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How To Get From Bangkok to Koh Tao?
The island of Koh Tao is a very popular diving destination located southeast of Thailand. It’s known as one of the cheapest locations in the world to get your PADI license and offers beautiful underwater scenery.
When travelling the 415km distance from Bangkok to Koh Tao, you have 4 options. You can catch an overnight train via Chumphon for 11 hours ($34.50); take a 9-hour bus ride ($38); board a train via Surat Thani for 19 hours ($48); or hop on a flight for 3.5 hours ($113). All options include a ferry ride from Koh Samui or the mainland to Koh Tao.
What is the easiest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
The easiest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao is by a combined bus & ferry. Leaving from Bangkok at 21:00 and arriving at 8:45 in Koh Tao. Prefer more comfort? Then we recommend taking the night train to Chumphon (22:50-05:49) and booking the 3-4 hour ferry to Koh Tao separately.
When travelling by train, we recommend to take overnight train via Chumphon. From there you can get a combined van and ferry ride to Koh Tao. Total cost starts at $34.50 and travel time is around 11 hours.
There is also an option to take the train via Surat Thani, but it takes much longer at 19 hours. Combined train, van and ferry tickets to Koh Tao cost about $48.
Does Koh Tao have an airport?
Koh Tao doesn’t have its own airport. You will either have to fly to nearby island Koh Samui, to Chumphon or to Surat Thani.
The most common to travel to Koh Tao by flight, is by booking a flight to Koh Samui and then continue with a 2,5 hour ferry ride to Koh Tao. You potentially can safe some money by flying to Chumphon instead of Koh Samui, but we suggest to think about taking the night train for this journey instead. Taking the night train will safe you time as you travel by night and will be much better for the environment than flying.
Compare prices and duration from Bangkok to Koh Tao
| Transport mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 9 hours | 1,150 THB ($38) | Check bus tickets |
| Train via Chumphon | 10h 45min | 1,040 ($34.50) | Check train tickets |
| Train via Surat Thani | 19 hours | 1,460 THB ($48) | Check train tickets |
| Flight | 3h 35min | 3,430 THB ($113) | Check flights |
Looking for more info? We got you covered!
- Bus from Bangkok to Koh Tao
- Train from Bangkok to Koh Tao via Chumphon
- Train from Bangkok to Koh Tao via Surat Thani
- Flight from Bangkok to Koh Tao via Koh Samui
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Bus
Duration: 9 hours
Costs: 1,150 THB ($38)
Booking an overnight bus and connecting ferry to Koh Tao is the easiest way to reach this paradise island from Bangkok. The combined bus and ferry option requires only one transfer, which is already organized for you. Combined tickets cost $38 and the journey takes about 9 hours.
We recommend booking a night bus so you can catch up on sleep and be well-rested before you arrive.
However, keep in mind that not all buses along this route offer sleeper beds and you may have to sleep in a reclined chair.
We have listed the trusted transport companies that offer combined bus and ferry tickets from Bangkok to Koh Tao below.
| Ferry Operator | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lomprayah | 06:00-14:45 21:00-08:45 | 8h 45m 11h 45m | 1,150 THB ($38) |
| Songserm | 18:00-09:45 | 15h 45m | 970 THB ($32) |
| Paradive Travel | 19:00-09:30 | 14h 30m | 1,300 THB ($43) |
Songserm and Lomprayah buses both depart from Khao San Road, the famous backpacker area in Bangkok. For Paradive Travel, the meet-up point is at Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
The buses travel to the pier in Chumphon. From here, you will transfer to a boat that docks at Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao. This way you can travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao without having to worry about the transfers. Everything will be organized for you!
You may have to book another transfer to your hotel. Better yet, ask your hotel if they offer a free pick-up service.
Check Combined Bus and Ferry Tickets
If you want to book with Paradive Travel, they are only available on 12go.asia.
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Train via Chumphon
Duration: 10h 45min excl. transfers
Costs: 1,040 THB ($34.50)
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 it is the nearest railway station from Koh Tao. From there it is a little bit less than 4 hours to reach Koh Tao by ferry.
Step 1: Bangkok to Chumphon by Train
Duration: 7 hours
Costs: 540 THB ($18)
From your hotel in Bangkok, you will first have to go to Hua Lamphong Railway Station. From here, Chumphon is at least 7 hours away, depending on which train you take.
We recommend that you take a night train that arrives early morning in Chumphon, so that you can immediately transfer to a van leaving at 05:45 or 06:00.
