We’re here to answer questions such as: does grab work in Koh Tao, are taxis available, can you hire a scooter, and what is the best way to get around the island without falling victim to a scam or the taxi mafia?
Navigating Koh Tao can be a bit tricky, especially once you run into the local taxi mafia, which makes getting around on a budget difficult.
I’ve been lucky to explore Koh Tao on multiple trips, going beyond the usual tourist paths to truly understand its transportation quirks.
If you’re wondering how to efficiently get around this beautiful island, this comprehensive guide has everything you’re looking for. Trust me, there’s more to Koh Tao transport than meets the eye, and I’ve got the insider tips you need.
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Why you can trust this article about grab in Koh Tao
Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for South East Asia travel tips and information. I’ve been traveling to Thailand for more than 25 years, which feels crazy to say, but it’s true.
Needless to say, Thailand has changed a lot over the years, and I’m here to keep you updated on travel information and the best things to do or see. I live in Bali, which is just a short journey from beautiful Thailand, and I end up coming here several times per year for extended trips.
Whether you’re looking for an ultimate island-hopping itinerary, or useful currency tips, I’ve got you covered.
Koh Tao is a true hidden gem, and it’s one of my favourite places in Thailand to take people who are visiting for the first time. I’ve stayed in most areas of the island, and I found that your transport experience will be very different depending on where you have your base.
Is grab available in Koh Tao?
Bad news: grab is unfortunately not available in Koh Tao, so you’ll have to say goodbye to the convenience of online taxis during your stay. This is mostly because of the control of the local taxi mafia, who don’t want to adjust their highly inflated prices.
Unfortunately, that means that your options for getting around Koh Tao are pretty limited.
We discuss each transport method for Koh Tao in detail below, but essentially, you can choose between renting a scooter, walking on the steep roads, or using over-priced taxis.
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Is Bolt available in Koh Tao?
Bolt is a popular alternative to grab in Thailand. However, much like grab, Bolt is unfortunately is not available in Koh Tao. You will have to find other transport options.
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Are Uber and Lyft available in Koh Tao?
Uber and Lyft are not currently available in Koh Tao or anywhere in Thailand. Grab is the most popular alternative, but in the case of Koh Tao, it is not available due to the lack of demand and control of the taxi mafia on the island.
Is gojek available in Koh Tao?
Gojek is an Indonesian alternative to grab or Uber and was briefly available in Thailand before the company handed over operations to Air Asia in 2020.
While gojek is very popular across Indonesia, especially in places like Uluwatu, Canggu or Sanur, it does not work in Thailand anymore and definitely not in Koh Tao.

How do you get from Koh Tao Mae Haad Pier to your hotel?
If you’re planning your first trip to Koh Tao, you might be wondering how you’re going to get from Mae Haad Pier to your resort without a grab or a tuk-tuk to help you out.
The answer to this will depend a little bit on where your hotel is located. Definitely double-check the location when booking and how far it is from the pier. If it’s close by, you can just walk, but if it’s further away, you might have to take a taxi.
Luckily, the vast majority of hotels in Koh Tao offer a free pickup and dropoff at the pier, so you won’t have to worry about figuring out transport on arrival.
Clarify with your accommodation if there is a transfer available and how to let them know when exactly you’ll be arriving.
Best ways to get around Koh Tao
Koh Tao is a small island, but it has a lot of hills, and the forest is very dense in places, so getting around can be tricky. Here are the best transport options for Koh Tao, so you can still get around as easily and conveniently as possible, even without grab.
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1. Is Koh Tao walkable?
Walking is not the best way to get around Koh Tao, but it is possible. The island is approximately 7 kilometres long from top to bottom, 2.5 kilometres of which are the main road where a large number of hotels, restaurants and shops are located.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any sidewalks in most parts of Koh Tao, and even if there are, they’re not great for walking. You’ll be able to go short distances on foot, but as soon as you leave the town close to the harbour, it becomes more and more impossible due to the steep hills.
It can also be dangerous to walk through the hills of Koh Tao as a pedestrian due to the winding roads and local taxi drivers who drive fast.
OUR TIP
Walking to get around Koh Tao is not ideal, but the island is actually really good for hiking. You’ll love the hike to the abandoned resort close to Tanote Bay, Mango Bay, Lighthouse Beach and the many viewpoints around the area.

