Getting to koh Tao.
There are several ways for you to get to Koh Tao. You can choose to fly to Koh Samui , Chumphon or Surat Thani or travel by surface transport (bus or train) via Chumphon or Surat Thani. Whichever method you choose, the last leg will be a ferry ride to the island.
Flying: Fly from Bangkok Don Muang Airport (domestic airport) to Chumphon or Surat Thani with Thai AirAsia then take a ferry to Koh Tao. The flight times usually line up with the ferry times, however there may be some arrival times where you will have a small wait before your ferry departs.
Bus: Take the bus from Bangkok to Chumphon, connecting with a ferry to Koh Tao - you should purchase your joint ticket in Bangkok.
Train: Take the train south to Chumphon. There are overnight sleeper options that connect with the morning ferry to Koh Tao. Your ferry ticket can be bought at the train station (Krung Thep Aphiwat) in Bangkok or Chumphon or online before you travel.
Flying into Koh Samui (The Fastest Route)
The most convenient way to reach Koh Tao is by flying directly into Koh Samui Airport (USM) with Bangkok Airways. Samui acts as the primary international gateway for the Gulf of Thailand, offering direct flights from Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, and other major Asian hubs. Once you land, it is just a short taxi ride to the ferry piers, where you can catch a high-speed catamaran for a scenic, 1.5 to 2-hour boat ride directly to Koh Tao.
Flying into Chumphon (The Closest Mainland Connection)
If you are already in Thailand and looking for a quick, budget-friendly domestic route, flying into Chumphon Airport (CJM) is an excellent choice. Airlines like Thai AirAsia and Nok Air operate daily, inexpensive flights from Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport (DMK) directly to Chumphon. Because Chumphon is the closest mainland point to Koh Tao, the connecting ferry ride is the shortest available, typically taking just 1.5 hours to reach the Mae Haad pier.
Traveling via Bangkok (The Classic Transit Hub)
As Southeast Asia's major travel hub, arriving in Bangkok gives you multiple options to reach us. From Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK), you can easily book connecting flights to Koh Samui, Chumphon, or Surat Thani. If you prefer a more traditional and scenic travel experience, you can book a combined ticket from Bangkok that includes an overnight sleeper train or VIP coach down to Chumphon, perfectly timed to connect with the morning ferries crossing over to Koh Tao.
Traveling via Bangkok (The Classic Transit Hub)
As Southeast Asia's major travel hub, arriving in Bangkok gives you multiple options to reach us. From Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK), you can easily book connecting flights to Koh Samui, Chumphon, or Surat Thani. If you prefer a more traditional and scenic travel experience, you can book a combined ticket from Bangkok that includes an overnight sleeper train or VIP coach down to Chumphon, perfectly timed to connect with the morning ferries crossing over to Koh Tao.
Traveling via Bangkok (The Classic Transit Hub)
As Southeast Asia's major travel hub, arriving in Bangkok gives you multiple options to reach us. From Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK), you can easily book connecting flights to Koh Samui, Chumphon, or Surat Thani. If you prefer a more traditional and scenic travel experience, you can book a combined ticket from Bangkok that includes an overnight sleeper train or VIP coach down to Chumphon, perfectly timed to connect with the morning ferries crossing over to Koh Tao.