How to get to Koh Phangan Thailand

Getting to Koh Phangan is easy and you have several options depending on your port of entry.

The quickest and most comfortable way to get to Koh Phangan is flying from Bangkok to neighboring island Koh Samui (which takes about 1 hour) and then take a boat from there. For more information about flights or booking you can visit the Bangkok Airways site. On arrival at the cosy airport of Koh Samui (see picture) you can ask the information desk for a taxi and boat ticket to Koh Phangan. Alternatively you can fly to Surattani on the mainland and take the ferry from there. For more information about schedules and fares see the Air Asia or the One-Two-Go Airlines websites.

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There is an efficient train service from Bangkok to the South of Thailand (southern line). The overnight sleeper trains are the best way to go. Check the latest prices and schedules via the service link on the website of The State Railway of Thailand. All trains stop in Suratthani, where you will be provided with a connecting bus to the ferry pier. The total trip by train and boat takes about 11 to 16 hours. A boat ticket to Koh Phangan and transport from the train station to the pier is usually included in the 'joint ticket'. If you do not have a joint ticket you can always buy a ticket for the boat at the pier.

Taking a government bus from Bangkok is a good way to get to Koh Phangan. It offers a lot of leg space because it has less seats than the regular tourist buses (which are offered by travel agencies and TAT-agencies). The government bus will continue on the ferry to Koh Phangan so you can leave your luggage on the bus, saving you time and the hassle of changing transport. The government bus leaves from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok, where you must also buy the ticket.

Several boat companies provide a daily service between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan or the mainland, in the tables below you can find most of them. Times of departure and arrival may vary, we recommend that you check with the boat company of your choice before you travel.

• The Lomprayah Catamaran (see picture) offers a high-speed boat service from Mae Nam in the Northwest of Koh Samui and takes just about 20 minutes to get to main town Thong Sala in Koh Phangan. From Chumphon on the mainland it goes first to Koh Tao and then to Koh Phangan.
• The Seatran Express leaves from Bang Rak on Koh Samui and it takes about 30 minutes to get to Thong Sala. It also leaves from Chumphon on the mainland and takes about 4 hours to get to Koh Phangan.
• The Haad Rin Queen leaves from the Big Buddha pier in Bophut on Koh Samui (near the airport) and it takes you directly into Haad Rin in about 45 minutes.
  video Haad Rin Queen


• The Songserm Express boat leaves from Nathon on the west side of Koh Samui to Thong Sala.
• The Songserm Ferry leaves daily from both Chumphon and Surat Thani (Lamphun pier) on the mainland to Koh Phangan.
• The Raja Car Ferry provides daily services from Surat Thani (Donsak pier) to Koh Phangan.
• The Nightboat leaves from Surat Thani Bandon pier. It is very basic and much slower than the other boats. Mattresses are provided so you can sleep during the trip.