“What are you still doing here? You’re late. You supposed to be there.” This was how my journey to Koh Tao began. I booked the service through NapPark Hostel who recommend Lomprayah to get to Koh Tao which costs 1100 baht each way at time of travel. The hostel had advised me that check in for my 9pm bus was 8:30pm. At 7:55pm I learnt from the same girl that this was wrong. Grabbing my bag, I made a mad dash to the Lomprayah office. Here many travellers were already sitting and waiting and luckily I was able to check in and receive a window seat for the journey. Wearing my sticker and warned to not lose my ticket, I joined the other travellers waiting in the small space out the front of the office. From here we were relocated to a small square to wait for the bus to arrive. At 9:10pm the bus arrived and we were able to board once the arriving passengers disembarked.
Although the bus was late the service was very efficient and coordinated. The staff had everyone on board, luggage stowed and driving within ten minutes. Before we had left the street we were provided with blankets for the journey. The seat itself was wide and very comfortable with a good recline, making it very easy to get some sleep on the journey down south. Only waking once to use the bathroom, I begrudgingly made my way down the aisle To my delightful surprise it was incredibly clean with no foul odours, was large, had toilet paper, flowing water in the sink and even a small vase with flowers.
The bus journey should take 7 to 8 hours each way and on the journey to Koh Tao the bus arrives at the pier at 5am. This is 2 hours before departure of the ferry, resulting in everyone sitting outside with the mosquitos and the heat. On the journey back to Bangkok there is only a 1 hour stopover at the pier. The return journey is also only offered during the day with no overnight options with Lomprayah. Before boarding the ferry or the bus, you have to re-check in and receive another sticker for the next leg of your journey. On the return journey to Bangkok make sure you are on Coach 1 as it does not make the stop in Hua Hin and arrives in Bangkok much earlier, as Coach 2 arrived 50 minutes behind schedule.
The pier had very good free WIFI and on the return journey I ate at the cafeteria which I advise all travellers to avoid if possible. A snack from the cafe or convenient store will suffice and be much more enjoyable.
The ferry although with less comfortable seats is a very quick journey. Even travelling through monsoonal rains to Koh Tao the trip took less than two hours. Make sure you take your bag on board with you as all luggage stored outside was soaked through even though it was covered with a tarpaulin. The luggage is also just placed on the wet pier on arrival for you to pick up when you finally disembark from the ferry.
Overall the service was very affordable, comfortable and relatively hassle free. A perfect option for all travellers making the journey Bangkok to Koh Tao or vice versa.
All opinions are subjective to the writers personal travel experience. The writer travelled at her own expense.