Koh Samui to Koh Tao
In short
Koh Samui to Koh Tao takes 1.5 to 2 hours by catamaran or speedboat, landing at Mae Haad pier.
Every way there, side by side
- Time
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- How often
- First 08:00 from Maenam (Pralarn), last 16:00 from Nathon; from ฿700
- Booking
- Speed
Best by group size
Up to 4
- Best way:
- A luxury van for up to 4 from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, villa to pier
Up to 10
- Best way:
- A party van for up to 10 with the bags, quoted
20 and more
- Best way:
- A coach for 20 and more to the pier, quoted
The fastest way and the easiest way
The Lomprayah catamaran from Maenam is the fastest, 1.5 to 2 hours. The easiest is that same boat with our van from the villa to the pier, bags and all, so nobody hunts for a taxi with a dive bag.
Songserm's ferry from Nathon is the slow, cheap way. For a group, Tanner's pick is simple: the 8am Lomprayah from Maenam, with the van at the villa door at 7.
Ask Tanner which boat suits your day.
Lomprayah catamaran
- Samui pier:
- Maenam (Pralarn)
- Crossing:
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Best for:
- The fastest
Lomlahkkhirin speedboat
- Samui pier:
- On your ticket
- Crossing:
- About 1.5 hours
- Best for:
- Afternoon boats
Seatran Discovery
- Samui pier:
- Bangrak (Big Buddha)
- Crossing:
- 2 to 2.5 hours
- Best for:
- Near the airport
Songserm ferry
- Samui pier:
- Nathon
- Crossing:
- 3 to 3.5 hours
- Best for:
- Lowest cost
Ferry and taxi combo
- Samui pier:
- Hotel pickup
- Crossing:
- Crossing plus transfer
- Best for:
- One ticket
Which pier you need
Samui has three piers for Koh Tao, and your ticket names one: Lomprayah uses Maenam (Pralarn) on the north coast, Seatran Discovery uses Bangrak (Big Buddha) near the airport, and Songserm uses Nathon on the west coast.
Be at the pier 30 to 45 minutes before the boat, Thailand Boat Tickets advises, and keep the QR ticket on your phone. Mae Haad, where you land, has waiting areas, ATMs, shops and booking offices.
Ask Tanner which pier your ticket names, and the van goes straight there.
- Lomprayah's catamaran or speedboat, 1.5 to 2 hours, from ฿700
- the ferry, from ฿550: Lomprayah's 11:00 (2.5 hours) or Songserm (3 to 3.5 hours)
- first boat 08:00 from Maenam, last boat 16:00 from Nathon
- Mae Haad pier, Koh Tao
The Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry schedule
Lomprayah's 2026 timetable lists Koh Samui to Koh Tao boats from 08:00 to 16:00. The first catamaran leaves Pralarn pier in Maenam at 08:00; the last boat leaves Nathon at 16:00 and lands at 17:45. Catamarans and speedboats are from ฿700 and take 1.5 to 2 hours, and some change at Koh Phangan. The 11:00 ferry is from ฿550 and takes 2.5 hours. Seatran and Songserm run their own boats from Bangrak and Nathon.
Insider tip: the 08:00 boat lands at 09:30, so you're on Sairee Beach before lunch.
Ask Tanner to hold seats on the boat you want.
Is the speedboat faster?
Not really. A Koh Samui to Koh Tao speedboat takes 1.5 to 2 hours, the same as the catamaran.
A private speedboat is different: your group only, on your time, leaving when the villa breakfast is done. Ask Tanner to quote one for the day.
How far it is
The Koh Samui to Koh Tao distance is about 71 km, with Koh Phangan in between.
Want to break the trip? Stay a night on Koh Phangan. See Koh Samui to Koh Phangan and Koh Phangan to Koh Tao.
Ask Tanner to plan a night on Phangan on the way.
No bus, no train
Both are islands, so every way across is a boat. Combo tickets add a taxi to the pier.
On Samui, our van takes you from the villa to the right pier. Ask Tanner to add the van to the boat booking.
Before you sail
High season runs December to April, and July and August are busy too, Thailand Boat Tickets notes. Book ahead then, and in the week of a Full Moon Party, when the Gulf boats fill.
The monsoon, roughly October to early December, can delay or cancel boats, the same guide warns. Keep a spare half day before any flight home from Samui.
Ask Tanner to watch the forecast and move the boat if the sea turns.
Samui or Koh Tao?
Samui is better for pool villas, beach clubs and Chaweng's clubs. Koh Tao is better for diving, small bays and sunset bars.
