Koh Tao is a small island located in the Gulf of Thailand. Famous for incredible underwater life and diving, it’s one of the best places in the world to get PADI certified. If you’re not looking for a diving experience, you can enjoy snorkeling around the island.
If you’re looking for ways to travel from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, this guide will save you some trouble. Keep reading to learn all the details about traveling from Koh Samui to Koh Tao by ferry.
Where is Koh Tao
Koh Tao is an island in the east of the Gulf of Thailand. The distance from the coast is about 70km. The island is a part of the Chumphon Archipelago with its neighbors Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The only point of access is the main port located in Mae Haad, the island’s main town.
You can easily visit Koh Tao both from Koh Phangan and Koh Samui islands. You can also travel to Koh Tao from Surat Thani or Bangkok. Overall, there are many ways how to get to Koh Tao from all around Thailand.
Save the location of Koh Tao Island to your Google Maps app.
Where to stay on Koh Tao
The most popular area to stay is around Sairee Beach. You’ll find most restaurants around. However, this area is also a bit too loud, both during the day and night. If you’re coming to Koh Tao to relax, stay near one of many beaches.
We wrote a complete guide describing where to stay on Koh Tao, including the best areas as well as hotels and hostels for every budget.
Best hotels on Koh Tao
Check availability
Koh Samui to Koh Tao overview
Koh Samui is the only island in the Chumphon Archipelago with an airport. Both Koh Tao and Koh Phangan can only be reached by ferry.
So if you’re looking for a way to get to Koh Tao from different destinations around Thailand, consider flying to Koh Samui first. In addition, you can also catch a ferry from Surat Thani or Chumphon. Both cities have airports.
Koh Samui to Koh Tao by ferry
Traveling to Koh Tao is only possible by ferry. This might not be the best news for those scared of water and water travel. However, the ferry ride can be both comfortable and an adventure. Whether your ride will be smooth mostly depends on the type of boat you choose as well as the weather conditions.
When traveling during the monsoon season, you must be prepared for harsh sea conditions and many waves. If this doesn’t sound like something you don’t mind, plan your trip to Koh Tao during the dry season. You can also choose places like Phuket where you don’t need to use a boat.
Koh Samui ferry terminals
When departing from Koh Samui, the ferries use three different ports. They’re all located in different parts of the island. No matter which port you depart from, you’ll always find some food stalls, drinks, and snacks nearby.
The boarding process might seem chaotic since the organization is often not great. To avoid any troubles, make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
Bangrak Pier is the closest one to the Chaweng and Lamai areas. From Chaweng it’s only around 7 kilometers. However, the journey by car might take around 20 minutes.
Maenam Pier is located in the northern part of the island. The distance between this pier and Chaweng is 17 kilometers and the journey will take around 40 minutes.
Lastly, there’s Na Thon Pier. It’s the biggest pier on the island. But this one is on the opposite side of the island. The distance between Chaweng and Na Thon Pier is 23.5 kilometers and will take 50 minutes to 1 hour.
How to get to
Getting to all the different ports is usually quite easy. You’ll find many taxis and songthaews which can take you there. When buying tickets from street vendors and local companies, you often have an option to book a taxi through them.
Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry companies
When traveling from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, you can choose between two ferry companies – Lomprayah and Songserm. Lomprayah offers 8 ferries a day while Songserm only has 2 ferries scheduled.
While Lomprayah’s boats are usually more comfortable, Songserm is the cheapest option. But the cheapest ferry also takes the longest.
Each ferry differs in ticket price, comfort, and travel time. Additionally, different types of boats can be used for the trip. We’ll go through all the options below.
Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry schedule
Songserm: 2:45 – 3:45 hours
Lomprayah: 1:30 – 3 hours
Songserm ferry schedule
When traveling with Songserm it’s supposed to take between 2:45 and 3:45 hours to reach Koh Tao from Koh Samui Island. It’s up to you to choose the preferred ferry as well as travel time.
