How to get to Koh Tao with kids (Cheapest vs quickest)

Here are some tried and tested tips on getting to Koh Tao with kids

 1. Fly in to Samui (Easiest, quickest but most expensive)

It can be worth buying flights from your starting point to Koh Samui, often they tend to be cheaper if you fly through Kuala Lumpar to Samui, rather than the Bangkok route. But if you are like us, and like having open plans, you can fly from Bangkok to Samui but this comes with a hefty price tag. This is by far the easiest, quickest and most comfortable way to travel down with children so if you can afford to do it, it's definitely worth the spend. Then you are just a short boat ride away. Timing is crucial when choosing your flights so landing 1hr- 1hr 30 mins prior to boat departure allows you enough time to get to the pier. Flight prices are approx 5000 baht per person one way, you may find cheaper but this might be due to you not being able to meet the boat (then you'll need to consider a hotel and additional taxi's)

Option 1
Take the Seatran ferry at 1pm, this is conveniently located 10 mins taxi drive away from the airport and is great choice if you're pushed for time. Seatran staff are super helpful however, boat takes slightly longer than its competitor but only by 30 minutes. You can also book tickets online, here's the  link.. Adults 600 baht and children (3-8yrs) 300 baht.

Option 2

Take the Lompraya from the Pralarn pier to Koh Tao departing 8.00am or 12.30pm. The pier is approximately 30 minutes drive from the airport so keep that in mind and also be aware of the 'school run' traffic. There is also the 5pm boat which leaves from Nathon pier, you will need to allow plenty of time to get there, about an 1-1.5 hrs. Service is hit or miss so be prepared for 'mum' to get on with the kids and 'dad' to lug bags on the boat. The great thing about travelling with this company is that the boat ride tends to be very smooth and when buying tickets they now consider children 3-11yrs old. Adults 600/700 baht (depending on boat time), children 300 baht (3-11yrs) and infants are free. You can book tickets through their website, here's the link 

- BEWARE OF FULL MOON PARTY DATES, BOATS MAY BE FULL, BOOK IN ADVANCE

2. Fly to Chumphon with Nok air + Lomprayah

This option is slightly cheaper than flying to Samui but the journey time can be quite timely and means waking up early and checking out of your hotel (if you have one) then travelling to Don Mueng airport and checking in. Flights leave around 6am so you would need to leave at 4-4.30am depending on where you are staying in Bangkok. This airline works along side Lomprayah company and intends to meet their boat departure times. You will be met at Chumphon airport with a Lomprayah representative or will need to find their information desk. You will arrive in Koh Tao at either 3pm or 7pm. Adults and children are charged the same starting at around 3000baht one way. We personally don't like this option at all as it's such a long journey with added expenses such as taxi to airport and with many hours to kill, often spending lots on buying snacks and drinks, and entertaining the children. But want to offer as many options available so you can make the choice which suits your families needs best.

3. Train from Bangkok to Chumphon (Top choice)

Crew's first train ride

By far our favourite choice, especially if you can book 2 first class cabin (4 berths), which we do even through Crew doesn't need a bed (it's an extra 500 baht). The train leaves at 7.30pm from Hua Lumphong station and is a wonderful experience. Not only will your children enjoy the novelty of riding the train, it's even more exciting when they set up the bunk beds and they can hide behind their curtain and read a book (or play on their Iphone like in my sons case). If you can get the first class cabins it's a dream as you can keep all your luggage with you and it is so much easier getting on and off the train, you will also have a table, sink (awesome for rinsing used milk bottles) and power points so we often watch a movie and eat a picnic before laying down to rest. Another great thing about the train is that you can order food on there and they serve you in your cabin/bed. If you aren't able to book the first class because they're full, take the second class option is still great but a bit trickier getting luggage on and off, I usually send the kids on first to our seats and then between us we get the regular, outrageous, amount of luggage on (usually full of shopping for the Koh Tao Playskool LOL). The down side to using the train is that the train arrives around 4.30-5.30am and the biggest panic and fear most people have is not being told when it's their stop. Thailand is one of the easiest countries to travel in the world, the train conductor will make sure you are up and awake to get off the train at your stop, they run a very tight 'ship' (train?) and are used to this route and having passengers panic about whether they've passed their stop etc... Please don't panic, you will be informed! When you get off the train, with hopefully all your luggage (triple check, you'll be dazed and confused after just waking up), you are greeted with a toilet and shower on the platform (5/20baht), a shop selling everything from drinks, coffee, toast, crisps, cookies, ice cream etc... with plenty of tables and chair to relax. There, you will wait for the lomprayah bus to the pier which picks you up around 6.30am. Many of the locals will usher you to check in and prompt you of what you need to do next so just go with the flow. You should arrive to Koh Tao before 9am. Bonus, 1 nights free accommodation and check into your hotel and enjoy the entire day you've paid for. Ticket prices vary but approx Adult 1450-1700 baht (second/first class) Children (3-8yrs, depending on whether you share a bed) 1100-1400 baht and infants free.

Please note
- You must go to the train station to book your ticket, online service isn't very reliable and rarely works
- BEWARE OF FULL MOON DATES, TICKETS WILL BE HARD TO FIND

4. Fly from Bangkok to Surrathani (2nd choice)

This is also a really great option in our opinion. Air asia and Thai Lion Air offer some incredibly cheap flights down to Surrathani which, as long as your flight arrives before either 8.30am or 1.30pm, you will make the next boat departing to Koh Tao. You will also be met by a Lomprayah Representative and bus which is included in your boat ticket price. Prices start from around 900 baht per person (flight) and your boat ticket with transfer for an adult 850 baht, child (3-11yrs old) 430 baht and infants are free. Prices will vary depending on whether you need to buy baggage allowance (20kgs +) and if you want a meal etc.


5. Bus from Bangkok to Chumphon (cheapest- last resort)

To be honest I've really debated adding this option, it's one I did for many years on my own with

Phoenix when he was little, but back then there wasn't as many options as there are available today.. I'll start with the price, adult 1100 baht and child 550 (3-11yrs). Now it is in fact the cheapest option but there is a reason for that. I'm not going to say too much about the night bus, just expect to get no sleep, be uncomfortable and extremely cold/hot, being woken up at 2am pit stop... You leave at 9pm and arrived at 9am. There is, however, a 6.30am bus which is the option we used to take, Phoenix and I would stay on Khao San road so it was easier to get to the meeting point in the morning and whilst it's uncomfortable and lacking in space, especially with little ones, the journey wasn't too bad as we'd go back to sleep for a couple of hours and then Phoenix would entertain himself with his cars or trains. You do go directly to the pier and have a short pit stop along the way, then arrive on Koh Tao around 3pm. I mean if you're really tight on cash it's fine taking this morning bus but for my family and I, comfort and sleep hold a lot of value especially when we have plans at our destination.