ataylor

Does anyone know the ferry/boat schedule and price to/from these islands-Koh Samui/Koh Tao/Koh Phangan? Thanks.

JamesA

There are a lot of boats inter island, more in the mornings ex Koh Samui and more in the afternoons on the way back. Lomprayah offer high speed catamaran but you might prefer a slower boat, more scenic and open deck space, anyway this gives you an idea

http://www.lomprayah.com/E/index.aspx

JamesA

To emphasise that if you are hoping between the islands it's much nicer on a slower boat to enjoy the views and sea breeze but the Catamaran high speed if you simply want to get from one to another. If you are heading southbouand from Bangkok or Hua Hin Lomprayah do an a/c bus which is timed to connect with their Catamarans from Chumphon to Koh Tao and onwards to KPG and Samui, twice daily from Bangkok and that also stops in Hua hin to pick up passengers.

JamesA

I always think of these 'other' things later, if you are traveling down from Bangkok to Koh Tao or Koh Phangan they have a large a/c bus doing the land route and it costs roughtly USD 25 all the way.

StanKase

Can you fly on the Cathay Pacific or Thai "Air Pass" from Chiang Mai to Koh Samui and/or Koh/Tao non-stop or from Bangkok non-stop? With what frequency each day?
For 4 full days of excellent snorkeling and good food (not gourmet)do both offer 4-5 star A/C hotels at $150-$160US for deluxe room-not a suite- in mid-April??
Do both islands offer canopy topped boats (avoid some of the sun) that go out taking 6-10 guests for 3-4 hours and stop at 2-3 top notch reef areas. We would want to snorkel 2 of the 4 days of our stay.
We think we want to wait 3 more years before we return to Phuket, Phi Phi Don and Similan area.
We are looking for your experience over the past year or so not 3-4 years ago for things change rapidly i.e.new hotels.

JamesA

Bangkok Airways is the 'only' airlines that operates into Koh Samui from Bangkok so you have no choice! They are not tied into any partner passes at all, they have their own for domestic and regional flights.

There is no airport on Koh Tao, access by boat only.

The only real good level resort on Koh Tao is the Coral Grand, though on Samui there are countless luxury places right up to $1k a night!!

To get from Bangkok to Koh Tao easiest is to fly to Koh Samui and go by boat but to save money you can take the Lomprayah bus/ferry combination from Bangkok, or train from Bangkok to Chumphon and then boat from there. if you overnight in Chumphon the Chumphon Cabana is the best, from about $10 to $45 max a night.

Boat types vary a lot, high speed a/c enclosed catamarans, high speed 'speed boats' with some shade plus older boats with enclosed areas.