Koh Tao lies in The Gulf of Thailand, on the eastern coast of the country, approx 600km from Bangkok, 84km from Chumpon, 45km from Koh Phangan and 68km from Koh Samui.
Koh Tao Google Maps

Thailand is well known for its ease of travel and Koh Tao is easily accessible from all parts of the country. Depending on your starting point we can recommend some of the best options for travelling to Koh Tao. Below are the most common destinations to reach the island from. If you are travelling from somewhere else in Thailand, please contact us for more information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
All the times listed for boats and busses are subject to change and we recommend that you check you travel arrangements prior to departure.

There are several ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao. Because it is an island, you will need to take several forms of transport and there is a choice of routes, including the following, starting with the most expensive through to the cheapest.

If you would like us to help you book your journey, we can book buses and ferries for you.

Flying
You can fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways or Thai Air (approx. 45 min flight). Once you arrive on Koh Samui you need to take a boat to Koh Tao, taking approx. 2 hours. We recommend Lomprayah Catamaran or Seatran ferry.

• Departure times from Lomprayah Maenam Pier (about 30min from the airport) are 8:00am 1:00pm & 4:30pm.
• Departure times are 8:00am, 11:30am and 5pm from Lomprayah Nathon Pier, about 40min from the airport.
• Seatran Pier is at the Bangkrak Pier (Big Buddah pier, as the Thai taxi drivers call it, too) —only 5 min from the airport.

Both companies offer an airport or hotel pick-up if required, you just need to leave approx. two hours between flight landing to ferry departure.

Train
In Thailand travel by train is slow but comfortable. You can catch the train from all major towns and the best place to get off for Koh Tao is Chumpon. The trip from Bangkok (Central Station) to Chumpon is approximately 10 hours, departing Bangkok at 6pm and arriving 4:30am at Chumpon. From there you can catch the Lomprayah boat (ticket office is located at the very same train station). The ferry then departs at 7.30am or 1pm —see this website for more train info and/or advance online booking: http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

Buses
These are probably the most widely used for tourists, as well as the most common and the simplest. The start point is Khao San Road in Bangkok, and buses connect directly with boats to Koh Tao (joint tickets). The most recommended company is Lomprayah, with buses leaving Bangkok daily at 6am and arriving at 2:45pm on Koh Tao, or at 9pm arriving at 9am on Koh Tao.

The recommended company is Lomprayah –they have two ferries a day departing 7:30am & 1:00pm from the Lomprayah Pier. The journey is approx. 1h 45min to Koh Tao. They have an office at the train station where they organise a transfer to the pier for a reasonable price.

If you arrive late in the day at Chumpon, another option is to take the night ferry that departs every night at either 10:00pm or 11:00pm, depending on the day, arriving on Koh Tao approx. at 5:00am. Tickets can be easily bought from the numerous guesthouses in Chumpon or Fame Tour, a travel agency very close to the train station.

From Koh Samui you need to take the ferry to Koh Tao. The journey is approx. 2 hours
The two recommended companies are Seatran & Lomprayah
Seatran Pier is the Bangkrak Pier (aka Big Budda pier) - only 5 min from the airport.

• Seatran Ferry service from Bangrak Pier (about 10 min from airport)  departs at 08:00, 13:00 and 16:30.
• Lomprayah Ferry Service Maenam Pier (about 30 min from the Airport) departs at 08:00 and 12:30
• Lomprayah Ferry Service from Nathon Pier (about 45 min from the airport) departs 11:15 and 17:00

Both companies can do an airport or hotel pick-up, you just need to leave approx. two hours between flight landing to ferry departure.

From Koh Phangan you need to take the ferry from Thong Sala Pier. The journey is approx. 1.5 hours. The two recommended companies are Seatran & Lomprayah.

• Seatran departure times are 8:30am, 1:30pm & 5pm.
• Lomprayah departure times are 8:30am & 1pm & 5pm.

From Surat Thani to Koh Tao would consist of 1hr journey to the pier and 4 hours on the ferry, stopping at Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The two recommended companies are Seatran and Lomprayah.

• Seatran departs Surat Thani city at 9:30am and 12:30pm and departs Surat Thani Airport at 8:30, 10:45 and 11:20.
• Lomprayah departs Surat Thani city at 9:00am and 2:30pm and departs Surat Thani Airport at 8:30 and 11:30.

