| Type | Operator | Class | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ferry | Koh Tao Booking Center | Sleeper Boat + Van | 00:00 | 15:00 | $44.74 | |
Ferry | Lomprayah | Express | 09:30 | 14:15 | $16.97 | |
Bus | Lomprayah | Express | 10:00 | 14:15 | $23.14 | |
Ferry | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport | Bus + Van + Speedboat | 11:00 | 18:00 | $43.19 | |
Ferry | Lomlahkkhirin | Speedboat | 12:00 | 16:00 | $16.97 | |
Bus | Lomprayah | Express | 13:00 | 17:45 | $23.14 | |
Ferry | Koh Tao Booking Center | Long Tail Boat 6pax | 14:00 | 14:20 | $9.26 | |
Ferry | Koh Tao Booking Center | Long Tail Boat 6pax | 15:00 | 15:20 | $9.26 | |
Bus | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport | Bus + Van + Sleeper Boat | 15:20 | 06:00 | $30.23 | |
Ferry | Ruea Chor Maetapee | Ferry | 17:00 | 06:00 | $20.05 | |
Bus | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport | Bus + Van + Sleeper Boat | 18:00 | 06:40 | $30.23 | |
Ferry | Ruea Chor Maetapee | Ferry | 18:30 | 07:00 | $20.05 | |
Ferry | Ruea Chor Maetapee | Ferry | 19:30 | 07:00 | $20.05 | |
Ferry | Ruea Chor Maetapee | Ferry | 22:00 | 06:00 | $20.05 |
Exploring Koh Tao alone is generally safe, as it is a popular tourist destination with a welcoming atmosphere. Solo travelers should exercise standard precautions, such as avoiding poorly lit areas at night and securing personal belongings.
Transportation and Connectivity
Renting a scooter is a common way to get around, costing approximately 150-300 THB per day ($4.50-$9). Ensure you have a valid license and wear a helmet.
Activities and Safety
Koh Tao is renowned for diving and snorkeling. Always use reputable operators for excursions. Beach areas and hiking trails are usually safe but stay aware of your surroundings.
Dining and Accommodation
There are numerous dining options, from local Thai eateries to international cuisine. Budget meals start at around 60 THB ($1.80).
Health and Well-being
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled water. Be mindful of sun exposure and use insect repellent to avoid bites.
Traveling to Koh Tao can be budget-friendly. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels at around 300 THB ($8) per night to mid-range hotels costing approximately 1,500 THB ($40). Street food and local eateries offer meals for about 100 THB ($3), while dining in restaurants may cost 300-600 THB ($8-$16).
Ferry transfers from Surat Thani or Chumphon to Koh Tao typically cost 500-1,000 THB ($13-$27). Renting a scooter is a common way to explore the island, with daily rates around 200 THB ($5). For activities, snorkeling tours start around 800 THB ($22).
Tap water is not safe for drinking, so plan to purchase bottled water. Overall, with careful planning and choosing local options, visiting Koh Tao can be quite affordable.
Surat Thani serves as a convenient transportation hub with access to nearby islands, while Koh Tao is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling.
Transportation: Surat Thani offers connections via bus, train, and ferry, making it easy to reach other locations. Koh Tao is accessible by ferry from Surat Thani, with travel times around 1.5 to 3 hours.
Activities: In Surat Thani, activities are limited primarily to local markets and temples. Koh Tao, however, is renowned for its dive sites, with PADI courses available.
Dining: Surat Thani has affordable local eateries, while Koh Tao offers a mix of Thai and international cuisine, with meal prices ranging from 100-300 THB ($3-$9).
Water Quality: Tap water is not recommended for drinking in either location; bottled water is advised.
Cost: Koh Tao tends to be more expensive due to its tourist focus. Choose based on interest in convenience or activities.
| Cheapest Transport | $21 |
| Fastest Transport | 20m |
| Earliest Departure | 8:15 AM |
| Latest Departure | 10:00 PM |
| Departures per day | 11 |
| Distance | 17 kilometers |
| Transport Companies | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport, Fame Tour, Koh Tao Booking Center, Lomlahkkhirin, Lomprayah, Nor Phuangphet Transport, Phantip 1970, Ruea Chor Maetapee, Songserm |
Travelling between Surat Thani and Koh Tao is possible by Bus, ferry, van and taxi. Taxi guarantees the fastest travel on this route. Bus+ferry+van is the slowest option.
The most expensive ticket will cost you USD 30.85 if you go by Ferry; to keep it budget-friendly, opt for a ferry which will set you back mere USD 26.22.
It can take you anywhere between 1 and 15 hours to travel between Surat Thani and Koh Tao depending on the means of transport you choose.
Taxi is the fastest way to travel between Surat Thani and Koh Tao. Taxi will bring you to your destination in 20m. Bus+ferry+van does a much slower job and take about 14h 40m to reach Koh Tao.
Travelling between Surat Thani and Koh Tao can be as cheap as USD 26.22 if you opt for a Ruea Chor Maetapee ferry and as expensive as USD 30.85 if you buy a Lomlahkkhirin (ลมหลักคิรินทร์) Ferry ticket.
Here is the list of how much you can expect to pay travelling by each means of transport available for this route.
Check above for a bus, train, flight and ferry timetable from Surat Thani to Koh Tao.
Things to remember: If you are planning to make detours during your trip, discuss it with your driver or service provider in advance as it may affect the price.
Koh Tao Booking Center
Things to remember: Ferry rides may be cancelled due to rough seas.
Fame Tour (เฟมทัวร์), Koh Tao Booking Center, Lomlahkkhirin (ลมหลักคิรินทร์), Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Phantip 1970 (พันทิพย์ 1970), Ruea Chor Maetapee
There is a choice of transportation means any time of the day with Ferry remaining the most popular option due to their reasonable pricing and comfort.
Out of 1000 travellers who bought tickets for this route