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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 415 km distance from Bangkok to Koh Tao, you have 4 options. You can take a 11.5 to 15–hour bus ride, catch an overnight train via Chumphon for around 11.5-13 hours, board a train via Surat Thani for 20 hours, or hop on a flight for around 3-4 hours (including transfers). All options include a ferry ride from Koh Samui or the mainland to Koh Tao.
4 ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao
Taking the bus and ferry is the most popular option to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao. Buses depart from Bangkok at night and travel to Chumphon, followed by a ferry to Koh Tao. Total travel time can take 11.5-15 hours, including all transfers, and combined costs start from 1,320 THB ($36.50).
Other options are taking the train to Chumphon or Surat Thani. When travelling by train, we recommend taking an overnight train via Chumphon. From there, you can take a combined van and ferry ride to Koh Tao. Total cost starts at usd 1,265 THB ($35) for a 11.5-13 hour journey to Chumphon. Travelling via Surat Thani takes much longer at 20 hours and is more expensive at 1,830 THB ($50).
Last, you can also book a flight to Koh Samui and then continue with the ferry to Koh Tao. This option is the fastest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Samui, only taking around 3-4 hours. Keep in mind that flights to Koh Samui are quite expensive though, and overall costs would take 2,970 THB ($82).
Itinerary from Bangkok to Koh Tao
PRO TIP: Consider to continue your journey to Koh Phangan after visiting Koh Tao. Koh Phangan is not only famous for its full moon parties, also it is rich in nature and can you find several yoga and meditations retreats in the Northern part of the island.
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 2 transfers. The first one is by bus or minivan in Chumphon or Hua Hin, while the second transfer is for the ferry at Chumphon Pier.
Combined tickets start from 1,320 THB ($36.50), and the journey can take 11.5-15 hours.
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, the 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 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 is 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 Hua Lamphong Railway 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 9-10.5 hours, depending on the train you take.
Fares start at 300 THB ($8) for a 2nd class seat. Some trains also offer 1st and 2nd class berths that are more expensive, but definitely more comfortable. See our recommended train schedules below.
Train Schedule from Bangkok to Chumphon
If you want to leave at other times of the day, you can check the full schedules of trains available through 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.
The last time we checked (September 2022), only Lomprayah vans are available with fares from 965 THB ($26.50). There are only 2 departures daily, which are at 06:00 and 12:00.
Travel time is around 2.5 hours, including the ferry ride to Koh Tao.
Van + Ferry Schedule from Chumphon 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 Surat Thani
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 Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok. The journey takes longer, though, around 11-13 hours.
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 2nd class sleeper berths start from 730 THB ($20). Below are our recommended train schedules.
Train Schedule from Bangkok to Surat Thani
Step 2: Surat Thani to Koh Tao by Van + Ferry
From Surat Thani railway station, it is another 7 hours of combined van and ferry ride to Koh Tao.
For this route, only Lomprayah is also available, and there is only 1 daily trip at 09:30. The combined van and ferry ride with Lomprayah costs 1,100 THB ($30.50).
If you miss this only van departure, you need to figure out your own transportation to Donsak Pier, which is about 79 km away from the train station.
Van + Ferry Schedule from Surat Thani to Koh Tao
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 ($16.50) cheaper than this option.
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.
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 1-hour flight to Koh Samui Airport, ticket prices start from 2,000 THB ($55).
Make sure to first check the ferry schedules before booking a flight though (Step 3). Most ferry companies have the latest departure at 12:30 noon. 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 (September 2022), 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 ($6.50). 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 ($11).
Step 3: Koh Samui to Koh Tao by Ferry
In Mae Nam and Nation 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 720 THB ($20).
Ferry Schedule from Koh Samui to Koh Tao
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eIf you love the underwater world, you will fall in love with this island!u003cbru003eBesides 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.
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.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe 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.
Our favourite places to stay in Koh Tao
La Latina Hostel
If you’re looking for a fun and social atmosphere, La Latina is the perfect hostel for meeting new friends and having fun! The hostel offers an on-site restaurant, bar and garden area for socializing or relaxing. Located just 200m from Mae Haad Beach, it’s the perfect location for all you want to do and see on Koh Tao.
- Social and fun atmosphere
- On-site restaurant and bar
- Garden and terrace areas
- Great location
Single bunk starts at $10 per night
The Earth House
Enjoy the natural surroundings with these private bungalows and rooms located on a coconut plantation, walking distance from Mae Haad Beach. The perfect escape to soak up the peace and quiet this resort has to offer. Walking distance to restaurants, bars, and amenities. Wifi is provided throughout the resort and the staff is known to be very friendly.
- Private bungalow
- Natural surroundings
- Near Mae Haad Beach
- Privacy, peace, and quiet
Private bungalow starts at $13 per night
Budchui Village2
This lovely hotel is located just 500m from Sairee Beach and offers an on-site swimming pool. The stunning mountain views, lush greenery surrounding the hotel and tranquility will make for a perfect escape from the busy streets of Koh Tao. An affordable breakfast can be added to your stay for just $3 per day. 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 $25 per night
The Dearly Koh Tao Hostel
Located in the Chalok Baan Kao area this hostel is surrounded by nature, lush scenery and tranquility. The Hostel has a large outdoor swimming pool, an on-site restaurant and 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. The Hostel is clean, the staff is friendly and the location is convenient.
- Swimming pool
- Surrounded by nature
- On-site restaurant and bar
- Extremely clean
Private room starts at $36 per night
