fares start at 216 THB ($6.50) for a second-class seat. Some trains also offer first and second-class berths that are more expensive, but definitely more comfortable. See our recommended train schedules below.
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We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
Step 2: Chumphon to Koh Tao by Van + Ferry
Outside Chumphon Railway Station, vans are available to take you to the ferry terminal, where you’ll be taking the ferry to Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao.
Fame Tours & Services and Lomprayah vans are available with fares from 565 THB ($17).
Travel time is around 1h 45m - 8h, including the ferry ride to Koh Tao.
You may want to contact your hotel beforehand for a pick-up service from Mae Haad Pier. Alternatively, you can arrange your own transport from the pier to your hotel.
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Train via Suratthani
When travelling from Bangkok to Koh Tao, you can also travel via Surat Thani, which is the province next to Chumphon in the south.
Koh Tao is actually a part of Surat Thani, but travelling via this province takes longer and can be more expensive than going via Chumphon.
However, we still wanted to share this option in case the option with the stopover in Chumphon doesn’t fit your itinerary for some reason.
Step 1: Bangkok to Surat Thani by Train
Same as the train via Chumphon, trains to Surat Thani also depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station in Bangkok. The journey takes longer, though, around 8h 50m - 12h.
Since the train ride to Surat Thani Railway Station is a bit longer, you can try a sleeper berth with air conditioning for a more comfortable journey.
Ticket prices for second-class sleeper berths start from 246 THB ($7.40). Below are our recommended train schedules.
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We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
Step 2: Surat Thani to Koh Tao by Van + Ferry
From Surat Thani Railway Station, the combined van and ferry ride to Koh Tao takes around 2h 30m - 8h 30m.
Fares for the combined van and ferry ride with Lomprayah start at 814 THB ($25).
If you miss the van departure, you need to figure out your own transportation to Donsak Pier, which is about 79 km away from the train station.
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If you add this van and ferry trip to the train journey, it will take probably around 20 hours of travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao via Surat Thani. It is definitely longer than the 11.5 to 13-hour trip via Chumphon, which is also about 600 THB ($18.10) cheaper than this option.
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Bus
Booking an overnight bus and connecting ferry to Koh Tao is the easiest way to reach this paradise island from Bangkok. With this option, both the bus and ferry are already organised for you, so you won’t have to book the tickets separately.
The combined bus and ferry option requires two transfers. The first one is by bus or minivan in Chumphon or Hua Hin, while the second transfer is to board the ferry at Chumphon Pier.
Combined tickets start from 1,114 THB ($34), and the journey can take around 8 hours 45 minutes to 14 hours 30 minutes.
Departure and arrival station
Songserm, Montanatip, and Lomprayah buses all depart from Khao San Road, the famous backpacker street in Bangkok. For Paradive Travel, the meet-up point is at Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
After the transfer in Hua Hin or Chumphon, the bus or minivan will take you to Chumphon Pier. From here, you will take the ferry and arrive at Koh Tao Island.
Bus + Ferry schedules from Bangkok to Koh Tao
Luckily, most trips available are night buses, so you can catch up on sleep and be well-rested before you arrive. However, keep in mind that not all buses for this route offer sleeper beds, so you may have to sleep in a reclined chair instead.
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Minivan
You can travel to Koh Tao from Bangkok with a combined van and ferry. BookAway lets you book both tickets at once, saving you the trouble of buying them separately.
Fame Tours & Services is operating on this route. See the schedule below.
Van + Ferry schedule from Bangkok to Koh Tao
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Flight
If you’d rather save time than money when travelling from Bangkok to Koh Tao, your best option is to fly via Koh Samui. With this option, you do not need to spend more than half of your day travelling.
Koh Tao doesn’t have its own airport, so you will have to take a flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui, an island that is another main tourist destination just below Koh Tao.
This option also involves a minivan ride to the pier and a ferry ride to Koh Tao. Even with the transfers, by flight is the fastest option to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Bangkok to Koh Samui by Flight
There are multiple flights departing from Bangkok to Koh Samui every day. All flights are operated by Bangkok Airways.
