✅ Updated on 24.08.2026
Koh Tao Is Only Accessible by Sea
Koh Tao doesn’t have an airport, so the final leg of the journey is always by ferry or speedboat. These are the main piers with boats to the island:
Chumphon Province:
- Talaysub Ferry – a good option if you’re traveling with your own motorbike
- Lomprayah Pier – for high-speed catamarans
Surat Thani Province:
- Regular Ferry – for travelers bringing a motorbike
- Lomprayah Pier – for high-speed boats
You can reach any of these piers by bus. Another option is to fly or take a train from Bangkok to a nearby city, such as Chumphon or Surat Thani, and then take a transfer to the pier.
✅ The easiest option is to book a combined ticket on 12Go website. It includes everything in one booking: the train or bus, transfer to the pier, and ferry to Koh Tao. That’s what I did, and the entire trip went smoothly.
From Bangkok to Koh Tao by Bus
There are two main areas in Bangkok where buses to Koh Tao depart: Khao San Road and the Southern Bus Terminal. I’ve traveled from both when I went to Koh Tao to learn scuba diving. I preferred leaving from Khao San Road because it’s closer to the center, and there’s a 7-Eleven nearby where you can stock up on food and drinks before the trip.
The table below shows the bus schedule from Bangkok to Koh Tao. You can book tickets online on this website.
| Departure Point | Departure | Arrival | Travel Time | Arrival Point | Price | Bus Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khao San Boonsiri | 5:00 AM | 3:00 PM | 10 h | Boonsiri Pier | ฿1,256 | VIP |
| Khao San Lomprayah | 6:00 AM | 3:00 PM | 9 h | Mae Haad Pier | ฿1,550 | VIP |
| Khao San Lomprayah | 6:00 AM | 3:00 PM | 9 h | Mae Haad Pier | ฿1,250 | Standard |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport | 8:00 PM | 8:45 AM | 12 h 45 min | Boonsiri Pier | ฿1,500 | VIP |
| Southern Bus Terminal | 9:30 PM | 8:45 AM | 11 h 15 min | Mae Haad Pier | ฿1,250 | Standard |
| Southern Bus Terminal | 9:30 PM | 8:45 AM | 11 h 15 min | Mae Haad Pier | ฿1,550 | VIP |
| Khao San Travel Mart | 9:30 PM | 8:15 AM | 10 h 45 min | Mae Haad Pier | ฿1,229 | Standard |
| Khao San Travel Mart | 9:30 PM | 8:45 AM | 11 h 15 min | Mae Haad Pier | ฿1,550 | VIP |
| Khao San Monthanathip | 9:30 PM | 8:30 AM | 11 h | Mae Haad Pier | ฿1,000 | Standard |
| Khao San Lomprayah | 10:00 PM | 8:45 AM | 10 h 45 min | Mae Haad Pier | ฿1,550 | VIP |
| Khao San Lomprayah | 10:00 PM | 8:45 AM | 10 h 45 min | Mae Haad Pier | ฿1,250 | Standard |
| Khao San Boonsiri | 10:00 PM | 8:45 AM | 10 h 45 min | Boonsiri Pier | ฿1,256 | VIP |
I recommend taking the Lomprayah VIP bus that leaves at 6:00 AM. Lomprayah is the most popular company on this route, and I’ve used its services many times without any problems. The VIP bus is more comfortable than the standard bus: the air conditioning works well, the seats are more comfortable, and you get a blanket, water, and snacks.
Why the 6:00 AM departure? Because you’ll only have to wait about 15 minutes for the connecting boat instead of an hour and a half.
When you collect your printed ticket at the counter, the staff will tell you whether the bus will stop along the way for a restroom and food break. On my first trip, we stopped; on my second, we didn’t. It wasn’t a big deal, though — the bus has a toilet, and I brought food with me. When there is a break, buses usually stop at Khun Ton Restaurant.
Transfer to the boat:
The bus-to-boat transfer takes place at Lomprayah Pier in Chumphon Province. The pier has showers, restrooms, a café, a shop, and even a beautiful beach where you can swim while waiting for your boat.
Depending on your departure time from Bangkok, you’ll wait anywhere from about 15 minutes to an hour and a half for the boat.
Arrival on Koh Tao:
- If you leave Bangkok at 9:30 PM, you’ll arrive on Koh Tao at 8:45 AM.
- If you leave at 6:00 AM, you’ll arrive at 3:15 PM.
The boat is air-conditioned, and snacks and drinks are available for purchase.
From Bangkok to Koh Tao by Train
For this option, you need to book two separate tickets: one for the train and another for the Lomprayah transfer, which includes the bus and boat. Lomprayah does not operate the trains.
1. Train from Bangkok to Chumphon
The train departs from Krung Thep Aphiwat, Bangkok’s main railway station.
The most convenient option is Express Train No. 39. It leaves Bangkok at 10:50 PM and arrives in Chumphon at 5:22 AM. The ticket costs ฿515 and can be booked here.
2. Bus to Lomprayah Pier
After getting off the train in Chumphon, transfer to the Lomprayah bus. It departs directly from the railway station at 6:00 AM and takes you to the pier.
3. Boat to Koh Tao
The boat leaves at 7:00 AM and arrives on Koh Tao at 8:45 AM.
The combined bus and boat ticket costs ฿900. You can book it here.
From Bangkok to Koh Tao by Plane
From Bangkok, you can fly to one of the two airports closest to Koh Tao:
- Chumphon Airport: ฿1,100–1,700
- Surat Thani Airport: ฿950–1,200
You can book flights on Trip.com.
After landing, you’ll need to take a bus to the pier and then a boat to Koh Tao. The airport transfer and boat can be booked together as a single ticket on 12Go:
- Chumphon Airport to Koh Tao: ฿1,000
- Surat Thani Airport to Koh Tao: ฿1,100–1,500
Final Thoughts
The easiest and most reliable way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao is to book a combined Lomprayah bus + boat ticket, departing at 6:00 AM. The connections are coordinated, so the risk of missing your boat is minimal.
If you book the train or flight separately, delays can create problems. Lomprayah isn’t responsible for delays on those journeys because the tickets are purchased from different companies.
If you’re considering flying to save time, the advantage isn’t as significant as it might seem. You still need to arrive at the airport well before departure, and after landing, it takes about another hour and a half to reach the pier.
You can book a combined Bangkok to Koh Tao bus + boat ticket here.
✅ Here are a few Koh Tao hotels I considered that offer good value for money:
- Wyh Hotel
- Koh Tao Heritage
- Greenery Resort
- The Tarna Resort
- Coco Palm — I stayed here and really liked it.