Another option from Surat Thani is to take the night boat. It leaves daily at 10:00/11.00pm depending on the day, and arrives on Koh Tao the next day around 6.30am.

Flying
The easiest way is to fly from Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways or Thai Air. You only need to take the ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui. Journey time is approx. 2 hrs.
We recommend Lomprayah Catamaran or Seatran ferry:

• Seatran ferries departure times are 6:30am, 9:00am and 3:00pm, arriving at the Bangkrak Pier (Big Buddah pier), only 5 min. from the airport.

• Lomprayah departure times are 9:30 and 15:00pm, arriving at Lomprayah Maenam Pier (Pralarn Pier), about 30 min. from the airport.

 

• Lomprayah Catamaran departure time is 6:00am, arriving at Lomprayah Nathon Pier, about 40 mins from the airport.
  

Both companies offer an airport or hotel drop-off if required, you just need to leave approximately 2 hours between ferry arrival to flight departure.

Train
From Koh Tao to Bangkok by train, you need to take the afternoon Lomprayah ferry at 2:45pm and then catch the train from Chumpon, arriving the next morning in Bangkok.
See this website for more information about trains in Thailand and advance online booking: http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm
Lomprayah departs from Koh Tao to Chumpon at 10:15am and 2:45pm.

Buses
Travelling by bus to Bangkok is the most common and cheapest way. The recommended company is Lomprayah, with two departure times daily:

• Departs Koh Tao 10:15am, arriving in Bangkok at Khao San Road at 8:30pm.
• Departs Koh Tao 14:45pm, arriving in Bangkok at Khao San Road at 12:30am.

The recommended company is Lomprayah which offers two ferries a day. The trip is 1h 45mins from Koh Tao.

• Departs Koh Tao at 10:15am, arriving in Chumpon Pier at 12:00pm.
• Departs Koh Tao 2:45pm, arriving in Chumpon Pier at 4:30pm.

We recommend Lomprayah Catamaran or Seatran ferry and the journey time is approx. 2 hours.

• Seatran ferries departure times are 6:30am, 9:00am & 15:00pm, arriving at the Bangkrak Pier (Big Budda pier), only 5 minutes from the airport.
• Lomprayah departure times are 9:30am and 3:00pm, arriving at Lomprayah Maenam Pier (Pralarn Pier), about 30 minutes from the airport.
• Lomprayah departure time arriving at Lomprayah Nathon Pier is 6:00am. The airport is then about 40 minutes from the airport.

Both companies offer an airport or hotel drop-off if required. You just need to leave approximately 2 hours between ferry arrival to flight departure.

Travelling to Koh Phangan
The two recommended companies are Seatran and Lomprayah, the journey time being approximately 1.5 hrs.

• Seatran departure times are 6:30am, 9:00am & 3:00pm
• Lomprayah departure times 6:00am, 9:30am & 3:00pm

The two recommended companies are Seatran & Lomprayah, journey times approx. 5 hours.
• Seatran departs Koh Tao at 6:30am and arrives Surat Thani at 12pm, or Surat Thani Airport at 12:30pm.
• Seatran departs Koh Tao at 9am and arrives Surat Thani at 3pm, or Surat Thani Airport at 3:30pm.
• Lomprayah departs Koh Tao at 6am and arrives Surat Thani at 10am, or Surat Thani Airport at 10:45am.
• Lomprayah departs Koh Tao at 9:30am and arrives Surat Thani City at 3pm, or Surat Thani Airport at 3:45pm.

Another option to get to Surat Thani is to take the night boat, which leaves daily at 9pm or 10pm depending on the day, and arrives at Surat Thani the next morning around 5:30 am.

Koh Tao is a world renound place to learn to dive, we at Koh Tao Heights love exploring the underwater world, with tempetures of 28 degrees in the water the gulf of Thailand is the perfect place to dive & snorkel. You will find colourful coral & schools of tropical fish such as barracudas and fusiliers. Have fun finding Nemo and you maybe lucky enough to swim with sea turtles or even the seasonal whale sharks in the clear waters around Koh Tao. With over 50 Dive schools on the Island we can recommend the best schools for your needs. From the best big schools catering to most major languages to the small dive schools with a more personal service. With courses & fun dives starting everyday you can start from ½ day onwards with the best prices in the world for your underwater experience, just tell the Koh Tao Heights Team what experience you would like.
Most Popular Courses & Starting Prices
Discover Scuba Diving - From 2000 baht
½ day to 1 day introduction to Scuba including 1 dives.
Optional 2nd Dive - From 1000 baht
*Bubble Makers from 8 years old*
Open Water Diver Course - From 8500 baht
Minimum 3 days including theory, skill development and 4 dives.
This gives you a worldwide licence to dive to 18m.
*Junior Open Water from 10 years old*
Advanced Diver Course - From 8,500 baht
Minimum 1 & ½ days including theory and 5 speciality dives.
This gives you o worldwide licence to dive to 30m.
Already Certified Open Water?