2. Taking a water or boat taxi in Koh Tao
The main town of Koh Tao is very walkable, but if you want to avoid having to walk all the way around the island, you can also use the local boat system.
This is especially useful if you want an excuse to see the island from the water anyway and want to avoid having to pay for an expensive taxi.
Water taxis start at as little as THB 300, depending on the destination and the number of people. They also offer day rates, which can be fun if you’re looking for a day trip adventure. Just make sure you have cash to pay for the boat.
Of course, you can also hop on a boat to get to day trip destinations around Koh Tao, such as Koh Nang Yuan. I usually recommend
It’s worth it for the boat experience alone, so don’t miss it.
3. Can you rent a bicycle in Koh Tao?
Some articles online recommend renting a bicycle in Koh Tao to get around, but personally, I wouldn’t recommend this. Firstly, it’s not very common and finding a bike rental can be tricky.
Secondly, the roads in Koh Tao are very steep and not very comfortable for biking. Cars and scooters drive fast around the narrow bends, which can make cycling dangerous.
Walking or renting a scooter is much better for getting around Koh Tao than renting a bike.
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4. Can you rent a scooter in Koh Tao and is it safe for driving?
Renting a scooter is the best way to get around Koh Tao, and if you’re looking for flexibility without spending a fortune, this is a fantastic transport method.
While Koh Tao is fairly quiet without too much traffic, the roads can definitely be steep, so it may not be a safe place to learn how to drive a scooter if it’s your first time.
Drive slowly and always wear a helmet. Scooter accidents are very common in Thailand, and inexperienced drivers make the roads dangerous.
Every traveller should have insurance, including coverage for medical emergencies, hospital visits and unforeseen accidents.
They have a great selection of plans, including trip insurance, which supports you in case of cancelled flights or lost baggage.
My favourite part is that they offer adventure sports coverage ad-ons, so you can do all the exciting activities without having to worry about taking unnecessary risks.
No matter where you’re travelling, you cannot put a price on peace of mind.
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Scooter rental scams are unfortunately common in Koh Tao, and tourists are often overcharged a lot for small scratches or damages. Try to avoid the rentals right at the harbour and read Google reviews before you choose one.
Take very detailed photos and videos of your scooter so you can document any damages. If possible, avoid leaving your passport with the scooter rental, which gives the rental much more bargaining power.
5. Can you rent a car in Koh Tao?
It’s currently not possible to rent a car in Koh Tao, and most people rent a scooter instead. Car rentals for tourists are not extremely common in Thailand in general, and Koh Tao has a limited number of cars, so it’s not the best way to get around.

6. Is there public transport in Koh Tao?
The only public transport that exists in Koh Tao is public boats, which can take you from one side of the island to another or to Koh Nang Yuan.
7. Are there taxis in Koh Tao?
Koh Tao has taxis, and they are easily accessible along Sairee Beach and the harbour. They’re mostly open pick-up trucks with seats in the back and not a traditional car like you might know.
Unfortunately, the taxi mafia has firm control of transport in Koh Tao, making taxis very expensive here.
Negotiation is difficult as the taxi drivers all ask for the same price, and they charge per person, making the rides even more expensive if you’re travelling with more people.
The taxis in Koh Tao often wait for the car to fill up before they leave, so getting around can be tedious, expensive and tiresome.
Prices for a taxi in Koh Tao usually start at THB 300 (~ $8 US) for a short 5-minute ride, THB 500 to THB 600 (~ $14 US to $16.50 US) for a 15-minute trip and THB 1,000 (~ $27 US) or more for destinations like Mango Bay.
8. Are there tuk-tuks in Koh Tao?
There are no tuk-tuks in Koh Tao, just pick-up truck taxis. You’ll come across a lot more tuk-tuks in places like Bangkok or Phuket.
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How to get to Koh Tao
Koh Tao is located close to the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, which are much larger and have more transport options.
To get to Koh Tao, you can get a boat from either Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Surat Thani on the mainland or Chumphon further north.
Most connections will be fast boats, which can be bumpy, but at least they will get you to the island fairly quickly.
Koh Tao does not have its own airport, and the closest ones are in Koh Samui, Surat Thani and Chumphon.
Using grab and more transport methods in other parts of Thailand
We know that figuring out how to get around is one of the most important things for travellers in Thailand. If you’re exploring more islands and places around the country, make sure to check out our grab and transport guides to places like Koh Lanta, Khao Sok, Bangkok, Krabi, and Koh Phi Phi.

Grab Koh Tao FAQ
Koh Tao is not extremely walkable, but it can actually be a nice place to go hiking, especially if you head towards the north of the island.
There is currently no public transport in Koh Tao, and travellers need to rent a scooter, use taxis or walk to get around.
Koh Tao does not have tuk-tuks currently, and there aren’t even a lot of cars on the island, mostly scooters.
Stay in Koh Tao for at least two whole days to see the highlights. If you want to relax a bit more or go diving, three to four days may be recommended.
The best way to get around Koh Tao is by renting a scooter or taking a taxi, although you should keep an eye out for scams and the taxi mafia.
Yes, Koh Tao has cars, and taxis are mostly pick-up trucks with an open back.
There are plenty of taxis at the harbour in Koh Tao, so you won’t have any problems finding a ride on arrival.
Getting around Koh Tao can be tricky if you don’t want to rent a scooter as the taxis are very expensive and the island isn’t very walkable.
Taxis are very expensive in Koh Tao due to the inflated prices of the taxi mafia.
There is no grab or any other ride hailing app available in Koh Tao.
Before you go…
You’re ready to go on the Thailand adventure of a lifetime to Koh Tao. Explore even more of Thailand’s beautiful islands in our 2-week itinerary.
If you’re looking for more travel insipration check out our Krabi vs Ao Nang guide, and snap some pictures for Instagram, for which we have some Thai-inspired captions for you here.
Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.
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