bkk-surat thani-koh tao

some advice please...
what was the most hassle-free way anyone has made this journey? and what was the overall price? i am open to all options.

cheers

Better option might be BKK-Chumphon-Ko Tao. Public buses go to Chumphon many times daily and from there you have ferry and express boats to Ko Tao - a lot faster than via Surat Thani.

train bus boat, joint ticket from train station get best class possible for over night train
under 1000 baht

most hassle free and quickest - plane to Samui and boat to Koh Tao....check into Lomprayahfor a company that does the route that Captain Bob is talking about.