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Chumphon → Koh Tao Ferry

The fast, year-round catamaran link from Thailand's southern rail gateway to the Gulf's top dive island — Mae Haad Pier in about 2 hours.

2 h
Crossing Time
$20
From / Person
~3×
Daily Trips
Lomprayah
Catamaran

About This Route

The Chumphon to Koh Tao ferry is the northern gateway to Thailand's most famous dive island. Chumphon is where Bangkok's trains and buses meet the Gulf of Thailand, so almost every traveller heading to Koh Tao by land-and-sea passes through this small southern port town. Boats depart from Chumphon Pier (also known as Tha Yang Pier), a short tuk-tuk ride from the railway station and town centre, and run year-round with 2–4 sailings a day.


The classic way to combine the route with Bangkok is the overnight sleeper train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal — roughly 8–9 hours with berths from about 430 THB (~$12 USD). Trains roll into Chumphon in the early morning, a 10-minute taxi from the pier, which lines up perfectly with the first catamaran of the day. It's the same trick backpackers have used for decades: sleep on the train, wake up in Chumphon, and be on a dive boat by lunchtime. Book the train and ferry legs together via 12Go to keep the connection simple.


After a smooth 2-hour crossing on a Lomprayah catamaran, you arrive at Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao's west coast — the island's main port, ringed by dive schools, hostels and longtail boats. Koh Tao is Thailand's #1 dive destination: calm, clear water, sites like Shark Bay, Sail Rock and Japanese Gardens, and some of the cheapest PADI Open Water courses in the country. Because high season (December–March) fills boats quickly, we recommend booking your ferry in advance — BaliGoat issues tickets through 12Go with instant e-confirmation, so you can lock in the morning sailing the moment your train ticket is in hand.

Schedule & Prices

Departure Arrival Duration Operator Price
07:00 — Chumphon Pier ~09:00 — Koh Tao (Mae Haad) ~2 h Lomprayah $25 Book →
13:00 — Chumphon Pier ~15:00 — Koh Tao (Mae Haad) ~2 h Lomprayah $25 Book →
09:30 — Koh Tao (Mae Haad) ~11:30 — Chumphon Pier ~2 h Lomprayah $25 Book →

⚠️ Year-round indicative schedule; high season (Dec–Mar) adds sailings, e.g. ~15:30 from Chumphon and ~14:45 from Koh Tao. Fares range $20–30 USD one-way — Songserm's slower boat is the budget option. Confirm exact times when booking.

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Operator Info

🚢 Lomprayah

High-Speed Catamaran Operator

  • High-speed twin-hull catamaran — Chumphon to Koh Tao in ~2 hours
  • Part of Lomprayah's 77 daily departures network across the Gulf of Thailand
  • Air-conditioned passenger cabin
  • Onboard snack bar for drinks & light bites
  • Life jackets & full safety equipment
  • Luggage allowance included in every ticket
  • Reliable on-time record on the Chumphon–Koh Tao run

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the ferry from Chumphon to Koh Tao?
The Lomprayah high-speed catamaran from Chumphon to Koh Tao takes approximately 2 hours; the budget Songserm boat takes about 2.5 hours. Both arrive at Mae Haad Pier on the west side of the island. Crossing time varies slightly with sea conditions.
How much does the Chumphon to Koh Tao ferry cost?
One-way tickets start at around $20 USD and range up to $30 USD depending on operator, departure time, and season. Lomprayah catamarans are the fastest option, while Songserm is the cheaper, slower alternative. Book online via 12Go for instant confirmation and the best available fares.
How do I get from Bangkok to Chumphon for the ferry?
The classic way is the overnight train from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal) to Chumphon — about 8–9 hours, with sleeper berths from roughly 430 THB (~$12 USD). Trains pull in early in the morning, and Chumphon Pier is a short 10-minute ride from the station, so you can connect straight onto the morning catamaran. Buses and short domestic flights are alternatives.
Why is Koh Tao such a popular destination?
Koh Tao is Thailand's #1 dive destination — a small island with calm, clear water, dozens of dive sites such as Shark Bay, Sail Rock and Japanese Gardens, and some of the cheapest PADI Open Water courses in the country. Most divers and backpackers stay around Sairee Beach and Mae Haad, both within easy reach of the pier.
How many ferries run between Chumphon and Koh Tao each day?
Year-round there are typically 2–4 departures per day in each direction, with the most frequent service during the December–March high season. The classic schedule includes morning sailings around 07:00 and midday departures around 13:00 from Chumphon, with return boats leaving Koh Tao mid-morning and early afternoon.

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