Koh Tao is part of the Chumphon Archipelago islands, being the smallest out of 45, located in the southern area of Thailand. Even though it is only petite (7 km long and 3 km wide), it is full of incredible experiences, amazing views and beautiful beaches. Being well known for fantastic diving spots, their underwater world is a wonderful place to explore. The beaches are covered in golden sand whilst overlooking vibrant turquoise waters and having a backdrop of lush green mountains.
This is definitely an island you are going to want to discover. Getting from Bangkok to Koh Tao is made smooth with a commute by either bus or van followed by a ferry, all options for these journeys can be found and booked via 12Go.
HOW TO GET FROM BANGKOK TO KOH TAO
This blog post is going to break down the steps of how you can make the journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao, ahead of you having a great time on this dream filled island. There are currently a handful of travel options available that you can choose from which include transport with a bus, van and ferry. The best way for you to discover the most suited option for you is through 12Go.
Throughout this article I am going to delve into the details around the travel options available from Bangkok to Koh Tao, which will include the arrival and departure times, cost per ticket, commute times and how you can pre-book your ticket ahead of the trip. Following this I will share with you information about your stay on Koh Tao island such as when is the best time to visit, how long you should spend there, how to get around and top activities to do.
BEST WAY TO BOOK YOUR TICKET FROM BANGKOK TO KOH TAO
If you are itching to start booking your trip from Bangkok to Koh Tao and haven’t got time to read this full blog, then you will want to head over to 12Go to discover all of the options available for you on your preferred day of travel. This is a great online booking platform to use with the advantages of you avoiding any queues for purchasing a ticket on the day, being a reliable system when and once having booked a journey with them, as well as allowing you to compare transport vehicles, prices and commute time.
However, if you would like to know more about your visit from Bangkok and Koh Tao, such as how to get to your departure station in Bangkok and where to go or what to do once arriving in Koh Tao, then I suggest you keep on reading.
| Bus Bangkok - Koh Tao $ 34.10–39.55 8h 45m – 19h | |
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| Ferry Bangkok - Koh Tao $ 35.46–42.28 8h 45m – 16h | |
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KEY POINTS
Most affordable option from Bangkok to Koh Tao
The cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao is by booking a combined ticket of bus and ferry from Khao San Lomprayah in Bangkok to Mae Haad in Koh Tao, costing $53 per person. This option is usually available twice per day, with one departing at 6am and the second departing at 9pm. Commute time can take either 8 hours and 45 minutes or 11 hours and 45 minutes depending on which time you chose to book.
Quickest travel option from Bangkok to Koh Tao
The fastest commute time for the journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao is 8 hours and 45 minutes, which is also one of the most affordable options to choose. This includes a journey in both a bus and ferry, departing from Khao San Lomprayah in Bangkok at 6am and arriving at Mae Haad in Koh Tao by 2.45pm. To book this option head over to 12Go.
Arrival time before departure
The last check in must be made 30 minutes before the departure time of making the journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao for all travel options. Having said that, it is always a great idea to arrive between 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes ahead of your journey as this will allow you to ensure you have everything necessary and avoid any check in or boarding queues.
Luggage allowance
All travel options from Bangkok to Koh Tao allow each passenger to take 20 kg of luggage with them which is included in the ticket price. You are allowed to take up to 30 kg but this will be at an extra cost, the same goes for if you take an extra piece of luggage with you.
Entrance fee for Koh Tao
When arriving from Bangkok to Koh Tao you may be charged 20 THB per person for anyone 12 years and above, as this may not be included in your ticket booking price so please take note of this before purchasing your ticket.
ROUTES FROM BANGKOK TO KOH TAO
There are three departure stations to leave Bangkok via, these are Khao San Lomprayah, Khao San Boonsiri and Khao San Montanatip. Whichever journey option you choose from Bangkok to Koh Tao will have you arriving in to one location on Koh Tao and this will be at Mae Haad.
Khao San Lomprayah to Mae Haad
This route option is available twice per day from Bangkok to Koh Tao and includes taking a bus followed by a ferry. The first departure is at 6am, taking 8 hours and 45 minutes in commute time, with an arrival time of 2.45pm. The second departure is at 9pm, taking 11 hours and 45 minutes, with an arrival time of 8.45am the next morning. Both of these journeys cost $53 per person, making it the most affordable way to travel.
Khao San Boonsiri to Mae Haad
Currently there is one option to travel via for this departure location from Bangkok to Koh Tao, which includes taking a van followed by a ferry. If you choose this option, you will leave Bangkok at 1pm and arrive at Koh Tao the next morning at 5am, with the commute time taking 16 hours and costing $66 per person, making it both the longest and most expensive journey to book.
