Getting to Koh Tao is a two step process. Fortunately, the
trip is pleasant and the scenery fascinating. Best of all, the
extra step means there are fewer visitors on Koh Tao at any
given time.
Step I : From Bangkok
To Koh Samui/Surathani Province/Chumporn
By Air
Bangkok to Koh Samui :
Bangkok Airways (+662 229 3434) provides over 10
flights/day.
Thai Airways International
(+622 628 2000) offers daily flight to Suratthani.
Air Andaman flies four
times a week to Chumphon.
By Train
From Bangkok to Chumporn
(For travellers not in a hurry, the train is the most
pleasant way to travel to Chumporn.)
Express #85 - (Bangkok -
Chumporn) leaves Bangkok 19:15 daily and arrives in Chumporn
between 3:30 and 5:00. 2nd class air conditioned and
fan-cooled sleeping carriages and air-conditioned and
fan-cooled ordinary carriages available. Ask the conductor
to wake you up for Chumporn Station.
Diesel - (Bangkok -
Chumporn) leaves Bangkok at 22:30 and arrives 06:00. 2nd
class air conditioned ordinary carriages only.
By Coach
From Southern Bus Terminal
- Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches leave the
Southern Bus Terminal for Chumporn throughout from about
09:30 to 22:00 daily. (We highly recommend air-conditioned
coaches - non-air conditioned buses can be cramped and
uncomfortable, particularly for taller people). The journey
normally takes about seven hours. Fares range from 136-317
baht
From Kaosarn Road - daily
bus & mini bus depart at 20:00-21.00 and arrives Chumporn at
approximately 04:00.
Step II : From Koh
Samui/Surathani Province/Chumporn To Koh Tao
From Koh Samui or Surathani Province to Koh Tao
Songserm Travel provide a
daily boat service which leaves Na Thorn Pier at 10:30. You
can catch a minibus from Koh Samui Airport to Na Thorn Pier.
(If you catch the first Bangkok-Koh Samui flight, you should
be able to catch this boat)
Lompraya Catamaran high
speed boat provide a daily boat service which leaves Wat Pra
Lan pier at 08:00 and 12.30
FROM THA THONG PIER, SURAT
THANI, Songserm Express Boat, Surat Thani-Koh Tao, 8:00 -
14:30, 455 baht/trip. Koh Tao-Surat Thani, 10:30 - 16:30
NIGHT BOAT FROM BAN DON
PIER, SURAT THANI, Surat Thani-Koh Tao, 23:00 - 6.00, 400
baht/trip. Koh Tao-Surat Thani, 21:00 - 5:00.
From Chumporn to Koh Tao
Ekawin ferryboat provides
a daily boat which leaves Ta Yang Pier at 7:00. The journey
takes 3 hours. Return from Kohtao at 10.30 and 14.30.
Service fee for round tip is 700 Baht. Telephone 0-7750-1821
Kohtao Kruzer journey
speed boat provides a daily boat which leaves Ta Yang Pier
at 7:00. The journey takes 3 hours. Return from Kohtao at
10.30. Service fee for round tip 700 Baht. Telephone
0-7745-6064
Songserm Travel high speed
boat provides a daily boat which leaves Ta Yang Pier at
7:00. The journey takes 2.30 hours. Return from Kohtao at
14.30. Service fee round tip 700 Baht. Telephone 0-7750-6205
Furthermore, Lompraya
Catamaran high speed boat provides a daily boat service
which leaves from Tong ma kam (far from Ta Yang Pier about 6
km.) at 7.00 and 13.00. The journey takes 1.30 hours. Return
from Kohtao 10.00 and 15.00. Lompraya Catamaran also has a
package, which the fees also in clude VIP bus from Bangkok &
boat to Kohtao. Telephone 0-7745-6176
All boat will have to stop
at Bann Mae Had pier of Kohtao. West of Kohtao there are
taxi and motorcycle service takes the tourist to every
resident. The price starts from 50 baht and vary from the
length of route. If you book the hotel earlier, the resident
will have a transportation service to pick you up from the
pier.
Koh Nang Youn is not far
from Kohtao. You can hire Sairee long boat and make
appointment time to pick you up wherever you prefer. Service
fee is 150 baht per person. When you arrive Koh you need to
pay 30 baht per person for entrance. The most popular place
to see the scenery is behind the village and the left side.
You can see Koh connect 3 Koh. Beachside can dive. There are
restaurant at resort. But it’s expensive and shouldn’t long
sit.
Kohtao can deep dive
convenience at Bann Mae Had and there are many diving shop.
Service chart 800 -1,000 baht. By program will change
everyday. Course Open Water of PADI 8,500 baht.