How to get to Ko Phangan

Table of contents

1. What transport can you use to get to Ko Phangan? Transport of Ko Phangan
2. How to get to Ko Phangan from another country
3. How to get to Ko Phangan from Bangkok
4. How to get to Ko Phangan from Phuket
5. How to get to Ko Phangan from Ko Lipe
6. How to get to Ko Phangan from Krabi
7. How to get to Ko Phangan from Railay
8. How to get to Ko Phangan from Pattaya
9. How to get to Ko Phangan from Ko Lanta
10. How to get to Ko Phangan from Hua Hin
11. How to get to Ko Phangan from Ko Samui
12. How to get to Ko Phangan from Ko Tao island

Ko Phangan is a medium-sized island next to Ko Samui. Ko Phangan is characterized by a large number of parties (the most popular of which is the Full Moon Party) and a generally relaxed atmosphere of freedom. There are also very beautiful beaches here.

1. What transport can you use to get to Ko Phangan? Transport of Ko Phangan

All piers mentioned below are shown on the following map on the “Transport” layer.

In size, Ko Phangan is comparable to Ko Samui and only slightly smaller than this island. But Ko Phangan is a more mountainous island and, therefore, has less territory suitable for comfortable living. Therefore, Ko Phangan has fewer people and does not have an airport, although neighboring Ko Samui boasts of having one.

Therefore, Ko Phangan can only be reached by boat.

You can get to Ko Phangan by water from the mainland and two neighboring islands:

• from the mainland to Ko Phangan, water transport departs from the province of Surat Thani; good option if you are on the mainland and want to go directly to Ko Phangan (and don't need to go to Ko Samui)
• from the mainland from Chumphon province (with a stop on the island of Ko Tao) – I DO NOT recommend this option, as it will be long and expensive. If you are on the mainland, it is better to get to the Surat Thani province. Or, you can sail from Chumphon if you want to first stay on the island of Ko Tao before getting to Ko Phangan)
• from Ko Samui – a fast and inexpensive option. Remember that Ko Samui has an airport. That is, if you want to get to Ko Phangan as quickly as possible, then you can use Ko Samui as a transfer point
• from Ko Tao island – a speedboat runs between Ko Tao and Ko Phangan islands

So, from the mainland (from the province of Surat Thani) to Ko Phangan you can take a ferry from the following piers, which are marked on the map as:

• Donsak Pier Surat Thani
• Raja Ferry Pier, Don Sak

Travel time is 2 hours 30 minutes.

From Ko Samui you can reach Ko Phangan from one of the following piers:

• Maenam Samui (sometimes called Pralarn Pier)
• Petcherat Marina
• Haad Rin Queen Ferry
• Lomlahk Khirin Bangrak Pier (also called Lomprayah Bangrak Pier)
• Bangrak Seatran Pier

These piers are used by different companies – they may have different boats, as well as the cost and travel time.

Ko Phangan also has several piers, namely:

• Thongsala Pier (Raja, Lomprayah, Seatran, Night Boat): Ferries and speedboats arrive at this pier from the mainland and the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao. Accordingly, ships depart from here in the opposite directions.
• Ban Tai Pier (also sometimes called Huatean Pier). Boats and ferries from Ko Samui arrive here.
• Haad Rin Pier (Haad Rin Queen Ferry). Boats and ferries from Ko Samui arrive here.

As you might guess, the largest is Thongsala Pier (Raja, Lomprayah, Seatran, Night Boat). It is also located closest to the most populated area of the island. Some customers complain that departure time are delayed here – I also experienced this. But, by and large, you only have a choice if you are heading to Ko Samui. Otherwise you will use Thongsala Pier.

2. How to get to Ko Phangan from another country

Since there is no airport on the island of Ko Phangan, you cannot do without transfers.

The most convenient route is as follows:

1. Check if there is a direct flight from your country to Ko Samui. If yes, then head to Ko Samui.
2. From Ko Samui by speedboat to Ko Phangan.

This is the fastest option. You will reach Ko Phangan on the same day you arrive in Ko Samui.

Unfortunately, the airport on Ko Samui has few international flights, so you will most likely have to use the following transfer scheme:

1. From your country by plane to Bangkok
2. From Bangkok by plane to Ko Samui
3. From Ko Samui by speedboat to Ko Phangan

Using this route you can be on Ko Phangan the same day you arrive in Thailand.

