Koh Samui to Koh Tao

Koh Samui to Koh Tao

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Koh Samui to Koh Tao Schedule

Koh Samui to Koh Tao Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
Lomprayah Catamaran 06:45 - 09:30฿ 800
Lomprayah Speedboat 08:00 - 09:30฿ 700
Songserm High Speed Ferry 10:30 - 14:30฿ 600
Lomprayah Catamaran 12:30 - 14:00฿ 700
Lomprayah Catamaran 15:30 - 17:00฿ 700

How to get from Koh Samui to Koh Tao

You may find Koh Tao too rustic and too simple after experiencing glamour of Koh Samui’s nightlife venues, expensive spas and fancy boutique hotels, but there is one thing in which no other Thai island can beat Koh Tao. Learn to dive, dive and dive again – that is what you are supposed to do on Koh Tao and that is actually what the majority of the folk you are about to meet on the island really do. A little hidden gem of the lower part of the Gulf, Koh Tao is attracting underwater world lovers with an abundance of easily reachable diving sites (over 30) and very affordable prices on diving lessons (there are more that 50 diving schools on the island), sea safaris and diving trips. Be ready to hear a lot of diving stories of personal success and failure every evening in every tiny bar, restaurant or guesthouse. Yet for those who are ready to go beyond the stereotypes there are hiking trails, bouldering, sea kayaking, fire-shows, and even jam sessions – all of them on the background of picturesque views and a laid-back island atmosphere. Priceless.

Getting to Koh Tao from Koh Samui

To get to Koh Tao from Samui you have a choice of three ferry companies, namely Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran, Seatran Discovery and Songserm.

Lomprayah takes about 1¾ hr to bring passengers from Koh Samui’s Maenam pier to Koh Tao’s Mae Haad pier. There are two departures a day at 8am and 12.30pm with tickets sold at THB 650.

Seatran Discovery offers similar service but is a bit slower and cheaper: two hours and THB 624. Note that Seatran uses its own pier on Samui, Bangrak Seatran pier. There are three departures a day at 10am, 1pm and 4.30pm.

There is also Songserm boat which is the cheapest one (THB 450). It departs from Samui at 11am and arrives to Koh Tao (also via Koh Phangan) at 2.30.

Tip: As your sea travel between Koh Samui and Koh Tao will last from two to three hours, have all the necessary medications at hand if you are prone to seasickness. When the sea is choppy, opt for Seatran instead of Lomprayah, as the catamaran actually rides the swell, while Seatran cuts through it, which help avoid endless ups and downs.

Getting around

There is no car rental on a relatively small 21 sq. km island. If you consider renting a scooter or a motorcycle, be warned that the roads on the island are dangerous and get their toll of injuries regularly. Renting a vehicle though gives you freedom to explore the island as the ‘official’ taxi fares are sometimes extortionate (especially for going to the eastern coast). For ‘taxi’ you normally have two options: motorbikes or songthaews, which are pick up trucks. There is longtail boat service between certain beaches, which is a good option with reasonable prices.

Where to stay

The western side of the island is much more developed, and the ferries from the mainland and the islands arrive to Mae Haad which is on the western side. Haad Sairee, where the most of the action takes place, is also there. If you are looking for some serenity and tranquillity, consider Chalok Ban Kao. The eastern side is a slow life paradise and a great place to unwind, but you will have to negotiate those treacherous island roads (or greedy taxi drivers) to get to any of the western-side night spots. The busiest seasons on Koh Tao are summer (from July to August) and Christmas & New Year, so book your accommodation beforehand. The cheapest beds sell out quickly. You may fail to find a budget option without prior reservation immediately after Full Moon Parties on the ajacent Ko Phangan, too.

Tip: If you are going to Koh Tao to dive, check with your diving school or operator whether they provide free accommodation (they normally do).

Health issues

There are small clinics in every ‘town’ on the island where they can handle your motorbike scratches and minor health problems. For more serious cases you will have to get transported to the mainland or Samui. Note that dengue fever is a problem, especially in highly packed tourist areas where the virus is transmitted very quickly. Take all the necessary preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites. Well, at least bring a lot of repellent!
...And always remember that you will have to drop out you pre-booked scuba diving course if you happen to scrap your knee in a motorbike accident!

Transportation from Koh Samui to Koh Tao

Koh Samui to Koh Tao Destination Reviews

EJ
We were with the catamaran. Very rough sea though and hell of a sail, lot of people sea sick. Crew was very active and good with assisting.
Ferry Speedboat, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Mar 1, 2023
JC
Very disorganized
Ferry Catamaran, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Feb 27, 2023
AR
Arrived 1h after scheduled time at destination
Ferry Catamaran, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Feb 16, 2023
IZ
Ferry was about 45 mins late in leaving Samui and about 1h30 late in arriving at Koh Tao. But in fairness, the sea was quite choppy that day and the ferry had to go slow. Even so, not the most comfortable ride. On the way back to Samui, the sea was calm and we were on time and the ride was very comfortable. So just be aware that the experience depends a lot on the sea conditions that day.
Ferry Catamaran, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jan 30, 2023
TA
Everything worked fine, easy and fast without and problems.
Ferry Catamaran, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jan 29, 2023
CG
So i paid for Taxi+boat service to koh tao from ko samui, the taxi never picked me up at 645am, i didnt have details on which dock we were at either or what time the actual boat was leaving, all I was told was be at my resort which was by beach resort 30 mins before your ride comes, i was out there an hour before 645am and 7am rolls around and no ones here. Luckily when i booked this i called 12go to see which port were at because they change depending on weather, i was told Nathon pier, so i hopped on my grab app and paid 400thb to go 10 mins up the road which would have took me an hour to walk according to maps. Im giving it 3 stars instead of 0 because they did reimburse me for the cost of the taxi, but not my cost, the cost from the initial 700thb for the taxi+fairy service. took reimbursed me 100thb, if they would have reimbursed the actual cost of the taxi i had to pay when theirs didnt show up, i would have given a 5 star rating, cause i get it stuff happens especially on that island time haha, Big love yall
Ferry Catamaran, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jan 28, 2023
PG
The transportation from the hotel to the pier let us wait over 1 hour and then we just made it to the ferry in the last minute.
Ferry Catamaran, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jan 20, 2023
NH
Everything worked, easy booking
Ferry Catamaran, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jan 18, 2023
LM
The boat ride was really bumpy and therefore almost everybody had to throw up. Fortunately the crew distributed enough plastic bags and napkins. The boat was 1h too late and we didn't get the information that the point of embarkment changed due to the weather. If we hadn't asked the day before, we would have been too late for the transfer.
Ferry Catamaran, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jan 9, 2023
SG
Smooth and easy trip at all. Staff helpful at pier and on boat. They keep card that you find your way. 12Go was easy to book and to amend, support was very good. Schedule of ferry was different than announced and a stop in Koh Pha-ngan on top- ETD16PM instead of 15:30PM and subsequently ETA 18PM instead of 17PM But hey we are on holidays
Ferry Catamaran, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Dec 30, 2022
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