Traveling from Koh Tao to Khao Sok and Khao Sok to Koh Tao is one of the most popular routes in the south of Thailand, and we have done it as well.
The distance between them is about 250km, and the fastest way to travel between Koh Tao and Khao Sok is by ferry and then van in about 6 hours.
Since going between them offers the same transportation options, we gathered all the information in this one complete guide to traveling between Koh Tao and Khao Sok.
Even though Koh Tao and Khao Sok are not that far away from one another, the scenery is very different. You will see that the landscape changes dramatically from the sunny island paradise of Koh Tao to the lush jungle landscape of Khao Sok.
Best ways to travel from Koh Tao to Khao Sok and Khao Sok to Koh Tao
There are two main ways to travel between Koh Tao and Khao Sok:
- By night boat and bus/van
- By regular speedboat/ferry and bus/van
You can buy your tickets on the spot at your hotel or a travel agent in town. However, the best way to secure tickets is on 12go, our preferred platform for booking buses, trains, ferries, and more in Thailand. Click here to check tickets.
Please note that the estimated travel time between Koh Tao and Khao Sok usually does not include the time it takes to get to the pier for the speedboat/ferry or the bus station.
For this journey between Koh Tao and Khao Sok, you should expect to spend an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on where you stay in Koh Tao and Khao Sok.
Regular boat between Koh Tao and Khao Sok (plus bus)
The best way to travel between Koh Tao and Khao Sok is by using the standard ferry or speedboat, combined with a van/bus transfer between Surat Thani Pier and Khao Sok. Total travel time: 5 to 7 hours.
On the way to Khao Sok, we recommend booking the trip that starts in the early morning from Koh Tao so you can arrive in Khao Sok by 12:30. The other way around, however, you can’t really arrive at Koh Tao from Khao Sok sooner than between 5 to 6 PM.
Please note: Depending on the company you book your travel with and the number of travelers on that day, you might travel to/from Khao Sok in a minivan, which is usually quite uncomfortable. Plus, the luggage is sometimes stacked next to the last row of people, making it even more uncomfortable.
An alternative way to get between Surat Thani and Khao Sok
The only way to have a more comfortable journey is to book a private transfer between Surat Thani and Khao Sok.
The prices start at around 50 USD to Khao Sok Lake (Cheow Lan Lake) and 60 to Khao Sok Village. Click here to check the latest price and availability.
We recommend booking with Andaman Taxis or Ramon Transport.
| Taxi Surat Thani - Khao Sok $ 39.96–127.95 1h – 2h 30m | |
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Night boat between Koh Tao and Khao Sok
The cheapest way to travel between Koh Tao and Khao Sok is by night boat (ferry), where you can sleep and save on a hotel stay.
However, we don’t recommend this journey unless you’re on an incredibly tight budget. At most, you will save about 15 USD, travel overnight, and arrive at your next destination early in the morning.
We personally never took the night boat from Koh Tao to Khao Sok, but we have seen countless backpackers recommending it (especially on social media). However, we never saw the appeal or any good reason to make that journey when comparing it to a more comfortable daytime ferry/speedboat.
Another issue (that we have) with the night boat journey between Khao Sok and Koh Tao is that you arrive at 8 in the morning. It’s great if you want to drop off your bags at the reception and explore your next destination immediately. But it’s not the best option if you’re traveling with more camera gear and laptops (like we do).
To book transport in Asia, we always use this platform, the top transport booking platform in the region for flights, trains, buses, and taxis. Their user-friendly platform makes booking a breeze.
Getting to your hotel
Unlike many other routes in the South of Thailand, hotel pickup/dropoff likely won’t be included in the original ticket price, and you will have to pay an additional 100 to 200 THB (3 to 6 USD).
It’s always worth checking with your hotels to see if they offer a pickup or dropoff service.
Khao Sok hotel arrival
You’re usually dropped off at the “Khao Sok van station” just outside the village. Then, depending on where you stay, it’s a 15 to 45-minute walk.
