In this article, I will share with you my experience traveling between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. I will also give recommendations on how to get to Koh Phangan from Bangkok, and the best ways to get around this beautiful island.
Koh Phangan is a big island, located in the Gulf of Thailand, close to Koh Tao and Koh Samui. The island is best known as a vibrant party destination with its famous Full Moon Party each month. Additionally, it also has beautiful beaches, wellness center, yoga retreats, and lots of hiking trails.
Koh Phanga doesn’t have an airport, the closest airport to the island is Koh Samui airport and Surat Thani Airport. The only way to reach Koh Phangan is by ferries from mainland Surat Thani, or from nearby islands such as Koh Tao and Koh Samui.
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How to get to Koh Phangan from Koh Tao
I booked my boat ticket with a local travel agency in Koh Tao. The ferry company running between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan is Lomprayah. You can book it online at their website or 12go.asia. I prefer booking at a local agency, but sometimes I find it easier to book online.
The boat departs at Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao and arrives at Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan. The boat journey is around 1.5 hours. I stayed within walking distance to both piers, so I walked to the piers.
If you stay further away, you will need to book additional transportation to get to the pier in Koh Tao, and from the pier to your hotel in Koh Phangan. At the pier, you can book a transfer with their staff to get to your hotel from Thong Sala Pier for 150 baht.
Other boat companies running boats between Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are Seatran Discovery and Songserm Express. Their journey is around 2 hours.
How to get to Koh Phangan from Koh Samui
There are several boat companies running ferries between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, including Lomprayah, Seatran, and Songserm. The fast boat ride from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan is 30 minutes, departing from either the Bophut or MaeNam area of Koh Samui.
Lomprayah’s Pier is Maenam Pier or Bangrak Pier. Songserm Express departs from Nathon Pier. Most boats arrive at Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan. To have direct service to Haad Rin, you can book the ferry ticket with Haad Rin Queen.
You can book ferry tickets at a local travel agency, at the pier, or online at 12go.asia. You can check the boat schedule at at seatrandiscovery, lomprayah, or Songserm.
Most companies offer pick up from your hotel in Koh Samui to the pier, and from the pier to your hotel on Koh Phangan. Seatran includes these transfers on their ticket, while at Lomprayah, you’ll need to pay an additional fee for it.
How to get to Koh Phangan from Bangkok
Bangkok to Koh Phangan By Air + Ferry
To reach from Bangkok to Koh Phangan by air, you can either fly to Koh Samui Airport or nearby mainland Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Airports. The fastest way to get to Koh Phangan by air from Bangkok is to fly to Samui Airport.
Bangkok Airways operated the route between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Samui airport, with many flights each day. The journey is around 1 hour. From the airport, you can take taxi to the pier to ferry to Koh Phangan. The speed boat is around a 30 minutes ride between these two islands.
You can find cheaper flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Airports. You can book a ticket with budget airlines such as Air Asia or Nok Air. They have a package that offers a combination of flight, bus transfer to the pier, and ferry to Koh Phangan.
The ride from Surat Thani Airport to Donsak Pier is around 1.5 hours. The ferry ride from Don Sak Pier to Koh Samui is around 2.5 hours.
Bangkok to Koh Phangan by Bus + Ferry
Taking a combination of bus and ferry is the most popular and economical way to travel between Bangkok and Koh Phangan. You can book the combo ticket with Lomprayah company at their office, their website, or at 12go.asia.
They have two trips per day, one at 6am and one at 9pm. You can pay a little extra for a VIP bus, I took a normal bus from Hua Hin and it was comfortable enough.
The bus departs on Khao San Road stop at Chumphon Pier, for ferries to Koh Phangan. Ferries will make stops at Koh Yuan and Koh Tao on the way before heading to Koh Phangan. If you want to sit in the front, you can come early to check in and choose the seats.
Bangkok to Koh Phangan by Train + Ferry
Taking sleeper trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani then ferrying to Koh Phangan is a cool way to travel, especially for those who love to travel by train (like me). Don’t take the class 3 fan because it is a long ride (around 9 hours) and your back will be hurt from sitting on a hard seat for a long period.
The 1st and 2nd class sleeper train is the more comfortable option. Just be sure to book in advance as it can sell out quickly in high season. You can book it online at dticket.railway.co.th.
Surat Thani Train Station is located within 1-2 hours drive to the ferry port. You can catch a taxi to the port, or some shared transfer at the train station.
How to get to Koh Phangan from Surat Thani
Surat Thani is easily accessible from other parts of Thailand. It has an airport, a bus station, and a train station. Many travelers travel to Koh Phangan, first come to Surat Thani.
Most boat companies offer combo tickets including transfer from Surat Thani train station, airport, and bus station to Donsak Pier; and the ferry from Donsak Pier to Thong Sala on Koh Phangan.
Best ways to get around Koh Phangan
There is no Grab, Bolt, or InDrive on Koh Samui. You will need to get around the island by rented motorbike, songthaews, or long tail boats.
Walking
Koh Phangan is one of the biggest islands in Thailand, while you can’t explore all of the island on foot, you can explore the area that you’re staying on foot.
Popular areas such as Haad Rin, Thong Sala, Baan Tai are packed with tourist amenities. Lots of restaurants, shops, and bars are walking distance from your hotel. I stayed in Thong Sala, I was able to explore the night markets, weekend markets, and walking streets on foot.
Getting around Koh Phangan on a scooter
Renting a scooter is the most affordable way to explore Koh Phangan. As the island is hilly, I recommend this option for experienced drivers. Be sure to have a valid driver license and insurance before renting one.
The road in Koh Samui is generally in good condition, but you will encounter lots of potholes and sand, so be careful with it. Additionally, some parts are dirt roads and very difficult to drive, be sure to know your limit and keep safe.
If there is some part that you think you can not make it, just park your bike there, then walk to your destination.
Choosing a reputable rental shop is also essential in Koh Phangan. I had a great experience with Jinny Motorbike Rental in Thong Sala. She makes sure the motorbike is in good condition with regular maintenance. The renting process is also easy, a cash deposit and get it back when you return the bike.
Getting around Koh Phangan on guided tours
Songthaews are popular in tourist areas and near the piers such as Thongsala, Haad Rin. It is expensive but it is a good option for those traveling as a family or in a group. As usual, you need to bargain the price with the drivers.
You can use long tail boats to reach secluded beaches such as Haad Yuan or Bottle Beach.
See more:
- Where to Stay in Koh Phangan
- How to Spend 3-5 Days In Koh Phangan Itinerary
- 30 Wonderful Things to Do in Koh Phangan
- Koh Phangan vs Koh Tao
- Koh Phangan vs Koh Samui
These are some personal experiences of how to get around Koh Phangan, either on foot, or motorbike. I also share ways to reach Koh Phangan from Bangkok, Koh Tao, and Koh Samui. I hope you found some helpful tips from my article.