How to get from Koh Tao to Krabi – ferry and bus options

Getting from Koh Tao to Krabi means, in essence, going from one side of Thailand to the other.   You’ll travel from the Gulf of Thailand likes like Koh Tao, Koh Phangnan, or Koh Samui to Krabi on the Andaman Sea.  There are several options to go from Koh Tao to Krabi, none of which are quick, and some of which are more comfortable than others. Your route from Ko Tao to Krabi involves taking a ferry and a bus or minibus.  Depending on your start location in Koh Tao and your end location in Krabi there may also be a minivan or tuk-tuk transfer too.  Most of the transport options to Krabi from Koh Tao involve a daytime ferry, but there is also a night ferry from Ko Tao, which will get you to Krabi around 14 hours later.

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FAQS about the Koh Tao to Krabi Journey

• You’ll be picked up about 2 hours before the ferry departure time
• If you have an option of a large bus versus small, the larger bus will be more comfortable.
• There is a luggage allowance of 20 kg per person
• The ticket you buy from Koh Tao to Krabi is a combo Ferry and Bus Ticket
• Some services offer a free hotel pick up / drop off, read the booking instructions carefully
• Children’s Prices apply to those aged 11 or less.
• Cancellation fees may apply please read the small print.
• The quickest route between Koh Tao and Krabi is 6 hours and 40 minutes
• There are 5 daytime (ferry) trips and one nighttime (ferry) trips each day.

How to Get from Koh Tao to Krabi Overview

All trips to Krabi from Koh Tao will start at either your hotel or hostel or if you’ve booked from an agent on the island from their offices.  A transfer from your hotel or hostel to the ferry terminal is unlikely to cost extra, so there is little point in trying to make your own way to the ferry terminal at Mae Haad for this journey.  You can also use this information to work out how to get to Koh Tao from Krabi.

The ferry from Koh Tao leaves from Mae Haad on Koh Tao to Surat Thani, Donsak Pier on the mainland. In Surat Thani, you will have a short wait.  From Surat Thani, you then take a bus or minivan to Krabi.

The Koh Tao – Krabi route also covers the routes from Koh Tao to Railay and from Koh Tao to Ao Nang.  So you are likely to be on the same bus as these routes, your drop-offs will just be at different times and places.

Koh Tao to Krabi Route Options

There is one way to do this route.  Koh Tao to Krabi by ferry and bus is the only way that you can travel.  Unless, of course, you want to just take the ferry to Surat Thani and then take a taxi.  There are 5-day time trips that you can book to go from Koh Tao to Krabi.   There are standard ferries and high-speed ferries (catamarans).    The time that it takes to get from Koh Tao to Krabi depends on the combination of ferry and bus that you get.  There are standard ferries from Koh Tao to Surat Thani and there are also high-speed ferries to Surat Thani from Koh Tao.

There is also a Koh Tao night ferry that runs (most days of the week).  It leaves Mae Haad, Koh Tao at 2300.  Book the night ferry from Koh Tao to Krabi here.  There is *sometimes* a second night ferry, run by the company Chor Maetapee.  It’s not currently possible to book this online, if this is the route you want you should ask agents on Koh Tao.  It leaves at 2100 several times a week and arrives at Surat Thani at 0500 the next morning for connections from Surat Thani to Railay, Ao Nang, and Krabi.

Koh Tao to Krabi Schedules

Note that check-in for these ferries is at least 2 hours prior to the ferry departure time.  You will be allocated a pickup time if you have opted to be picked up from our hotel or hostel, or you will have to meet at the ferry terminal 2-3 hours prior to the departure of the ferry.

How to Buy Koh Tao to Krabi Tickets

You can buy tickets for the trip from Koh Tao to Krabi from any agency on Koh Tao.  Or you can book now, online.   There are TWO online booking agencies where you can book these tickets.  The prices are the same or within a US50 cents difference in price.   The Koh Tao to Krabi night ferry can only be booked online with Bookaway here.

• Book the 0600 – arrive 1240 transport from Koh Tao to Krabi here
• Book the 0630 – arrive 1400 transport from Koh Tao to Krabi here
• Book the 0900 – arrive 1630 transport from Koh Tao to Krabi here
• Book the 0930 – arrive 1730 transport from Koh Tao to Krabi here
• Book the 1000 – arrive 1845 transport from Koh Tao to Krabi here
• Book the 2300 – arrive 1330 night ferry from Koh Tao to Krabi here.

Cost of Koh Tao to Krabi Tickets

The cost of tickets to go to Krabi from Koh Tao is the same whether you book online or in person.  Costs will differ slightly depending on the season and also on the boat that you take.  We have indicated the prices of the tickets for the ferry boat from Koh Tao to Krabi in the table above – it’s here again for your reference.

Koh Tao to Ao Nang, Railay & Surat Thani

You do not have to go all the way from Koh Tao to Krabi.  If you are travelling from Koh Tao to Surat Thani or Koh Tao to Ao Nang or even Koh Tao to Railay, then the ferry is the same, you will just be using a different minivan or bus service when you arrive in Surat Thani.

You can check out these alternative options here

• Koh Tao to Surat Thani
• Koh Tao to Ao Nang
• Koh Tao to Railay

How to Get from Krabi to Koh Tao?

