Mae Haad Pier, Koh Tao: ferries, fees and how to get around
Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao: Lomprayah, Songserm and Seatran ferries, the 20 THB arrival fee, taxis to Sairee, and where each boat goes.
Last updated: October 22, 2026
Mae Haad Pier is Koh Tao's main ferry landing. Every passenger boat from Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Chumphon and Donsak arrives on the island's west coast at Mae Haad, and there is no airport on Koh Tao.[1] Lomprayah, Songserm and Seatran Discovery each run services from their own berth along the same short stretch of waterfront, so the pier is really a cluster of adjacent piers. Check which operator's pier your ticket names.
Location and how to get there
Mae Haad is on the west side of Koh Tao, with Sairee Beach to the north and Chalok Baan Kao to the south. The island's few roads link all three, and the short ride takes you past dive shops, cafés and palm-lined bays.
- Arriving: Boats dock at the pier, and taxi drivers, resort staff and tour operators wait where you step off. Many resorts run a pier shuttle for booked guests.
- Taxi: Taxis on the island cost more than on the mainland. Agree on the price before you get in.
- To Sairee Beach: Take a shared taxi, a resort shuttle or a scooter.
- Scooter: Rentals are common near the pier. Photograph the bike before you leave, and avoid shops that want to keep your passport.
Environmental fee: Koh Tao Municipality charges every tourist 20 THB on arrival at the pier. The charge started on 4 April 2022 and pays for environmental management on the island, from dive-site buoys to waste. A municipality desk at the pier collects it and issues a receipt.[2]
Operators and destinations
Lomprayah runs fast catamarans, speedboats and slower ferries, Songserm runs ferries and speedboats, and Seatran Discovery sells bus and ferry transfers between the mainland and the islands, Koh Tao included.[1][3][4]
| From Koh Tao to | Operators | Journey and fare examples |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Phangan | Lomprayah, Songserm, Seatran Discovery | Lomprayah catamaran at 09:15 for 600 THB (arrives 10:30), speedboat at 07:05 for 700 THB, ferry at 16:30 for 450 THB.[1] Songserm boat at 09:30 for 500 THB, about 2 hours.[3] |
| Koh Samui | Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery | Lomprayah catamaran at 09:30 or 15:30 to Pralarn or Nathon pier for 700 THB (about 2 hours), speedboat at 07:05 to Pralarn for 800 THB, ferry at 16:30 to Pralarn for 550 THB.[1] |
| Chumphon (other direction) | Lomprayah | Catamaran at 10:15 and 15:00 for 750 THB (1 hour 30 minutes), slower ferry at 12:30 for 450 THB (arrives 15:00).[1] |
| Donsak and Surat Thani | Lomprayah | Catamaran at 09:30 to Donsak pier for 750 THB (arrives 12:45).[1] |
Lomprayah also sells combined boat and bus tickets from Koh Tao to the mainland. Its 2026 timetable includes Bangkok (catamaran and bus at 10:15 or 15:00 for 1,250 THB to Khao San Road), Hua Hin, Khao Sok, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi (including Ao Nang hotels and Railay), Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Phuket (departure 09:30, arrival 18:30).[1]
Coming to the island, see Bangkok to Koh Tao, Hua Hin to Koh Tao, Koh Phangan to Koh Tao, Koh Samui to Koh Tao, Surat Thani to Koh Tao and Phuket to Koh Tao.
Tickets and facilities
Book online with the operator or through an agent, or buy at the ticket offices near the pier. Lomprayah takes phone bookings every day from 08:00 to 20:00 on 065 350 9040.[1] The morning departures to Chumphon, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui fill up, so book ahead, especially in high season.
The pier itself is basic. Around it are small shops, cafés, restaurants and dive shops.
Tips
- Arrive early to check in, collect your ticket and board.
- Keep 20 THB handy for the arrival fee.
- The Gulf of Thailand crossing can be rough, particularly in the monsoon months. Take motion-sickness tablets if you are prone to it.
- Know which operator's berth you need. Lomprayah, Seatran and Songserm use separate piers, and a mix-up costs time on a tight connection.
- Book hotel pickups in advance for late or early ferries, and agree on taxi prices before you ride.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Lomprayah High Speed Ferries: Timetable Lomprayah 2026 (update 25/08/69). Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [2] UNDP BIOFIN: Ordinance on tourist user charges for Koh Tao Island. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [3] Songserm: Songserm: Koh Samui, Phangan & Tao Ferries. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [4] Seatran Discovery: Seatran Discovery: bus and ferry transfers. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
On the west coast of Koh Tao in the Mae Haad area. Lomprayah, Songserm and Seatran Discovery use adjacent piers along the same waterfront.
Lomprayah catamarans, speedboats and ferries, Songserm ferries and speedboats, and Seatran Discovery transfers. They serve Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Chumphon, Donsak and Surat Thani.
Yes. Koh Tao Municipality charges tourists 20 THB on arrival at the pier. It started on 4 April 2022 and funds environmental management.
By shared taxi, resort shuttle or scooter. Agree on the taxi price first.
The Lomprayah catamaran to Koh Phangan takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and to Koh Samui about 2 hours.