Ferries to Koh Tao and transportation
Koh Tao is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand, and there are several ways to get here, all of them by ferry only. As a famous backpacker haunt, it has direct journeys from Khao San road for cheap prices. The nearest link with the mainland is Chumphon, but the routes to Surat Thani and Samui are more numerous. In short, the quickest and most practical transportation way to get to Koh Tao is to fly to Samui from Bangkok, and then catch one of several daily ferries from Na Thon pier to the islad. Alternatively you can bus it from Bangkok to Chumphon, which is halfway down the coast on the Isthmus of Kra, and from there ferries leave twice a day to Koh Tao, Koh Phangnan and Koh Samui.
Samui International Airport
A tiny airport owned by Bangkok Airways and only open since 1989, Samui Airport has a unique design that matches the stunning natural beauty of Koh Samui. It has in fact, won awards for architectural and environmental excellence.
The thatched roof and breezy gardens dotted with tall coconut palms are popular with passengers and the open-air terminals are memorable. Located near to Bo Phut beach in the north of Samui, the airport is also close to the famous Chaweng beach. As you fly in, you’ll get a good glimpse of Samui and the surrounding islands, including Koh Tao.
As Bangkok Airways owns the airport, they are the only airline flying in here and rates are not as friendly as to other destinations in Thailand. However, if you’re looking for a budget rate, you can try the early morning and late night flights. Along with direct flights from Bangkok, there are also flights from Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Phuket and Pattaya. The one other airline with rights to fly in here is Berjaya Air, which flies in from Kuala Lumpur.
The airport is tiny and you won’t have trouble finding where to go. Along with a souvenir shop and restaurant, there is also a post office and a spa. Unfortunately the taxis are mafia-run and fees are relatively expensive (for Thailand) to anywhere on the island. The cheapest option is to walk outside of the island and take a songtheaw or a motorbike taxi. From here you’ll want to get a taxi to Na Thon where the ferry pier is, costing about 400 baht.
Koh Tao car transportation
Private cars are not allowed on Koh Tao; however, it’s easy to get to Chumphon on the mainland by car before taking a ferry for the crossing to the island. The highway system is quite good in Thailand, and well signposted in both Thai and English. It takes roughly five hours to get to Chumphon from Bangkok, and then the ferry is just another two hours to Koh Tao. Buses leave from the southern bus terminal in Bangkok and there are also some very budget bus/ferry combos that can be purchased on Khao San road. You should always remember to drive on the left and take great care while driving as there are many reckless drivers on the road.
Ferry transportation to Koh Tao
Ferry is the main way to get to Koh Tao, as there are no flights to the island. Ferries go from Chumphon on the mainland, Koh Samui and Koh Phangnan. It’s easy to take the ferry to any of those destinations. So, you can spend the night on Koh Phan Ngan for the full moon party and then hop the ferry to do some shopping in Samui or diving on Koh Tao. Ferries to Koh Tao dock at Mae Haad, the main pier, and from there, you can easily catch a songteaw or motorbike taxi to your final destination. A high speed catamaran links Chumpon on the mainland with Samui, via Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan, offering two journeys a day in either direction. There is a slower ferry between Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan linking with ferries to Samui and the mainland at Surat Thani – the only remainly way to leave the island when bad weather cancels the cat service.
Koh Tao ferry timetable
To get to Koh Tao from Chumpon there are two two departures daily on the high speed catamaran, leaving at 07:00 and 13:00 and arriving at Koh Tao at 08:45 and 14:45 respectively (550 baht). The earlier departure usually links up with overnight buses from Bangok. There is also the possibility to reach Koh Tao via Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan and the timetable is in the next section.
Koh Tao ferries to and from Koh Pha Ngan
To get to Koh Tao you first have to get to Koh Pha Ngan, although some ferries do originate from Samui at Na Thon pier and stop off at Koh Pha Ngan. The Lomprayah high-speed catamaran ferries are the most practical and depart at 08:00 arriving at Koh Pha Ngan for a brief stop at 08:20 and then on to Koh Tao arriving at 09:45 before continuing to Chumpon. (550 baht). A second sailing departs at 12.30 arriving at 12:50 in Koh Pha Ngan and finally reaching Koh Tao at 14.15. In the opposite direction it leaves Koh Pha Ngan at 09:30 and arrives at Koh Pha Ngan at 10:45 and Samui at 11:20. The second sailing leaves at 15:10 arriving at 16:10 and 16:40 respectively.
The Raja ferry service starts out at Don Sak pier near Surat Thani (for those coming via train or from Phuket/Krabi), leaving at 10:00 and stopping at Koh Phan Ngan before leaving at 13:00 and arriving at Koh Tao at 14:30. In the return direction they leave Koh Tao at 10:00 for Koh Pha Ngan arriving at 11:30 before heading to Don Sak which it reaches at 16:00 (cost: 400 baht).
Koh Tao ferries to and from Samui
If you arrive at Koh Pha Ngan and need to transfer to Samui you can catch the 12:30 ferry to Na Thon Pier arriving 45 minutes later (typical taxi transfer to Samui airport is 15 minutes). From Samui there is a ferry leaving Na Thon Pier at 11:00 (45 minute journey) which is most ideal to connect to the Raja ferry to Koh Tao at 13:00.
There are several ferries a day from Koh Pha Ngan and Samui to Don Sak and other piers near Surat Thani, if you need to then travel overland to Phuket (minibuses depart as the ferries arrive), or if the weather it too rough for the catamaran to travel to Chumpon. In addition ferries depart hourly (on the hour) from Haad Rin beach raching Big Buddha bay 30 minutes later, and from here it’s a 5 minute taxi ride to the airport.
Public transportation on Koh Tao
Public transport on the island is limited to songteaws (minibus pickups) and motorbike taxis. Unfortunately as the island is very small and the songteaws have a monopoly and have quite high rates, especially at night. You’ll fare better with the motorbike taxis, or hiring your own motorbike.
Bike and car hire on Koh Tao
You’ll definitely want to hire your own motorbike if you can ride one. Car hire is out, as it doesn’t exist on Koh Tao. There is so much to see on the island, that the most convenient way to get around is by motorbike. There are bikes ranging from scooters with no gears all the way up to big mountain bikes. You can hire by the day, week or month and should bargain a good rate. It can be fun travelling from bay to bay and seeing all the pretty viewpoints.
Roads are steep and many are unpaved, and can be muddy in the rainy season. Motorbike accidents are rampant and you should be very careful, especially at Rental motorbikes are found everywhere, but you’ll find the greatest concentration of shops in Mae Haad and Sairee Beach.
