Koh Phangan to Koh Tao: Ferry Times, Prices & Piers

Featured image: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Koh Phangan to Koh Tao at a glance

Boats leave Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan and dock at Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao. Published sources disagree on some times and fares, so treat every figure here as a range. Confirm the day's departures with the operator before you plan around them. The table shows what we found for each operator.

Ferry vs speedboat: which should you take?

Speedboats cost more and arrive in about half the time. Large ferries cost less and take longer. We'd pick the fast boat if you have an onward connection or a dive course starting that afternoon. The slow boat suits travelers with spare time and a tight budget. Seatran Discovery's published 8:45 sailing arrives at 10:00, which leaves most of the day free on Koh Tao.

• Budget backpacker: Songserm, if its current timetable fits your hostel check-out.
• Divers with gear: a morning Lomprayah or Seatran departure, so you arrive before check-in rush.
• Couples: the morning speedboat, for a full first day on the island.
• Families: whichever boat has seats you can reserve in advance.
• Large suitcases: any boat, plus a pre-arranged hotel pickup at Mae Haad.
• Onward connection: the earliest fast boat, with a buffer on top.

Operator notes: Lomprayah, Songserm and Seatran Discovery

Lomprayah is our default pick when its times suit you. Its listed sailings are 8:30 and 15:30, at around ฿500 for roughly an hour on the water. You can book through the Lomprayah site or a booking platform such as 12Go. Seatran Discovery lists 8:45 and 13:15 sailings at about ฿650. Check the Seatran Discovery site to confirm it is running your date. Songserm is the cheapest option, with one daily sailing.

• Songserm sources conflict: 10:00 arriving 12:00 at about ฿350, or 12:30 arriving 14:15 at ฿450.
• Both cannot be right, so ask the operator for the current timetable and book only against that.
• A 10:00 departure lines up well with hostel check-out and check-in times.
• One reseller lists 47 km for the crossing and asks you to arrive 30 minutes before a 12:30 sailing.
• The same reseller allows one hand-carry bag and one suitcase up to 20 inches. Larger bags may cost extra.
• Other small operators sell this route at the wharf. We'd read recent reviews before buying from one.

How to book and what to check at the pier

In high season, book at least a day ahead. Walk-up seats on the day you want are not guaranteed. You can buy at your accommodation, from an agent near the wharf, or online. Beware of agents who sell a fast boat and seat you on a slow one. Even with a digital ticket, check in at the operator's counter. Arrive well before departure, since the pier gets crowded when several boats load at once. Luggage is often stacked in a separate area from the seats. Keep your passport, phone and cash on you, and pack fragile items in the middle of your bag.

Getting to Thong Sala Pier

Thong Sala is the main pier for departures on Koh Phangan. Our broader Koh Phangan ferry options guide covers the island's other crossings. If you are still working out how to reach the island, start with our guide to reaching Koh Phangan. Many travelers arrive via Koh Samui first, which our Koh Samui crossing guide covers. Coming from the capital instead? See Bangkok to Koh Phangan: Routes, Time & Cost Compared. Staying near Haad Rin around a Full Moon night? Leave extra time for the road to Thong Sala. Check local transport options with your accommodation, since we have no verified fares or journey times for that leg.

Arriving at Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao

Mae Haad is the main arrival point on Koh Tao. A short walk from the pier is possible, but one traveler reports a 10-minute walk that is uphill. Pavements are not suited to wheeled suitcases. Songthaews wait at the pier, and they have no fixed prices, so agree the fare before you board. The cheapest way to share one is to find other travelers heading to the same area. Many hotels offer pickups, so email your arrival time in advance.

• Mae Haad: the ferry hub, with more hostels and a few affordable resorts.
• Sairee Beach: the area with the largest number of accommodation options.
• Chalok Baan Kao: a quieter spot with beachfront bungalows.

Rough seas and the wet season

Sea conditions can slow crossings, so allow flexibility in your schedule. In the wet season the water between the islands can turn rough, and some small boats are less safe then. Take the larger boat if you are prone to seasickness, and go easy on food before boarding. If you have a flight or train afterward, do not book the tightest possible connection. Plan to cross a day early for anything you cannot rebook. If a sailing is cancelled, ask the operator or your booking platform about a refund or a later departure. We have no verified monsoon dates, so check current weather before you travel.

Koh Phangan or Koh Tao?

The two islands suit different trips. Koh Tao is built around diving, snorkeling and a small island feel. Koh Phangan has more beaches to explore and a nightlife scene centered on Haad Rin.

Planning a Koh Tao stay around your boat

A morning boat suits a first-day dive briefing or snorkeling trip. An afternoon boat suits hostel check-in windows but leaves little daylight. For a dive course, ask the school what time you must arrive on day one. One source suggests setting aside 3 to 4 full days for an Open Water course. We have not verified course prices. Koh Nang Yuan is a day trip from Koh Tao worth one line in your plan. Avoid arriving late on the final day if you have a boat or flight afterward.

• Do not rely on a blog's departure time. Confirm with the operator.
• Do not trust an agent's promise of a fast boat without checking the ticket.
• Do not skip check-in because you hold a digital ticket.
• Do not book a tight flight connection after a crossing.
• Do not assume the pier has a wheel-friendly path.

Planning the Return Ferry from Koh Tao

Plan the Koh Tao to Koh Phangan return separately, especially if you need to reach Haad Rin or connect with another ferry. Return boats leave from Mae Haad Pier, so ask your accommodation for transport options before departure day.

The crossing is the same short island route, but operators can use different sailings in each direction. Current one-way figures for this route range from about 1 hour to 1 hour 45 minutes. Reported fares range from ฿350 to ฿650, depending on the operator and boat.

Do not assume that the boat which brought you to Koh Tao also offers a convenient return time. Check the operator’s timetable directly before booking a dive course, a Full Moon stay, or an onward mainland connection. Arrive early at Mae Haad and check in at the counter even if you have a digital ticket.