Ferries Koh Tao

Ferry companies serving routes to Koh Tao offer fixed discounts for certain passenger categories. More specifically, infants up to 2 years old can normally travel free of charge, while children up to 11 years old are entitled to discounts.

Bear in mind that available discounts may vary from one ferry operator to another.

The best time to book your ferry tickets to Koh Tao mainly depends on the season during which you wish to travel, demand, and how flexible your plans are.

Koh Tao’s peak season is normally between March and September, when the island is most popular for diving. If you are planning to travel during these months, we recommend booking 1-2 months in advance to secure your preferred departure date and time.

If you wish to travel to Koh Tao during shoulder-season months, such as May or January, you can normally book a few weeks or days in advance and still find good availability. During these months, you can usually enjoy calmer seas, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation costs.

Note that during the lower season (November - January), unpredictable weather can impact ferry schedules, so you might need to be flexible with your booking.

Koh Tao (or Ko Tao) is a small, mountainous island in the Gulf of Thailand, which is part of Surat Thani Province. It's well known for its world-class diving scene, with dozens of dive schools offering certification courses and excursions to vibrant coral reefs. The waters around Koh Tao are rich in marine life, including sea turtles, reef sharks, and colorful schools of fish, making it one of the top diving destinations in Southeast Asia.

Koh Tao offers a relaxed island atmosphere, scenic spots such as the John-Suwan Viewpoint, and picture-perfect beaches such as Ao Leuk, Sai Nuan, and Sairee Beach, the island’s longest and most popular stretch of sand. You can spend your holidays snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, or simply enjoying sunset cocktails by the sea.

The island is quite compact, which makes it easy to explore by motorbike or on foot.

• Bring Thai baht in cash, especially for smaller purchases and transportation on Koh Tao. While ATMs are available near Mae Haad and Sairee Beach, some local businesses may not accept cards.
• We recommend arriving at your port of departure at least 30-40 minutes before departure time to ensure a smooth check-in process.
• Choose your operator according to your travel needs: Lomprayah offers high-speed catamarans, while Songserm and Lomlahkkhirin ferries are slower but often more budget-friendly.
• From Koh Tao, you can also reach the neighboring island of Ko Pha-ngan, known for its parties and amazing beaches. You can reach in less than 2 hr by ferry from Koh Tao to Ko Pha-ngan.

Ferry routes to Koh Tao are operated by high-speed catamarans (Lomprayah and other companies) as well as conventional vessels.

On board the high-speed vessels, there are normally indoor, air-conditioned seating areas. Conventional ferries usually have open decks with shaded seating areas. Ferries to Koh Tao do not have cabins, as the crossings are usually short.

Pets are normally not allowed on ferries to Koh Tao.

Ferries to Koh Tao usually accommodate only foot passengers, so vehicles are not perimmed on board.

Mae Haad Pier is the island’s main arrival port. It is centrally located, with songthaew (shared taxis) and motorbike taxis in the area that can take you to accommodations.

Around the pier, you can find basic amenities, such as vendors, snack stalls, and ticket offices.

Ferry route map

Below, you can see all active ferry connections to Koh Tao, as well as starting prices for each route. Use our interactive Map of ferries to visualize your trip and easily plan an island-hopping adventure.