Airport

Surat Thani airport in used by several airlines including Thai Airways, Air Asia and Nok Air. It is a 75 minute flight from Bangkok.

There are connections by bus and boat to Koh Phangan (from the port of Don Sak) and these tickets can be purchased in advance from a travel operator or at the airport or indeed at most travel agencies in Thailand. It takes about 90 minutes from the airport to the ferry terminal and then it is a 2 hour 30 minutes journey to Koh Phangan by sea.

Train

Surat Thani can also be reached by train or bus. The train station is at Phun Phin located just outside the city and the bus station is in central Surat Thani. Connections to Koh Phangan are available at both locations. State Railway of Thailand

Ferry from Don Sak

Ferry companies include Lomproyah, Songserm and Raja Ferry. These boats are regular with at least one boat every hour from 08.00 – 18.30 every day. The boats leave from Don Sak which is just outside Surat Thani and the transfer to Don Sak is included within your ticket cost from either the airport or the railway station when buying a combined ticket.

Night Boat from Surat Thani

There is also a night boat that departs just before 11.00 pm from the center of Surat Thani. This is located just behind the main booking office from where all the buses depart to Koh Phangan for the day time boats.

Airport

Flights to Koh Samui are via Bangkok Air or Thai Airways and can be direct from other countries as it is an international airport.

Catamaran

The airport is located just 5 minutes by taxi to Mae Nam beach where a short 20 minute Catamaran journey can be taken to Thongsala on Koh Phangan. This is using the Lomproyah ferry company and costs 250 Baht per person. There are boats at 08.00, 12.30 and 17.30. To check up to date info please click here

Ferries

There are also many ferries from Samui which take about one hour. Ferry companies include Seatran Discovery, Songserm and the Haad Rin Queen (tickets for Haad Rin Queen only available in Thailand).

Important Information if Traveling from Koh Samui

Please do not use the Samui – Haad Rin ferry service as resorts outside of Haad Rin are not allowed to collect from Haad Rin. Phangan Island is regulated for Taxis and pick up is only allowed from Thongsala. If you do arrive via Haad Rin then you will need to make your own way by Taxi to Thongsala. This will also delay your arrival at the resort and cost a lot more in transportation.

The Island is regulated for Taxis and so not all resorts can collect from both Haad Rin although most can collect from Thongsala. It is therefore best for guests staying on the Haad Rin peninsula (Haad Rin or Leela Beaches) to take the ferry direct to Haad Rin. For guests staying elsewhere on the Island it is best to travel to Thongsala.

Please note that ferry times are subject to change and it is best to book in advance from the ferry operators website particularly at Full Moon, Christmas and New Year when the transport links are under most pressure.

Ferry Operators Websites

Links to ferries that sail to Koh Phangan. Not all ferry companies have a website however tickets can be purchased at the airport in Bangkok or at any travel agent. Combined bus / ferry tickets are available so that connections are not missed.

Lomprayah Catamaran

Seatran Discovery

www.songserm-expressboat.com - The Songserm Express Boat website may not be working correctly at the moment.

Thailand Domestic Airline Websites

Links to airlines that fly to Koh Samui or Surat Thani. From these airports ferries can be caught to Koh Phangan after a transfer by coach. On Koh Samui the ferry ports are just 10 - 20 minutes from the airport and the sea journey is 20 - 50 minutes depending upon the operator selected. From Surat Thani airport there is a 2 hour coach journey followed by a 1 1/2 hours - 2 1/2 hours ferry journey depending upon which ferry company is selected. Raja Ferries offer a service that can also take vehicles and the other services are for passenger only.

Thai Airlines

Bangkok Airways

Nok Air

Air Asia

Thailand Railways

Links to the national rail information website. Once in Surat Thani (at Pun Pin railway station which is just outside of Surat Thani) a coach can be taken to the ferry terminal. Combined train / coach / ferry tickets can be bought at any travel agent and at the railway station.

The State Railway of Thailand

Bus and Coach Travel

There are large coaches (some with aircon and some without) plus small aircon minivans that can be used to travel to Koh Phangan from just about every city in Thailand. Bus journeys vary in time on the same route so always check the length of the journey as some coaches make numerous stops whilst others are direct. You may get an early bus but then arrive after the later bus because of the number of stops. Tickets can be purchased from most travel agencies and at the bus terminal complete with a combined bus / ferry ticket if required. Also most hotels and resorts can book travel for you whilst in Thailand.

Taxi Transfers from Thongsala (the main port on Koh Phangan) or from Haad Rin

Most resorts offer a collection service from the seaports on the Island but not the airports. The Island is regulated for Taxis and so not all resorts can collect from both Haad Rin although most can collect from Thongsala. It is therefore best for guests staying on the Haad Rin peninsula (Haad Rin or Leela Beaches) to take the ferry direct to Haad Rin. For guests staying elsewhere on the Island it is best to travel to Thongsala.

Please send an email to your resort at least 48 hours in advance and a Taxi will be sent to meet you at the appropriate Ferry Terminal. There are many Ferries a day and many ferry companies and so guests will need to be clear with your instructions.

Information that will need to be sent is

Name
Room Number (if known)
Date of arrival
Time of arrival
Ferry Company Name
Departure location (Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Koh Tao)
Arrival location (Thongsala, Haad Rin

There are many examples of resorts driving all over the Island looking for their customer as the incorrect details have been supplied. When booking tickets at a travel agent insist on all these details - the name of the travel agent is not enough.