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Arrival and Departure on Koh Phangan Island
How to get to Koh Phangan Island
There is no airport on Koh Phangan, but there are many other options for travel to and from the island. Ferry services have improved dramatically in the last few years. Boat times (and even departure points) are always changing so be sure to confirm departure times before setting out.
Boats between Koh Phangan and Koh Samui
The shortest crossing from neighbouring island Koh Samui to Koh Phangan is from the Bophut and Mae Nam area. The Lompraya catamaran (leaving from Mae Nam) stops at Koh Phangan's main pier in Thongsala. The Haad Rin Queen (convenient if you are landing at Koh Samui airport) departs from Big Buddha (Phra Yai) pier and arrives at Haad Rin pier on sunset side of the Koh Phangan's south eastern peninsular. There are several boats daily, the last leaving Big Buddha on Koh Samui at 6:30pm. The Seatran car ferry leaves Nathon (the main ferry port on Koh Samui) at 6:30pm and returns to Nathon from Thongsala (the main ferry port on Koh Phangan) at 1pm. The car ferry is very comfortable and the crossing takes a little over an hour. The Seatran Express boat takes just 30 minutes to go from Koh Samui to Thongsala. The longest running boat service is the Songserm Express boat leaving Nathon pier on Koh Samui at 11:30 am. The crossing takes 45 minutes and the boat is often overfull. Speed boats also make the crossing. This is generally an expensive option and can be very uncomfortable in rough seas.
Boats between Koh Phangan and the mainland
If you stay overnight in Surat Thani go to Phangan Tour (the main agent for tickets to Koh Phangan) to buy boat tickets. The nightboat leaves every evening for Koh Phangan from the pier in Surat Thani. The Songserm Express Boat goes from the Surat Thani jetty or from Donsak pier (a 50 minute bus ride outside of Surat Thani). From Donsak the Seatran car ferry stops at Koh Samui before carrying on to Koh Phangan. The Seatran Express boat makes the journey in just 2hrs. The Raja car ferry going direct to Koh Phangan (3hrs) arrives at Koh Phangan at 5pm and leaves again early morning (7am).
Boats between Koh Phangan and Koh Tau
There are a number of different boats making this crossing. Beware taking a speedboat in rough seas and bare in mind that boats occasionally cannot run during high tidal season. Journey times vary between one and a half and two and a half hours.
Buses from Bangkok to Koh Phangan
All-inclusive bus/boat tickets for an overnight journey all the way from Bangkok can be purchased from any travel agent in Bangkok. There is a direct bus going all the way between Bangkok and Koh Phangan which makes two daily trips. Buses are airconditioned and have reclining seats. Taking the bus is the least expensive way to travel from Bangok.
Trains from Bangkok to Koh Phangan
Trains in Thailand have comfortable overnight sleeper carriages. Train tickets can be booked at any travel agent for a small fee. Otherwise buy tickets direct from the train station in Bangok. After an overnight journey you will arrive at Surat Thani train station. You can arrange onward bus boat transfer from touts waiting outside the train or from the counter inside the train station. There are many boats available, you will arrive at Thongsala pier on Koh Phangan.
Flights from Bangkok
There are many daily flights from Bangkok, with Bangkok Airways, to Koh Phangan's larger sister island, Koh Samui (the flight time is usually about an hour). It is possible to book flights directly on their website. From the airport on Koh samui take a taxi to Big Buddha (Phra Yai) pier. Then board the Haad Ring Queen bound for Koh Phangan. It is also possible to fly more cheaply from Bangkok via Surat Thani.
