Ferries to Koh Tao

Reaching this world-class diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand requires a high-speed crossing via Lomprayah or Songserm, departing from the mainland at Chumphon or from Koh Samui. These high-speed catamarans and night ferries are the only way to reach the island, as it lacks its own airport. As shown on the regional ferry map, the Mae Haad Pier is the exclusive arrival point, and because the island is the most distant in the archipelago, these vessels serve as the critical logistical link for all passenger and freight transit.

From Koh Samui to Koh Tao

Showing all 16 services

Chumphon (Matapon Pier) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Songserm · 2h 30m
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 550
prices and availability
Chumphon (Tha Yang) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Talay Sub · 6hovernight
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 550
prices and availability
Chumphon (Thung Makham Noi) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Lomprayah · 1h 30m
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 550
prices and availability
Ko Samui (Pralan) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Lomprayah · 1h 30m
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 750
prices and availability
Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Seatran Discovery · 1h
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 450
prices and availability
Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Lomprayah · 1h
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 450
prices and availability
Koh Samui (Bangrak Pier) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Seatran Discovery · 2h
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 600
prices and availability
Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Lomprayah · 1h 30m
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 750
prices and availability
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) ↔ Ko Samui (Pralan)
Lomprayah · 1h 30m
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 750
prices and availability
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) ↔ Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier)
Songserm · 1h 30m
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 600
prices and availability
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) ↔ Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier)
Lomprayah · 1h
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 600
prices and availability
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) ↔ Koh Samui (Bangrak Pier)
Seatran Discovery · 2h
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 600
prices and availability
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) ↔ Koh Samui (Nathon Pier)
Songserm · 3h
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 700
prices and availability
Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier) ↔ Koh Samui (Nathon Pier)
Lomprayah · 1h 30m
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 750
prices and availability
Surat Thani (Bandon Pier) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Sea Crest Ferry · 7hovernight
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 900
prices and availability
Surat Thani (Tapee Pier) ↔ Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
Lomprayah · 3h
🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From THB 900
prices and availability

Turtle Island transit: The single-pier bottleneck

Ko Tao is the smallest of the trio, focused entirely on diving. With 500,000+ annual visitors and narrow roads, the logistics are simple because there is only one entry point.

Arrival Pier Operators Logistics Score
Mae Haad Pier Lomprayah, Songserm, Seatran Discovery The Chokepoint: Every boat lands here. It is walking distance to Sairee Beach. The pier fee is 20 THB. Warning: Hotel pick-up trucks cause gridlock here at 10 AM and 3 PM.

Visitor Volume & Mode Comparison

  • The Chumphon Connection: The fastest route from Bangkok is not via Samui, but via Chumphon (bus/train) then the Lomprayah catamaran (1.5 hrs) to Ko Tao.
  • Night Boat: The “Night Boat” from Surat Thani (leaves 11 PM, arrives 5 AM) is a rite of passage for backpackers. It is a floating hostel with mattresses on the floor.

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