How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Tao: Bus, Ferry & Travel Guide
If you’re planning to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao, you’ll quickly discover that there are several ways to make the journey, from flying to taking the train, bus and ferry combination. While the journey can seem long, travelling overnight is a great way to save both time and money while making the most of your trip.
When we travelled from Bangkok to Koh Tao, we opted for the overnight bus and early-morning ferry with Boonsiri. It was a straightforward and convenient way to travel, allowing us to sleep for part of the journey and arrive on Koh Tao in the morning ready to start exploring the island.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao, the different transport options available, how long the journey takes, what it costs and what to expect when travelling by bus and ferry. We’ll also share our experience travelling with Boonsiri to help you decide which option is best for your trip.
How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Tao
There are several ways to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao, but because Koh Tao is an island, every route involves a ferry at some point. The best option for you will depend on your budget, how much time you have and whether you prefer to travel overnight or during the day.
The most popular options are travelling by bus and ferry, taking the train and ferry, or flying closer to the islands before continuing by ferry. We chose to travel overnight by bus and then take an early-morning ferry, which meant we could sleep for much of the journey and arrive on Koh Tao in the morning.
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Bus and Ferry
For budget-conscious travellers, taking a bus and ferry from Bangkok to Koh Tao is one of the easiest options. Combined tickets are available, meaning you can book the bus and ferry together rather than arranging each part of the journey separately.
We travelled with Boonsiri, taking an overnight bus from Bangkok before connecting to an early-morning ferry. Although it is a long journey, we found travelling overnight particularly convenient as it meant we didn’t have to use up an entire day travelling.
The bus takes you south from Bangkok before connecting with the ferry service to Koh Tao. Once you arrive on the island, you’ll be able to start exploring without having spent the whole day on the road.
Pros:
- Usually one of the most affordable options
- Overnight services can save on accommodation for a night
- Bus and ferry can be booked as one journey
- You can arrive in Koh Tao in the morning
Cons:
- It’s a long journey
- Overnight bus travel may not be comfortable for everyone
- The ferry can be affected by weather and sea conditions
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Train and Ferry
Another popular option is to take an overnight train from Bangkok to the south of Thailand, followed by a transfer and ferry to Koh Tao. This can be a good choice if you’d prefer a sleeper train rather than spending the night on a bus.
The train journey takes longer and usually requires a connection to reach the ferry departure point. However, travelling by sleeper train can be a more comfortable experience for some travellers and is a popular way to travel around Thailand.
You’ll generally need to book a combination of train, transfer and ferry tickets, or organise each part of the journey separately.
Pros:
- Sleeper trains can be more comfortable than buses
- Another good option for travelling overnight
- A popular experience for backpackers travelling around Thailand
Cons:
- Usually involves more changes
- Can take longer than the direct bus and ferry option
- You’ll need to coordinate your train, transfer and ferry connections
Bangkok to Koh Tao by Flight and Ferry
If you want to reach Koh Tao as quickly as possible, flying is the fastest option. However, there isn’t an airport on Koh Tao, so you’ll still need to travel by ferry for the final part of the journey.
You can fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui, which is the closest major airport to Koh Tao, before continuing by ferry. This option is considerably more expensive than travelling by bus but can save a significant amount of travel time.
Another option is flying to Surat Thani or Chumphon and continuing overland to the pier before catching a ferry to Koh Tao.
Pros:
- Much faster than travelling entirely overland
- A good option if you’re short on time
- More comfortable for travellers who don’t enjoy long bus or train journeys
Cons:
- Usually the most expensive option
- You’ll still need to take a ferry
- Transfers can make the journey more complicated than it initially appears
For us, the overnight bus and ferry was the best option. It offered a good balance between price and convenience, and travelling overnight meant we could arrive in Koh Tao in the morning without losing a full day of our trip.
Absolutely — these details make the section much more useful and personal. I’d incorporate your actual experience like this:
Taking the Overnight Bus and Ferry from Bangkok to Koh Tao with Boonsiri
We decided to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao with Boonsiri, taking the overnight bus followed by an early-morning ferry. At first, we weren’t sure how comfortable such a long overnight journey would be, but the experience was actually much better than we expected.
The bus left Bangkok at around 10pm, and by the time we arrived in Chumphon at approximately 5:45am, we’d managed to get a surprisingly good night’s sleep. We then had some time to wait before boarding the ferry, which left at around 6:30am and arrived in Koh Tao at approximately 8am.
