How to get to Koh Tao, Thailand

[divekitty]

Does anyone have suggestions for ways to get to Koh Tao from Bangkok? It looks like air travel is an option as well as bus/ferry. I'd like to know how long it would take if I choose the second option and how difficult it is as I'll be travelling solo.

Also, any opinions re. pursuing courses and/or doing a DM internship on Koh Tao vs. Koh Samui would be appreciated!

 

[drbill]

Had no trouble getting there from Kohsan Road in Bangkok. There were a number of competing bus companies that left Bangkok for ??? (where the boat leaves to Koh Tao). I just decided on the day and signed up for one of the buses.

Dr. Bill

 

[Mako Mark]

Had no trouble getting there from Kohsan Road in Bangkok. There were a number of competing bus companies that left Bangkok for ??? (where the boat leaves to Koh Tao). I just decided on the day and signed up for one of the buses.

Dr. Bill

the boat from.... Chumporn, or Surat Thani if you want to go the long way round from Samui Koh Phangan.

You can probably get a bus straingt to the boat from Khao Sarn Rd right now. It was a well travelled route yeas ago when I lived there.

 

[drbill]

I've seen Kohsan/Khao Sarn spelled so many different ways... is yours the correct one Mark or is it just a matter of different translations from the Thai? Just curious as I thought it was strange there would be a number of different spellings right there in Bangkok.

Yes, I think I took the boat from Chumporn. The bus I took got us there at something like 4:00 AM so we all slept in the boat terminal. They provided us with mattresses.

Dr. Bill

 

[jiveturkey]

You can get a bus/boat package from any travel agent on khao san. The Koh Tao Cruiser will get you there and you wont have to worry about any transfers or anything. The train is also a good option. You can get a sleeper bunk for something like 500baht. I like trains better but that's just me.

 

[jiveturkey]

Just one thing more, shop around. The prices at different travel agencies are usually different for the same level of service. Sometimes it's hundreds of baht. That's not huge amounts of money here but for a backkpacker in that part of the world, it can mean Singhas over those nasty Chang. Jeez, I hate Chang.

 

[gazzahawkes]

Hello,

Koh tao is easy to get to now days.

Option A:
budget bus from BKK ko sarn rd area.Long bus ride to chumporn then boat across to koh tao,Be carefull with some of the operators many freinds have had stuff stolen with unknown bus companys. :11:
Lomprhya catamaran have a bus connection from Bangkok to their new boat that runs to Koh tao with all connections included its the most comfortable option for over land travel its also safe as far your bellongings are concerned.

option B
Train from Bangkok to chumporn then ferry over.Make sure you book well in advance with this particulary if you require a sleeper(10 days at least) comfortable and the only downer is you arrrive at chumporn station at 4;30 am meaning strong coffee and a train station sunrise before boat crossing at 7:30am

Option c
Fly from Don muang Bangkok airport with Bangkok air to Koh Samui 1hr then boat Lompraya to to Koh Tao (3500bht approx) Easy easy and you get a night on samui.

A good site for Koh tao is www.kohtao-online.com

For diving Koh Tao is the obvious choice most Samui operators dive here and charge loads more for the spedboat trip required.Diving straight from Tao is loads easier.

Hope this helps

gary