If you are traveling from Krabi to Koh Tao then you’ll take a bus from Krabi to the Donsak Pier at Surat Thani.  This takes around 3 hours.  Then take the ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Tao. You can also take a ferry from Surat Thani to Poh Phangan or Koh Samui.

The first bus leaves Krabi at 0600 and arrives in Koh Tao at 1230.  The last bus leaves for Koh Tao at 1230 arriving at 1915.

You can see the timings and prices of the transfers to Koh Tao from Krabi here

More Information About the Koh Tao Krabi Route

Which Companies Run the Koh Tao to Krabi Route?

There are 3 Thai companies that provide tickets and services from Krabi to Ko Tao.  Lomprayah, Songserm, and Seatran Discovery.  The services provided and the standard of service across all 3 companies are very similar, and prices are also very similar.

How to Choose Which Company for Koh Tao to Krabi

The best way to select which company to provide Koh Tao Krabi Transport – and which ferry and bus option from Koh Tao to Krabi is to select the timings that suit your travel.

How long does it take to go from Koh Tao to Krabi?

It takes between 6 hours and 40 minutes to 14 hours and 30 minutes to travel between Krabi and Koh Tao, this very much depends on the ferry that you take and whether you are transported in a minivan or a large bus.

What facilities are there on the ferry from Koh Tao to Surat Thani?

There are seats, a small café/shop, and air conditioning in the closed cabin.  There are also seats on the top deck under a shade.  On the night ferry there are either bunks with mattresses or mattresses on the floor depending on the boat you travel on.

What are the seats like in the buses/minivans?

There are 17 seats in a Thai minivan. The best seats are either the front left-hand one or the three in the front row. 99% of the time, everyone’s bags get the three front-row seats. This was no exception.

Our night ferry arrived on time in Surat Thani, but we were last to be called for our minivan to Krabi and ended up in the back row, where the seats are just too high for your (my) feet to reach the floor and where bracing yourself involves both hands – one for each headrest to the side.

We drop off those who are heading to Railay at the pier, and then those who are going to Ao Nang get dropped off at another travel agent’s office, which leaves five of us going to Krabi. we’re last to be dropped off at the Sweet Home Guest House, near the night market.

Popular Routes in Thailand

Want to know more about different forms of transport in Thailand? Our guide to Thailand transport is here. And here’s how to travel some of the popular routes around Thailand, your options, and how we did it.

• How to go from Bangkok to Pakse (Laos)
• Going from Langkawi (Malaysia) to Koh Lipe
• How to go from Koh Tao to Krabi
• How to go from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi
• How to go from Bangkok to Koh Tao
• How to go from Bangkok to Koh Phangan
• Bangkok to Koh Kood and back
• Go from Bangkok to Koh Chang
• How to go from Bangkok to Koh Samui
• How to go from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
• How to go from Bangkok to Sukhothai
• How to go from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
• How to travel from Krabi to Langkawi (Malaysia)
• How to go from Cambodia to Thailand

While you’re in Krabi, why not take a day trip – here’s our guide to getting to Railay.

Where to Stay in Krabi

There are a host of places to stay in Krabi – here’s our pick of the luxury places to stay in Krabi, mid-range places to stay in Krabi, and budget accommodation in Krabi.

Panan Krabi Resort (SHA Extra Plus), Krabi, Thailand:  The Panan Krabi Resort (SHA Extra Plus) is a top resort conveniently situated in the Ao Nang part of Krabi. Enjoy a luxurious stay in this luxury Panan Krabi Resort in Krabi that has air conditioning and internet access in all of its rooms. This super place to stay in Krabi also includes complimentary coffee and tea, drinking water, and a welcome drink. Take breakfast on your balcony and make good use of the fluffy bathrobes, slippers, towels, and free toiletries offered in this luxury Krabi resort. Room amenities include private bathrooms and refrigerators. Check availability of this top place to stay i  Krabi here.

Aonang Hill @11/1 (SHA Extra Plus), Krabi, Thailand: The Aonang Hill @11/1 (SHA Extra Plus) is a mid-range hotel in the heart of Ao Nang, Krabi. All the rooms here at the Aonang Hill @11/1 in Krabi offer air conditioning and internet access, as well as complimentary coffee and drinking water. You’ll get a great night’s sleep as the rooms here have blackout curtains too, as well as a refrigerator, and cable TV.  There’s a garden here and a hot tub to aid any relaxation that you might need!  This is a wonderful place to stay in the heart of Krabi. See room rates here.

Pop-in Aonang, Krabi, Thailand: The Pop-in Aonang is a budget hotel conveniently located in the Ao Nang, part of Krabi. All of the rooms in this great Krabi budget hotel have free WiFi and air-conditioning. There is also a coffee shop, barbecue facilities, and a bar at this fabulous Krabi hotel. Pop-in Aonang is a great budget option to stay in Krabi. The Pop-in Aonang books out quickly, so you’ll need to reserve early.

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Final Words on Traveling from Koh Tao to Krabi

Which ferry did you pick?  Night or Day?  How was your journey?  Let us know or comment if you have any questions!

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