The ferry cost us £35 per person, and considering the comfort of the overnight bus and the fact that we arrived in Koh Tao early in the morning, we thought it was a really convenient way to make the journey.
Booking Our Bangkok to Koh Tao Journey
We booked our journey with Boonsiri, combining the overnight bus from Bangkok with the ferry to Koh Tao.
Having the bus and ferry organised as part of the same journey made things much easier for us. We didn’t have to worry about arranging separate transport to Chumphon or figuring out how to get from the bus to the ferry.
Our bus was scheduled to leave Bangkok at around 10pm, which worked perfectly for an overnight journey.
Taking the Overnight Bus from Bangkok
We were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the Boonsiri bus was. The seats reclined almost fully, which made it much easier to get some sleep during the journey. Considering this was an overnight bus, we were expecting it to be fairly uncomfortable, so this was a welcome surprise.
The bus also had good air conditioning and a clean toilet onboard. They provided each passenger with a blanket, a snack and a bottle of water, which was a nice touch and meant we didn’t need to worry about bringing everything with us.
Around halfway through the journey, the bus stopped at a service station where we had the opportunity to stretch our legs. There was a massive 7-Eleven at the service station, which was perfect for picking up additional snacks and drinks for the rest of the journey. There were also clean, modern toilets, making the stop much more convenient than some of the service stations we’ve experienced while travelling.
The bus continued through the night and we arrived in Chumphon at around 5:45am.
Arriving at the Pier Early in the Morning
Once we arrived in Chumphon, we had some time to wait before our ferry departed. After travelling overnight, it was nice to have a little time to wake up and stretch our legs before continuing the journey.
One of the unexpected bonuses was that we were provided with a complimentary meal while waiting for the ferry. After a night of travelling, having some food before boarding was very welcome.
Our ferry was scheduled to leave at around 6:30am, so there wasn’t a huge amount of time to wait before continuing towards Koh Tao.
Taking the Ferry to Koh Tao
We boarded the ferry at around 6:30am for the final part of our journey to Koh Tao.
The ferry journey took approximately 1.5 hours, and we arrived in Koh Tao at around 8am. After spending the night travelling, it was great to finally arrive on the island so early in the day.
The early arrival was one of our favourite things about choosing the overnight option. Rather than spending most of the day travelling from Bangkok, we had reached Koh Tao by breakfast time and had almost the entire day ahead of us.
Arriving at Koh Tao
We arrived in Koh Tao at around 8am, meaning we had a full day to start exploring the island.
Although the journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao is long, we honestly found the overnight bus surprisingly comfortable. Being able to recline the seats almost fully, combined with the blanket, snack, water and good air conditioning, made the overnight journey much easier than we had anticipated.
For us, the overnight bus and ferry with Boonsiri was a great way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao. The combination of travelling while we slept, the comfortable bus and arriving on the island at around 8am made it feel like we hadn’t really lost a day to travelling.
Book the Bangkok to Koh Tao Journey We Took
If you want to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao using the same route we took, you can check the latest availability and prices on 12Go. We travelled by overnight bus from Bangkok to Chumphon, followed by an early-morning ferry to Koh Tao. Our bus left at around 10pm and we arrived in Chumphon at approximately 5:45am, before taking the ferry at around 6:30am and arriving in Koh Tao at about 8am. We paid £35 per person for our journey and found the bus surprisingly comfortable, with almost fully reclining seats, air conditioning, a clean toilet, blanket, snack and bottle of water.
Check the Bangkok to Koh Tao route on 12Go
Prices and departure times can change, so we recommend checking the latest information before booking.
Bus and Ferry vs Train and Ferry vs Flying
When deciding how to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao, there are three main options to consider: bus and ferry, train and ferry, or flying and then taking a ferry. Each option has its own advantages, depending on your budget, how much time you have and how comfortable you want the journey to be.
For us, the overnight bus and ferry was the clear winner. We travelled with Boonsiri and found the bus surprisingly comfortable, with almost fully reclining seats, good air conditioning, a clean toilet, blanket, snack and bottle of water. The overnight journey also meant we could sleep for most of the trip and arrive in Koh Tao at around 8am.