If you want to save money at the expense of time, consider the following option:

1. From your country by plane to Bangkok
2. From Bangkok, a combined tour including a bus + ferry route can get you to Ko Phangan island. The carrier guarantees all connections. In this case, you will only need to get from the airport to the bus station in Bangkok from where the bus departs.

This is the cheapest option to get to Ko Phangan, but you will only get to the island the next day after arriving in Thailand.

You can find the best deals on air travel to Ko Samui and Bangkok using the following form:

See also the next section, it will tell you the best way to get from Bangkok to Ko Phangan.

3. How to get to Ko Phangan from Bangkok

There are several companies offering combined bus + ferry trips with guaranteed connections.

Ticket prices range from 1100 to 1650 baht. Travel time varies from 10 to 16 hours.

Please note that there are morning trips (which take you to Ko Phangan in the evening) and night trips, which take you to the island the next day.

Trips also differ in departure points from Bangkok – pay attention to this.

You can check the Bangkok-Ko Phangan bus schedule and buy a ticket online using the following form:

4. How to get to Ko Phangan from Phuket

There are several combined routes including bus (or minivan) and ferry (or speedboat).

The cost of the trip will be from 800 to 1400 baht, travel time from 7 to 11 hours.

You can choose the option that suits you best using the following form:

5. How to get to Ko Phangan from Ko Lipe

There is a convenient combined route, which includes a trip with transfers according to the following scheme: speedboat → minivan → ferry. All connections are guaranteed. Ticket prices are 3100-4000 baht.

Travel time is 10-11 hours. That is, you depart from Ko Lipe in the morning and arrive in Ko Phangan in the evening.

You can buy a ticket for such a trip using the following form:

6. How to get to Ko Phangan from Krabi

There are many combined routes from Krabi to Ko Phangan with guaranteed connections. Routes vary between land transport (this could be a minivan or bus) and water transport (this could be a ferry or speedboat).

Ticket prices vary from 650 to 1200. Travel time also varies almost 2 times: from 4 hours 45 minutes to 8 hours.

Please note that some companies offer transfer services, meaning you can be picked up from your hotel or dropped off at your hotel.

You can see the full list of offers at this link:

7. How to get to Ko Phangan from Railay

First you need to get from Railay to Krabi, for how to do this, see the link:

• How to get to Krabi from Railay

Then follow the tips from the section:

• 6. How to get to Ko Phangan from Krabi

8. How to get to Ko Phangan from Pattaya

First, from Pattaya you need to get to Southern Terminal Bangkok. For information on how to do this, see the article “How to get from Pattaya to Bangkok by bus”.

Then use the section:

• 3. How to get to Ko Phangan from Bangkok

Please note that you need to select a bus that departs from Southern Terminal Bangkok.

9. How to get to Ko Phangan from Ko Lanta

From Ko Lanta to Ko Phangan you can take a combined route by minivan followed by a ferry transfer (all transfers are guaranteed).

Ticket price is 1000-1200 baht. Travel time is about 9 hours.

The minivan departs early in the morning and you will arrive at Ko Phangan in the late afternoon. You can view schedule details and buy tickets, including those that include transfers around Ko Lanta, using the following form:

10. How to get to Ko Phangan from Hua Hin

There is a direct combined trip from Hua Hin to Ko Phangan. Despite the fact that Hua Hin has access to the same sea in which the island of Ko Phangan is located, the bulk of the distance will be covered by bus – it’s faster and more comfortable.

Total travel time is 7 hours 40 minutes. Tickets cost about 1500 baht.

Using the following form you can check the schedule and buy tickets:

11. How to get to Ko Phangan from Ko Samui

From Ko Samui you can clearly see Ko Phangan island, so you will have a short trip by sea.

There are several transport companies that have trips to Ko Phangan. They work on different piers. Therefore, when purchasing a ticket, choose the pier closest to you, or buy a ticket with transfer to the pier.

Ticket prices range from 200 to 500 baht.

Travel time ranges from 20 minutes to 1 hour.

It may also be important for you when choosing a trip which of the three piers the boat arrives at.

You can view the trip schedule (and all additional information in their descriptions) using the following form:

12. How to get to Ko Phangan from Ko Tao island

The islands of Ko Tao and Ko Phangan are neighbors, but are not very close to each other – travel time ranges from 50 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes.

The cost of the trip ranges from 450 to 700 baht.

There are five trips throughout the day, departing from morning to evening. You can view the schedule and buy a ticket using this form: