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

Quick answer: Koh Phangan to Koh Tao at a glance

Passenger boats leave Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan and dock at Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao. A third-party timetable for 2–15 November 2026 lists a first departure at 08:30 and a last at 16:45. That same source counts four operators and about 93 sailings a week. Blog fares run roughly ฿450 to ฿650, but sources conflict, so read that as an unverified "from" range checked 5 November 2026. We'd confirm times first on Lomprayah's own site. Readers coming from further away can start with our guide to getting to Koh Tao.

• Tight schedule: take a morning high-speed boat, roughly 1 hour on the listed timetable.
• Tight budget: take a slower boat and verify the fare with the operator.
• Heavy bags: choose an early sailing and pre-arrange pickup at Mae Haad.
• Rough weather: leave buffer time and avoid the last sailing.

Ferry or speedboat: which crossing suits you

Fast boats and slower ferries cover the same 10 nautical miles. Speed costs more. One blog puts speedboats at roughly half the ferry time for a higher fare. Slower boats trade time for a lower price and more deck space. That same blog flags leaky air conditioning and full seats on older ferries. We'd pick the fast boat for any day with onward plans. Long-tail boats are not a realistic option on this route, so stick to scheduled operators.

Operators on the Koh Phangan to Koh Tao route

Four operators appear on the timetable we checked: Lomprayah, Songserm, Lomlahkkhirin and Boonsiri. Lomprayah shows 7 sailings daily, the most of any operator listed. Listed crossings range from 55 minutes on one Songserm sailing to 1 hour 45 minutes on another. Seatran Discovery appears in only one source, so confirm it on its booking site. Fares conflict between sources, which is why every price cell says verify. For boats from the mainland, see our mainland ferries to Koh Tao.

Choosing a departure time

Morning boats start at 08:30 and 08:45 on the timetable we checked. Midday sailings sit between 11:00 and 13:05. Afternoon departures run at 15:00, 15:25 and 16:45. A morning boat suits anyone checking out and wanting a full first afternoon on Koh Tao. Midday works for slower starts. We'd skip the 16:45 sailing if you have onward plans, because a cancellation leaves nothing behind it. A 17:45 arrival also leaves little margin to find a ride with heavy bags. Seasonal timetables change, so check the day you travel.

How to book, and when

You can buy from the operator's website, an aggregator, or your accommodation and pier-side agents. One blog says online platforms may add a small service fee. Operator sites avoid that fee but show only one company's sailings. Aggregators compare several operators at once. We can't rank any channel on the evidence we have. In high season, one blog says booking even the day before is usually fine. An aggregator advises booking at least a few weeks ahead for the best fares. Same-day pier purchases are not guaranteed in peak periods. Change rules depend on the operator, and flexible fares may exist. If your date shows no sailings, try neighboring dates, since holiday or seasonal timetables can differ.

At Thong Sala Pier: before you board

One blog says you can buy tickets at your accommodation or at a building near the wharf. Allow extra time to collect tickets and check in. One aggregator says check-in may require your email confirmation and a photo ID such as a passport. For entry rules, use official Thai immigration sources rather than a blog. Songthaews are described as the only official taxi service to the pier. Motorbike taxis are flagged as risky. The same aggregator says cars, bicycles and pets are currently not allowed on these sailings. Confirm baggage rules with your operator.

Arriving at Mae Haad Pier: getting to your stay

Your options are walking, a shared songthaew, or a pickup from your accommodation. One traveler report describes a 10-minute uphill walk from the pier to nearby stays. We'd walk only if you stay near Mae Haad and travel light. Pre-arrange pickup for heavy bags or an evening arrival. Songthaews also wait at the pier and suit travelers heading to Sairee Beach who can share a ride. Prices are negotiated, with no fixed fare, so agree the amount before you board. Our guide to Getting Around Koh Tao: Scooters, Taxis & Transfers Compared covers the island beyond the pier.

Rough seas, delays and Full Moon backup plans

Safety concerns peak when seas are rough, so build slack into the day. Avoid tight onward connections, especially the 16:45 sailing. Check operator notices and the Thai Meteorological Department forecast before you leave. Our Best Time to Visit Koh Tao: Month-by-Month Guide page covers the wider seasons. Ferry schedules often differ during holidays and peak periods, and some sailings run less often. We have no verified Full Moon timetable, so book early and confirm with your operator. Choose a flexible ticket if your plans may shift.

Can you do it as a day trip, and what about Koh Samui?

A day trip needs a verified return sailing, and we could only verify Koh Phangan departures. Those run from 08:30 to 16:45. We have no confirmed Koh Tao departure times, so we can't promise a same-day return. For Koh Samui connections, check operator pages for current Samui–Koh Tao sailings. Our Bangkok to Koh Tao routes show how island legs fit a mainland trip.

Your first day on Koh Tao

Drop your bags first, then pick one plan. Our Koh Tao planning guide covers the full island. For sand and swimming, start with Koh Tao beach options. For boat trips, see our page on nearby islands. Flying in instead of sailing? Read about the Koh Tao airport route.