Bus and Ferry
Best for: Budget travellers and those wanting to travel overnight
The bus and ferry combination is a convenient option and is what we chose for our journey to Koh Tao. Our bus left Bangkok at around 10pm, arriving in Chumphon at approximately 5:45am. After a complimentary meal while waiting, we boarded the ferry at around 6:30am and arrived in Koh Tao at approximately 8am.
The biggest advantage is that you’re travelling overnight, so you don’t lose a full day of your holiday to travelling.
Our verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We’d choose this option again.
Train and Ferry
Best for: Travellers who prefer sleeper trains
Taking an overnight train from Bangkok is another popular way to reach Koh Tao. You’ll generally travel south by train before transferring to a bus or other transport and then catching a ferry to the island.
The main attraction is the experience of travelling by sleeper train, which some people may find more comfortable than a bus. However, the journey can involve more changes and coordination.
If you’ve never experienced an overnight train in Thailand, this could be a great option in itself, but for pure convenience, we preferred the simplicity of the bus and ferry.
Our verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A good alternative, particularly if you prefer trains.
Flying
Best for: Travellers short on time
Flying is the quickest way to cover the distance from Bangkok, but it is also generally the more expensive option. As Koh Tao doesn’t have its own airport, you’ll still need to take a ferry for the final part of the journey.
You can fly to Koh Samui and then continue by ferry, or fly to mainland destinations such as Chumphon or Surat Thani and continue overland before taking a boat.
Flying makes the most sense if you’re short on time and don’t want to spend a night travelling. However, once you factor in airport transfers, check-in time and the ferry, the journey still involves several stages.
Our verdict: ⭐⭐⭐
Best if saving time is more important than saving money.
Which Option Would We Choose?
For us, the overnight bus and ferry was the best way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao. We were genuinely surprised by how comfortable the Boonsiri bus was, and travelling overnight meant we arrived in Koh Tao at around 8am with almost the whole day ahead of us.
If you’re travelling Thailand on a budget, we’d definitely recommend considering the overnight bus and ferry before paying more to fly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travelling from Bangkok to Koh Tao
What is the best way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
For us, the best way to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao was the overnight bus and ferry with Boonsiri. The bus was surprisingly comfortable, with almost fully reclining seats, air conditioning, a clean toilet, a blanket, snack and bottle of water. Travelling overnight also meant we arrived in Koh Tao at around 8am without losing a full day to travelling.
How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
The total journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao takes around 10 hours, depending on the specific bus and ferry service. Our bus left Bangkok at approximately 10pm, arrived in Chumphon at around 5:45am, and the ferry left at approximately 6:30am, arriving in Koh Tao at around 8am.
How much does it cost to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
The cost depends on the transport option and the time of year you travel. We paid £35 per person for our ferry and bus journey with Boonsiri. This included the overnight bus, ferry and transfers between the two.
Is there an overnight bus from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
Yes, there are overnight bus and ferry services from Bangkok to Koh Tao. We travelled with Boonsiri, leaving Bangkok at around 10pm and arriving in Koh Tao at approximately 8am the following morning.
We were particularly impressed with how comfortable the bus was. The seats reclined almost fully, and we were provided with a blanket, snack and bottle of water, making it much easier to sleep during the journey.
Can you get a train from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
Yes, you can travel from Bangkok towards Koh Tao by overnight train and ferry. The train takes you south from Bangkok before you connect with onward transport and a ferry to Koh Tao.
This can be a good option if you’d prefer travelling by sleeper train, although it generally involves more changes than the combined bus and ferry option.
Is it better to fly or take the bus from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
It depends on your priorities. Flying is better if you’re short on time, while the overnight bus and ferry is better for budget-conscious travellers who don’t mind a longer journey.
For us, the bus was the better choice. We could travel overnight, get some sleep and arrive in Koh Tao at around 8am, giving us almost the entire day to enjoy the island.
Is the Bangkok to Koh Tao journey worth doing overnight?
Absolutely. We were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the overnight bus was, and travelling at night made the long journey much easier.
Our bus left Bangkok at around 10pm, and after arriving in Chumphon at 5:45am, we were given a complimentary meal while waiting for the ferry. We then boarded the ferry at around 6:30am and arrived in Koh Tao at approximately 8am.
For us, travelling overnight was a great way to save time and make the most of our trip to Koh Tao.
