Getting a ferry to Koh Tao in 2026 is straightforward once you know two things, which mainland pier you start from and which operator actually runs that day. Most travellers pay too much because they book at the first desk they see in Bangkok or on Khao San Road. This guide strips out the markups.
All boats arrive at the same place, Mae Haad pier on the west side of the island. From there you are a 5-minute songthaew ride from Sairee, or 15 minutes from the quieter south bays. Prices below are from fares in Thai baht, booked direct or through 12Go. Walk-up at the pier is sometimes cheaper by a small margin, but sold-out days are common from December through March.
Four origins cover almost every arrival. Pick by where you are, not by brand loyalty. On any morning a different operator may be faster, cheaper, or the only one running.
Ignore the signs in Khao San. On the water, three companies move almost everyone to Mae Haad. Each handles weather differently, and each has a luggage policy that catches first-timers out.
Best for fastest Chumphon crossing, well-maintained catamarans, predictable schedules. Runs the combined bus + ferry package from Bangkok that most backpackers use.
Trade-off, the strictest luggage policy on the route. 20 kg included. Excess charged at 200 THB per extra 10 kg or part thereof. Oversize bags weighed at check-in, not negotiable.
Best for: smooth crossings, monsoon-month reliability, Bangkok bundle bookings.
Slightly cheaper than Lomprayah on the Chumphon route, good when Lomprayah is sold out. Departs from Matapon pier (different from Lomprayah’s Tung Makham Noi, triple-check your ticket).
Comfort is comparable. Schedules are a little less frequent. The morning sailing is the safest bet in shoulder season.
Best for: shoulder-season Chumphon, when Lomprayah is full.
Best for budget travellers with time to spare. Runs a slower express boat, typically 2.5 to 3 hours from Chumphon at a lower fare than the catamarans.
Trade-off, rougher ride in any swell. Skip it in the November to December monsoon window unless you have cast-iron sea legs.
Best for: lowest-fare Chumphon, calm-sea months, story-collecting travellers.
From-fares in THB, booked direct or on 12Go. Prices drift 10 to 15% by season and weekday. High-season premium runs roughly mid-December to end of February.
| Origin | Operator | From (THB) | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chumphon | Lomprayah | 600 | 1h 45m |
| Chumphon | Seatran Discovery | 550 | 1h 50m |
| Chumphon | Songserm | 450 | 2h 30m |
| Surat Thani (Donsak) | Lomprayah / Seatran | 700 | 3h 30m to 4h |
| Koh Samui | Lomprayah / Seatran | 600 | 1h 30m to 2h |
| Koh Phangan | Lomprayah / Seatran | 400 | 1h to 1h 15m |
Fares as of April 2026, verified seasonally. Confirm the live price on 12Go at booking.
Real-time availability across all three operators, every origin. Pays us a small affiliate cut at no cost to you.
Koh Tao sits in the Gulf of Thailand, which means the rough months are the opposite of the Andaman side. Plan accordingly. A cancelled ferry can lose you a day of a short trip.
Small things that save real money or real time. Or a missed boat.
Compare all three operators on the route you actually need. Loyalty to one brand costs you money three days out of ten.
Check-in queues build fast at Chumphon and Donsak in high season. 45 minutes is comfortable, 30 is tight, 15 is a gamble.
20 kg is the magic number. Repack a dry bag of books or dive gear into your day pack before the counter and you will save 200 THB.
Even the catamarans roll in a swell. Cheap at any 7-Eleven on the mainland. Night ferries in particular.
The Chumphon night ferry is a local cargo experience, around six hours, wooden bunks, basic. Half the price, twice the story. Know what you are booking.
Mae Haad to Koh Nang Yuan is a different longtail boat, booked on the day at the north end of Sairee or through your dive school. Not bundled with any ferry.
Pages most travellers open right after this one.
The overview, planes, trains, buses, ferries, chained into the realistic routes from Bangkok and Phuket.
Plan Your TripBudget, weather, itinerary length, packing essentials, so your ferry day is not also your monsoon day.
PlacesThe tiny three-island sandbar a longtail away from Mae Haad. Entry fee, hours, what to bring.
DivingCourse prices, dive schools and which sites match which level of diver, in real THB.
The questions travellers actually ask us before booking.
Live fares across Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery, and Songserm. Every origin, no markup, one checkout.
Check fares on 12Go