Khao San Montanatip to Mae Haad
The trip from Bangkok to Koh Tao via this route runs at the moment once per day and is embarked by a bus then ferry. The journey takes 14 hours in commute time, departing Bangkok at 7pm and arriving at Koh Tao the next day at 9am. Each ticket costs $59 per person, making it another affordable option to book.
HOW TO GET TO YOUR DEPARTURE STATION IN BANGKOK
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and also the largest city in the country which means you are lucky enough to have many options of how to commute around the area, making it easy to get to your departure location ahead of travelling from Bangkok to Koh Tao.
If you are looking for the cheapest and fastest way to get around Bangkok the answer is by Skytrain, it is also the best option to travel with as it avoids all of the city’s traffic. If you aren’t located near a Skytrain station then the next best option is via bus, this is also a very affordable form of transport to use. For an authentic way to commute around Bangkok, travelling with a tuk-tuk is a must-do, other forms of transport include boat, motorbike or taxi.
When choosing how to commute from your location in Bangkok to the departure station, consider the time you need to be there before taking the trip from Bangkok to Koh Tao, as well as the budget you have set aside for travelling transport, as this could be a big deciding factor as to which option suits you the most.
HOW TO GET TO YOUR FINAL DESTINATION IN KOH TAO
The island of Koh Tao is quite small, being only 21 km² (7 km long and 3 km wide), so commute options around the area are limited. Depending on where your final destination is once you have arrived from Bangkok to Koh Tao, will ultimately decide which form of transport you should take. The options available are;
- Taxi car
- Taxi boat
- Motorbike
- Bicycle
- By foot
I suggest before arriving from Bangkok to Koh Tao you work out the distance between your arrival station and final destination and from that then look at which commute option will suit you best.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TICKET FROM BANGKOK TO KOH TAO
The best way to book your ticket for making the journey from Bangkok to Koh Tao is via the online booking platform 12Go. This offers you a reliable and convenient way to purchase your ticket by showing you the several options of travel available which includes their departure and arrival times, length of commute, transport you will take and ticket cost per person. You will also be able to find out all of the information needed to know before booking for each trip, and will be provided with a contact point if you may need to change any of your travel details.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KOH TAO
For the least amount of rainfall and enjoying high temperatures that can reach up to 29 degrees, you will want to visit the gorgeous island of Koh Tao during the month of March which is classed as part of their hot and dry season. Throughout this month bars and clubs are also at their liveliest, however the ocean visibility isn’t great.
If you are looking to visit for the fantastic diving and snorkelling experiences on offer then you are going to want to book your trip for the month of February. The ocean visibility during this period is great with there being plenty of underwater life to see, as well as very warm waters which can reach a temperature of up to 30 degrees.
HOW LONG TO SPEND IN KOH TAO
There is not a lot of ground to cover in Koh Tao, however there are a lot of activities you will want to do and places you will want to explore, so spending 3 to 4 days on this paradise island would be ideal. This will allow you to check out all of the best diving and snorkelling spots, wander across the golden sand beaches, be astounded by the stunning view points, as well as indulge in the delicious authentic Thai cuisine. Researching exactly what you want to do before embarking upon your trip from Bangkok to Koh Tao would be a great idea to ensure that you don’t miss out on something you will later wish you had done.
MUST-DO ACTIVITIES IN KOH TAO
Explore the underwater world
This is definitely a must-do activity when visiting Koh Tao, as the underwater world here is amazing with the diving and snorkelling spots on offer being fantastic, boasting over 25 locations around the island. There are over 60 diving schools offering to take you on a very memorable experience that will leave you in awe.
Check out the beaches
The golden sands beaches with glistening turquoise waters and backdrops of gorgeous views are where you are going to want to spend your days, especially when the temperatures are high. Koh Tao may only be a small island, however it hosts 20 beaches across it so there will always be a new one to explore. Most of the bays also offer the chance to go snorkelling in the ocean which adds another activity for you to do whilst you are there.
Kayaking across the vibrant waters
This is another great way to embrace the beautiful ocean life that the island has on offer for you to enjoy. This is a great way to explore whilst also relaxing, and if you visit Koh Tao during a month when the waters are calm, you won’t need to do too much work to get around. There is also the chance to hire paddle boards if you are looking for a more sporty way of getting to each of the bays.
Discover mango viewpoint
Here we have the highest viewpoint on Koh Tao, where you will be able to soak up the breathtaking panoramic views overlooking the island. The trip up there can be a bit hard at times but is definitely worth the effort, and you will want to make sure you haven’t forgotten your camera as the shots you can capture are magnificent.
Book a cooking class
Thai cuisine is mouth watering with the array of flavours it includes, so after spending time in Koh Tao and other locations across Thailand you will be sad to leave it behind. Here is the solution to that problem as this is your chance to learn how to recreate authentic dishes which you can then make once you get home or move to a different destination, it is also a very fun experience learning more about Thai culture.
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