To reach the KOH CHANG MARINE NATIONAL PARK you need to travel eastbound to Trat, the easternmost province in the Gulf of Thailand that borders Cambodian.. This is the jumping-off point to the islands.
From the Mainland to Koh Tao |
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 If you're coming from northern Thailand i.e. Bangkok or Chiang Mai, the shortest route is to go to Chumporn. On the Koh Tao Cruiser or the Express Boat it will take about three hours. There are several other companies running boats as well here, including speedboats and also a night boat. For the timetables have a look at the page below.
If you come from the south of Thailand or Malaysia the best way will be to go to Surat Thani , a bit further down south along the coast. From there you can take the bus to the pier and then the boat to Koh Samui, Koh Phangnan, Koh Tao. Maybe you will have to change the boat in Koh Phangnan.
There is also a night boat to Koh Tao which leaves every night at 11.00 pm and goes directly to the paradise island.. You will arrive about 06.00 am. The night boats are not very comfortable but you gain a day.
Or depending on your bus- or train connection you can drive through to Chumporn, which is a lot less trouble and mostly you arrive at the same time in Koh Tao.
From Koh Samui to Koh Tao |
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 There are daily boats living from Nathon Pier. Songserm Ferry's leave at 10.30 am. The catamaran leaves at 08.30 and 12.00 from Big Buddha and arrives in Koh Tao at 10.30 and 14.30.
There are also some speed boat companies if you're up for an adventure. 600 HP on three outboard engines is normal here. This really fast boats leave from Mae Hat Pier or Boh Put Pier, sometimes also from the Big Buddha beach at about 8.30 am. There are also speed boats going from Nathon at noon. The speed boats take about 1 1/2 hours to get to Koh Tao.
 You can buy your tickets directly on Khao San Road in Bangkok at one of hundreds of travel offices. You can get a Join Ticket directly to Koh Tao by bus, minibus or train. I personally prefer the train. You can move around and sleep in a bed with air condition.
The other way is air conditioned busses or mini busses. They are very cheap but grab a seat early on and keep your valuables always with you on the bus, not in the luggage below.
When you arrive in Chumporn and you have a join ticket, everything will be prearranged for you just right to Koh Tao. No worries about bus tickets to the pier and ending up at the wrong pier..lol. Else you have to buy a ticket at the station where you arrive, but don't worry everybody will help you. You are in the land of the smile. It's easy and more or less comertable to get to Koh Tao.
| Time Table From Chumporn to Koh Tao |
| KOH TAO CRUISER |
dep. 07.00 - arr. 09.30 |
| SONGSERM FERRIES |
dep. 07.00 - arr. 09.45 |
| EKAWIN SPEED FERRIES |
dep. 07.00 - arr. 09.30 |
| LOHMLAHK SPEED BOAT |
dep. 07.30 - arr. 09.00 |
| KO JAOREN CAR FERRY Mo/We/Fr |
dep. 21.00 - arr. 02.30 |
| NIGHT BOAT |
dep. 24.00 - arr. 05.00 |
| Time Table From Koh Samui to Koh Tao |
| LOMPRAYAH CATAMARAN |
dep. 08.00 - arr. 10.30 |
| dep. 12.00 - arr. 14.30 |
| PRAH YAI SPEED FERRY |
dep. 08.30 - arr. 10.20 |
| SONGSERM EXPRESS BOAT |
dep. 09.00 - arr. 12.00 |
| dep. 11.00 - arr. 14.00 |
| SPEED BOATS |
dep. 08.30 - arr. 10.00 |
| SLOW BOAT |
dep. 09.30 - arr. 14.30 |
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