Skip the typical Thai islands and head to Koh Phangan instead. This place became world-famous because of the Full Moon Parties held in the jungle waterfalls and beaches.
Then you have Koh Phangan nightlife that extends far beyond monthly beach raves. You can find many locals in Haad Rin, Thong Sala, and Sri Thanu hosting fire shows, reggae sessions (Jamaican music genre) and sunset gatherings.
To enjoy all this, first you need to land on this island. Unlike neighbouring islands, there is no airport here. That’s why your travel requires a few stops, and knowing how to reach Koh Phangan is important to experience all the best things with no hassle.
However, the best thing is that not having an airport keeps development in check. And filters out mass tourism, preserving the laid-back vibe that makes it special.
Understanding Koh Phangan’s Location and Accessibility
Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf of Thailand, between Koh Samui and Koh Tao. This island covers 125 square kilometres of jungle, beaches, and fishing villages. And you can only reach Koh Phangan via water transportation.
There are a few essential things to remember
- Airport: No airport exists in Koh Phangan.
- Entry Point: Thong Sala Pier serves as the main entry point.
- Ferry Point: Ferries connect from Koh Samui, Surat Thani, and occasionally Koh Tao, with varying schedules throughout the day.
How to reach Koh Phangan?
From India, fly directly to Bangkok or Phuket (about 4 hours 50 minutes). Once you land, take a connecting flight to Koh Samui (around 1 hour). From there, head to the Koh Samui ferry terminal and take a ferry to Koh Phangan (about 30 minutes).
If you are travelling on a budget, consider taking a bus package. From Bangkok or Phuket airports, operators offer routes to Surat Thani by road.
Travel Duration
- Bangkok to Surat Thani (by road): 13 to 14 hours
- Phuket to Surat Thani (by road): Around 5 hours
From Surat Thani pier, take a ferry to reach Koh Phangan (around 2 hours). Once on the island, you can rent scooters near the ferry points or hire local taxis to get around.
Understanding how to reach Koh Phangan also involves learning about Thailand’s ferry network. Planning your trip usually includes a mix of flights, buses, and boats, all of which are covered in detail in this guide.
Quick Look into Reaching Koh Phangan
- Fastest route: Flight from Bangkok → Koh Samui → Ferry to Koh Phangan
- Budget route: Overnight bus from Bangkok or the city you are in → Surat Thani → Ferry to Koh Phangan
| Starting Point | Best Option |
| Bangkok | Flight to Koh Samui + Ferry |
| Bangkok | Bus to Surat Thani + Ferry |
| Phuket | Flight/bus to Surat Thani + Ferry |
| Krabi | Flight/bus to Surat Thani/Koh Samui + Ferry |
| Pattaya | Bus to Bangkok + Flight/bus to Surat Thani/Koh Samui + Ferry |
| Koh Samui | Direct ferry |
| Surat Thani | Direct ferry |
Travel Routes to Koh Phangan
With many options of flights, buses and ferries, you might be confused about travelling to Koh Phangan.
If you plan better, you can explore two to three cities without spending a lot of money. Just know the direct flights from India, and from there, connect your routes via ferry or bus for budget travel.
Basically, your final travel mode to reach Koh Phangan is via ferry. And the main starting pier is-
- Surat Thani
- Koh Samui
Take a look at some of the direct flights from India to Thailand in the table below. And from there, you can take a bus and ferry to Koh Phangan.
| From | Thailand City/Island | Duration for Direct Flights (approx) | Cost in INR (Approx) |
| India | Bangkok | 04 h 30 m | 13,500 |
| Phuket | 04 h 55 m | 12,000 |
There are connecting flights from India to Thailand. If you choose connecting routes, be aware that costs and travel durations are higher.
Also, you have to go through terminal change and layover hours, which can even exceed 7-10 hours.
Here are the connecting flights from India to Thailand cities/islands
- Krabi
- Chiang Mai
- Chiang Rai
- Hat Yai
- Koh Samui
- Pattaya
How to Reach Koh Phangan from Bangkok
When we talk about Thailand, Bangkok is the only place that first-time travellers go. Also, you get satisfied with all the places you visit in Bangkok.
But don’t limit yourself to tourist things; after experiencing the fame of Bangkok, head to Koh Phangan. There are multiple route options that exist based on your priorities for speed, comfort, and budget.
There are many flights from Bangkok, but not directly to Koh Phangan. Let’s see the boarding and landing points, the cost, and the duration.
Option 1: Flight + Ferry
- Bangkok → Koh Samui
(Flight – 01 h 05 m – approx 9,500 INR)
- Koh Samui Airport → Koh Samui ferry point
(Mae Nam, Bang Rak, or Nathon piers via taxi)
- Koh Samui piers → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 30m – approx 1000 INR)
Option 2: Flight + Ferry
- Bangkok → Surat Thani
(Flight – 01 h 15 m – approx 6,500 INR)
- Surat Thani Airport → Surat Thani pier
(Donsak Pier via taxi or combined bus-ferry tickets that include airport pickup)
- Surat Thani Pier → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 02 h – approx 900 INR)
Option 3: Bus + Ferry
You can also take a bus from Bangkok. You will have a combined bus and ferry to Koh Samui and take a ferry to Koh Phangan.
- Bangkok → Surat Thani (Bus – 12 to 15 hours – approx 3,000 INR)
- Surat Thani → Koh Phangan (Ferry – 2 hours – approx 900 INR)
If you don’t want to spend your time travelling, this is not the best option. But for someone who is on a budget and doesn’t mind travelling, this is the best option.
