The long way around, with just one ticket
Koh Tao is the furthest of the three Gulf islands from Surat Thani. Therefore, the boat stops here on its way to Mae Haad in Samui and Phangan. Lomprayah offers a package deal for most of the journey: bus from the airport, train station, or the city's tape pier to Donsak, then catamaran. The trip costs between 900 and 1,100 baht and takes about 4 to 5 hours. The fastest alternative is the direct speedboat from the city's tape pier, which takes 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs 1,200 baht.
Check the latest flight times and seat availability from Surat Thani to Koh Tao on 12Go.
The last ferries depart in the afternoon, after which the night boat leaves the riverbank in Ban Don around 9:00 PM and reaches the island at dawn. If you are traveling overland from Bangkok, Chumphon is the shorter route. I compare the two routes below.
Accommodation in Koh Tao
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My picks in every price category on Koh Tao
Key facts
The bus and catamaran trip in Lomprayah costs 900–1100 Baht.
900 Baht from the pier in Tapee, 1,000 Baht from the train station and 1,100 Baht from the airport, with the catamaran from Donsak stopping on the way to Samui and Phangan.
Allow 4 to 5 hours for the journey from the airport.
The airport bus at 9:30 a.m. arrives in Mae Haad at 2:15 p.m., the bus at 12:30 p.m. at 5:45 p.m. The boat trip from Donsak alone takes 3 hours and 45 minutes.
The direct speedboat journey from the city takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.
It departs from Tapee pier at 3:30 PM and arrives at 6:00 PM for 1,200 Baht. The airport bus departs at 2:00 PM for 1,400 Baht.
A night boat leaves the city around 9:00 PM.
It departs from the riverbank in Ban Don and reaches Koh Tao around 5:00 to 6:00 AM. Passengers travel on mattresses on an open deck, and bookings through various websites cost approximately 770–1040 Baht.
The last departure from the airport is at 2:00 PM.
The speedboat departs from the city at 3:30 pm. Anyone arriving later must either take the night boat or spend the night in Surat Thani.
Chumphon has the shorter intersection
About 1 hour 45 minutes compared to 3 hours 45 minutes from Donsak, but Surat Thani has far more flights, about 14 per day from Bangkok compared to 2 to Chumphon.
All routes from Surat Thani to Koh Tao compared
Lomprayah's sailing times and prices are taken from their own 2026 timetable. Information regarding the Boonsiri and the night boat is taken from 12Go's November offers. The catamaran stops in Samui and Phangan en route, and the Direct speedboat is the fastest boat on this route.
Check the current bus and boat tickets from Surat Thani to Koh Tao.
12Go displays all combination tickets from the airport, train station and city center, as well as the night boat with seats for your companion.
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From Surat Thani Airport
Lomprayah's counter at the airport offers the complete journey. Buses depart for the catamaran at 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM, arriving in Mae Haad at 2:15 PM and 5:45 PM respectively, for 1,100 baht. Speedboats depart at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, arriving at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM respectively, for 1,200 baht and 1,400 baht. Boonsiri's van departs at 12:00 PM and arrives at 4:55 PM for approximately 1,100 baht. The airport is 92 km from Donsak, so the first hour and a half of the journey is mostly spent on the road.
The last departure of the day is at 2:00 PM. Therefore, if you arrive in the afternoon, some planning is necessary. You can travel to the city 28 km away and take the night boat around 9:00 PM, or stay overnight in Surat Thani and take a bus the following morning. Through tickets are worthwhile on this route, as the operator will automatically rebook you onto the next boat in case of flight delays, which is not the case with single tickets.
From the train station in Phun Phin
Night trains from Bangkok arrive at Surat Thani station in Phun Phin, west of the city, in the early morning. Therefore, you'll need to wait for the 9:30 AM Lomprayah bus, which connects with the catamaran and arrives in Koh Tao at 2:15 PM for 1,000 baht. The 11:00 AM bus connects with the speedboat and arrives at 4:00 PM for 1,100 baht. The 10:30 AM Boonsiri van also departs from the station and arrives at 4:25 PM for approximately 1,000 baht. If you're already taking the train from Bangkok, Chumphon is the earlier stop and the boat ride is shorter. Compare the options below before booking.
From Surat Thani Town and Tapee Pier
In Koh Tao, Lomprayah sells his goods at Tapee Pier on the river. Buses to the Donsak catamaran depart at 10:00 and 13:00, arriving in Koh Tao at 14:15 and 17:45 for 900 baht. Speedboats depart directly from Tapee Pier at 12:00 and arrive in Koh Tao at 16:00 for 1,000 baht. The direct boat departs at 15:30 and arrives in Koh Tao at 18:00 for 1,200 baht. A hotel transfer within town costs an additional 100 baht. If you start your trip directly from Donsak, the catamaran trip at 11:00 and 15:00 costs 750 baht.
The city is also the right place to stay if you arrive late, as it offers a much wider selection than the airport or Donsak, and the night boat also departs from there.
