1

I can't answer question #1 for you, but I may be able to assist you on train tickets.Check out www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm for great info on all things train related in Thailand. The first link under the the 'Bus and Ferry Links....' heading will take you to info about train/boat transpo to Koh Tao.

Also, check out the info under 'How to buy train tickets, from outside Thailand'. There are three good websites listed that will give you detailed schedule info and allow you to purchase tickets.

Also check out http://www.lomprayah.com/E/index.htm, which will give you ferry schedules/pricing for Chumpon to Tao, and give you some options for bus/boat transpo all the way from Bangkok to Tao.

Best of luck. I will be making the same exact trek in a couple of weeks and have been researching the very same question.

2

I second the above poster with Lompyah, we used them last year and it was a pretty efficient way to get from bangkok to koh tao . Prices should be more or less the same as in the link, bus was comfortable and boat was on time! Good luck!

3

Bumps in the road so far for me are trying to find out if the overnight ferry is operating and how long it takes to get from the train station to the ferry port in Chumphon. Any chance you know? I can't buy or reserve ferry tickets through any of the sites via seat61. Any helpful tips you've picked up, please share.

Thanks

4

I don't know much more than what I've shared above. My understanding is that if you buy a train/boat combination ticket, transport between train station and boat pier in Chumpon is included as part of the package. I'm (pretty) sure that is the case with the Lomprayah bust/boat package.

As far as the midnight ferry, my suggestion is to email one of the bigger dive shops on Ko Tao (expressing possible interest in one of their courses) and inquire about ferry options to Tao, including the midnight ferry. These places are pretty repsonsive to potential customers and would certainly know all the ferry option to/from Tao.

5

When you get to bangkok just go to khao san road and any of the travel agents will help you get the combo ticket bus and boat or train ticket. the train (about 1000 baht) doesnt go combo with the boat but the night ferry leaves at 11 from surat thani (550 baht). the train is always late or slow so dont worry about times. if your in a rush definitely do the lomprayah bus and boat combo ticket (about 1100 baht). which gets you there fastest. about 8 hour bus and 2 hour boat. i left at 5am form khao san road and was in koh tao in the afternoon.
for diving i went with koh tao explorers. it was the best price i found and had cool instructors and a nice boat. it was a smaller more personal operation and i would definitely recommend it. try http://www.kohtaoexplorersdiving.com

enjoy your trip