Most groups do Samui first, then 2 or 3 days on Koh Tao. See our Koh Tao guide, scuba diving on Koh Tao and the Koh Samui guide, and ask Tanner to plan both.
What the boats cost
The Koh Samui to Koh Tao ferry costs about ฿550 to ฿700 a seat, Thailand Boat Tickets' 2026 guide lists. Fares change by season, so check the price on your booking.
Seatran leaves from Bangrak, near the airport, so it's the easy one straight off a flight.
Ask Tanner to book the boat and the van together.
Lomprayah catamaran or speedboat
- Fare:
- From ฿700 (Lomprayah timetable)
- Crossing:
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Samui pier:
- Maenam or Nathon
Songserm ferry
- Fare:
- ฿550 to ฿600 (Thailand Boat Tickets)
- Crossing:
- 3 to 3.5 hours
- Samui pier:
- Nathon
Seatran Discovery
- Fare:
- Shown when you book
- Crossing:
- 2 to 2.5 hours
- Samui pier:
- Bangrak
Koh Samui to Koh Tao in short
- The fastest boat is Lomprayah's catamaran or speedboat, 1.5 to 2 hours, from ฿700.
- The cheapest is the ferry, from ฿550: Lomprayah's at 11:00, or Songserm from Nathon, about 3 to 3.5 hours.
- It's about 71 km by sea, with Koh Phangan in between.
- Boats run from 08:00 to 16:00 and land at Mae Haad pier on Koh Tao.
- There's no bus, train or bridge: it's boats only.
- A group takes its van from the villa to the pier on the ticket.
Checked 7 November 2026.
Your first day on Koh Tao
Every boat lands at Mae Haad pier, where taxis and scooters wait, and Sairee Beach's sunset bars are a short ride away. See every route on Getting around Thailand.
Keep the first evening for the beach and book the dive for day two. Ask Tanner to book the first dive.
Before you travel
Book ahead December to April and in Full Moon weeks
Check the pier on your ticket: Maenam, Bangrak or Nathon
Be at the pier 30 to 45 minutes before the boat
First boat 08:00 from Maenam; last 16:00 from Nathon
Keep a spare half day before any flight home from Samui
No alcohol at public piers or on scheduled boats
The alcohol ban at public piers and on scheduled boats runs from 12 May 2026.
Checked Nov 2026
Tanner's offer
From the villa to the right pier
Samui has three piers for Koh Tao; your van takes the group and the bags to the one on your ticket.
See the private option →
Written by Tanner Altman · Updated 7 November 2026
Questions
Questions about Koh Samui to Koh Tao
How do I get to Koh Tao from Koh Samui?
By boat: the Lomprayah catamaran from Maenam, Seatran from Bangrak, or Songserm from Nathon. The crossing takes about 1.5 to 3.5 hours, and every boat lands at Mae Haad pier on Koh Tao.
How long is the ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao?
1.5 to 2 hours on Lomprayah's catamaran or speedboat, 2.5 hours on its 11:00 ferry, 2 to 2.5 hours on Seatran Discovery, and 3 to 3.5 hours on the Songserm ferry, the slowest way across.
How much is the boat from Koh Samui to Koh Tao?
From ฿550 on the ferry and from ฿700 on the catamaran or speedboat. Fares change by season. Tanner books the boats and the van together, so it's one booking.
Which pier do boats to Koh Tao leave from on Koh Samui?
Maenam (Pralarn) for Lomprayah, Bangrak (Big Buddha) near the airport for Seatran, and Nathon on the west coast for Songserm. Your ticket names the pier.
Which one is better, Koh Samui or Koh Tao?
Samui for pool villas, beach clubs and nightlife; Koh Tao for diving, quiet bays and sunset bars. Most groups base on Samui and add two or three days on Koh Tao.
How many days do you need on Koh Tao?
Two or three days suits most groups: a day or two of diving or snorkelling, and a sunset night on Sairee Beach. Divers doing a full course need more time.
Can you do Koh Tao as a day trip from Koh Samui?
You can, but it's about 3 hours on boats there and back at best, so most groups stay two or three nights on Koh Tao instead.
Do the boats run in the monsoon?
Mostly, but the monsoon, roughly October to early December, can delay or cancel boats, Thailand Boat Tickets warns. Leave a spare half day before any flight.
Is there a train to Koh Tao?
No. Both are islands, so the only way across is by boat, about 1.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the operator.
Which is the best ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao?
Lomprayah's catamaran from Maenam, the fastest at 1.5 to 2 hours, with the first boat at 08:00. Seatran from Bangrak is the pick if you're coming straight from the airport.
Plan it
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Last checked 7 November 2026