In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 16 kilometre distance from Santa Marta to Tayrona. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.
There are 4 ways to get from Santa Marta to Tayrona. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan, private transfer, boat. The most affordable option is by bus, starting from $6. The fastest route is by bus (1h ).
Click a column header to sort. Click a row to jump to the full guide.
| Transport | Duration | Price | Best For | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BusFastestBudget | 1h | ($6) | -- | |
| Shared Minivan | 1h | ($40) | -- | |
| Boat | 1h 5m | ($65) | -- | |
| Private Transfer | 1h 30m | ($58) | -- |
| Arriving | Duration | Costs | Sites of interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Zaino | 1h | [price 10,000 COP] | La Piscina, Arrecifes, Cabo San Juan |
| Calabazo | 45m | [price 10,000 COP] | Cabo San Juan, Playa Brava |
| Palangana | 30m | [price 6,000 COP] | Playa Cristal, Playa Cinto, Playa 7 Olas |
| Bahía Concha | 30m | [price 17,000 COP] | Bahia Concha |
From ~$6 · 30m - 1h
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Koh Tao is a premier diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand, widely known as one of the most affordable places in the world to obtain your PADI certification. Beyond diving, the island offers beautiful bays, pristine beaches, stunning viewpoints, coral gardens, and abundant marine life.
Every route on GeckoRoutes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally traveled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travelers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep GeckoRoutes free and up to date.
Carbon Footprint
This 16 km journey produces approximately 1 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
Boats don’t leave from downtown Santa Marta. They depart from Taganga, a small beach town about 7 km from the city. Getting there requires a short transfer.
If you're after convenience, we recommend joining a shared boat tour to Tayrona. This takes you from Santa Marta to Taganga and Playa Grande for [price 170,375 COP].
Travelling on a budget? It’s cheaper to make your own way to Taganga and buy a boat ticket there. We explain how to do that below.
From ~$65 · 1h 5m
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
Popular budget resort with pool, located on Sairee Beach. Walking distance to dive shops and restaurants.
800 THB/night ($24)
Beachfront bungalows with balconies overlooking Sairee Beach. On-site restaurant and dive center.
2,200 THB/night ($66)
Luxury resort with private beach, infinity pool, and spa. Perfect for couples wanting extra comfort.
6,500 THB/night ($195)
Leave a Comment