The night boat from Surat Thani to Koh Tao
The night ferry is the traditional way for backpackers to cross over: a slow wooden ferry with a deck crammed with mattresses, pillows, and blankets. It still runs, departing from the Ban Don River embankment in town around 9:00 PM and arriving in Mae Haad between 5:00 and 6:00 AM. Prices on booking websites range from 770 to 1040 baht, depending on the operator. Older guidebooks list 10:00 or 11:00 PM, so check the time on your ticket and arrive at the pier early to secure a spot.
This saves you an overnight stay and allows you to reach the island before the day boats arrive. In return, you get a short night's rest. During the rainy season from October to December, rough seas can disrupt boat services, as was the case for three days in November 2025. Therefore, plan an extra day before your onward flight.
The best-rated hotels in Koh Tao
Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Koh Tao. Each button opens the hotel on Booking.com, where you have already entered your travel dates.
Chumphon or Surat Thani for Koh Tao.
Koh Tao is closer to Chumphon, and the catamaran ride from there takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, compared to 3 hours 45 minutes from Donsak. From Bangkok, Chumphon is the better option by land. The Lomprayah night bus arrives at Koh Tao from Khao San Road at 8:45 a.m. for 1,250 baht, and the night trains stop in Chumphon before Surat Thani. Chumphon is also the easier option if you are prone to seasickness.
Surat Thani scores points with its flight connections and southern location. Around 14 flights depart daily from Bangkok's two airports to Surat Thani, compared to only 2 flights to Chumphon. This makes it easier to find a cheap seat at a good time. And if you're coming from Krabi, Phuket, or Khao Sok, or planning a stopover on Samui or Phangan, your route will take you through Surat Thani anyway. Our Bangkok-Koh Tao travel guide describes the Chumphon region in detail.
Chumphon and Surat Thani for Koh Tao, side by side
Boat times and prices from Lomprayah's 2026 timetable; flight numbers from 12Go's offers for a date in November.
From Krabi and Phuket via Surat Thani
From the Andaman coast, Lomprayah sells a ticket that includes the crossing of the Gulf and the onward boat trip. From their office in Krabi, catamarans depart at 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM, arriving at Koh Tao at 2:15 PM and 5:45 PM, respectively, for 1,300 baht. The speedboat departs directly at 1:00 PM and arrives at 6:00 PM for 1,600 baht. From Phuket, there is a departure at 9:30 AM, arriving at 5:45 PM for 1,600 baht. In both cases, it's a long day, so the 8:00 AM departure from Krabi is recommended.
From Koh Tao to Surat Thani: plane or train
For the return trip, the earliest connection is the 7:05 AM speedboat from Lomprayah. It arrives at the city's Tapee Pier at 10:00 AM (1,000 Baht), the train station at 10:45 AM (1,100 Baht), and the airport at 11:00 AM (1,200 Baht). The 9:30 AM catamaran arrives in the city at 2:00 PM and at the airport at 3:00 PM. The 11:00 AM "Direct" speedboat arrives in the city at 1:30 PM and at the airport at 3:00 PM (1,400 Baht). The 11:30 AM boat from Songserm, with an escort vehicle, arrives at the airport around 4:15 PM. For flights before approximately 1:00 PM, the 7:05 AM ferry or the crossing the day before is recommended. During the rainy season, a full day should be planned as a buffer.
Are you planning the rest of the golf region?
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the route from Surat Thani to Koh Tao.
Take the combined bus and catamaran operated by Lomprayah from the airport, train station, or Tapee Pier in the city for 900–1,100 baht and a journey time of approximately 4 to 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take the direct speedboat from Tapee Pier at 3:30 pm for 1,200 baht (journey time 2 hours 30 minutes). The night boat from the Ban Don riverbank departs around 9:00 pm and arrives at dawn.
The catamaran journey from Donsak takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes and includes stops in Samui and Phangan. The speedboat from the Tapee Pier in town takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Allow an additional hour to an hour and a half travel time from the airport or train station to Donsak.
Yes. The night boat departs from the Ban Don River embankment in the city around 9:00 PM and arrives in Mae Haad between 5:00 and 6:00 AM. The trip costs approximately 770–1040 baht and passengers sleep on mattresses on deck. Please check the departure time on your ticket, as vendors may give different times.
Chumphon is the best choice if you are traveling overland from Bangkok, as the crossing takes only about 1 hour 45 minutes, compared to 3 hours 45 minutes. Surat Thani is also recommended if you are flying, as there are about 14 flights daily from Bangkok, compared to only 2 flights to Chumphon, or if you are coming from Krabi, Phuket, or Khao Sok.
Lomprayah combination tickets cost 900 baht from the city, 1,000 baht from the train station, and 1,100 baht from the airport. Speedboats cost 1,000–1,400 baht, and the catamaran trip from Donsak costs 750 baht. The night boat costs approximately 770–1,040 baht.
The last departures during the day are the bus and speedboat from Lomprayah at 2:00 PM from the airport and the direct speedboat at 3:30 PM from the pier in Tapee, both arriving at 6:00 PM. The night boat then leaves the city around 9:00 PM.
The speedboat from Lomprayah departs at 7:05 AM and arrives at the airport at 11:00 AM for 1,200 Baht. The catamaran departs at 9:30 AM, and the direct speedboat at 11:00 AM both arrive at 3:00 PM. For a morning flight, you should attempt the crossing the day before and stay overnight in Surat Thani.
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I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.
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