If you are wondering how to get to Koh Phangan, then you are in the right place. There are only a few destinations in Thailand that boast pristine beaches, lush tropical forests, vibrant nightlife (like the epic full moon party), and an amazing digital nomad community like Koh Phangan.
However, getting to Koh Phangan is not the simplest task. Besides the average public transportation in Thailand, Koh Phangan’s remote location makes arriving there quite challenging.
After having the pleasure to call this Koh Phangan home for several months, we are here to show you how to get to Koh Phangan from various locations in Thailand!
Where Is Koh Phangan In Thailand?
One of the reasons why Koh Phangan is so difficult to get to is its remote location. Koh Phangan is an island situated in the Gulf of Thailand, in Surat Thani Province. It’s part of an archipelago that includes the popular tourist destinations of Koh Samui and Koh Tao.
Koh Phangan does not have its own airport. But rather, the closest airport to Koh Phangan is Samui International Airport (USM) on the neighboring island of Koh Samui. The distance between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan is about 14 km (8.7 mi), and the only way to travel between the two islands is by boat or ferry.
How To Get To Koh Phangan In Thailand?
Because Koh Samui is where you’ll need to go to get the ferry to Koh Phangan, reaching Koh Phangan involves two main steps:
- Getting to the mainland or Koh Samui
- Taking a ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.
Getting To Koh Samui
Getting to Koh Samui is relatively easy, since the island has its own international airport. For convenience, taking a flight is without a doubt the best option. You can fly to Koh Samui from Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and many international destinations.
However, those traveling on a budget might want to consider getting a transfer to Donsak and then taking the ferry to Koh Samui. Donsak is a mainland port area located about 31 km (19 mi) away from Koh Samui, and it’s the departing point of ferries to the island.
Note: If you are lucky, you might even be able to get a direct ferry or speedboat from Donsak to Koh Phangan. Otherwise, most boats make a stop at Nathon Pier in Koh Samui before heading off to Koh Phangan.
Taking A Ferry From Koh Samui To Koh Phangan
If you are arriving at Koh Samui by flight, then you’ll need to get from Koh Samui Airport to one of the ferry piers. Fortunately, ferries to Koh Phangan are plentiful.
Depending on where you are staying in Koh Phangan, you might want to depart from a different pier.
| Koh Samui Pier | Koh Phangan Pier | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Haad Rin Queen Ferry Pier | Haad Rin Pier Koh Phangan | 20 minutes |
| Nathon Pier | Thong Sala Pier | 1 hour |
| Pralarn Pier | Thong Sala Pier | 30 minutes |
The main operators for the speedboats are Haad Rin Queen, Seatran Discovery, and Lomprayah. Tickets can be purchased at the pier or online.
Only speedboats depart from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, so you’ll shorten your journey by a considerable amount.
How To Get From Bangkok To Koh Phangan?
The best way to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan is by taking a flight to Koh Samui and then a ferry to Koh Phangan. An alternative is to take a train (we recommend the overnight train) or bus to Surat Thani, then get a transfer to Donsak, and finally take a ferry to Koh Phangan. then a ferry. This option tends to be a little bit cheaper, but the duration is much longer and it can be very uncomfortable.
If you are going from Bangkok to Koh Phangan, make sure you check our full guide here.
Note: You can also take a flight to Surat Thani Airport, but if you are taking a flight, you might as well fly to Koh Samui Airport
Read More: Is Koh Phangan Worth Visiting?
How To Get From Koh Samui To Koh Phangan?
If you are already in Koh Samui, getting to Koh Phangan is a piece of cake. There are multiple piers where you can take the ferry to Koh Phangan. The most popular ones are the Haad Rin Queen Ferry Pier, Pralarn Pier, and Nathon Pier.
As we’ve mentioned, the ferries from Haad Rin Queen Ferry Pier will drop you off in Haad Rin in Koh Phangan, and ferries from Pralarn Pier and Nathon Pier will drop you off at Thong Sala Pier.
The duration of the trip is about 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on which pier you are departing from and your destination in Koh Phangan.
How To Get From Surat Thani To Koh Phangan?
Surat Thani is the closest mainland city to Koh Phangan. Buses from multiple cities in Thailand arrive here. From Surat Thani, you’ll first need to get a transfer or taxi to Donsak Pier, where you can take a ferry to Koh Phangan.
Several companies operate this route, including Raja Ferry and Lomprayah.
How To Get From Phuket To Koh Phangan?
To get from Phuket to Koh Phangan, you have two options. The first one is to fly to Koh Samui and get a speedboat to Koh Phangan.
The more affordable option is to get a direct transfer and ferry combo ticket. This will include a transfer from Phuket to Donsak Pier and the ferry to Koh Phangan.
How To Get From Krabi To Koh Phangan?
Similar to Phuket, you have two ways to get from Krabi to Koh Phangan. The easiest one is taking a flight from Krabi Airport to Samui Airport, and then catching a ferry to Koh Phangan.
Alternatively, you can also get a transfer to Donsak Pier, where you can board the ferry to Koh Phangan. Just like Phuket, this option tends to be a little bit more affordable.
How To Get From Koh Tao To Koh Phangan?
Being part of the same archipelago, Koh Tao is just a short ferry ride away from Koh Phangan.
To get from Koh Tao to Koh Phangan, you’ll need to catch a ferry from the Mae Haad Pier to Thong Sala Pier in Koh Phangan. The journey is about 1 hour long. Tickets can be purchased online or directly at the pier.
How To Get From Pattaya To Koh Phangan?
Because of Pattaya’s proximity to Bangkok, getting to Koh Phangan from Pattaya is similar to getting there from Bangkok. There are two ways, you can get a flight from one of Bangkok’s airports to Koh Samui, then go with one of the ferry operators to Koh Phangan.
Alternatively, you can take either a train (again, we recommend the overnight train) or bus to Surat Thani, followed by a transfer and ferry combination ticket from Donsak Pier to Koh Phangan.
This is usually a cheaper alternative, but a bus from Pattaya to Surat Thani is already over 10 hours long. This can make your entire journey over 15 hours long.
Note (Again): You can take a flight to Surat Thani Airport if you are coming from Pattaya, but if you are taking a flight, you might as well fly to Koh Samui Airport.
How To Get From Chiang Mai To Koh Phangan?
Since Chiang Mai is in the northern part of Thailand, the best way to get to Koh Phangan from there is by flying from Chiang Mai Airport to Koh Samui. The flight from Chiang Mai to Koh Samui is 1 hour and 45 minutes long. From there, you can take a ferry to Koh Phangan as we discussed above.
Getting To Koh Phangan FAQs
Does Koh Phangan Have An Airport?
No, Koh Phangan does not have its own airport. The closest airport to Koh Phangan is Samui Airport, which is located approximately 14 km (8.7 mi) away from Koh Samui.
Is Koh Phangan Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, Koh Phangan is definitely worth visiting. While it’s best known for its monthly Full Moon Party, the island has much more to offer. It boasts beautiful beaches, dense jungles, and national parks that make it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Final Thoughts On Getting To Koh Phangan
While reaching Koh Phangan involves some planning, the journey is part of the adventure. Travelers can either decide between getting a flight to Koh Samui and then a ferry to Koh Phangan, or avoiding the flight and taking a bus to Donsak Pier where they can catch a ferry instead.
No matter where you’re coming from, the crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and welcoming atmosphere of Koh Phangan make every minute of travel worth it.