Koh Tao To Bangkok: How To Get To Guide

Travelling from Koh Tao to Bangkok is a long journey but with such an unique and iconic city waiting for you to explore it is worth the trip. Bangkok is known to be one of the most affordable cities in the world and with delights of floating markets, Thai massages and a lively nightlife scene it is the perfect place for backpackers to explore and makes the journey from Koh Tao to Bangkok worth it.

Leaving the tiny island of Koh Tao to the juxtaposing Bangkok is a journey from tropical beaches to tuk-tuk mayhem. We’re here to share with you how to get from Koh Tao to Bangkok with the cheapest, most convenient and other available options so you can pick the right journey to suit you.

With the journey taking around ten hours you’ll want it to be smooth and stress free. That’s why we suggest booking through 12Go as it will mean all your tickets are in place, plus they have a variety of different transport modes on offer, although all routes will start with a ferry. Read on to find out everything you need to know about how to get from Koh Tao to Bangkok and from Bangkok to Koh Tao.

How To Get To Bangkok From Koh Tao Map

Contents

Where Is Koh Tao In Thailand

Koh Tao is a small island popular with travellers. Close to other popular destinations, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui it welcomes hoards of backpackers during high season who are looking to relax and enjoy the small islands hidden beaches and vibrant nightlife.

Where Is Bangkok In Thailand

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is found in the central part of the country. It is the largest city serving as a main travel hub for backpackers, business professionals and tourists. With its lively markets, world-class street food, and energetic nightlife, Bangkok offers a dynamic contrast to the country’s tropical islands.

We went on an amazing floating markets tour with Klook which we loved. Book it here!

Koh Tao To Bangkok Routes Summary

All routes from Koh Tao to Bangkok start off with a ferry from Mae Haad Pier, this is the main departure point of the island and ferries run both throughout the day and overnight.

Option 1: Koh Tao to Bangkok, Ferry & Bus

Booking a ferry and bus together is the easiest and cheapest way to get from Koh Tao to Bangkok. This is a popular route with backpackers and there are bound to be lots of other people travelling with you along this route.

First you need to catch a ferry from Mae Haad Pier to Lomprayah Pier in Chumphon. This voyage takes around one and a half hours. From there you will be directed to a bus. When we travelled this route we were given a coloured sticker to relate to our colour bus. This was because there were so many people travelling this route, I think there were around 4 buses!

As we waited for the bus there was a restaurant open serving lunch. We waited about 40 minutes to get on the bus after getting off the ferry.

The bus journey is 7 hours long but the buses stop for you to grab food and go to the toilet along the way.

Altogether the journey took around 10 hours and it was smooth and reliable. We booked through 12Go meaning our ferry and bus journey were included in one ticket.

You can choose to travel in the daytime or opt for an overnight journey which arrives in Bangkok during the early hours of the morning.

Option 2: Koh Tao to Bangkok, Ferry & Van

If you wish to travel overnight you can opt for a smaller passenger van instead of the bus. This journey takes around 16 hours leaving Mae Haad Pier in the evening at 9pm and arriving in Bangkok at 1pm the following day.

Option 3: Koh Tao to Bangkok, Ferry & Taxi

Perhaps the most expensive way to get from Koh Tao to Bangkok is via the ferry then a private taxi. The benefit of travelling in your own transport is that they will drop you off at your hotel. You will have to book your tickets separately, first the ferry on 12Go then a private taxi.

Option 4: Koh Tao to Bangkok, Ferry, Van & Train

This option again starts off with a ferry from Koh Tao to Chumphon. From here you will need to get a short taxi ride to Chumphon Train Station. Trains depart here to Bangkok all throughout the day and overnight. This could be a good choice if you want to travel during the night time as you can opt for a Sleeper carriage with AC. You can’t book this journey as one complete trip on 12Go so you will need to book each step separately.

If you want to catch the Bangkok to Koh Tao train, you will need to get on at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, Bangkok (or Bang Sue Grand Station for some trains) and take the train to Chumphon Station. From there, you can hire a van or taxi to the Chumphon Lomprayah Pier, then take the ferry over to the island.

Option 5: Koh Tao to Bangkok, Ferry & Plane

This may be the quickest route from Koh Tao to Bangkok but it has three modes of transport and costs a fair bit more than the simple bus route.

Take the Ferry from Mae Hadd to Chumphon
Hire a private taxi to Chumphon Airport
Board a flight to Bangkok

The Route We Recommend

The most affordable and convenient way to travel is by taking the ferry to Chumphon followed by a direct bus to Bangkok. This well-established route is popular among travellers and can be easily booked through 12Go, ensuring all your transfers are secured. From our experience, the journey is smooth, with plenty of stops for food and restroom breaks. Plus, with many other travellers taking the same route, it feels safe and runs seamlessly.

Once you arrive in Bangkok, you'll need to arrange your own transport to your hotel; we recommend using Grab for fixed rates.

Travelling From Bangkok To Koh Tao?

Wondering how to get to Koh Tao from Bangkok? If you’re travelling from the main city of Bangkok to Koh Tao then we recommend the bus then ferry option booked on 12Go. This will take around 10 hours.

You can also choose any of the above options in reverse, for example the Bangkok to Koh Tao Sleeper train. Here you would need to get off the train at Chumphon Station. From there, you can hire a van or taxi to the Chumphon Lomprayah Pier, then take the ferry over to the island.

Top Bangkok Tours

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