Koh Tao to Bangkok
Travelers from all over the world have fallen in love with the pristine beaches of Koh Tao, and it’s not hard to see why. Koh Tao, with its stunning waters and amazing marine life, is a true tropical paradise that captures the hearts of adventure seekers. When it’s time to leave the serene island behind, you may wonder what’s the best way to travel from Koh Tao to Bangkok. This route is incredibly popular, and luckily, you have a few travel options. Below, we will describe how to get from Koh Tao to Bangkok, what are the prices and schedules for this trip.
Koh Tao to Bangkok by Ferry and Bus Combo
- Price: 1,250 THB
- Transport type: bus and ferry combo
- Companies: Lomprayah, Fame Tour
- Travel time: 10-18 hours
This is the most popular and straightforward way to get from Koh Tao to Bangkok. A few companies provide direct combo trips from the island to the capital. The journey consists of two parts, but you can book them in one ticket and all the connections are guaranteed. You don’t have to worry about booking separate tickets with different departures (which often don’t intersect).
Ferry and bus combo is both affordable and convenient, with prices starting at just 1,250 THB per seat. You have two choices: you can either take a speedboat and then a bus with Lomprayah, or you can go for the sleeper boat and bus combo with Fame Tour. The speedboat plus bus journey takes around 10 hours, while the sleeper boat plus bus trip lasts about 16-18 hours.
Koh Tao to Bangkok Ferry and Bus Combo Schedule
| Koh Tao | Bangkok | Company | Arrival Station |
| 10:15 | 20:30 | Lomprayah | Khao San |
| 14:45 | 0:45 | Lomprayah | Khao San |
| 21:00 | 15:30 | Fame Tour | Southern Terminal Bangkok |
| 21:00 | 13:00 | Fame Tour | Khao San |
No matter which option you choose, all the ferries depart from the Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao, making it easy to start your journey. If you go with Lomprayah, the ferry ride takes about 90 minutes, and then you’ll spend an additional 8 hours on the bus. During the bus ride, the driver will make a stop at a rest area, and there’s even a restroom on the bus for your convenience.
Koh Tao to Bangkok by Ferry, Bus, and Train via Chumphon
- Price: 1,800 THB
- Transport type: ferry, van, and train
- Companies: Lomprayah, Fame Tour, Thai railways
- Travel time: 12-15 hours
The second travel option is to buy a combo ferry+van trip from Koh Tao to Chumphon Train Station, and then take a train from Chumphon to Bangkok.
Step 1: Ferry+Van from Koh Tao to Chumphon Train Station
There are two companies serving the ferry route from Koh Tao to Chumphon Train Station. These are Lomparayh and Fame Tour. Lomparayh offers speedboat service, and Fame Tour provides sleeper boats. After you arrive at Chumphon Pier, the vans pick you up and take you to the Chumphon Train Station. Such combo trips cost 780-900 THB per seat.
Ferry+Van Schedule from Mae Haad Koh Tao to Chumphon Train Station
| Mae Haad Koh Tao | Chumphon Train Station | Company |
| 10:15 | 13:00 | Lomprayah |
| 21:00 | 6:00 | Fame Tour |
Step 2: Train from Chumphon to Bangkok
There are 9 daily trains, and a few of them have evening departures from Chumphon, giving you the whole night to chill and sleep on the train before you arrive in Bangkok in the morning. We recommend booking train tickets well in advance (not on the same day) because sleeper seats sell out very fast. Trains from Chumphon to Bangkok take around 9-11 hours and cost from 1000 THB per seat for the 2nd class sleeper.
Train Schedule from Chumphon to Bangkok
| Chumphon | Bangkok | # | Train Type |
| 0:14 | 10:30 | 172 | Rapid |
| 1:05 | 10:50 | 32 | Special Express |
| 1:42 | 12:05 | 38/46 | Special Express |
| 12:36 | 20:30 | 40 | Special Express |
| 20:03 | 7:00 | 168 | Rapid |
| 21:25 | 7:45 | 86 | Express |
| 22:20 | 8:25 | 170 | Rapid |
| 22:51 | 9:25 | 84 | Express |
| 23:39 | 8:45 | 42/44 | Special Express |
Koh Tao to Bangkok by Ferry, Bus, and Another Bus via Chumphon
- Price: 1,800 THB
- Transport type: ferry, van, and bus
- Companies: Lomprayah, Fame Tour
- Travel time: 12 hours
The third recommended travel option includes three types of transport.
First, you hop on a ferry to Chumphon, and then a van from the pier to the Chumphon city.
After that, you take another bus from Chumphon to Bangkok.
This trip takes 12 hours in total and the overall cost of all tickets is around 1,800 THB.
Frequently Asked Questions about Koh Tao to Bangkok Travel
What Is the Departure Pier in Koh Tao?
The Koh Tao Ferry Pier, also known as Mae Haad Pier, is a significant transportation hub on Koh Tao, a popular island located in the Gulf of Thailand. The pier serves as the main gateway for travelers arriving by ferry from the mainland or neighboring islands.
Address: 3RMF+WP6, Ko Tao, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand. The pier is situated on the west coast of Koh Tao, near the main village of Mae Haad. It is conveniently located in close proximity to various accommodations, shops, and restaurants.
Transportation Connections: The pier offers ferry connections to several destinations, including Chumphon, Surat Thani, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan. Ferries operate regularly, providing convenient access for tourists and locals traveling to and from Koh Tao.
Facilities: The pier is well-equipped with facilities. You can find ticket counters, waiting areas, toilets, and even some dive shops. Additionally, there are shops and food vendors where you can purchase snacks, drinks, and souvenirs before boarding the ferry.
Can You Fly from Koh Tao to Bangkok?
No, because there is no airport on Koh Tao itself. To travel from Koh Tao to Bangkok by air, you would typically need to take a ferry or speedboat from Koh Tao to the mainland, and then proceed to Bangkok by either flying or taking a bus or train.
The closest airports to Koh Tao are located on the mainland. The most common route is to take a ferry or speedboat from Koh Tao to one of the nearby piers on the mainland, such as Chumphon or Surat Thani. From there, you can then travel to Bangkok by catching a domestic flight from either Chumphon Airport or Surat Thani Airport. These airports offer regular flights to Bangkok’s major airports, such as Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK).
What Is the Cheapest Way to Get from Koh Tao to Bangkok?
The cheapest way to travel from Koh Tao to Bangkok is typically by using a combo ticket for a ferry or speedboat and bus (the first option described in the post above). Here’s a general outline of the most common route:
- Ferry or Speedboat from Koh Tao to the Mainland: first you will take a ferry or speedboat from Koh Tao to one of the mainland piers, such as Chumphon or Surat Thani. The ferry ticket prices vary depending on the operator, time of year, and type of service (standard or high-speed ferry).
- Bus from the Mainland Pier to Bangkok: From the mainland pier, you can take a bus or minivan to Bangkok. The prices and availability can vary, but buses are generally more affordable than flights.
Booking combo tickets allows you to save on price compared to booking separate trips, plus you don’t have to worry about missing a connection.
