There are currently 2 companies providing direct services from Phuket to Koh Tao. Travelling independently on a public bus or minivan via Surat Thani city does not save much money, and takes a lot longer.
Bus Times from Phuket to Koh Tao
The major benefit of using a direct point to point service is that the travel company organises bus connections direct to and from the ferry piers.
Company | Phuket | Koh Tao | Ticket |
Call Me Taxi | 08:00 | 17:00 | 1,850 THB |
Lomprayah | 09:00 | 17:00 | 1,600 THB |
Direct services are a lot quicker and a lot easy even if you have travelled this way before and already know which buses and minivans you need to take and where they depart from.
Buy Tickets from Phuket to Koh Tao
Use the Search Box below to book your tickets from Phuket to Koh Tao.
- Booking: Tickets for both services are available for purchase online by using the Search Box below.
- Availability: Tickets are available online until the day before you travel unless they have sold out already.
Travel during Full Moon Party Time
Services from Phuket to Koh Tao travel via Koh Phangan. During the period around the time of the monthly Full Moon Party, which is held in Koh Phangan, you may struggle to book a ticket on this route at short notice because of the numbers of people who want to travel to Koh Phangan each month for the party. If you are planning to travel from Phuket to Koh Phangan around the time of the Full Moon Party make sure you book in advance.
Option 1: Lomprayah Ferry from Phuket to Koh Tao
This service departs from the Lomprayah ticket office, which is located just off the Chao Fah Tawan Tok Road near the centre of Phuket Town. The first stage of the journey is a transfer to Rassada ferry pier. The second stage of the journey is the ferry to Krabi. The third stage is a bus journey from Krabi to Donsak ferry on the Gulf of Thailand coast. From Donsak ferry port the final stage of the journey involves a high speed ferry journey via the neighbouring islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
Location of Lomprayah Bus Stop in Phuket
Option 2: Seatran Discovery from Phuket to Koh Tao
- Please note: Seatran Discovery services are not currently operating.
This service departs from Rassada Pier, which is 5 km to the South East of Phuket Town on Soi Tharuamai. To get there you need to take a taxi or tuk-tuk. There are several different piers in this area so be careful to ask to go Rassada Pier, which is the pier on the Southern tip most of a small peninsula. From Rassada pier you board a ferry to Krabi and then a bus from Krabi to the ferry port of Donsak. From Donsak the ferry sails to Koh Tao via Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
Location of Rassada Pier
Independent Travel from Phuket to Koh Tao
The way to get from Phuket to Koh Tao is to first go to either Surat Thani or Chumphon town by travelling on a bus or minivan from Phuket Bus Station.

Once at Surat Thani town you need to take another bus for the 90 minute journey to Donsak ferry port for the ferry to Koh Tao. From Chumphon you need to get to Thung Makham Noi Lomprayah ferry pier either by taxi or by transfer with the Lomprayah company.
Koh Tao Ferry Pier
Both services arrive at Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao. If you are staying at Sairee beach you may be able to walk to your hotel or resort. Otherwise take a songthaew (converted pick up truck), there are always lots of them waiting for people to arrive at the pier. If you are staying in the far North of Koh Tao you may need to take a taxi boat. You can hire taxi boats at Mae Haad Pier.