How to Get to Koh Tao – A sun and fun vacation
The beautiful island of Koh Tao, also known as Turtle Island, should be visited at least once in your lifetime. In true Thai fashion, the island offers an eclectic mix of things to do and see. So, if you’ve decided to visit this gorgeous island, you should understand how the transport network works and how you can get here. So, continue reading, and you’ll find out everything you need to know.
What are the available means of transportation?
The only way you can get here is by ferry. The island doesn’t feature airports, train stations or bus stops, so there are no flights, trains, or buses.
You can get here by ferry from:
- The mainland
- Koh Samui
- Koh Phangan
Getting here from Bangkok
Bangkok is one of the most visited destinations in Thailand, so the majority of visitors to Koh Tao travel from Bangkok.
There are three ways you can travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao:
- Fly to Koh Samui – and maybe spend a day or two at a place like SAii Koh Samui Choengmon
- To Koh Tao by ferry and bus
- A train ride to Chumphon railway station
Flying to Koh Samui
This is the best and fastest way to get to Koh Tao; you can also make this an opportunity to explore Koh Samui and enjoy the luxuries of one of the Koh Samui 5-star hotels.
Once you get to Koh Samui, you can use the services of two airlines:
- Thai Airways
- Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Airways offers more options for travellers as it operates more flights from the capital to Koh Samui; you can find a flight every thirty minutes between 6 AM and 9 PM – remember to check the ferry schedule before booking your flight.
Once you get to Koh Samui, you’ll find several services offering ferries; a high-speed ferry can take you to Koh Tao within two hours.
Ferry and bus combination
If you are looking for the cheapest way to get to Koh Tao, this is it. However, there’s only one service offering this ferry and bus combination, so you’ll be pressed for time and options if you want to take this option.
This is how it works:
You’ll get to Chumphon from Bangkok by bus. From there, you’ll leave for Koh Tao by ferry; the journey will take about two hours; it might take longer if the sea conditions aren’t favourable.
Getting here by train
If you want to travel comfortably without having to spend too much money on transportation, opt for the sleeper train. The ferry service offers free transfers from the train station to the pier.
Here’s a breakdown of your journey:
- You’ll be arriving at Chumphon by train
- From Chumphon, you’ll board a ferry to get to Koh Tao
- The same journey occurs in reverse when you want to get to Bangkok from Koh Tao
Getting Koh Tao from Koh Phangan and Koh Samui
You can get the ferry to Koh Tao from both Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. There are two ferry services: Marine Passion and Lomlahkkhirin High-Speed Ferries.
Koh Tao weather
Koh Tao has tropical and sunny weather for most of the year, but the weather can be unpredictable. The island experiences three main seasons:
- Hot and dry season – February to May
- Hot and windy season – May to October
- Wet season – October to February
During the hot and dry season, temperatures can rise to 36 degrees, and the water temperature can be about 30 degrees. March to May is the warmest period, not a great time to visit if you don’t like hot weather. However, March to April is one of the busiest seasons for the island as it is whale shark season.
During the hot and windy season, the temperatures dial down. June to September is the busiest time for the island, so you’ll need to book your accommodation in advance.
The wet season is a great time to visit if you want low accommodation rates, and it doesn’t rain all day.