High-speed ferry (Lomprayah)
Fastest and most reliable option with easy online booking and smooth connections
Boonsiri catamaran
Comfortable modern boat with stable ride and well-organized transfers
Night ferry
Cheaper option, but basic comfort and longer overnight journey
Separate bookings
Higher risk of delays, missed connections and poorly timed transfers
Quick answer: Traveling from Phuket to Koh Lipe is best via a combined land and sea route. You travel by minivan or bus from Phuket to Pak Bara Pier, then continue by speedboat to Koh Lipe. A combined ticket is the easiest option and helps ensure smooth timing and fewer transfer issues.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: ~240 km (land + sea)
- ⏱️ Travel time: ~5–8 hours depending on connections
- 💰 Price: ~US$60–90 per person
- 🚐 Route: Phuket → Pak Bara Pier → Koh Lipe
- 🚢 Ferry: Speedboat from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe
- 🕒 Best time: Morning departures recommended
Last updated in July 2026
From Chumphon to Koh Tao you can travel only by ferry or speedboat.
Travel from Chumphon to Koh Tao is about 100 km by sea and the only option is ferry or boat. The journey takes around 2–3 hours by high-speed ferry or catamaran, while slower sleeper boats take up to 8 hours. Tickets cost about $18–22 per person.
Ferries depart from Matapoon and Tung Makham piers in Chumphon and arrive at Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao. The fastest option is Lomprayah catamaran. You can also travel from Koh Samui or Koh Phangan. Tickets can be booked online in advance.
Koh Tao Island is a popular diving destination known for clear water, coral reefs and Sairee Beach. The north and east are quieter and less developed.
There is no airport on Koh Tao, so access is only by ferry or speedboat from Chumphon, Koh Samui or Koh Phangan.
| Transfer Mode – Chumphon to Koh Tao | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry / Speedboat or Catamaran | 2 hours | $18-22/pp |
| Sleeper Boat | 7-8 hours | $17/pp |
| Van + Boat | 3-8 hours | $20-27/pp |
How to travel from Chumphon to Koh Tao?
1. BOATS / FERRY from Chumphon to Koh Tao
👉 Ferry / speedboat / catamaran is the fastest and only way to travel from Chumphon to Koh Tao.
- ✔️ Best for: all travelers heading to Koh Tao
- ✔️ Travel time: ~2 hours (up to ~7–8 hours with sleeper boats)
- ✔️ Cost: $18–22 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (fast boats or slower sleeper boats)
- ✅ Best Option: Fast catamarans with companies like Lomprayah or Songserm
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance due to limited schedules.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Sleeper boats available for overnight travel option.
The fastest way to travel from Chumphon to Koh Tao in Thailand is by catamaran, speedboat or ferry. Operators like Lomprayah, Fame Tour or Songserm run regular services. The journey takes about 2 hours by fast boat.
Slower sleeper boats are also available and take around 7–8 hours, offering a cheaper overnight option with basic comfort.
Boats depart from Tung Makham, Pontaweesin or Talaysub Pier in Chumphon and arrive at Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao. Exact departure points are shown when booking online.
Tickets cost around $18–22 per person. It’s recommended to arrive at the pier at least 60 minutes before departure.
2. VAN + FERRY/BOAT from Chumphon to Koh Tao
👉 Van + ferry/boat is a convenient all-in-one transfer from Chumphon to Koh Tao.
- ✔️ Best for: travelers wanting easy transfer with pickup to the pier
- ✔️ Travel time: ~3–8 hours
- ✔️ Cost: $20–35 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (minivan + ferry combination)
- ✅ Best Option: Combo transfers with companies like Lomprayah or Axara Travel
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance and confirm pickup location (airport, station, hotel).
- 🌏 Extra tip: Good option from Chumphon Airport with direct transfer.
Another option for traveling from Chumphon to Koh Tao is a combined transfer that includes a private car or minivan to the pier and a ferry to the island. This is a 2-step journey: road transfer to Chumphon pier followed by a boat to Koh Tao.
One ticket usually covers both parts of the journey, including hotel, airport or station pickup and ferry transfer. Companies such as Lomprayah or Axara Travel offer this combined service.
Total travel time is around 3–8 hours depending on waiting time for the ferry and type of boat. Pickups are available from Chumphon Airport, train station or central locations.
This option costs roughly $20–35 per person depending on route and operator. It is recommended to arrive at pickup point at least 60 minutes in advance.
| Transport Company | Departure in Chumphon | Arrival in Koh Tao |
|---|---|---|
| Lomprayah | 07:00 | 08:45 |
| Lomprayah | 13:30 | 15:15 |
| Axara Travel | 21:00 | 04:00 |
| Fame Tour | 21:00 | 05:00 |
| Ferry Company | Departure in Koh Tao | Arrival in Chumphon |
|---|---|---|
| Lomprayah | 10:15 | 11:45 |
| Lomprayah | 14:45 | 16:30 |
| Axara Travel | 21:00 | 04:00 |
| Fame Tour | 21:00 | 07:30 |
❓ FAQ – Travel route from Chumphon to Koh Tao:
How to book and buy ferry tickets from Chumphon to Koh Tao?
You can book tickets online via 12go.asia ➜ or Baolao ➜. Both show schedules, prices and operators.
What is the travel time from Chumphon to Koh Tao?
About 2 hours by speedboat or catamaran. Sleeper boats take around 7–8 hours.
What is the travel distance from Chumphon to Koh Tao?
Roughly 100 km by sea. No land route is available.
How much does it cost to travel from Chumphon to Koh Tao?
Usually $18–22 per person depending on season and boat type.
What is the luggage allowance?
About 20 kg per passenger, check exact rules before booking.
How to travel from Koh Tao to Surat Thani?
By ferry in about 5 hours via Koh Tao to Surat Thani, then continue by bus or minivan.
From which piers do ferries depart in Chumphon?
Main piers are Tung Makham, Pontaweesin and Talaysub Pier.
Which companies operate the route?
Lomprayah, Songserm, Fame Tour, Axara Travel and KP Tripadvisor operate this route.
Is there an airport on Koh Tao?
No airport. Only ferry or speedboat access from mainland or nearby islands.
Where can you travel from Koh Tao?
You can go to Koh Phangan, Koh Samui or continue via Surat Thani to mainland Thailand.
Where else can you travel from Chumphon?
You can travel by ferry to Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Chumphon to Koh Tao
Traveling from Chumphon to Koh Tao is a popular ferry route to one of Thailand’s best diving islands. You can travel by high-speed ferry, catamaran or slower boat depending on your budget and comfort.
- Ferry options: Fast catamarans are the most popular, sleeper boats are slower but cheaper.
- Best departure: Morning ferries are usually smoother and less affected by sea conditions.
- What to bring: Carry sunscreen, water, motion sickness pills and light luggage for easier boarding.
- Departure piers: Boats leave from Tung Makham, Pontaweesin or Talaysub Pier in Chumphon.
- Book early: Tickets can sell out in high season, especially for Lomprayah catamarans.
- Arrival point: All ferries arrive at Mae Haad Pier, with taxis and scooters available on arrival.
Tip: Ferry tickets from Chumphon to Koh Tao can be searched and booked online in advance for better schedules and guaranteed seats.