Get to Koh Tao in 2024 with 4 Best Ways Guaranteed by Locals

1. Day ferry with Lomprayah high-speed catamaran
2. Night ferry to avoid crowds
3. Combined ticket from Bangkok
4. Private transfer for the best comforts

Day ferry by Lomprayah Catamaran – the most common day route

Lomprayah Ferry is a popular and fastest way to Koh Tao. The ferry offers daily departures from various locations. The main locations include Chumphon, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, and Bangkok. It provides a convenient way to travel to Koh Tao, with large modern boats full of amenities.

From Chumphon

• Morning catamaran at 07.00 – 08.45
• Afternoon catamaran at 13.30 – 15.15

Both ferries charge the same price of 750 THB per person.

From Koh Samui / Koh Phangan

Lomprayah Ferry offers daily departures from Koh Samui. These ferries also stop by Koh Phangan before coming to Koh Tao. It’s important to note that 3 piers from Koh Tao reach Koh Tao.

• Morning catamaran at 08.00 – 09.30
• Morning ferry at 11.00 – 13.30
• Afternoon catamaran at 12.30 – 14.15
• Afternoon speedboat at 14.30 – 16.00

• Afternoon catamaran at 12.15 – 14.15
• Late afternoon catamaran at 16.00 – 17.45

• Afternoon speed boat at 11.30 – 14.15
• Late afternoon speed boat at 14.30 – 17.45

All ferries from Koh Samui, both catamaran and speed boat, charge the same price at 700 THB per person, except for the ferry, which charges 550 THB per person.

• Morning catamaran at 08.30 – 09.30
• Noon ferry at 12.00 – 13.30
• Afternoon catamaran at 13.00 – 14.15
• Afternoon speed boat at 15.00 – 16.00
• Late afternoon catamaran at 16.45 – 17.45

All ferries from Koh Phangan, both catamaran and speed boat, charge the same price at 600 THB per person, except for the ferry, which charges 450 THB per person.

From Surat Thani

The Lomprayah ferry offers pick-up from Surat Thani at many locations. Here are the main pick-up points.

• Morning catamaran at 09.30 – 12.45
• Morning speed boat at 11.00 – 16.00

The catamaran charges 1,000 THB per person, while the speed boat charges 1,100 THB per person.

• Morning catamaran at 11.00 – 14.15
• Afternoon catamaran at 15.00 – 17.45

The catamaran charges 750 THB per person.

• Morning catamaran at 10.00 – 14.15
• Noon speed boat at 12.00 – 14.50
• Afternoon catamaran at 13.00 – 17.45
• Afternoon speed boat (direct route) at 15.30 – 18.00

The catamaran charges 900 THB per person, while the speed boat charges 1,000 THB per person.

• Morning catamaran at 09.30 – 14.15
• Morning speed boat at 11.00 – 16.00
• Afternoon catamaran at 12.30 – 17.45
• Afternoon speed boat at 14.00 – 18.00

The catamaran charges 1,100 THB per person, while the speed boat charges 1,200 THB per person.

Night Ferry to Koh Tao – sleep throughout your trip

Another option is to take a night ferry to Koh Tao. The Night Ferry departs from various locations in the evening and arrives in Koh Tao the next day. This is a great way to maximize your time on the island and avoid the hassle of daytime travel. But, it’s important to note that the Night Ferry may not be available everyday. Make sure to check the monthly schedule before you book your trip.

From Pak Nam Chumphon, Chumphon

With daily ferries (except for Sunday) and a large bunk bed for all travelers, this is by far the most used option for locals to travel to and from Koh Tao. All ferries leave around the same time, at 21.00, and arrive very early in the morning, between 04.00 and 05.00 the next day. 

• Chumphon Ferry
• Talaysub Ferry
• Porntaweesin Ferry

Night ferries can carry large cargo such as bikes, scooters, motorbikes, and cars. The price varies based on weight and size. Nonetheless, it’s 500 THB per person for travelers with luggage.

From City Center, Surat Thani

Another prime location for night ferry users is Surat Thani. The night ferry pier is directly across from the night market, allowing travelers to grab a nice dinner and enjoy the local market while waiting for the ferry to leave. All ferries leave from the same pier at 22.00 and arrive at Koh Tao at 05.30-06.00, depending on the weather conditions.

• ST (small ferry)
• Sea Crest Ferry
• Chor Maetapee
• Koh Jaroen Night Ferry*

The Ko Jaroen night ferry is located on the opposite side of the river bank. It has its own private pier and is ideal for anyone bringing a vehicle across to Koh Tao. However, this ferry only operates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Night ferry from Surat Thani charges 600 THB per person.

Book a Bus+Ferry Ticket – direct route from Bangkok

If you’re coming from Bangkok, you can book a Bus+Ferry ticket from Lomprayah. This ticket includes a bus ride from Bangkok to Chumphon, where you’ll then take the morning ferry to Koh Tao. This option is perfect for travelers who want to avoid booking many tickets. There are two options for buses. The main difference is the seating. VIP bus features an adjustable sofa seat, while the seat on the normal bus is like the economy class plane. This is by far the easiest way to get to Koh Tao since you don’t have to make any stopover.

• Normal bus + ferry at 06.00 – 14.45
• VIP bust + ferry at 06.00 – 14.45
• Normal bus + ferry at 21.00 – 8.45 (+1)
• VIP bus + ferry at 21.00 – 8.45 (+1)

The VIP bus, including the morning ferry, costs 1,550 THB per person, while the normal bus with the ferry costs 1,250 THB per person. If you’d like to have a good night’s sleep, we recommend the VIP one, which is 300 THB higher.

Private Transfer to Koh Tao – hassle-free travel

Those who prefer a private experience can also choose a private transfer to Koh Tao. Anyone who chooses to drive can park at almost any pier in Chumphon. There’s a 50 THB parking fee per night per vehicle. Otherwise, hiring a private car or van from Bangkok would only take 5-6 hours, depending on the traffic.

Here are all the ways to travel to Koh Tao. We hope this can help you to better plan your trip. You can always contact us via chat or email if you need any more information. But rest assured, we always have a pick-up service for you when you are dive here with us!