Samui to Koh Tao: Ferry Times, Prices & Piers (2026)

Overview

Samui to Koh Tao is a ferry ride of about 1.5-3.5 hours and costs roughly 550-740 THB (~16-21 USD) one way as of September 2026, for the 70 km or so to Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao’s west coast. The fastest boats take about 1.5-2 hours; slower or indirect sailings that stop at Koh Phangan take 2.5-3.5 hours. Three operators cover the route: Lomprayah from Maenam (Pralarn) or Nathon pier, Seatran Discovery from Bang Rak pier, and Songserm from Nathon pier as the budget option. Sources disagree on exact times and sailing counts, so confirm on the operator’s site the day before.

There is no direct road or bridge: every trip to Koh Tao from Koh Samui goes by boat. Divers heading up for a course, day-trippers chasing Koh Nang Yuan’s viewpoint, and travelers continuing north to Chumphon all use the same handful of piers, so picking the right departure point and operator matters more than it looks. See our ferry piers guide for facilities and connections at each one.

Key takeaways

• Fastest crossing: Lomprayah, about 1.5-2 hours to Mae Haad (listings differ by pier and vessel).
• Cheapest: Songserm from Nathon, from about 550-600 THB (~16-17 USD), but slower and less frequent.
• Sailings are limited: a handful a day per operator at most, nothing like the hourly Samui-Phangan departures.
• Koh Tao is about 70 km north of Samui; there is no airport on Koh Tao, so the airport-to-Koh Tao trip is a taxi to a pier plus the ferry.
• A guided snorkel day trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan (~1,800-3,500 THB) skips the ferry logistics entirely but makes for a long day.
• Expect delays or cancellations in the Nov-Dec monsoon; build in a buffer day if you have a flight or dive course booked.

---

Ferry Routes at a Glance

Three operators run the Koh Samui to Koh Tao crossing from three piers, roughly between 08:00 and 16:30. Listed Lomprayah departures cluster around 08:00, 12:30-13:00 and 14:30 (with extra sailings in some months), Seatran Discovery sails once or twice a day (morning and early afternoon) and Songserm once in the morning. Figures below come from operator listings and 12Go Asia as of Oct 2026. Schedules shift with the monsoon and demand, so recheck before you book.

All four land at Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao.

Fares vary by season, vessel and booking channel, and agent bookings can cost more than the operator’s own price. Children (roughly ages 3-11) typically pay about half the adult fare.

---

Lomprayah High Speed Ferries

Lomprayah runs the fastest and most frequent service to Koh Tao, with high-speed catamarans departing Maenam pier (also called Pralarn pier) and Nathon pier and landing at Mae Haad Pier in around 1.5-2 hours for 650-740 THB (~19-21 USD). It is the default choice for anyone staying on the north coast, since Maenam pier sits inside Maenam Beach itself.

1. Book online at lomprayah.com or through 12Go: Koh Tao sailings are limited, so reserve a day or two ahead (two days in December-February and July-August) rather than walking up.
2. Arrive 30 minutes before departure at Maenam or Nathon pier; Lomprayah checks in by boarding pass, not open queue.
3. Keep luggage under the 20 kg allowance; dive gear or bulky bags may draw an extra fee.
4. Board the catamaran for the roughly 1.5-2 hour crossing: some sailings call briefly at Thong Sala pier on Koh Phangan before continuing to Koh Tao.
5. Disembark at Mae Haad Pier, Koh Tao’s main pier, where taxis and dive shop shuttles wait.

---

Seatran Discovery

Seatran Discovery departs Bang Rak pier (beside Big Buddha, also called the Seatran pier) and reaches Mae Haad in around 2-2.5 hours for about 600 THB (~17 USD), with one or two sailings a day (listings show mornings and early afternoon). Bang Rak pier sits a few minutes from Bang Rak Beach, making this the natural pick for travelers near the airport, Bophut or Big Buddha.