Currently, you only have two options – high-speed ferry from Na Thon Pier (3:45) or speedboat + ferry from Bangrak Pier (2:45). The first one departs at 10:30 and the latter at 11:30.
| Departure port | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Travel Time | Boat Type | Price |
| Na Thon Pier | 10:30 | 14:15 | 2:45 | High-speed ferry | 795 TBH |
| Bangrak Pier | 11:30 | 14:15 | 3:45 | Speedboat + Ferry | 1113 TBH |
Lomprayah ferry schedule
On the other hand, Lomprayah will transport you between these two islands in 1.5 – 2 hours. You can choose between a catamaran and a speedboat. From Maenam Pier ferries depart at 08:00, 11:00, 12:30, and 14:30. From Na Thon departures are at 12:15 and 16:00. Lastly, from Bangrak Pier you can leave at 11:30 and 14:30.
| Departure port | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Travel Time | Boat Type | Price |
| Maenam Pier | 08:00 | 09:30 | 1:30 | Catamaran | 1113 TBH |
| Maenam Pier | 11:00 | 13:30 | 2:30 | Laemsor Ferry | 875 TBH |
| Bangrak Pier | 11:30 | 14:15 | 2:45 | Speedboat | 1113 TBH |
| Na Thon Pier | 12:15 | 14:15 | 2:00 | Speedboat | 1113 TBH |
| Maenam Pier | 12:30 | 14:00 | 1:30 | Catamaran | 1113 TBH |
| Maenam Pier | 14:30 | 16:00 | 1:30 | Speedboat | 1113 TBH |
| Bangrak Pier | 14:30 | 17:45 | 3:15 | Speedboat | 1113 TBH |
| Na Thon Pier | 16:00 | 17:30 | 1:30 | Catamaran | 1113 TBH |
Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao – price
Songserm: 800 THB or 1113 TBH
Lomprayah: 875 THB or 1113 TBH
Now let’s take a look at the price. No matter which company and boat type you choose, most tickets cost 1113 TBH. You will find a few cheaper options. The prices may vary slightly. This is just an estimated cost so you get an idea.
You can check the prices on the official websites of both ferry companies or on 12go.asia.
Where to book tickets
If you’re already on the island you can either book ferry tickets directly at the pier. I don’t recommend this option, since during high season you might not be able to get a ticket. If you wish to do so, make sure to buy your tickets as soon as possible.
Another option is to use tour agencies and street vendors. Sometimes, they offer ferry tickets from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, as well as transport to / from the pier on both islands.
When traveling in high season I would certainly recommend booking ferry tickets online in advance. Our go-to website for all transport around Asian countries is 12go.asia. They are very reliable and offer customer service as well. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about getting scammed.
It’s also possible to book ferry tickets directly with each company. You can visit the official website of Lomprayah or Songserm.
Koh Tao arrival port
When it comes to arrival port, Songserm arrives at Koh Tao Songserm Pier while Lomprayah stops at Mae Haad Pier. However, it’s important to note that these two piers are right next to each other.
There’s a big chance you will also need to change the ferry on Koh Phangan. I’m not sure if this applies to all the ferries. When buying tickets via 12go.asia, some connections have a note about this.
Catamaran, ferry or speedboat?
When buying the ferry tickets, it’s important to choose the right boat type. This applies especially to those who are scared of water or get seasick easily. If you haven’t used a ferry before, you might find all the options slightly confusing.
Therefore, we decided to describe different boat types available.
Catamaran
A catamaran is a boat with two parallel hulls. In other words, it’s that strange-looking boat with a huge hole in the middle. Thanks to this system catamarans provide fast and peaceful rides.
I am no boat specialist, but from what I’ve read catamaran is doing quite well when waves are hitting the boat from the side. However, you will feel rocking up and down when the catamaran travels against the waves.
Catamarans are spacious with enough place for luggage. They’re capacity is quite large. During the ride, you can walk around the deck and enjoy the views. The interior is air-conditioned. The ferry has a toilet, and sometimes a snack bar, too.
