Taxis
Both cabs and longtail water taxis are available on Koh Tao. Some accommodation providers will include pick-up and drop-off services from the main pier as part of your booking package, while others do not. So it’s always a good idea to check this in advance. If a transfer is included, your resort, hotel or villa staff will need to know your exact arrival details, as each of the ferry companies has its pier and slightly differing arrival and departure times. Many activity operators include taxi transfers within the tour price, check with your travel agent.
Taxi Cabs
Taxis on Koh Tao are easy to find and readily available. They are all pick-up truck-style vehicles Each is marked as a taxi with a unique identifying number visible on the cab itself. In Sairee and Chalok Baan Kao, there are taxi stations by the 7-Eleven in the centre of the village. In Mae Haad, the best place to grab a cab is by the pier.
The downside to taxis on Koh Tao is that they are not particularly well priced. There are no metred taxis so prices are fixed. It is most unlikely you’ll find a driver who will negotiate the fare. Our recommended taxi driver is called Sam, his phone number is at the bottom of this page.
Fares from Mae Haad Pier
- Mae Haad to Jansom Bay – 330THB
- Mae Haad to Aow Leuk – 440THB
- Mae Haad to Tanote Bay – 550THB
- Mae Haad to Lang Khai Bay – 550THB
- Mae Haad to Chalok Baan Kao – 440THB
- Mae Haad to Sairee Beach – 440THB
- Mae Haad to Shark Bay (Thian Og) – 440THB
- Mae Haad to Sai Daeng – 550THB
- Mae Haad to Freedom Beach – 550THB
- Mae Haad to North Sairee – 550THB
- Mae Haad to Hin Wong Bay – 770THB
- Mae Haad to Mango Bay – 1650THB
This makes travel by taxi on Koh Tao a feasible option for families and larger groups. But not so much for solo travellers and couples. So in many instances, unless you want to pay a higher cost, expect to wait a while for other passengers who are willing to share if you don’t want to pay the full rate. The alternative to taking daily taxis is Scooter Rental, which can cost as little as 200THB per day.
Longtail Taxi Boats
If you plan to beach hop by water taxi, then you’ll need to hire a longtail boat. Taxi boat stations can be easily found along all of the main beaches. Boats are available for hire for single trips, half-day charters, and full-day bookings. Longtail taxi boat prices are typically more reasonable than those of regular taxis on Koh Tao and are a much fairer approximation of time taken and the fuel used.
Prices may fluctuate slightly based on fuel costs and weather conditions. As a general guideline, you can expect to pay a 200THB minimum hire charge for a short trip and up to 600THB for a longer trip, with an additional surcharge per person for larger groups. Unlike with land-based taxis on Koh Tao, it may be possible to bargain with the captain for a better price.
