Like many other popular seaside destinations, the city of Hua Hin started out as a sleepy fishing village until the Thai royal family decided to build their summer palaces there in the 1920s. Associated with the royal family, the city began to develop and quickly became a place of escape for wealthy Bangkokians, and its evolution continues to this day. Today it is a bustling seaside town with good beaches, water attractions, good hotels and great places to eat. From here you can visit many islands in Thailand such as Koh Tao. Life on the island tends to be quieter than on the mainland, and on Koh Tao you can enjoy beautiful beaches and spectacular diving spots. Koh Tao is famous for its tropical coral reefs and is the perfect destination whether you are looking for a peaceful retreat or want to go out in the evening. To find out how to travel from Hua Hin to Koh Tao, don’t miss this guide.
Travel options from Hua Hin to Koh Tao
Lomprayah High Speed Ferry © OlegD / Shutterstock.com
Both Hua Hin and Koh Tao are located in the Gulf of Thailand, so getting from one place to another is not very difficult. By road and water, the distance from Hua Hin to Koh Tao is 465 kilometers, so you have to cover quite a distance, and because Koh Tao is an island, you have to cross it by boat. There is no airport on Koh Tao, so flying is out of the question. Therefore, the only viable solution to travel between these destinations is a combination of bus and ferry. There are several buses and ferries connecting the two destinations, and finding an option that suits your plans won’t be difficult as long as you book in advance, especially during the Thai holiday season.
Bus and ferry from Hua Hin to Koh Tao
There is currently only one company offering tickets from Hua Hin to Koh Tao and that is Lomprayah. Lomprayah is an experienced and reputable Thai travel company that operates comfortable buses and ferries and has a good safety and reliability record so there’s nothing to worry about. Since there is only one company operating the route from Hua Hin to Koh Tao, there is no competition on prices and tickets in Thailand can be a bit more expensive than usual. Fortunately, you can buy combined tickets that cover both the bus and ferry sections. Reservations can be made easily on the website 12Go.asia. You’ll get instant purchase confirmation and refund options if you change plans.
To travel from Hua Hin to Koh Tao, there are two daily departures, one in the morning and one in the evening. The bus departs from the Lomprayah office in downtown Hua Hin and arrives in Chumphon Town. This journey takes approximately 4.5 hours. In Chumphon, the bus stops at Lomprayah Pier, where you can board a modern catamaran that will take you to Koh Tao. The crossing takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and takes you to Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao.
If you prefer to travel in the morning, you will leave Hua Hin at 8:30 AM and arrive in Koh Tao around 2:45 PM. With overnight departures, you can try to sleep on the bus, and you’ll arrive at Chumphon in the morning to catch the ferry that arrives in Koh Tao around 8:45 AM. If you manage to sleep on the bus, you’ll be ready to seize the day. In total, the overnight journey from Hua Hin to Koh Tao takes 9 hours and 15 minutes, which is significantly longer than the daytime option, which takes 6 hours and 15 minutes. Tickets cost the same in both cases, so the price will not influence your decision. You need to consider whether you prefer to travel during the day or at night.
Both options can be booked online at 12Go, where you can also read reviews from other travelers who have used these services to help you make the best decision before purchasing.