Phuket is an area well known for its beaches and nightlife, but Koh Tao has a little bit of everything. The name of this island means Turtle Island and it is a fantastic place to see different species of this animal, although it is also an island famous for its coral reefs and fantastic diving spots. There are also beautiful beaches and lively areas at night, especially on Mae Haad Beach. If you like nature, you can also go hiking in the jungle and see wildlife and native birds, and enjoy spectacular views from some of the viewpoints. If you are looking for the best form of transportation to get from Phuket to Koh Tao, we have information on all available ferries.
Travel options from Phuket to Koh Tao
Koh Tao is a small island that is only 21 square kilometers, so it is not surprising that there is no airport on it. This means that the means of getting there are limited to water transport. But fortunately, as it is a popular destination, there are several ferry operators with several options available to choose from. As the crow flies, the distance from Phuket is 290 kilometers. But the journey includes a bus and ferry leg, so it takes some time to get from one place to another. It is possible to fly from Phuket to Koh Samui and from there take a ferry to Koh Tao, but it is not much faster and a little more expensive. Below we have provided information about the different options available so that you can decide how to get from Phuket to Koh Tao.
Bangkok Airways plane landing in Koh Samui © IamDoctorEgg / Shutterstock.com
Flight from Phuket to Koh Tao
Although almost all tourists choose to travel from Phuket to Koh Tao by bus and ferry, we wanted to include this option on the list. As we mentioned earlier, you can fly from Phuket to Koh Samui, and take a ferry to Koh Tao. The problem with this route is that there is only one ferry per day from Koh Samui to Koh Tao. Departure is scheduled for 11:30 in the morning and it can be difficult to find a plane that arrives on time. The crossing takes more than three hours, while the flight takes about an hour. This way of traveling from Phuket to Koh Tao can be a good idea if you want to explore Koh Samui. However, if you do not intend to visit other places along the way, this is not the most recommended solution.
From Phuket to Koh Tao by ferry
It is impossible to get from Phuket to Koh Tao only by ferry, because you have to travel a lot of land before reaching the sea. Therefore, travel by water must include a bus or taxi route before boarding the ship.
If you prefer, you can travel by bus from Phuket to Surat Thani on your own. From there you would have to take a bus to the pier or a ferry. This way you can save some money, but the journey will not be shorter and you may have connection problems in case of delays. Therefore, it is best to buy a combined ticket for the entire journey. The prices are very reasonable and in case of problems on the road the ferry can wait a bit or use the ticket to get to the next boat.
All ferries from Phuket to Koh Tao arrive at the island’s main pier, Mae Haad. In Phuket, boats have two different departure points depending on the company you are traveling with.
Bus and catamaran from Lomprayah to Koh Tao
Lomprayah is always a good choice because it is a reliable and well-known company that operates modern and comfortable buses and catamarans. The ferries (catamarans) are well equipped with refreshments and bathrooms. They have seats both on the outside deck and inside.
Lomprayah Ferries depart from Tapee Jetty in Surat Thani. You can take one of their buses at various places in Phuket, although the main stop is next to the Lomprayah office in Phuket Town. From here, the journey takes approximately 9 hours and 15 minutes. The bus departs at 10:00 AM and arrives at Koh Tao around 7:15 PM. If you live in Patong, you can also book a transfer from Lomprayah, although the journey may take a few hours more. However, it is worth buying a combined ticket so that you don’t have to worry about anything. Another option offered by Lomprayah is to depart from Phuket Airport. The trip takes about the same time as the bus and ferry from Phuket Town, but is much more expensive.
Seatran Discovery bus and fast ferry to Koh Tao
If you want to consider a viable option other than Lomprayah, you can take a look at Seatran Discovery. This is another well-known and reliable company that offers bus and ferry tickets at almost the same price as Lomprayah. The only downside to traveling with Seatran is that it doesn’t offer as many departure points. Their buses depart from Phuket Bus Terminal 2, so you’ll need to find a way to get there.
The buses are quite comfortable and the ferry to Koh Tao is modern and quite comfortable. It has indoor and outdoor seating as well as a covered terrace open to the sides to enjoy the views.
Seatran leaves Phuket at 9:00 AM. Rafting time is practically the same as from Lomprayah, which is about 9.5 hours, so the arrival in Koh Tao is scheduled for 6:30 PM.
As you can see, there are not many differences between the two ferry companies on the Phuket to Koh Tao route. The prices are the same, the duration of the trip too. It is best to choose the one with the departure point closest to your accommodation in Phuket.