Your stay — Hostel 69
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The Property — Hostel 69
Hostel 69 is a budget-friendly base on Koh Tao's main strip, with a social but no-frills vibe and clean, basic rooms. The lobby is a compact check-in desk with a noticeboard of dive trips and local eats, and the rooftop bar draws a younger crowd for sundowners. It works best for solo backpackers or diver students who want a cheap sleep near shops and the pier. You’re not here for luxury; you’re here to hit the water or the party and crash out.
Chronicles of Koh Tao
Koh Tao was all but uninhabited until the 1890s, when King Rama V granted the island to a group of fishermen and farmers. It remained quiet for decades, but in the 1980s, backpackers began arriving on fishing boats, lured by stories of cheap bungalows and clear water. The island’s first dive schools opened soon after, and Koh Tao quickly became a global hub for PADI certification. Today, its economy is almost entirely tourism, with a vibrant backpacker scene and a controversial reputation for rapid development and safety incidents. The island’s architecture is a jumble of corrugated-iron huts, concrete guesthouses, and neon-lit dive shops, all climbing the hillsides.
Best Time to Visit
Full Koh Tao guide →Best months
March to May — low rain, reliable sun, and even crowds because many tourists head to the west coast for Songkran.
Peak / festival surge
December to February — dry season and European winter holidays push room rates up 30-50%. Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year bring full bookings and queues at the dive boats.
Budget shoulder season
June and September — you get reduced rain, fewer tourists, and room rates drop by 20-30% from peak, with quieter beaches.
Weather & packing
The northeast monsoon (October–December) brings choppy seas and short downpours even amid sun. Pack a fast-dry microfibre towel and a waterproof phone pouch, because you’ll be on boats or in the rain more than you expect.
Live City Briefing — Koh Tao
- The island’s main pier at Mae Haad has undergone renovation works through early 2026, causing occasional ferry delays, especially in heavy swells.
- New litter and plastic-bag bans are being enforced by the local council; visitors should bring a reusable water bottle and avoid single-use plastics.
- Songkran (Thai New Year) in April is a major water-fight event in Sairee area; if you arrive after Easter, the crowds have thinned but prices stay moderate until May.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostel 69, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back side of the building (away from Moo 3). These will have less street noise and better ventilation. Rooms on the 2nd floor are acceptable if the back side is specified.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or 1st floor facing the street (Moo 3). Ground floor rooms are vulnerable to foot traffic, dust, and noise from the reception/common area. Street-facing rooms on 1st floor pick up moped and bar noise directly.
Best views
Limited view options — back-side rooms look onto neighbouring buildings or a small garden; street-facing rooms look over Moo 3 (main road with shops and bars). No sea view from this address; for a decent vista, request a high floor at the back to avoid the road.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors — furthest from street level and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Moo 3 is Koh Tao's main strip through Maehaad, with constant mopeds, songthaews, and nightlife until at least 11pm. The hostel's own common area and any attached bar will add noise. Weekend nights are louder.
Insider tips
1. Check-in is typically 2pm, but arrive early to request a top-floor back room — street-facing ones are often given first. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs; the walls in budget hostels here are thin, and late-night arrivals from the pier add noise.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostel 69
Free, no login; speed sufficient for browsing and social media (approx 15 Mbps)
No lift – all rooms on ground and first floor via stairs
No printed or digital newspapers provided
Check-in from 14:00, early bag drop from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged 300 THB; check-out by 11:00
Free for same-day use; long-term storage 50 THB per day
Ground-floor rooms have step-free access; first-floor rooms accessible only by stairs; no wheelchair-adapted bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public parking at Maehaad Pier 50 THB per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 500 THB refundable key deposit in cash at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Rama V Shrine (425 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sunandra Kumariratana Shrine (439 m · ~5 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 136 m · ~2 min walk
Rose Pharmacy — 128 m · ~2 min walk
7-Eleven — 126 m · ~2 min walk
Lomprayah Koh Tao Pier — 250 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
ATMs are widely available on Koh Tao and give a decent rate, but they charge a 220 THB fee per withdrawal. Avoid exchange booths at the pier and tourist strips; they offer poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at larger hotels, dive shops, and supermarkets, but most local restaurants and bars are cash-only. Contactless is rare outside big resorts.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 20-50 THB for good service at sit-down restaurants. No tipping for hotel staff unless they carry bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Thai iced coffee (oliang) from a street stall or small cafe, about 40-60 THB.
Pad Thai or fried rice from a basic restaurant, around 80-120 THB.
A simple stir-fry or curry with rice at a local eatery, about 100-150 THB for a main.
The main road in Mae Haad near the pier has several food stalls and small shops selling cheap noodles, grilled meats, and som tam (papaya salad) from late afternoon.
7-Eleven and a few minimarts are common for basics; there's a small supermarket called Lotus's Express in Mae Haad. Fresh produce and meat come from local market stalls.
