Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao is the only option to travel between these two islands. Koh Tao island has no airport so the only way to get there is by ferry.
We put together this little guide to save you some troubles. Keep reading to learn how to get from Koh Samui to Koh Tao by ferry while traveling Thailand.
Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao – different options
There are 2 ferry companies offering transport from Koh Samui to Koh Tao – Lomprayah and Songserm. Lomprayah offers 5 ferries a day while Songserm only has 1 ferry scheduled.
Let’s compare the two companies in the next paragraphs. Furthermore, Lompraya offers 2 types of boat to choose from – speedboat and catamaran.
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. Our favorite is Tanote Bay.
Best hotels on Koh Tao
If you use the links below, you pay the same and we earn a little comission. It helps us run this blog. You can also check more hotels on Koh Tao on booking.com.
Koh Samui to Koh Tao – travel time
Songserm: 4 hours
Lomprayah: 1.5-2 hours
When traveling with Songserm it’s supposed to take 4 hours to reach Koh Tao from Koh Samui island. On the other hand, Lomprayah will transport you between these two islands in 1.5-2h. The ferries operating on this route are speed ferries.
Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao – route
When it comes to arrival and departure port, there are also a few options. Songserm arrives to 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.
Regarding departure port, Songserm leaves from Na Thon pier on Koh Samui. Lomprayah offers departures from both Na Thon pier as well as Maenam pier.
There’s a big chance you will also need to change the ferry on Koh Phangan, alternateively the ferry might stop there. I’m not sure if this applies to all the ferries.
Source: 12go.asia
Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao – price
Songserm: 600 THB
Lomprayah: 700 THB
Now let’s take a look at the price. As you can see there’s only slight difference. Songserm offers tickets from Koh Samui to Koh Tao island for 600 THB while Lomprayah will cost 700 THB.
This is the price you can see on official websites of both ferry companies and that is offered by 12go.asia as well.
Where to book tickets
If you’re already on the island you can either book ferry tickets directly at the pier or from one of many tour agencies around. Some of the travel agents offer ferry tickets from Koh Samui to Koh Tao as well as a transport to/from the pier on both islands.
When traveling in high season I would certainly recommend to book ferry tickets online in advance. It’s certainly possible the ferry will be sold out.
However you can avoid this problem when using 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.
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.
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!