Ferry
Ferry is the classic type of boat, whose bottom is completely touching the surface of the sea. Ferries are often big, which makes them more stable on the sea. But they’re often slow.
You will experience a bit more slamming and rocking on a ferry than on a catamaran. So if you get seasick easily, the best option should be a catamaran. However, the difference is not big.
Just like a catamaran, the ferry’s interior is air-conditioned. You can also move around the deck during the ride and stay outside if you wish. You should also be able to buy some drinks or snacks on the boats, and they are also equipped with toilets.
Speedboat
The last option is my least favorite. Traveling by a speedboat is often a ride full of adrenaline. Speedboats are often small and have a capacity of about 50 people.
The comfort depends on sea conditions. If the waters are calm, it won’t be such an intense experience. However, as soon as there are even the smallest waves, you will feel it.
When we were traveling from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, it was quite windy and the sea was rough. While Juraj enjoys these kinds of rides, I was scared we might be knocked down by the waves. It was one of the craziest boat rides of my life.
Since speedboats are small and fast, you can’t move from your seat. You won’t find any toilets or snack bars on a speedboat.
How to get from Mae Haad pier to Sairee Beach
As in every tourist destination, as soon as you get off the ferry you will be welcomed by different taxi drivers and tour companies. No matter where on Koh Tao you’re staying, you will be able to find transport easily.
Depending on people’s destination, locals will sort people in groups and organize a taxi for you. The taxis are trucks, where you sit in the back sideways with all your luggage.
For transport from the pier to Sairee Beach, you can expect to pay around 100 TBH per person. The taxis drop you off right in front of your hotel.
Optionally, you will find many scooter rentals around the pier. If you plan to rent a bike during your Koh Tao stay, you can do that right after your arrival. It’s the most convenient option, since you can travel to your hotel, explore the island, and return the scooter just before boarding the next ferry from the island.
You’ll avoid having to use the shared taxis, which are always more expensive. The scooter rental starts at around 200 TBH per day. If you rent a stronger bike, you’ll have to pay more. The rentals will want to keep your national ID as a deposit.
Never leave your passport as a deposit when renting a scooter! It makes it very easy for the owners to accuse you of causing some damage you haven’t done and ask you to pay for it. Remember, you can’t travel without a passport. Use cash or national ID instead.
Best guided tours on Koh Tao
- Snorkel tour by Oxygen – Visit Nangyuan Island, Japanese Gardens, Mango Bay, Ao Leuk, and Hin Wong Bay. You can enjoy snorkeling at every stop. The underwater life is just incredible and this tour will be one of the highlights of your whole Thailand trip!
- Scuba diving experience – Ever tried scuba diving? How about taking your first lesson in one of the best places to get PADI in the whole world? Koh Tao is known for its lively underwater life and the best way to explore it is scuba diving!
- Daytrip by speedboat – This tour has the same itinerary as the first one by Oxygen. The only difference is, that here you can also go kayaking.
Best time to visit Koh Tao
Dry season: December – April
Rainy season: October – December
Koh Tao has its dry season between December and April, together with the rest of Thailand. The weather is mostly sunny with almost no rain. However, since December is on the border between monsoon and dry season, you might still experience rainy evenings.
The period between February and May is known as a hot and dry season. April is usually the hottest month. Koh Tao is a relatively humid island, with around 80% humidity. Keep this in mind and stay hydrated throughout the day. The water visibility is the best in this season.
While the west coast of Thailand is hit by southwest monsoon between May and October, Koh Tao is not very affected by this. The weather is mostly dry and windy. Therefore, the sea is not as calm anymore. But you can already expect some rainfall, mostly during late afternoons and nights.
The rainy season in Koh Tao usually starts late in October and lasts until December. November is experiencing the heaviest rains. If the monsoons arrive later, the rainy season may last longer.
Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao – conclusion
In conclusion, traveling from Koh Samui to Koh Tao by ferry is really simple. We hope you found this article helpful! In case you have any updates or you find some information to be incorrect do not hesitate to let us know via comments below or on social media. Enjoy your trip to Koh Tao!
