Koh Tao is located in the Gulf of Thailand around 120km (74mi) from Surat Thani.
Koh Tao Island sits just north of Koh Pha Ngan and is easily reached by ferry from Ko Samui Island as well as the mainland port of Chumphon.
The most convenient route to Koh Tao is by air to Koh Samui International Airport (USM), followed by a ferry to Koh Tao.
From most overseas destinations this requires flying into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), or Singapore's Changi Airport (SIN), followed by a connecting flight to Koh Samui.
Some resorts will meet arriving guests at Koh Samui Airport and provide transport to Koh Tao by prior arrangement.
Alternatively, fly from Bangkok to Chumphon, then take a bus to the pier and ferry to Koh Tao. Nok Air fly from Bangkok's Don Muang Airport. Note: A combination ticket covers all aspects of the journey.
By high-speed catamaran, Koh Tao is one hour Ao Makham Noi Pier in Chumphon on the Thai mainland, one hour by speedboat from Koh Pha Ngan and two hours from Koh Samui.
The following are the most convenient flights to Koh Samui, Thailand.
Within Thailand: Bangkok Airways offers numerous daily flights from Bangkok and Phuket to Koh Samui.
Bangkok to Koh Samui is 1 hr 5 min, direct flight
Phuket to Koh Samui is 55 min, direct flight
From Singapore: Silk Air and Bangkok Airways offer the most convenient daily nonstop flights to Koh Samui.
Singapore to Koh Samui is 1 hrs 45 min, direct flight
From Malaysia: Bangkok Airways operates the most convenient flights to Koh Samui.
Kuala Lumpur to Koh Samui is 1 hrs 40 min, direct flight
From China: Bangkok Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Spring Airlines, Cathay Dragon and Thai Airways International offer the most convenient flights to Koh Samui.
Hong Kong to Koh Samui is 3 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Beijing to Koh Samui is 7 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Shanghai to Koh Samui is 6 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
From United States: Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Bangkok Airways offer the most convenient daily flights to Koh Samui.
Atlanta to Koh Samui is 24 hrs, connecting flight via Bangkokˆ
Boston to Koh Samui is 22 hrs 35 min, connecting flight via Hong Kongˆ
Chicago to Koh Samui is 23 hrs 55 min, connecting flight via Hong Kongˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Koh Samui is 24 hrs 55 min, connecting flight via Hong Kongˆ
New York to Koh Samui is 21 hrs 35 min, connecting flight via Hong Kongˆ
Los Angeles to Koh Samui is 19 hrs 55 min, connecting flight via Singaporeˆ
San Francisco to Koh Samui is 19 hrs 35 min, connecting flight via Singaporeˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, Cathay Pacific and Bangkok Airways offer the most convenient daily flights to Koh Samui.
Toronto to Koh Samui is 21 hrs 45 min, connecting flight via Hong Kongˆ
Montreal to Koh Samui is 22 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
Vancouver to Koh Samui is 19 hrs 5 min, connecting flight via Hong Kongˆ
From Australia: Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Silk Air, Bangkok Airways and Scoot Tigerair offer the most convenient daily flights to Koh Samui.
Adelaide to Koh Samui is 11 hrs 30 min, connecting flight via Singaporeˆ
Brisbane to Koh Samui is 11 hrs 30 min, connecting flight via Singaporeˆ
Sydney to Koh Samui is 11 hrs 5 min, connecting flight via Singaporeˆ
Melbourne to Koh Samui is 11 hrs 50 min, connecting flight via Singaporeˆ
Perth to Koh Samui is 8 hrs 45 mins, connecting flight via Singaporeˆ
From New Zealand: Air New Zealand and Silkair offer the most convenient daily flights to Koh Samui.
Auckland to Koh Samui is 14 hrs, connecting flight via Singaporeˆ
From United Arab Emirates: Emirates, Etihad and Bangkok Airways offer the most convenient flights to Koh Samui.
Abu Dhabi to Koh Samui is 8 hrs 30 min, connecting flightˆ
Dubai to Koh Samui is 8 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
From United Kingdom: Thai Airways International, EVA Air, British Airways and Bangkok Airways offer the most convenient daily flights to Koh Samui.
London to Koh Samui is 13 hrs 35 min, connecting flight via Bangkokˆ
From France: Air France, Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways offer the most convenient daily flights to Koh Samui.
Paris to Koh Samui is 14 hrs, connecting flight via Bangkokˆ
From Germany: Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Eurowings and Bangkok Airways offer the most convenient flights to Koh Samui.
Berlin to Koh Samui is 14 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
Dusseldorf to Koh Samui is 14 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
Frankfurt to Koh Samui is 12 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
Hamburg to Koh Samui is 15 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
Munich to Koh Samui is 12 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes transfer time.)
Samui International Airport (USM), also known as Ko Samui Airport or Koh Samui Airport, is located in the northwest corner of the island, around 2km (1.2mi) north of Chaweng.
Hotels and resorts provide transport for guests by prior arrangement. Airport shuttle buses and hire cars are also available.
A passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay, a return/onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds. No visa is required for a stay of up to 30 days.
Apart from walking, you can hire scooters, motorcycles, bicycles and water taxis.
It's quite easy to explore much of the island on foot, although certain hill paths may make this a challenge in hot weather.
Note: Walking on the main road from Mae Haad to Sairee, especially at night, can be dangerous. It’s better to walk along the dirt road passing the school, where there is little traffic.
Koh Tao has one major concrete road, which runs from Sairee Beach in the north of the island, passing through the main village of Mae Haad, to Chalok Baan Kao in the south.
Elsewhere, numerous small concrete roads and dirt tracks lead to hilltop lookouts as well as various beaches and bays around the island.
Steep trails, sharp curves, sand, potholes and washed out tracks demands careful driving in Koh Tao.
More information about how to get around Koh Tao…
Latest update: How to get to Koh Tao: 5 May, 2022
Advertising