Beachwear, flip-flops, and casual clothing from small souvenir shops along Mae Haad's main street. No high-street brands; prices are marked up for tourists.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) rides are 100-200 THB per trip depending on distance. The cheapest way from the airport (Koh Samui) is a combined minibus + ferry ticket for around 600 THB bookable online.
1. Bring enough cash to avoid frequent ATM withdrawal fees. 2. Eat at local restaurants away from the beachfront to cut meal costs in half. 3. Book ferries and accommodation online in advance to skip walk-up surcharges.
Good to know — Koh Tao
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.47 · THB
Emergency Contacts
Koh TaoTourist Police: 1155 (English spoken). Koh Tao Hospital: +66 77 456 267. For dive emergencies, contact the nearest dive centre or the Thai Navy on +66 77 456 112. Register with your embassy before travel.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Koh Tao, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostel 69
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 136 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Rose Pharmacy — 128 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Mae Haad Pier, Koh Tao → Taco Shack Diving Hostel & Restaurant (Sairee Beach area)
💡 Walk it — 5 minutes along the beach path. If you're carrying dive gear or heavy bags, flag a songthaew (shared pickup truck) from the queue. Pay 100 THB per person, no bargaining needed. Avoid the private car touting 300+ THB.
Bangkok (Khao San Road or Suvarnabhumi Airport) → Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier, then 5 min walk to Taco Shack)
💡 Book online via Lomprayah's website 2-3 days ahead to avoid walk-up surcharges. The bus leg takes 5-6 hours, then ferry 1h45 from Chumphon. Carry motion sickness pills for the ferry — Gulf crossing can get rough.
Bangkok (any hotel or Airport via Khao San Road agents) → Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier, then walk to Taco Shack)
💡 Slightly more comfortable than the big bus, but still a bumpy ride. Agents near Khao San Road sell combo tickets — negotiate to include drop-off at the pier. Same ferry operator shows up, so it's not worth double the price unless you hate bus company vibes.
Sairee Beach area (any point, holler from roadside) → Taco Shack, Sairee Beach
💡 Flag them from the main road with a wave. They run fixed routes as pickups — the Sairee Beach loop is 40 THB. After 8pm, rates jump to 100-150 THB or options dry up. Taco Shack is a 2-minute walk from the main Sairee strip, so walking is usually easier.
About Koh Tao
Wikipedia ↗
The Koh Tao murders involved the deaths of two British tourists in Thailand in 2014. On 15 September, the bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found on Sairee Beach on the island of Koh Tao, between 4 and 5 am, a few hours after their deaths. Both victims had been hit several times on t...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostel 69?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back side of the building (away from Moo 3). These will have less street noise and better ventilation. Rooms on the 2nd floor are acceptable if the back side is specified.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostel 69?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or 1st floor facing the street (Moo 3). Ground floor rooms are vulnerable to foot traffic, dust, and noise from the reception/common area. Street-facing rooms on 1st floor pick up moped and bar noise directly.
Is Hostel 69 noisy?
Moo 3 is Koh Tao's main strip through Maehaad, with constant mopeds, songthaews, and nightlife until at least 11pm. The hostel's own common area and any attached bar will add noise. Weekend nights are louder.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostel 69?
Limited view options — back-side rooms look onto neighbouring buildings or a small garden; street-facing rooms look over Moo 3 (main road with shops and bars). No sea view from this address; for a decent vista, request a high floor at the back to avoid the road.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostel 69?
1. Check-in is typically 2pm, but arrive early to request a top-floor back room — street-facing ones are often given first. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs; the walls in budget hostels here are thin, and late-night arrivals from the pier add noise.
What time is check-in at Hostel 69?
Check-in at Hostel 69 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostel 69 have Wi-Fi?
Free, no login; speed sufficient for browsing and social media (approx 15 Mbps)
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostel 69?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostel 69?
Pad Thai or fried rice from a basic restaurant, around 80-120 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostel 69?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) rides are 100-200 THB per trip depending on distance. The cheapest way from the airport (Koh Samui) is a combined minibus + ferry ticket for around 600 THB bookable online.
When is the best time to visit Koh Tao?
March to May — low rain, reliable sun, and even crowds because many tourists head to the west coast for Songkran.
Top Attractions in Koh Tao
💡 Arrive by 5pm to grab a spot near the rocks at the north end for the best view without crowds.
💡 Read the plaques for context; it’s a 5-minute stop, best combined with a walk through the main village.
💡 Combines well with a walk to Mae Haad Pier afterwards; the volunteer guides often offer short talks if asked nicely.
💡 Go early in the morning before 8am to avoid heat and midge bites; sturdy trainers help on the loose gravel.
💡 Bring reef shoes – the entry is sharp coral; also pack your own water and snacks as there are no vendors.