1. Reserve on seatrandiscovery.com or 12Go: Koh Tao tickets are often sold as a combined Samui-Phangan-Tao routing.
2. Check in at the Bang Rak pier counter at least 30 minutes before sailing.
3. The vessel is larger and steadier than Lomprayah’s catamaran in light chop, a reasonable pick if you get seasick easily.
4. Arrive Mae Haad Pier; onward songthaews and dive shop pickups queue at the pier exit.

---

Songserm Express Boat

Songserm is the budget operator on this route, sailing about once daily from Nathon pier to Mae Haad in around 2-3 hours for roughly 550-600 THB (~16-17 USD): the cheapest scheduled option, though also the slowest and least frequent. From Nathon Beach it suits travelers already near the island’s main port town who are not in a rush.

1. Buy tickets at the Nathon pier ticket office; walk-up availability is usually fine outside peak season.
2. Confirm the current departure time at the pier: Songserm’s single daily sailing shifts seasonally and is the first service cut in rough weather.
3. Boats are simpler and slower than Lomprayah or Seatran, with a longer stop at Thong Sala pier on Koh Phangan en route.
4. Land at Mae Haad; taxis and pickup trucks wait outside the pier gate.

---

Speedboat, Airport and Other Ways to Get to Koh Tao

Speedboat: Lomprayah runs a speedboat on some sailings (listed at about 700 THB from Maenam around mid-afternoon), and private or tour speedboats reach Koh Tao in about 1.5 hours. The scheduled catamaran is almost as quick and cheaper than a private charter, so a speedboat mostly makes sense for a timed connection or a group.

From Samui airport to Koh Tao: there are no flights to Koh Tao and no direct transfer. Take a taxi from Samui airport to Maenam, Bang Rak or Nathon pier (fixed airport fares of 500-1,500 THB by zone), then the ferry. Allow a generous buffer between landing and a morning sailing.

From Surat Thani or Chumphon: mainland travelers can reach Koh Tao via Samui or go via Chumphon instead; see how to get to Koh Samui and the Gulf islands route for the combined plan.

By tour: the snorkel day tour below includes the boat, so there is no ticket to buy.

---

Koh Tao Day Trip from Koh Samui

A guided snorkel tour to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan from Koh Samui costs roughly 1,800-3,500 THB (~51-100 USD) per person, including speedboat transfers, snorkeling gear, lunch and hotel pickup, but it makes for a long day, often 07:00 departure to 18:00 return. Tours typically take about 1.5 hours each way by speedboat, then spend 3-5 hours snorkeling around Koh Tao’s bays and the shallow reef at Koh Nang Yuan, a three-islet sandbar connected by a short walk that is one of Thailand’s most photographed viewpoints.

Koh Nang Yuan charges a separate entry fee, about 250 THB (~7 USD) per adult (sources give 200-300 THB), which most day-tour prices do not include. See our Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan day trip guide for an hour-by-hour plan. Book through a Samui tour agent, hotel desk or platforms like Viator and Klook; confirm whether lunch, park fees and equipment are included before paying, since quoted prices vary widely between operators.

---

Staying Overnight vs. a Day Trip

Staying at least one night on Koh Tao makes more sense than a day trip if diving, Koh Nang Yuan at low crowds, or a relaxed pace matters more than saving a night’s accommodation. A day trip covers the highlights in one long day for a fixed price with no ferry logistics, but it means 3-4 hours total on boats, a rushed visit to Koh Nang Yuan around the busiest midday hours, and no time to dive.

• Choose a day trip if: you have one spare day, don’t dive, and want Koh Nang Yuan’s sandbar photo without booking a hotel.
• Choose overnight (1-3 nights) if: you plan to dive or take a PADI course (open water courses run roughly 8,000-10,000 THB / ~229-286 USD over 3-4 days), want quieter beaches at dawn or dusk, or plan to continue north to Chumphon or Bangkok by ferry-bus combo afterward.
• Budget guesthouses on Koh Tao start around 500-800 THB (~14-23 USD) a night, so an overnight trip does not need to cost much more than a day tour once transport is factored in.

---

Is Koh Tao Nicer Than Koh Samui?

