Koh Samui to Koh Tao
How do you travel from Koh Samui to Koh Tao? Update on the cheapest and best way to travel from Koh Samui to Koh Tao!
If you ask Thai people which destinations you should visit at least once in your life for your vacation in Thailand, they will highly recommend you go to Surat Thani province which is often called “the province of a thousand islands”, in southern Thailand.
It is common practice to abbreviate the name of Thailand’s largest southern province, Surat Thani, to just “Surat.” Located on Thailand’s west coast, it is a popular tourist destination for those visiting the area. It is a province with a long history because there is evidence of both ancient history and archeology. There are also many tourist attractions and national parks. Many islands in the Gulf of Thailand belong to the province, including the beautiful islands, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao, as well as the Koh Ang Thong Marine National Park.
There are several routes to reach Koh Tao, starting from various locations such as Bangkok, Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Koh Samui.
Below, we will describe exactly how to get from Koh Samui to Koh Tao by ferry.
Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao
- Price: 600-700 THB
- Transport type: speedboat, catamaran
- Companies: Lomprayah, Songserm
- Travel time: 1.5-4 hours
Koh Samui and Koh Tao are approximately 68 kilometers apart from one another. The journey takes about 1.5 – 4 hours depending on the type of ferry, weather conditions, and sea waves. The cheapest and best way to travel from Koh Samui to Koh Tao is by ferry.
Ferries are generally used for transportation between Koh Samui and Koh Tao. The most popular companies that travelers and local people love to use for ferry services are the Lomprayah High Speed Ferry and Songserm.
Lomprayah is reliable, and affordable, and is the most famous tour company for providing ferry services around the islands.
They operate a ferry service at 2 piers, Maenam Pier and Nathon Pier, to arrive at the Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao. The ticket prices are 700 baht for adults and 350 baht for children.
When you arrive at Koh Tao, you can take a local taxi to run around from Mae Haad Pier to your accommodation and some places on the island. The price depends on the distance and negotiation. There are some accommodations that provide shuttle service from the pier and various points on the island. You can inquire directly at the hotel. There are many motorbike rental shops around the island. Tourists can rent a car for a sightseeing trip at around 250-350 baht per day, depending on the condition of the car and negotiation. There are also long-tail taxi boat services traveling from Koh Tao to Koh Nang Yuan every day.
Koh Samui to Koh Tao Ferry Schedule
| Departure Location | Departure Time | Arrival Location | Arrival Time | Travel Time | Company |
| Maenam Samui, Koh Samui | 8:00 | Mae Haad Koh Tao | 9:30 | 1h 30m | Lomprayah |
| Na Thon Koh Samui Songserm | 10:30 | Koh Tao Songserm | 14:30 | 4h | Songserm |
| Na Thon Koh Samui | 12:15 | Mae Haad Koh Tao | 14:15 | 2h | Lomprayah |
| Maenam Pier, Koh Samui | 12:30 | Mae Haad Koh Tao | 14:15 | 1h 45m | Lomprayah |
| Maenam Pier, Koh Samui | 14:30 | Mae Haad Koh Tao | 16:00 | 1h 30m | Lomprayah |
| Na Thon Koh Samui | 15:30 | Mae Haad Koh Tao | 17:00 | 1h 30m | Lomprayah |
Tips: It is advisable to book tickets in advance during long weekends or important festivals and check for updated information before traveling due to covid-19 pandemic and many business closures. While the weather is generally good year-round, the best time to enjoy the islands of Surat Thani is from February to April to avoid the monsoon season.
Once in Koh Samui
The majority of tourists are captivated by Koh Samui because it has beaches with white sand, waters that are crystal clear, waterfalls, scenic views, temples, and a wide range of activities that they may participate in. Because of this, it is widely acknowledged to be one of the most well-liked tourist locations in all of Thailand.
Additionally, it is simple to get there from Bangkok, and flying is the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation.
Koh Samui is also home to many snorkeling and dive sites because of its vibrant coral reefs. There is also the 12-meter-tall golden Buddha statue, one of the island’s most popular attractions and the first landmark people must come to see when arriving in Koh Samui.
Both Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai on Koh Samui are well-known destinations for spending the day swimming and sunbathing. Most tourists love to go to see the surprisingly-shaped rocks called Hin Ta and Hin Yai in Hat Lamai. In addition, if you want to have a good perspective of the city, you should travel to the Khao Tha Phet Wildlife and Nature Study Center, which is located 210 meters above sea level.
It is also highly recommended to visit the islands near Koh Samui and most tourists choose to go to Koh Tao, one of the top scuba diving destinations in Thailand. It will make an unforgettable impression that you will have to come back again and again.
Once in Koh Tao
Koh Tao is not far from Koh Samui and is accessible by speed boats and ferries. This is an island with a lush environment, an abundance of marine life, gorgeous coral reefs, a bunch of colorful fishes, and a large number of white sand beaches for visitors to relax on.
Koh Tao is a tiny island located in the Gulf of Thailand. It is a part of the Koh Pha Ngan District in the province of Surat Thani. Koh Tao consists of two islands that are only 480 meters apart, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. It is about 74 kilometers from the coast of Chumphon, about 110 kilometers from the coast of Surat Thani, and about 45 kilometers from Koh Pha Ngan.
Most of the area is mountainous, with only 30% of the island’s flat land, with beautiful beaches, and clean sand. The reason why this island is called Koh Tao is because it was a place where many turtles lay eggs in the past. (Koh means ‘island’ and Tao means ‘turtle’ in Thai)
There are many interesting attractions in Koh Tao such as Laem Hin Cho Po Ro. Laem Hin Cho Po Ro is a set of unusual rock formations found on Sairee Beach.
John-Suwan Viewpoint is located on the slope of Ao Chalok. Ao Luek is located to the southeast of the island and is home to a lovely rocky cape and a diving location for spectacular coral reefs.
