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How to get here
There are many possibilities when travelling to Kao Tao, depending on where you are departing from. In the end though, the last leg of the trip will have to be by boat. For information about travelling to and from Bangkok go straight to bus links or airline links.
The Recommended Way
We warmly recommend you to make use of the new service: Koh Tao Tickets, which offers secure online booking and payment. Koh Tao Tickets lets you book you travel from Bangkok, Chumphon, Koh Samui, Hua Hin and Koh Phangan to Koh Tao and back again with a few clicks.
 FROM KOH SAMUI:
Songserm Travel provides a daily boat service which leaves from Nathon Pier at 10:30. You can catch a minibus from Koh Samui Airport to Nathon Pier. (If you catch the first Bangkok-Koh Samui flight, you should be able to catch this boat!).
There are several speed boats providing a daily boat service which leaves from Bo Phut pier at around 08:30 and Nathon Pier at around 12:00 noon (If you arrive via the Bangkok-Koh Samui flight, you should be able to catch the 12:00 boat). Note, times can change from season to season)
FROM THE MAINLAND:
There are two main ports to depart from. If you are coming from the northern part of Thailand, i.e. Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc., then the shortest route is from Chumporn, roughly 3hrs by express boat.
If you have been travelling in southern Thailand and are heading for Kao Tao, then the shortest route is from Surat Thani, a bit further down the coastline from Chumporn. The Surat Thani route is a bit more cumbersome and less flexible than the Chumporn route.
GETTING TO CHUMPORN:
Is easy. Most people purchase their tickets on Kowsarn Road, Bangkok's main backpacker zone, where hundreds of small tour agencies arrange trips to all destinations in Thailand. It's very easy to get confused about the best route to Chumporn with the endless list of possibilities.
Another way is by airconditioned bus or minibus, the first often referred to as VIP bus. Both these options are quite cheap but be careful to arrive early to get a good seat.
When you arrive in Chumporn you will need to find the ferry port. Often you will find that for your convenience it is easier booking the boat passage the same place where you bought the bus or train ticket, as most tourist agencies offer 'combined' tickets that include everything.
If you don't choose that option, Songserm Travel offers an express boat from Chumporn directly to Kao Tao daily. Other options are Lomprayah Speedboat and travel, which offer another direct route.
FROM SURAT THANI:
If you have been visiting Thailand's southern parts, then Surat Thani is a good choice. Located slightly south of Chumporn it can be an interesting place to visit in itself, but mainly serves as travel connection from Bangkok to the South of Thailand and to Kao Tao and its sister islands.
Songserm Travel run an express boat service in the morning, stopping in Koh Samui and in Koh Phangnan. There is also a regular night boat which departs from the ferry pier every night at 11 p.m. and arrives in Kao Tao roughly 6 in the morning.
BUS LINKS:
There are five coach terminals in Bangkok operating services to all provinces.
Northern Bus Terminal
Kampaengphet 2 Road
Bangkok 10900
Tel: (662) 936-3660
Northeastern Bus Terminal
Kampaengphet 2 Road
Bangkok 10900
Tel: (662) 936-0667
Central Bus Terminal
Kampaengphet 2 Road
Bangkok 10900
Tel: (662) 936-1897, 936-1886
Eastern Bus Terminal
Sukhumvit Soi 42
Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok 10110
Tel: (662) 391-2504
Southern Bus Terminal
Sai Tai Mai, Boromratchchonnani Road
Bangkok 10600
Tel: (662) 435-1200, 434-7192
AIR CARRIER LINKS
Angel Airlines
3rd Floor Tower B Benjajinda Building
499 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road
Bangkok 10900
Airport: 535-6287-9
Rsvn/Tktg/Sales: 953-2260
Fax: 953-2261
Chiang Mai Office: (053) 270-222 ext. 2295-6
Chiang Rai Office: (053) 793-981-2
Udon Thani Office: (042) 346-989
Phuket Office: (076) 351-337-8
Angel Airlines
Thai Airways International
Thailand's national carrier, Thai Airways serves an exhaustive list of domestic destinations including:Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Mae Hong Son, Nakon Phanom and Udon Thani.
Thai Airways International.
Thai Larn Lauang Office,
6 Larn Luang Road,
Pom Prab Satrupai District,
Bangkok 10100
Phone (66-2) 280-0060, (66-2) 628-2000
Thai Airways
Bangkok Airways
Serving Bangkok, Samui, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hua Hin and Ranong.
Bangkok Airways Co., Ltd.
60 Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
New Ratjadapisek Rd., Klong Toey Bangkok 10110
Tel. (66 2) 229-3434
Fax. (66 2) 229-3450
Bangkok Airways
PB Air
17th Floor UBC II Building
591 Sukhumvit Soi 33, Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok 10110
Airport: 535-4843-4, 535-5816
Fax: 535-4845
Rsvn/Tktg/Sales: 261-0220-5
Fax: 261-0227
Admin: 261-0271-5, 261-0229
PB AIR
GENERAL ABOUT AIRPORTS
Bangkok International and Domestic airport terminals are 25kms north of the city. Airport departure taxes are required at both domestic and international departures.
International passengers: 500 baht/person
Domestic passengers: 60 baht/person.
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