Yesterday I posted a small guide to Koh Phangan that I want to elaborate on a bit without turning it into a 10,000 word treatise. So over the next few days I’ll be sharing more information about the island that has become famous for its Full Moon Parties and yet can still offer you a place to get away from it all and relax without paying a fortune.
Today’s post is a simple guide for getting to Koh Phangan, whether that be by air, bus, train or boat. Your mode of transportation will likely be determined by two factors; your budget and your available time.

Getting to Koh Phangan from Bangkok

I’m sure many if not most of you will be interested in how to get to Koh Phangan from Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok. As the hub of transportation for Thailand it’s a logical place to begin your travels through the Kingdom.

Obviously the quickest way to get to Koh Phangan from Bangkok is going to be by air. You have two choices here, either fly to Surat Thani and take the boat from there or fly to Koh Samui and take the boat from there. The quickest method is to fly to Koh Samui as the boat from there to Phangan is only 90 minutes or so. Ferries from Surat Thani will take in the neighborhood of 4 hours.

If you plan on taking the quickest route then you can fly to Koh Samui with either Bangkok Airways or Thai Airways. I personally recommend Bangkok Airways as the prices are 60-70% less than Thai Airways. Off season flights are as low as THB3600. Once you land in Samui stop by the limosine counter to get your boat and bus tickets for Koh Phangan.

Those preferring to fly to Surat Thani can get there flying with Thai Airways or Air Asia, again the price for Thai Airways is 30-40% higher so unless you have some reason to fly with them I would choose Air Asia. Also take note that when booking air tickets during the high season (November-March) it is recommended that you book several weeks in advance.

If you are looking for a cheaper way to get to Koh Phangan and don’t mind taking a bit longer then a bus is a great way to go. Busses for southern Thailand destinations leave from Sai Tai Mai bus station (Borom Rachachonnanee Rd, Bang Bamru, Bang Phlat, Bangkok, 10700) each night at 19:30 and cost THB895. The trip takes about 12 hours and you can also get the boat tickets when purchasing your bus ticket. Thailand’s long haul buses are pretty comfortable and you might even want to take a sweater because they really crank up the AC!

Another inexpensive way to get to Koh Phangan from Bangkok is by train leaving from the Hua Lumphong station several times a night. Purchase a combination ticket for onward bus and ferry travel to get you to Phangan early the next day. Cost for the train is THB519 for 1st class A/C and THB248 for 2nd class A/C. You can get time tables and rates from the State Railway website.

Boat Schedules for Travel To Koh Phangan

KPG = Koh Phangan / KS = Koh Samui / KT = Koh Tao / ST = Surat Thani

FERRY	PIER	DEPARTS	DESTINATION
Haad Rin Queen	Haad Rin (KPG)	09.30	Big Buddha (KS)
Haad Rin Queen	Haad Rin (KPG)	11.40	Big Buddha (KS)
Haad Rin Queen	Haad Rin (KPG)	14.30	Big Buddha (KS)
Haad Rin Queen	Haad Rin (KPG)	17.30	Big Buddha (KS)
Haad Rin Queen	Big Buddha (KS)	10.30	Haad Rin (KPG)
Haad Rin Queen	Big Buddha (KS)	13.00	Haad Rin (KPG)
Haad Rin Queen	Big Buddha (KS)	16.00	Haad Rin (KPG)
Haad Rin Queen	Big Buddha (KS)	18.30	Haad Rin (KPG)
Lomprayah	Thong Sala (KPG)	11.00	Bophut (KS)
Lomprayah	Thong Sala (KPG)	16.30	Bophut (KS)
Lomprayah	Bophut (KS)	08.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Lomprayah	Bophut (KS)	12.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Lomprayah	Thong Sala (KPG)	08.30	Mae Haad (KT)
Lomprayah	Thong Sala (KPG)	12.30	Mae Haad (KT)
Lomprayah	Mae Haad (KT)	09.30	Thong Sala (KPT)
Lomprayah	Mae Haad (KT)	15.00	Thong Sala (KPT)
Seatran EXP	Thong Sala (KPG)	07.00	Nathon (KS)
Seatran EXP	Thong Sala (KPG)	13.00	Nathon (KS)
Seatran EXP	Nathon (KS)	11.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Seatran EXP	Nathon (KS)	16.30	Thong Sala (KPG)
Songserm	Thong Sala (KPG)	07.00	Nathon (KS)
Songserm	Thong Sala (KPG)	12.00	Nathon (KS)
Songserm	Thong Sala (KPG)	15.30	Nathon (KS)
Songserm	Thong Sala (KPG)	12.00	Nathon (KS)
Songserm	Nathon (KS)	09.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Songserm	Nathon (KS)	11.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Songserm	Nathon (KS)	16.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Songserm	Nathon (KS)	10.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Raja Ferry	Thong Sala (KPG)	07.00	Donsak (ST)
Raja Ferry	Thong Sala (KPG)	10.00	Donsak (ST)
Raja Ferry	Thong Sala (KPG)	13.00	Donsak (ST)
Raja Ferry	Thong Sala (KPG)	17.00	Donsak (ST)
Raja Ferry	Donsak (ST)	07.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Raja Ferry	Donsak (ST)	10.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Raja Ferry	Donsak (ST)	14.00	Thong Sala (KPG)
Raja Ferry	Donsak (ST)	17.30	Thong Sala (KPG)

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