BKK to Ko Tao

[jdfmail]

Thinking of heading down to Ko Tao for a few days. Have never stayed on the island, always do liveaboard. I'm thinking of taking a night bus down and jumping on the ferry in Chumphon. Has anyone done this? A few questions... Any idea what time the bus arrives? What's the pier name and how do I get there from the bus depot?

Also, any recommendation on places to stay and dive shops to deal with would be very helpful.

Thanks

Jon

 

[DevonDiver]

There's several buses per day. It's best to get a 'Joint Ticket' from one of the backpacker tourist shops.

Get yourself over to Koh San Road...book and catch a bus from there. They take you down to Chumporn and stop at the Farang Bar, or the dive shop 3 shops down. You have time for a coffee or quick meal there.... then a free transit coach collects and takes you straight to the ferry.

Recommendations for dive shops/accomodation will depend on what you are looking for. Master Divers is a good bet for an experienced diver. Get in touch with Ayeshacantrell on here...

 

[richdrogpa]

Good advice above

The only bit of warning I could give you is if you have big bags with your own diving equipment. Be aware that there are some issues with ENDEMIC stealing on private night busses heading from Khao San road down to Chumpon or Surat Thani!!! There are plenty of warnings on LP's Thorn Tree or Travelfish forums. I personally didn't take the bus, prefer night trains anyways.

I took the Express train #85 @19:30 arriving in Chumpon @5:00 (scheduled arrival was @4:00 but it seems the train is always late). Make sure you don't sleep through it. No one from the train crew really cared to wake folks up @Chumpon. There I had to wait for about an hour for a bus to take us to Lompraya ferry leaving @7:00 for Koh Tao. Arrived on the island around 9:00... I was in the 2nd class AC, upper berth, paid 1,150B for a combined ticket.

EDIT: Re. dive shops, I'm new to diving and did my cert. @ Scuba Junction. They seem to be well organized and have decent group of DMs and excellent instructors. I was (still am) very happy with them.

Re. places to stay is tough to say without knowing what you are looking for (diving only or partying too) and how long you are staying. For short-term stays you'll usually get a decent discount or even FREE accommodation (simple fan bungalows) with your diving shop. For longer stays, month and more, it is better to find your own place at significantly reduced monthly rate...

Just my 2c...

 

[marinediva]

You can catch the night bus from Bangkok, which takes you direct to the ferry.
Leaves about 9.30 pm would see Buddha View, they have a booking office near Khao San Road.
They can look after everything for you and usually have a good deal.
You do usually have to wait two hours or less for the ferry to arrive.
Second the alert on bags.
I travelled with my dive gear in the bus, not in the luggage compartment.

 

[DevonDiver]

Ditto Richdrogpa's suggestion. Given the option, the night train to Chumporn is a much nicer option. Go for 2nd Class Upper. I really like the Thai rail system. The sleeper beds are spacious enough to get a good night's sleep and I always feel fresher arriving by rail, than I do on the night bus. The food options on the train aren't good...so take some snacks/sandwiches and drinks etc.

Arrive in Chumporn early am... and grab a lift over to the Farang Bar to wait for the connecting bus to the ferry pier.

Train/Ferry 'Joint Tickets' can be bought directly from BKK rail station.

 

[marinediva]

Getting To Koh Tao, Thailand

With Buddha View Dive Resort

Our Bangkok office address is Buddha View, Bangkok branch, 44 Plaza, 36 Chakrapong
road, end of Khaosan road, Bangkok. Call us on +66 (0) 2282 2205 or +66 (0) 2282 2206

If you go to the police station end of KHAOSAN ROAD you will find Gullivers bar on the left
corner as you exit Khaosan road. Walk left from Gullivers about 50 meters and you will find the
Buddha View office in the 44 plaza which is just after 'Boots' the chemist shop.

Be aware that we are located just off Khaosan road and not actually on Khaosan road itself. On Khaosan road there are other travel agents with Buddha View signs but they are not official Buddha View offices. There is only one Buddha View office in Bangkok and that is here.