Refresher course (suggested if your last dive was over a year ago) - From 1700 baht
½ Day including theory, skill review and 1 dive

Fun Dives - From 900 per dive

Sail Rock Trips - From 3000 baht

Freediving allows you to glide through the ocean and swim through its accessible caves, what we call ‘swim throughs’! Freediving enables you to explore freely and discover our magical underwater world. Freedivers, regardless of age, have the opportunity to experience the ocean like never before!
So what is Freediving? Freediving or apnea diving is having the ability to dive whilst holding your breath, without any artificial apparatus. Your lungs are your tanks! Freediving gives complete freedom underwater. It encourages you to ‘live in the moment’ by helping you to remain calm in the mind and truly connect to your body. A range of aquatic activities such as snorkeling, surfing, spear fishing, synchronised swimming, meditation & yoga, benefit from and required techniques taught in Freediving.

This course will enable you to feel safe and comfortable when freediving to depths of up to 20 metres. Although this might sound difficult to achieve in a few days, you will be surprised by what an experienced team of Freediving Instructors can do for you. Our unique breathing techniques together with the effective structure of the course program in the classroom and water sessions creates a fun educative environment and a successful freediving experience. - Courses start from 5,500 baht

Enjoy the underwater world by snorkeling around Koh Tao, and neighboring island of Koh Nang Yuan with temperatures of 28 degrees in the water. The gulf of Thailand is the perfect place to snorkel with colorful coral & schools of tropical fish such as damsel fish, parrot fish, and you maybe lucky enough to swim with sea turtles in the clear waters around Koh Tao.

Private speedboat or long-tail boat charters for snorkelling trips around the island can be arranged by us. - Starting from 3000 baht

Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is the national sport combining fitness, strength and agility. Private lessons by an English speaking professional trainer are available at the islands own Thai boxing Stadium.
Lessons start from 300 baht

There are two air conditioned gyms on the Island, with the most popular work out equipment, and daily drop in fitness classes.Daily Prices start from 200 baht a day , there are also cheaper weekly and monthly packages.

There are daily classes all over the Island in beautiful outdoor environments, for beginners and experienced yogis to quite your mind and heal your body. - Classes from 250 baht

        

Love Thai Food – Why not learn to cook Thai Style, learn the amazing secret of Thai Cusine and impress all your friends back home with your new skills. Courses run 3 times daily. - Prices from 1,200 baht each

        

Experience breathtaking views from the top of the Island while you learn new skills from your professional rock climbing instructor.
Or experience boulding indoors/outdoor options - From 1500 baht

If you rather stay above the water, why not try wakeboarding or waterskiing? Private tuition and charters are available.

Private Charter for fishing, targeting top marine game fish such as marlin, sailfish, king mackerel and tuna, this is the ultimate thrill for fishing fans!     -     From 5,000 baht

Want to see all of Koh Tao in One Day?                                  
Try the: Koh Tao Adventure Full Day Tour 3500 baht   
Taxi to Mek Mountain and short hike to awesome view point. Abseiling training & abseiling from 20m, go as many times as you like. Rock climbing for all levels. Speedboat around the Island for Snorkelling and Cliff Jumping. Then return to shop for Sunset beer!     -     9am to 5.30pm  (lunch not included)

        

Wakeboarding, water skiing or tube rides on the turquoise blue waters of Koh Tao. A ridiculous amount of fun is guaranteed.     -     Prices starting from 1300 baht.

Learn to ‘fly’ in paradise! Flying Trapeze is an absolutely unforgettable experience. Anyone can do it no matter what age or fitness level. SO MUCH FUN! You will be amazed by what you can achieve. With the right timing, most flyers are able to make a mid-air catch in just one lesson. Whether you are terrified of heights or jump straight into it, you are guaranteed to have buckets of fun and an unforgettable experience     -     Lessons from 1200 baht.