You can save one night’s accommodation cost while travelling. The buses will be comfortable for sleeping and relaxing.
How to Reach Koh Phangan from Phuket
The most famous destination, next to Bangkok, is Phuket. Many tourists from India land in Phuket for its nightlife.
When you are travelling from Phuket to Koh Phangan, it means crossing Thailand’s peninsula from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf.
From Phuket, you need to take a flight to Surat Thani and then a ferry to reach Koh Phangan.
Option 1
- Phuket → Surat Thani
(Flight – 06 h – approx 7,000 INR)
- Surat Thani Airport → Surat Thani pier
(Donsak Pier via road transport)
- Surat Thani Pier → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 02 h – approx 900 INR)
Option 2: Flight + Ferry
- Phuket → Koh Samui
(Flight – 55 m – approx 11,000 INR)
- Koh Samui Airport → Koh Samui ferry point
(Mae Nam, Bang Rak, or Nathon piers via taxi)
- Koh Samui piers → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 30m – approx 1000 INR)
Option 3: Bus + Ferry
- Phuket → Surat Thani
(Bus – 05h – approx 1,000 INR)
- Surat Thani Pier → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 02 h – approx 900 INR)
How to Reach Koh Phangan from Krabi
Krabi is on the Andaman coast. And from here, you need to travel through mainland Thailand to reach the Gulf islands.
Option 1: Flight + Ferry
- Krabi Airport → Koh Samui Airport
(Flight – 55m – approx 11,000 INR)
- Koh Samui Airport → Koh Samui ferry point
(Mae Nam, Bang Rak, or Nathon piers via taxi)
- Koh Samui ferry point → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 30m – approx 1000 INR)
Option 2: Bus + Ferry
- Krabi → Surat Thani
(Bus – 03h – approx 850 INR)
- Surat Thani Pier → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 02 h – approx 900 INR)
How to Reach Koh Phangan from Pattaya
Pattaya is on Thailand’s eastern side and attracts people with a huge range of tourist events. Though Pattaya and Koh Phangan are connected by water, there is no direct ferry service.
Option 1: Flight + Ferry
- Pattaya Airport(Utapao) → Koh Samui Airport
(Flight – 01h 05m – approx 12,000 INR)
- Koh Samui Airport → Koh Samui ferry point
(Mae Nam, Bang Rak, or Nathon piers via taxi)
- Koh Samui ferry point → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 30m – approx 1000 INR)
Option 2: Bus + Ferry
- Pattaya → Bangkok
(Bus – 02h 30m – approx 450 INR)
You can spend a day exploring Bangkok or go directly to Koh Phangan. Make your Thailand itinerary accordingly.
- Bangkok → Surat Thani
(Bus – 11h – approx 2,200 INR)
- Surat Thani → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 02 h – approx 900 INR)
Option 3: Bus + Ferry
- Pattaya → Surat Thani
(Bus – 14h – approx 3,000 INR)
- Surat Thani → Koh Phangan
(Ferry – 02 h – approx 900 INR)
Ferry Operators to Choose from when Travelling to Koh Phangan
There are so many ferries going to Koh Phangan. It’s good to know some of the best operators. You can check their official websites to book any day tours or ferries.
Conclusion
Travelling to Koh Phangan requires navigating Thailand’s transport network. It can be overwhelming when in a foreign country, but the journey itself becomes part of your adventure.
There are multiple routes from every major tourist spot in Thailand. Based on your trip plan, you can choose a balance of time, cost, and comfort.
Also, you don’t have to figure out everything on your own. You can reach us, and we will guide you. We will help you with everything that is needed for your Thailand trip.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Reach Koh Phangan
What is the cheapest way to travel to Koh Phangan from Bangkok?
Take an overnight bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani. From there, take a ferry to Koh Phangan. You can expect to spend approximately 4,500 INR combining these transports.
By this, you don’t have to spend accommodation costs. Also, it gives you a chance to visit cities and explore at your own pace.
Can you fly directly to Koh Phangan island?
No, Koh Phangan has no airport. Though the island attracts thousands of tourists every month, the government intentionally made it this way. This preserves the island’s natural environment and controls mass tourism development.
What is the closest airport to Koh Phangan Island?
The closest airports are Koh Samui (30 km across water) and Surat Thani on the mainland (100 km by road + sea).
Travel Options
- Fly to Koh Samui Airport, then take a 30-minute ferry
- Fly to Surat Thani Airport, then take a 2-hour ferry
How to reach Koh Phangan from Koh Samui?
Reaching Koh Phangan from Koh Samui is the quickest and most convenient way, as the two islands are very close, just 115 km apart.
It’s easy to reach Koh Phangan from Koh Samui-
- Step 1: Go to Nathon Pier, Mae Nam Pier, or Bang Rak Pier in Koh Samui
- Step 2: Take a ferry from there. It can cost you approximately 1000 INR for a 30-minute ride.
- Step 3: Reach the land Koh Phangan, Thong Sala Pier.
- Step 4: From there, rent a scooter or hire a ride to reach your hotel or your preferred destination.
Is it required to book ferries from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan in advance?
It is not mandatory to book ferries in advance. But if you do, you don’t have to stand in line to get tickets.
Also, during peak times, especially full moon parties, the islands are crowded with thousands of tourists, so it is better to book in advance.
