How To Get To Koh Phangan
In this post I share with you the most common ways how to travel to Koh Phangan Island - from the most fastest to the most budget effective one.
Koh Phangan is one of my favorite islands in Thailand and Southeast Asia, with stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, unreal sunsets, and a laid-back vibe. I can't recommend it enough. If you are planning a trip to Koh Phangan and wondering how to get there, here are some options.
Just before we dive deep into the logistics of traveling to Koh Phangan, let me give you the simplest solution - book a flight to Koh Samui and then get a ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. For the best deals, you can check international or domestic flights on Trip.com and ferry and transfer tickets on 12go.asia, these are my preferred platforms for my travel arrangements, route options, schedules, and price benchmarks. All the travel options to Koh Phangan will work as well in a reverse direction when you need to depart from the island, it gives you an idea of where and how you can travel onward or choose an alternative way for your return trip.
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Now let’s dive deeper into all the way leading to Koh Phangan
Quick and easy - Fly to Koh Samui
The closest airport to Koh Phangan is on a nearby Koh Samui Island. You can take a direct domestic flight from Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Krabi or a direct international flight from Singapore or Hong Kong.
Did you know that Koh Samui Airport is privately owned and operated by Bangkok Air? That's right! So, there is no competition on the routes to Koh Samui except for Singapore, starting from May 2024, Scoot Airline is planning to compete with Bangkok Air.
However, one of the best things about flying with Bangkok Air is that their fare is all-inclusive! You don't need to worry about paying extra for luggage, seat selection, or inflight meals - they've got you covered. Plus, they even serve very decent meals on short domestic flights, including special meals (hi, VGML people). So, if you're traveling with check-in luggage or want to have control over your seat allocation without paying extra, Bangkok Air is a great option.
To travel from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, simply arrange a transfer to one of the ferry piers and hop on a ferry. The journey typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the ferry type. To make your travel experience even smoother, consider booking your Koh Samui airport or hotel pickup and ferry in advance via 12go.asia. You may also opt for a hotel drop-off in Koh Phangan for extra convenience.
Pro-tip 1: If you happen to be flying from Bangkok, Pattaya, or Chiang Mai to Koh Samui, I've got a cool tip for you. Make sure to choose a window seat on the right side of the plane so that you can catch a glimpse of the stunning Koh Phangan East coast from above just before landing. It's definitely a sight worth seeing!
Pro-tip 2: I found that the earliest flights tend to be the most affordable. In fact, I was able to book my flight for March 17th at 6 am for only 2160 baht (which is about 60$) by booking 6 weeks in advance. The best part was that my red-eye flight rewarded me with a breathtaking sunrise in the sky, almost as if it was scheduled that way on purpose!
Pro-tip 3: Koh Samui Airport is an attraction on its own. It has an open-air design that allows visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the island while waiting for their flights. The airport is surrounded by lush gardens and stunning views of the nearby mountains and ocean.
Plan B - Fly to Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon
Can’t find affordable flights to Koh Samui? Book a flight to Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, or Chumphon. Flights to these destinations are usually cheaper. Once you arrive, you can relatively easily get to the closest pier to take a ferry or speedboat to Koh Phangan. Here are direct routes to these airports:
Surat Thani - from Chiang Mai with Thai Air Asia, from Bangkok with Nok Air, Thai Air Asia, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet
Chumphon - from Bangkok with Thai Air Asia
Nakhon Si Thammarat - from Bangkok with Nok Air, Thai Air Asia and Thai Lion Air
Ok, that sounds good, but how do I actually get from these airports to Koh Phangan? No worries, all ferry companies offer combined tickets for airport transit and ferry, usually they are aligned with flight schedules. You can check the schedules and prices below:
from Surat Thani Airport to Koh Phangan - here
from Chumphon Airport to Koh Phangan - here
from Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport to Koh Phangan - here
This can save you money, and give you more flexibility in planning your trip. Your wallet will thank you!
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Cheap but time-consuming - Take a bus or a train to Surat Thani
You can take a bus or train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, which is the nearest mainland port to Koh Phangan. From there, take a ferry to Koh Phangan. The bus ride takes around 10 hours or alternatively, the train ride takes 9-12 hours depending on the train type, and then the ferry ride takes around 2-3 hours.
You find schedules and prices for combo 3-in-1 tickets from Bangkok to Koh Phangan including (1) bus or train, (2) transfer from the bus or train station to the pier and (3) ferry on 12go.asia
Don’t want to fly but prefer a comfy ride? - Book a private transfer
If you're looking for a comfy and hassle-free option, book a private transfer from Bangkok to Koh Phangan. There are plenty of companies that offer this service, and it usually includes a private car or van and a ferry ride. If you divide the cost of a transfer per vehicle between friends or family, it’s not as expensive as it may sound. You can look into private transfer options here.
Traveling from South Thailand or Malaysia
If you planning to travel to Koh Phangan from Phuket, Hua Hin, Krabi, Trang, Koh Lanta, or anywhere from the south of Thailand and even from Penang in Malaysia, transport companies got you covered and you just need to book one combo ticket that will include ferry and bus. 12go.asia is super handy for checking timetables and prices for these routes too
I have traveled from Koh Phangan to Phuket, once the ferry arrived at Donsak, a pier on the mainland, a few buses waited according to your final destination. Straightforward.
No matter which option you choose, getting to Koh Phangan is relatively easy. Just make sure to plan your journey in advance and check the schedules and prices of the transportation options on Trip.com and 12go.asia. Have a blast!
Do you have questions about Koh Phangan?
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Safe travels,
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