Ko Tao / Ko Samui

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Hot water? Air conditioning? Beachfront?
Sunrise Koh Tao but it is in Mae Haad.
No experience about this place. I was thinking to try this place in Sept but decided to concentrate on overland trip between Southern Thailand and Northern Malaysia instead.
I prefer climbing back on the old fishing boat than speed boat because the big boat does not roll around.
Most old fishing boat has ladder which goes down quite deep. And I can easily stand on it, remove my fins or the whole kit.
 
I was wondering how to get to Koh Tao, since flights to Koh Sumie are a 10 hour wait after night flight to Bangkok. Fast but I’ll go nuts in an airport. Is the bus close to airport?
I saw a bus to Khao San Road at the bottom floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport. You can take that, followed by a Lomprayah transfer to Koh Tao - it's an overnight bus and a morning ferry.
 
I was wondering how to get to Koh Tao, since flights to Koh Sumie are a 10 hour wait after night flight to Bangkok. Fast but I’ll go nuts in an airport. Is the bus close to airport?
There are various ways of travelling from BKK to Koh Tao.
1. Flight to Koh Samui and then transfer by ferry.
2. Overnight train to Chumphon and then transfer to Koh Tao by bus and van. Lomprayah has a small office just beside the train platform. You need to find the precise train schedule first.
3. Overnight bus from Khao San road.

You can go directly to Lomprayah office near Khao San Road and buy the ticket there.

What is your arrival time at BKK?
 
I was wondering how to get to Koh Tao, since flights to Koh Sumie are a 10 hour wait after night flight to Bangkok. Fast but I’ll go nuts in an airport. Is the bus close to airport?
Even if you fly to KS you'll normally have to overnight there to get the morning ferry to KT. I did it once, never again.

I normally take the Lomprayah bus/ferry from Khao San. Either the overnight leaving around 21:00 or the morning leaving at 06:00. With the first you get to KT by 10:00, the second gets you there around 14:00.

Not done the train as times not convenient.
 
I was wondering how to get to Koh Tao, since flights to Koh Sumie are a 10 hour wait after night flight to Bangkok. Fast but I’ll go nuts in an airport. Is the bus close to airport?
Plan to stay a couple of days in Bangkok, see the sites.

Koh Tao is an enjoyable island and a month could be sublime but there's much better diving to be found elsewhere.

For me, it is usually an easier trip because of already visiting family in Singapore, then catching flight to Samui at my leisure. Stay overnight on Samui, then ferry next day. All part of the adventure.
 
There are various ways of travelling from BKK to Koh Tao.
1. Flight to Koh Samui and then transfer by ferry.
2. Overnight train to Chumphon and then transfer to Koh Tao by bus and van. Lomprayah has a small office just beside the train platform. You need to find the precise train schedule first.
3. Overnight bus from Khao San road.

You can go directly to Lomprayah office near Khao San Road and buy the ticket there.

What is your arrival time at BKK?
My flight arrives Bangkok at 9am, and no flight go to Koh Samie there until evening.
Hmmm, will keep looking.
I am going to Koh Tao and meeting my son there at end of his travel tour, so I need to go straight there, no other choice.
I will get whatever transport that is fastest that i can find, and post all info i find along the way.
 
You could also fly to Surat Thani, stay there for the night and catch the ferry next morning. Flights from DMK to ST are way cheaper than BKK to KS.

I’ll be trying that route in may this year to Koh Tao from Bangkok. I’ve been to Tao once in 2020 (at the verge of the Rona) and dove with Master Divers as well. Can recommend, well organised and had lots of fun. Diving Tao for itself was ok I’d say. Enjoyed Koh Lipe more in 2022 and surely can’t compete with the Red Sea (unfair comparison). Just seems you grow out of the place as a diver really quick. The diving scene is first class though. One can talk diving 24/7 if wished, 80% holiday OWDs though (no complaint for sure).

I‘m now thinking myself what type of diving I’ll be doing. Certainly not bringing the CCR as I’ll be in a group with 3 non divers and don’t wanna fly home divorced. Might bring a SM config and check out KTD. Or does anyone know a shop that runs BP/W and twins?
 
My flight arrives Bangkok at 9am, and no flight go to Koh Samie there until evening.
Hmmm, will keep looking.
I am going to Koh Tao and meeting my son there at end of his travel tour, so I need to go straight there, no other choice.
I will get whatever transport that is fastest that i can find, and post all info i find along the way.

I have done it once and highly recommend it. The AC 2nd class is more than adequate. The staff will change the seat to a bed and will wake you up just before arriving at Chumphon. The ticket is bookable on line through official site(not agent). Choice of lower/upper bunk and the AC is fierce. The New Railway Station rather than the old Hua Lamphong.
Alternatively you can catch a bus to Chumphon as soon as you arrive at BKK, stay in a hotel for few hrs before making the connection to Kho Tao.
Flight to Surat Thani is another consideration. I had travelled once from Koh Tao to Surat Thani Railway station through Lomprayah.
I hope you are not arriving just before the monthly Full Moon Party.
 
I‘m now thinking myself what type of diving I’ll be doing. Certainly not bringing the CCR as I’ll be in a group with 3 non divers and don’t wanna fly home divorced. Might bring a SM config and check out KTD. Or does anyone know a shop that runs BP/W and twins?

I cannot remember if they were involved in that cave rescue in Chiang Rai province few years ago.
 

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