Before getting to Khao Sok, we arranged a pickup with our hotel, which was nice and convenient. We stayed at the amazing Our Jungle Camp.
Plus, we stayed another two nights right after in a treehouse at their other property, Our Jungle House! Both were incredible and unique stays.
Koh Tao hotel arrival
The main arrival pier for ferries and speedboats to Koh Tao is Mae Haad Pier, from where you can take a shared taxi (Songthaew) to your hotel.
The taxi fares in Koh Tao are usually fixed and should be displayed, but you should always confirm the price beforehand. If you want to lower your taxi cost, try to find someone else going in the same direction and share the costs.
Note: Grab (Uber) and other ride-hailing apps are not yet operating in Koh Tao, so your only option is the local taxi or the shared pickup trucks (Songthaew).
- Best hotels in Koh Tao?
Closca Hostel (Budget) – Greenery Resort (Mid-range) – Monkey Flower Villas (Luxury)
On our visit to Koh Tao, we had to pay 100 THB each to get from the Mae Haad Pier to our hotel at Sairee Beach.
Taxi fares in Koh Tao:
- Mae Haad to Sairee Beach: 450 THB
- Mae Haad to Chalok Baan Kao: 450 THB
- Mae Haad to Sai Daeng: 550 THB
- Mae Haad to Tanote Bay: 550 THB
- Mae Haad to Shark Bay (Haad Tien): 450 THB
- Mae Haad to Freedom Beach: 550 THB
- Best activities in Koh Tao?
1. Koh Nang Yuan Snorkeling Day Trip
2. Open Water Scuba Diving
3. Treasure Hunt
Optional: rent a bike at the pier or station
If you’re traveling light and are a skilled motorbike driver, you can rent a scooter right from Mae Haad Pier and ride it to your hotel. Similarly, you can rent a bike just a few steps from the Khao Sok van station.
A scooter rental in Koh Tao costs around 250 THB or about 7 USD daily. In Khao Sok, the bike rental price is a bit higher, at 300 THB per day (8.5 USD).
TRAVEL TIP
You may need to leave your passport or pay a deposit of about 3000 THB (around $88) to rent a motorbike. We mainly left the cash deposit, as we don’t like anyone else having our passports.
Save money on conversion fees and ATM transactions. Get a Wise card!
Khao Sok to Koh Tao Travel Tips
- Take a hoodie or long-sleeved shirt for bus and ferry journeys from Khao Sok to Koh Tao. The air conditioning can be pretty strong.
- We always recommend to book your transport in advance, and we always do it ourselves. It’s essential, especially if you want a specific type of transport that gets booked out in the high season.
- Bring some snacks onboard, as stops are limited and may not always have the best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no flight between Koh Tao and Khao Sok; the only mode of transport is a ferry and bus/van combination.
The bus plus ferry option between Khao Sok and Koh Tao takes 6 to 7 hours.
You should book your Koh Tao to Khao Sok transport in advance to secure your ticket, especially in the high season. We recommend booking your transport online.
To get from Koh Tao to Khao Sok, you first need to take a ferry, but then you can rent a car in Surat Thani and drive the rest of the way to Khao Sok.
Final thoughts
Traveling between Koh Tao and Khao Sok is hassle-free, especially if you book a combo ticket and organize a hotel pickup and drop-off in advance. That way, there’s little to go wrong, and door to door, it should be a 6 to 7-hour journey.
Read more:
- Staying in a Floating Bungalow (Khao Sok Lake Guide)
- Khao Sok National Park (Guide)
- Best Things To Do in Koh Tao (Travel Guide)
Conclusion: The best way to travel between Koh Tao and Khao Sok to Koh Tao is by ferry and bus. However, a private transfer between Surat Thani and Khao Sok can make one part of the journey more comfortable.
Ready to book your transport? Check the prices and timings below.
Don’t know what to visit in Koh Tao or Khao Sok?
Read: Koh Tao Travel Guide & Khao Sok Travel Guide
| Ferry Koh Tao - Khao Sok $ 37.28–43.24 5h 30m – 12h 15m | |
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