For a flight to Koh Samui Airport that takes around 1 hour 5 minutes, ticket prices start from 2,000 THB ($60).
Check the ferry schedules before booking a flight (Step 3). Most ferry companies have the latest departure at 12:30 pm. This means you have to book a morning flight in order to arrive at Koh Tao on the same day.
For more information, you can read how to go from Bangkok to Koh Samui.
Other flight options when travelling from Bangkok to Koh Tao
You also have the option to fly to Chumphon or Surat Thani and take a ferry from there to Koh Tao.
Flying from Bangkok to Chumphon or Surat Thani can save you some money, but it will also take you more time to reach Koh Samui as these ports are further from Koh Tao.
Travelling this journey to Surat Thani by night train can be a great alternative too, but in the end, the bus+ferry might be the easiest option if you want to save money.
Step 2: Samui Airport to Pier by Shared Minivan
Seatran Discovery used to include pick-up from the airport, but the last time we checked (June 2024), they haven’t resumed their operations yet. No other ferry companies include airport pick-up, so you’ll need to travel on your own from the airport to the pier.
The ferries from Koh Samui to Koh Tao depart from Mae Nam Pier and Nathon Pier. SmackOne offers van services to these Zone 2 areas for 250 THB ($7.50). There are van departures every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 21:30.
You can also take a taxi from the airport with rates starting from 400 THB ($12).
Step 3: Koh Samui to Koh Tao by Ferry
In Mae Nam and Nathon Pier, high-speed and speed boats to Koh Tao are available. The travel time from Koh Samui to Koh Tao will take just 1.5-2 hours. Fares start from 519 THB ($15.60).
Once you reach Koh Tao, you may have to arrange your transfer to your hotel by yourself. Better yet, you can ask your hotel to pick you up from the port once you arrive on the island.
Best places to stay in Koh Tao
The Stamp Hotel - Budget Friendly
Located not far from Sairee Beach. The Stamp Hotel is simple, clean and provides everything you could need for a comfortable stay. The staff are the star of this hotel, helping you with recommendations and hiring scooters.
All rooms come with a patio or balcony for you to sit back and immerse yourself in the nature that surrounds the hotel. This is a great budget option in Koh Tao!
- Super clean rooms
- Amazing staff
- Good location
- Great value for money
Private rooms start from $24 per night.
Budchui Village2 - Mid Range
Budchui Village2 is located just 500m from Sairee Beach and offers a beautiful swimming pool. The stunning mountain views, lush greenery and tranquillity will make for a perfect escape from the busy streets of Koh Tao.
Staff are very helpful and will assist in booking tours, onward travel plans and renting motorcycles or bicycles.
- Swimming pool
- Close to the beach
- Stunning mountain views
- Friendly and helpful staff
Private room starts at $31 per night.
The Dearly Koh Tao Hostel - Mid Range
Located in the Chalok Baan Kao area this hostel is surrounded by nature, lush scenery and tranquillity. The hostel has a large outdoor swimming pool, an on-site restaurant, a bar and a great rooftop terrace for guests to soak in all the sights.
There is also a common area for socializing with a TV, books and a shared computer. Thinking about getting your PADI in Koh Tao, the hostel is also a dive centre. The rooms are spacious and clean with private balconies.
- Swimming pool
- Dive centre
- On-site restaurant and bar
- Extremely clean
Private room starts at $36 per night.
View Point Resort - Treating Yourself
View Point Resort is one of the best places to stay in the whole of Koh Tao. The views are exceptional, the rooms are perfectly designed for an island getaway and they even have a private beach area.
The lagoon-style swimming pool overlooks the sea below, or opt for one of the stunning villas which have their own private swimming pool. Life cannot get much better than this!
- Beautiful swimming pools
- Exceptional views
- Private beach
- Delicious complimentary breakfast
Villas start from $86 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bangkok to Koh Tao
How far is Koh Tao from Bangkok?
Is it worth making the journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
Does Koh Tao have an airport?
How many days should I stay in Koh Tao?
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What's the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
Will I get seasick on the ferry to Koh Tao?
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