Neither is nicer overall: they suit different trips. Koh Tao is small, known for diving and snorkeling (open water courses run roughly 8,000-10,000 THB over 3-4 days) and has a backpacker feel, while Samui is bigger with more resorts, restaurants and beaches. Koh Tao is generally the cheaper island to sleep on. Our Koh Samui vs Koh Tao comparison sets them side by side, and island hopping shows how to add Tao to a longer route.

---

Seasickness and Monsoon Cancellations

The Koh Samui to Koh Tao crossing is longer and more exposed than the short Samui-Phangan hop, so seasickness is a real consideration, especially on Songserm’s slower boats or in choppy conditions. Sit low and central, near the waterline, where motion is least noticeable, and avoid the open top deck if you’re prone to nausea; over-the-counter motion sickness tablets taken 30-60 minutes before boarding help most travelers.

Rough seas during the northeast monsoon (roughly November-December) regularly delay or cancel sailings on this route, with smaller and slower boats affected first, and the crossing can also get choppy in May-October. If you have a flight out of Koh Samui or a dive course start date, build in at least one buffer day during this period, and check conditions the morning of travel rather than assuming the scheduled sailing will run.

---

FAQ

How long is the ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao?

The crossing takes about 1.5-3.5 hours depending on the operator, vessel and whether the boat stops at Koh Phangan. Lomprayah catamarans are the fastest at around 1.5-2 hours; Songserm from Nathon is the slowest at up to about 3 hours. Most routes pass near or stop briefly at Koh Phangan’s Thong Sala pier before continuing to Mae Haad on Koh Tao.

How much does the Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry cost?

Fares run about 550-740 THB (~16-21 USD) one way on the regular daytime schedule, and agent bookings can cost more. Songserm from Nathon is typically the cheapest scheduled option; Lomprayah and Seatran Discovery cost slightly more for a faster, more frequent service.

How far is Koh Tao from Koh Samui?

Koh Tao is about 70 km north of Koh Samui across the Gulf of Thailand. By ferry that is roughly 1.5-3.5 hours depending on the operator and whether the boat calls at Koh Phangan on the way.

Is there a speedboat from Samui to Koh Tao?

Yes. Lomprayah lists a speedboat from Maenam pier at about 700 THB, and private or tour speedboats make the trip in around 1.5 hours. The regular catamaran takes a similar time and costs about the same, so book the speedboat only if it fits your schedule.

Can I get to Koh Tao directly from Samui airport?

No. There are no flights or direct transfers to Koh Tao. Take a taxi from Samui airport to Maenam, Bang Rak or Nathon pier (fixed fares of 500-1,500 THB by zone), then take the ferry to Mae Haad.

Which pier should I use for the ferry to Koh Tao?

Maenam pier suits travelers on the north coast and offers Lomprayah’s fastest sailing. Bang Rak pier suits those near the airport, Bophut or Big Buddha for Seatran Discovery. Nathon pier, near Nathon Beach, serves both Lomprayah and the budget Songserm boat, and is the standard choice if you’re already near the island’s main port town.

Is a Koh Tao day trip from Koh Samui worth it?

A day trip works well if you have one spare day and want to see Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan without booking a hotel, but it means 3-4 hours total on speedboats and a rushed midday visit to Koh Nang Yuan. Expect to pay about 1,800-3,500 THB (~51-100 USD) per person, plus a separate Koh Nang Yuan fee of about 250 THB. Divers or anyone wanting a relaxed pace should stay overnight instead.

Do I need to book the Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry in advance?

It helps, since each operator runs only a few sailings a day on this route, far fewer than the Koh Samui-Koh Phangan crossing, and boats can sell out. Book 1-2 days ahead where possible (about 48 hours in high season), and more during December-January or if travel coincides with a Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, when connecting boats fill up. Confirm your booking the day before during the Nov-Dec monsoon in case of cancellations.

Can I combine Koh Tao with a Koh Phangan stop on the same trip?

Yes: most Lomprayah and Seatran Discovery sailings between Koh Samui and Koh Tao pass through or near Thong Sala pier on Koh Phangan. Some travelers break the journey there for a night or more; see the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry guide for that leg’s schedule and prices separately, since through-tickets do not always allow a stopover without rebooking.