Most people enter Thailand by flying into Bangkok.  From Bangkok there are three main options for getting down to Koh Tao island.

•  The fastest but most expensive route: Fly to Samui.

You can pickup flights from Bangkok direct down to Koh Samui from around 4,000 baht, depending on the season and the time of the flight. From Samui take one of the high speed ferries across to Koh Tao island (Lomprayah Catamaran or Seatran) - these cost about 550 baht per person and take about an hour and a half.

If you shop around you may even be able to get a flight direct from your country of origin to Samui, cutting out the Bangkok bit.  You can book flights on the internet directly with Bangkok Air.

NB. If you want to get to Koh Tao on the same day as you arrive in Samui ensure you have a flight arriving by noon as the last ferry over to Koh Tao departs Samui at 13:30.

• Flying to Chumphon

The new Solar Air flights to Chumphon link in with the Lomprayah ferry service, see further details on their website http://www.solarair.co.th.

•  The compromise : Train to Chumphon

Thailand has a great rail service. From the airport you need to get a meter taxi to the main Hualamphong train station in town (costing about 200 baht). From there you can catch a comfortable overnight train down to Chumphon. You can get a bed in an air conditioned carriage for less than 1,000 baht, waking up fresh at your destination in the morning! From Chumphon you take a high speed ferry to Koh Tao island the same morning. This will take about an hour and a half and costing about 550 baht.  You can also book a combined train and boat ticket.
This is my preferred way to travel, however you often have to book a couple of days ahead especially around weekends & holidays.

 •  The budget route : Bus from Bangkok

Even this isn't too bad. From the airport get a meter taxi to Khao San Road (about 300 baht). At Khao San Road you can book a combined bus and boat ticket direct to Koh Tao. This will be an overnight bus ride to Chumphon, then boat the rest of the way and should cost less than 1000 baht all in.
Look out - there are a few 'sharks' around the Khao San area, out for the naïve tourist. My advice would be to go into one of the official looking travel agents and book with your ticket with them. Go for the Lomprayah or Seatran services, you should be able to book one of these in most agents. These are fast, comfortable services and usually show DVDs on the way down. You don't want to end up getting crammed on a mini bus or 'local' service.

If you are coming from the south or the islands on the west coast

You can catch a ferry from Surat Thani, or just outside at Don Sak pier.  You can catch either a ferry with the Songserm Express company, which depart at 10:00 or take the new Lomprayah service which has started opperating from Surat Thani to Koh Tao, check their website for the schedule by clicking here.  There are also night boats that run providing the weather isn't too bad which depart at 23:00.  The cheapest option is the night boat, followed by the somewhat misleadingly named Songserm Express which takes about 6 1/2 hours.  The Lomprayah catamaran service is the quickest but also the most expensive option, but is our recommendation for this trip.  If you are planning on travelling through the islands and then onwards up to Bangkok then enquiring about the Lomprayah's Buffet Ticket is worthwhile as you will save money and be able to stop off at Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Hua Hin on your way to Bangkok.

Booking in advance online links

If you would like to book your travel arrangements before arriving in Bangkok, which is advisable especially in high season and around the Full Moon parties on Koh Phangan.  If coming by Bus & Boat you can book online with either http://www.lomprayah.com, http://www.seatrandiscovery.com/home.php, http://www.songserm-expressboat.com/, if flying down to Samui you can book this online at http://www.bangkokair.com, to book train tickets in advance you can use http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm.

If you would prefer I can also recommend contacting Johnny (English ex-pat) who owns Island Travel who is based here on Koh Tao and he can arrange your travel both to and from the island, his email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Skype name johnnychopsticks, office landline/ fax  +66 (0)77456769 and mob.+66 (0)871013240 and website http://www.islandtravelkohtao.com/.

NB. As general travel advice ensure to keep your valuables on you in your hand luggage as there have been numerous reports of people having things stolen especially on the overnight buses used by the Songserm company.