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getting to koh tao
There are two main routes to get to Koh Tao, depending on whether you wish to fly via Koh Samui or travel by surface transport (bus or train) via Chumphon. Whichever method you choose, the last leg will be a ferry ride to the island.
Flying: Fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui (a neighbouring island), then take a ferry to Koh Tao - this can be booked from the airport.
Bus: Take the bus from Bangkok to Chumphon, connecting with a ferry to Koh Tao - you should purchase your joint ticket in Bangkok.
Train: Take the train south to Chumphon with the option of making stops en-route, then take a ferry to Koh Tao - you can book your ticket at the train station or from the Farang Bar in Chumphon.
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flying to koh samui
Flying is by far the easiest and fastest method to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao.
Bangkok Airways has regular services from Bangkok to Koh Samui (a short ferry ride from Koh tao) 19 times a day. The flight takes aproximately 45 minutes.
If you choose to forego the pleasures of a brief stay in Bangkok in favour of rapid transport to Koh Tao, advise the airline you fly to Bangkok with of your Bangkok Airways connecting flight. Your luggage will be moved for you and you won't need to go through immigration at Bangkok Airport.
If you miss your connecting flight to Koh Samui due to delayed arrival in Bangkok, Bangkok Airways normally put you on the next plane to Koh Samui without surcharge, but it's still worth giving yourself a few hours grace between flights to make your life easier, and it gives you time to do a spot of duty free shopping in the airport.
There are three ferry companies offering 5 services a day from Koh Samui to Koh Tao. Boat tickets and pier transfers are available from the airport, at your hotel or from any travel agent. If you arrive after the last boat and have to stay the night then we suggest you stay at Maya Buri.
flying to chumphon
Solar Air have teamed up with the Lomprayah ferries to offer you a joint flight and ferry service all the way from Bangkok to Koh Tao. This is typically the cheapest and most direct route. This flight leaves from the old international airport in Bangkok and not the one that international flights now arrive into. As the service runs on small planes the luggage allowance is quite limited but the excess fees also quite fair.
For more information check out their site.
bus to chumphon
The Lomprayah offers bus and ferry trips to Koh Tao:
They offer modern coaches for the somewhat purgatorial 8 hour bus ride from Bangkok to Chumphon, followed by high speed ferries that take you from Chumphon to Koh Tao in approxmately two hours. The full trip costs around 1,000THB.
They offer 2 trips per day, leaving Bangkok, near Khao San Road.
You'll also get to visit the famous Farang Bar in Chumphon en-route to freshen up, enjoy a fine meal and stretch tired muscles.
train to chumphon
Train travel is cheap in Thailand, but not very fast. An overnight train from Bangkok to Chumphon will be in the region of 600 - 1,000THB.
Probably the best reason to choose travel by train is the opportunity to stretch out in a bed of sorts, in one of the sleeper carriages. You will need to book ahead to ensure a bed and you will find the 'lower' beds a little more roomy. These trains also have a small buffet car where you can eat, drink and even party!
For information on booking Thailands trains, click here.
ferry companies
Three ferry companies connect Koh Tao with Koh Phangnan and Koh Samui and the mainland cities of Chumporn and Suratthani. Each company runs two schedules each day, one first thing in the morning and the other around lunchtime.
The Songserm is is your cheapest option but also the slowest and not so comfortable as the newer boats. This service does dock right next to Master Divers though.
The Seatran connects the islands and the mainland but their mainland connections are further out of the cities of Chumpon and Surathani than the other operators. Their joint buses connect you with Bangkok and Hua Hin too.
The Lomprayah is the fastest carrier and the most comfortable for both their buses and ferries but does cost a little more. Their joint buses connect you with Bangkok and Hua Hin too.
Both the Seatran and the Lomprayah dock only a few mins walk from Master Divers, the Lomprayah being the closest.
Ferry time tables are subject to change so rather than give you bad information, see the links below for bookings and their current timetables too.
http://www.songserm-expressboat.com/
master divers
Once you are here, Master Divers is easy to find – for information and photographs to help you find us click here.