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