Starting from Bangkok, you can catch a train or bus to Chumphon, traveling time is about 6-10 hours, usually at night time. There you have several kinds of boat services, leaving mostly in the morning, connecting you with the island in about 1½ to 2 hours.

Coming from Hat Yai or Phuket, you could also decide to go to Surat Thani instead and reach Koh Tao via Koh Samui or Koh Phangan.

There are also airports in Chumphon, Suratthani and Koh Samui, a domestic flight from Bangkok is about 1½ hours. Obviously the bigger dive centers offer complete package tours which can be booked online, bringing you straight from your home town to paradise.

The nearest airport is in Koh Samui, which is fairly well connected to major cities in the region (Bangkok, Penang, Singapore, etc).

If you're coming from the south, you can take a ferry from Surat Thani (around 3 hours) on the mainland, or from Koh Samui (1.5 hours) or Koh Phangan (1 hour). If you're taking a boat from Surat Thani, one possibility might be an overnight ferry - depart around 23:00 and arrive in the morning, about 06:00 (subject to changes). It's advisable to arrive early to grab a mattress as most are formerly cargo boats, so facilities are basic.

If you're coming from the north, you can catch a ferry from Chumphon. Numerous agents sell tickets for a variety of boats of varying size and speed. The fastest takes about 90 minutes, the slowest almost 5 hours. the overnight train Bangkok (dep 18.15) - Chumphon is best value: bed included and optional feed and drink, if you prebook.

You can also day trip on diving charters from Koh Samui. Many have high speed boats that can make the trip to Koh Tao in about an hour.

Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran or Seatran are the fastest and most comfortable way to get to Koh Tao. They run twice a day from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Chumphon. They also have online booking - useful for checking availability at peak times and all their boats have air conditioning and movies for all passengers.

Sangserm offer "VIP" combined coach and boat tickets from Bangkok, claiming to take 6 hours by bus and 1.5 hours by boat - in fact, it takes closer to 9 hours by bus and 3 hours by boat, neither of which are particularly comfortable. In this traveller's opinion, the Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran (2 hrs) and bus (8 hrs) are much more comfortable and quicker (ticket: 850 bth cat and bus).

Motorbike
However, if you find the heat to unbearable for walking there are plenty of places to rent a motorbike. You can get everything from small full automatic bikes to quads and big dirt bikes with gears and kick starter. The prices depend on the type of bike starting from 150 Baht per day. The shop will need your passport as a deposit. Some things to consider when renting a bike: Beware of the fact that we drive in the left side of the road. Also look out for holes in the road, pedestrians, drunk drivers etc. - especially if you go off the main road and on to the dirt tracks leading to beaches and bays around the island.

Taxi
Another option is to simply take a taxi when you need a ride somewhere. They come as cars and motorbike and they can be found in busy areas or you can stop them on the road. Maybe your resort provides taxis for free. Otherwise you can expect prices starting from 50 Baht during day time and 100 Baht after dark.

Taxi boat
The best way to get around Koh Tao's many small secluded beaches is to rent a long tail boat. They will take you around the island at your paste for around 1500 Baht per day and it is a perfect way to spend a day sun bathing and snorkeling. Ask around on Sai Ree beach or in Mae Haad.