Getting Here

Getting to Koh Phangan

As one of Thailand’s most popular islands, it’s easy getting to Koh Phangan from Bangkok and other major destinations in the country if you know how. Koh Phangan is most easily accessed via Koh Samui Airport, although it is cheaper to fly to Surat Thani Airport and then get a bus and ferry from there. From Koh Samui a fast ferry takes around 30 minutes whereas the journey from the Donsak Pier on the mainland takes around 2.5 hours.

This thorough guide to getting to Koh Phangan will ensure that your journey is as smooth as the turquoise waters that surround this tropical paradise, regardless of whether you are arriving from the mainland or from one of the nearby islands.

Ferries: Getting to Koh Phangan by ferry is the last part of your journey and one you can’t avoid. It’s the only way to reach the island from any direction. Booking a ferry to Koh Phangan is easy. There are a number of different companies that you can choose from depending on your budget. Where you are coming from and when you’d like to travel on a ferry to Koh Phangan.

The only ports offering a ferry to Koh Phangan are Surat Thani (Bandon Pier), Donsak (various piers). Also Koh Samui (various piers) and Koh Tao. You can purchase tickets for a ferry to Koh Phangan from many different travel shops anywhere in Thailand. As well as online here and also direct at the ferry piers. Travel agencies allow you to book your ferry to Koh Phangan well in advance.

From Bangkok

Train and Bus Combo:
- Train: Catch a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani. The journey takes approximately 8-9 hours, and overnight sleeper trains are available for a comfortable experience.
- Bus: From Surat Thani, take a bus to Donsak Pier, where ferries depart for Koh Phangan. The bus ride takes around 1.5-2 hours.
Flight:
- Air Travel: Fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui Airport. From there, take a ferry to Koh Phangan. Flight duration is approximately 1.5 hours, and ferry duration varies based on the route chosen.
Bus and Ferry Combo:
- Bus: Direct buses operate from Bangkok to the ferry terminals in Donsak or Surat Thani.
- Ferry: Board a ferry from Donsak or Surat Thani to Koh Phangan. The ferry journey takes 2-3 hours.

From Koh Tao

Ferry:
- Lomprayah High-Speed Catamaran: Offers fast ferry services from Koh Tao to Koh Phangan. The journey takes around 1.5-2 hours.
- Seatran Discovery: Provides ferry services from Koh Tao to Koh Phangan. The journey duration is approximately 2 hours.
- Songserm Express: Operates ferry services from Koh Tao to Koh Phangan, with a journey time of around 2 hours.

From Koh Samui

Lomprayah High-Speed Catamaran: Offers fast ferry services from Koh Samui (Maenam Pier or Bangrak Pier) to Koh Phangan. The journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
Seatran Discovery: Provides ferry services from Koh Samui (Maenam Pier) to Thong Sala Pier in Koh Phangan. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes.
Songserm Express: Operates ferry services from Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) to Thong Sala Pier in Koh Phangan. The journey duration is approximately 30-45 minutes.

From Surat Thani

Bus and Ferry Combo:
- Bus: Take a bus from Surat Thani to Donsak Pier, where ferries depart for Koh Phangan. The bus ride takes approximately 1.5-2 hours.
- Ferry: Board a ferry from Donsak Pier to Koh Phangan. The ferry journey takes 2-3 hours.