Dave will be waiting to meet you, greet you and send you on your way to paradise. You can check out Dave's own website: Just Dive It - Home or email him at info@justdiveit.com
Getting to Koh Tao by airplane

The nearest airports to Koh Tao are Koh Samui, Suratthani and Chumporn. From these destinations you can transfer to a number of boats. Below are links to all the domestic and international airlines in Thailand:
AIR ASIA
NOK AIR
ORIENT THAI
BANGKOK AIRWAYS
THAI AIRWAYS


Getting from Bangkok to Koh Tao

1- VIP bus and Lomprayah catamaran
Departs 6am Arrives 2.30pm
Price 850Baht

2- VIP bus and Lomprayah catamaran
Departs 8pm Arrives 8.30am
Price 700Baht

3- VIP bus and Seatran ferry
Deps 8pm Arrives 9.30am
Price 700Baht

4- Sleeper train and catamaran (3 hour wait at the port) Departs 7.30pm Arrives 8.30am
Price 1040Baht/1090Baht (upper/lower bed 2nd class with fan)
1220 / 1290Baht (upper/lower bed 2nd class with a/c)
1600/1800Baht (upper/lower bed 1st class)
Getting from Koh Samui to Koh Tao:

There are a number of boats that leave each day for Koh Tao. Both Lomprayah and Seatran run express services. The boats leave at 8.00am, midday and 1.00pm. The journey from Koh Samui to Koh Tao is 2 hours. Songserm have a slower boat from Koh Samui to Koh Tao.


Getting from Chumporn to Koh Tao:

Again there are a number of boats that leave each day for Koh Tao. Both Lomprayah and Seatran run express services. The boats leave at 7.30am and 1.00pm. The journey from Chumporn to Koh Tao is also 2 hours. Songserm have a slower boat from Chumporn to Koh Tao. Night boats leave each night from Chumporn to Koh Tao between 9.00pm and 11.00pm. It is a 5-6 hour trip. Bringing a car or motorbike to Koh Tao is best with these night boats.

 

[RussBKK]

Hi jdfmail,

I do this trip about once a month. I always take the Lomprayah bus and catamaran (see their website: http://www.lomprayah.com/). I usually take the Friday night bus from Bangkok which departs at 9.00pm, arriving at Chumpon Pier around 5.30am Saturday morning. You then transfer to their High Speed Catamaran which departs around 7.00am and arrives at Koh Tao about 8.30 am.

I always dive with Big Blue. They have a free pick up from the pier at Mae Haad, Koh Tao, which takes you to their dive centre and resort. The accommodation is excellent (and cheap) and the cost of diving is very reasonable too. I usually do the afternoon 2 dive trip on Saturday and then both the morning and afternoon trips on Sunday (6 dives in total). 9.00 am on Monday morning their free pick up takes you back to the pier ready for the day trip back to Bangkok.

I usually travel alone so if your travel dates coincide with mine I'd be happy to guide you down there.

I have never had any problem on the bus. Very clean, comfortable and convenient and usually get a few hours sleep as well. The total cost for the return trip with Lomprayah (if you book on-line) is ฿1,650 THB. PM me if you need any more details.

 

[DevonDiver]

Getting To Koh Tao, Thailand

With Buddha View Dive Resort.

How much commission does your Bangkok booking office add to the cost of a 'Joint Ticket' that could be purchased directly from the rail station or any travel center?

What compensating benefits are offered to the customer by booking through a third-party dive center agent?

They have a free pick up from the pier at Mae Haad, Koh Tao, which takes you to their dive centre and resort.

To be fair, every dive centre will provide a free pick-up from the pier if you book in advance.

A lot of the dive centers will have 'touts' at the end of the pier when you arrive at Tao. They'll get you free transport to their sponsored dive center. You can't miss them, they cluster around the pier holding placards and signs. There will also be touts on the ferry....

In addition, the pier is always swamped with independant taxi drivers who are happy to drive you to the dive center of your choice, because they will recieve commission from the dive center for doing so.

I always advise ignoring the touts. You won't get the best prices from them. How do you think they earn their money? The most competitive diving and accomodation deals can be had by walk-in and negotiating directly with the dive center. There is so much competition on Tao, that the dive centers know you can just walk down the road and get a dozen competing offers.

Avoid touts and booking offices. Go direct. Haggle. Choose the right dive center for the diving and atmosphere you desire. Judge that when you get there.

 

[marinediva]

you know DD, not every post is a challenge to answer.
I have no idea, but 700 baht to get to the ferry is cheap
or you want to debate over baht.....??????
get real. Think you've got far to much time on your hands
and not about to turn this into a three page exchange about the value
of train to bus, ferrry to plane,
Buddha view to Master Divers Please learn some restraint sweetie.

 

[Phuket diver]

Hi,

You can buy a combine ticket bus/boat from bangkok. I would recommend you to stay at Ban's Diving resort, most beautiful place on Koh Tao. They have an office on Khoa Sarn RD, Ban's staff will be waiting for you at chumporn pier and take to the resort which is on the beach.....