Fares start at 540 THB ($18) for a 2nd class seat and 760 THB ($25) for a 2nd class sleeper berth. See our recommended train schedules below.
| Train # | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP39/SP41 | 22:50-05:49 | 6h 59m | 540 THB ($18) (2nd Class Seater) |
| EX85 | 19:30-04:13 | 8h 43m | 760 THB ($25) (2nd Class Sleeper) |
Step 2: Chumphon to Koh Tao by Van + Ferry
Duration: 3h 45min
Costs: 500 THB ($16.50)
From Chumphon Railway Station, there are vans leaving for Koh Tao as early as 05:45. Fares start at 500 THB ($16.50) and travel time is about 3h 45min.
| Operator | Schedules | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Songserm | 06:00-09:45 | 3h 45m | 500 THB ($16.50) |
| KP Tripadvisor | 05:45-08:45 06:00-09:45 11:45-15:15 | 3h 3h 45m 3h 30m | 700 THB ($23) |
| Lomprayah | 06:00-08:45 | 2h 45m | 700 THB ($23) |
You may want to contact your hotel beforehand for pick-up service or you can arrange one for yourself once the ferry arrives at Mae Haad Pier.
Check Combined Van + Ferry Tickets
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Train via Surat Thani
Duration: 19 hours excl. transfers
Costs: 1,460 THB ($48)
When travelling from Bangkok to Koh Tao, you can also travel via Surat Thani, but this 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
Duration: 11.5 hours
Costs: 760 THB ($25)
From Bangkok, we recommend that you take a night train so you don’t waste a day travelling. The journey takes about 11.5 to 12 hours, but you will be very comfortable in your sleeper berth.
Ticket prices start at 760 THB ($25) and below are our recommended train schedules.
| Train # | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| EX85 | 19:30-07:06 | 11h 36m | 840 THB ($27.50) |
| RP167 | 18:30-06:23 | 11h 53m | 760 THB ($25) |
Step 2: Surat Thani to Koh Tao by Van + Ferry
Duration: 7.5 hours
Costs: 700 THB ($23)
From Surat Thani, it is another 7.5-hour combined van and boat trip to Koh Tao. Note that the last van departure from the train station is at 08:00 in the morning. Fares start at 700 THB ($23).
| Operator | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Songserm | 07:30-14:15 | 6h 45m | 750 THB ($25) |
| Seatran Discovery | 08:00-15:30 | 7h 30m | 700 THB ($23) |
If you add this van and ferry trip to the train journey, it will take probably more than 20 hours to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao if you use this option. Still want to check the tickets? Just use the button below.
Check Combined Van + Ferry Tickets
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Flight
Duration: 3h 35min
Costs: 3,430 THB ($113)
Koh Tao doesn’t have its own airport, so you will have to take a flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Then, you can take a shuttle bus and ferry to Koh Tao. Even with the transfers, this is the fastest option to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao.
Step 1: Bangkok to Koh Samui by Flight
Duration: 1h 05min
Costs: 2,650 THB ($87)
There are multiple flights departing from Bangkok to Koh Samui every day. All flights are operated by Bangkok Airways and ticket prices start at 2,650 THB ($87).
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 will also take you more time as Koh Samui is closer to Koh Tao. Another advantage is that you can book a direct transfer (incl. shuttle bus to the port) from Koh Samui Airport to Koh Tao.
Step 2: Koh Samui to Koh Tao by Van and Ferry
Duration: 2h 30min
Costs: 780 THB ($25.50)
We suggest booking a combined van and ferry ride with Seatran Discovery. It’s convenient and eliminates the need to arrange for a separate transfer from the airport to the ferry port.
The combined van and ferry ride costs 780 THB ($25.50) and the journey takes about 2.5 hours.
| Operator | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seatran Discovery | 13:00-15:30 16:30-19:00 | 2h 30m | 780 THB ($25.50) |
Once you reach Koh Tao, you may have to arrange your transfer to your hotel by yourself. Better yet, ask your hotel to pick you up from the port once you arrive from your journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao.
Check Combined Van + Ferry Tickets
Frequently Asked Questions about traveling to Koh Tao from Bangkok
Is it worth to make the journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
Koh Tao is a very popular diving destination located southeast of Thailand. It’s known as one of the cheapest locations in the world to get your PADI license and offers beautiful underwater scenery.
If you love the underwater world, you will fall in love with this island!
Besides the underwater scenery, you can explore the bays and viewpoints by motorbike, go kayaking or join a boat tour. The famous sand strip in the North
How far is Koh Tao from Koh Samui?