Known for its spectacular dives, the small island of Koh Tao is the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape the busy streets of Bangkok. Koh Tao, meaning Turtle Island, is full of excellent beaches with several currents, making it the perfect place for snorkeling and swimming, or just a place to relax before heading home.
Near the western coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao lies north of Koh Samui and is part of the Chumphon archipelago. The island is about 410 kilometers (256 miles) south of the Thai capital, so you can expect quite a long drive from Bangkok to Koh Tao. Options include flights, buses, trains and ferries, although whichever method you choose, you will need to take the ferry at some point.
Flights from Bangkok to Koh Tao
Bangkok Airways plane © Nutkamol komolvanich / Shutterstock, Inc.
There are three different flight options from Bangkok to Koh Tao and several airlines to choose from. As always, your choice will mostly depend on your budget and time available, but when looking for flights to Koh Tao, you should also consider whether you are heading to other Thai islands as this may affect the itinerary you choose.
The first option is to fly to Koh Samui and then take the ferry to Koh Tao. The advantage of following this route is that it is the quickest and easiest way to travel as there are not many stopovers. The problem is in the price, because it is the most expensive way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao. However, if you’re thinking of going to Koh Samui anyway, this can be a good way to take advantage of the cost of flying and spend a few days on the island before continuing on to Koh Tao. Both Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways offer flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to Koh Samui.
The second flight option is to travel to Chumphon. This small airport only serves Nok Air flights from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, and from Chumphon Airport you will need to take a bus to the port to catch the ferry to Koh Tao. The advantage of this route is that it is relatively quick and you can usually buy a combined ticket that covers all the modes of transport you travel on.
Finally, there is the option to fly to Surat Thani and then take a ferry. With this option, you can choose from more airlines: Thai Airways (operated by Thai Smile) fly from Suvarnabhumi, and Nok Air, Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air fly from Don Mueang. While there are more flight options, it’s not the best way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao due to the arrival times and the longer ferry journey.
Bus and ferry from Bangkok to Koh Tao
Lomprayah High Speed Ferry © Maxim Tupikov / Shutterstock, Inc.
If flights are too expensive, the bus is a very affordable alternative, although it will take a full day to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao this way. The best thing about this option is that you can buy a combined bus and ferry ticket, plus you will enjoy a high level of service if you choose one of the two private companies that operate from Khao San Road. Lomprayah Catamaran and Songsern Express have air-conditioned buses that will take you to Chumphon Port. This part of the tour takes approximately 8 hours. You then continue on a high-speed catamaran taking 1.5-2 hours to reach Koh Tao depending on conditions. Depending on the operator, it is also possible to use the ferry, which takes about 3 hours to cover the route.
Trains from Bangkok to Koh Tao
Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok. It is easily accessible by MRT subway. The MRT station bears the same name
If you already know anything about trains in Thailand, you probably know that they are quite slow, and the train from Bangkok to Koh Tao is no exception. This is the longest part of the journey, taking around 13 hours, but apart from the time inconvenience, trains are very affordable and can be a good way to save money.
If you take the sleeper train, you can make most of your journey at night. Even if you don’t like the views this way while traveling, it’s a good option to not lose a whole day of your vacation en route. In addition, night trains are safe and reliable, saving you a hotel night.
You can also buy a combined ticket to travel by train from Bangkok to Koh Tao. You can buy it at Hua Lamphong train station, where you have several options: a seat in first or second class, or a train ticket with a bed, which we recommend. The night train combo ticket includes a bus ride from Chumphon Station to the port and a fast ferry ticket to Koh Tao.
There is another alternative to traveling by train to Koh Tao, which is to travel via Surat Thani instead of via Chumphon. The journey is longer as this way you travel further south and then back north, and includes one more ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, but some travelers prefer the timetables of these trains and ferries.
As you can see, there are many ways to make this journey. To choose the most suitable travel option from Bangkok to Koh Tao, you should consider your budget and the time you have available.