What to expect when visiting Bangkok
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the most visited cities in the world. There’s something about the constant buzz and energy floating through its streets at all hours of the day, giving it the name of the city that never sleeps!
Its main attractions include the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. But ancient temples aren’t the only reason people flock to this vibrant city. From jam-packed shopping areas to mouthwatering street food and the wild nightlife of Khao San Road, there are so many things you can do in Bangkok.
4 ways to get from Koh Phangan to Bangkok
There are 4 ways to travel the distance of 770 kilometers (478 miles) from Koh Phangan to Bangkok by bus + ferry (12 hours to 19 hours 30 minutes), train + ferry (13 hours 30 minutes to 21 hours), flight via Koh Samui (2 hours 35 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes) and flight via Surat Thani (5 hours 55 minutes to 9 hours 40 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 hours 35 minutes to 21 hours and the quickest way is by flight via Koh Samui. The lowest priced tickets start from €22 for the train + ferry.Where to stay in Bangkok?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Bangkok at the bottom of this page.
Koh Phangan to Bangkok by Train + Ferry
You can also take the train when travelling from Koh Phangan to Bangkok. This option is cheaper than the flights, but it takes almost a full day to reach Bangkok, as it requires 3 transfers.
From Koh Phangan, you will take a combined ferry and bus or van ride to Surat Thani Train Station. From there, you can hop on a train going to Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok.
Step 1: Koh Phangan to Surat Thani Train Station by Ferry + Minivan
You can book a combined ferry and minivan ticket for 465 THB (€12.80). You will take a ferry from Thong Sala Pier to Surat Thani Pier. At the pier, you will be transferred to a bus or a minivan, which will take you to Surat Thani Railway Station.
The trip takes 4h 30m - 8h 45m with the fares starting from €15.
There are several ferry and minivan schedules to choose from on this route. Be sure to check if the schedule you booked is aligned with the train schedule.
Step 2: Surat Thani to Bangkok by Train
The last leg of this journey is the train ride from Surat Thani Train Station to Hua Lamphong Railway Station. There are multiple trips daily with the first trip at 10:25 until 23:14.
We recommend that you take a night train so that you won’t lose a day travelling. You can check the schedule below for the 2nd-class sleeper trains.
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We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eying the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
For more info, check out our page on Surat Thani to Bangkok.
Koh Phangan to Bangkok by Bus + Ferry
While travelling by bus may take more time, it’s a lot cheaper than taking a plane or train. You also get to save a few dollars in accommodation if you choose to take a night bus.
Jarinthon Tour (2553), Krungsiam, Montanatip Tour & Travel, Nara Travel, Travel Plus, Raja Ferry, Lomprayah and Khao San Nara Travel operate bus and ferry trips from Koh Phangan to Bangkok. Each operator offers only 1 trip daily.
Travelling by bus takes around 12 hours to 19 hours 30 minutes, making it the perfect time to catch up on some sleep.
Departure and arrival stations
The first part of the journey is departing from Thong Sala Pier in Koh Phangan. The ferry will take you to Donsak Pier in Surat Thani and from there, you will transfer to the bus onward to Bangkok.
If you will board the Montanatip and Lomprayah buses, the last stop is at Khaosan Road, which is about 5 minutes away from Bangkok centre by taxi.
Meanwhile, Krungsiam buses arrive at Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). You could take Bangkok’s metro system or a taxi to reach the centre in 20-30 minutes.
Bus + Ferry schedules from Koh Phangan to Bangkok
If the bus route passes by your hotel in another area, you can request the driver to drop you off at the nearest stop, but note that not all drivers will oblige.
Koh Phangan to Bangkok by Flight via Surat Thani
A cheaper option to travel by flight from Koh Phangan to Bangkok is to fly from Surat Thani Airport (URT). This takes at least 3 hours longer than flying from Koh Samui but is still much faster than taking the bus or train.
Step 1: Koh Phangan to Surat Thani Airport by Ferry + Bus
First, you have to take a combined ferry and bus ride from Koh Phangan to Surat Thani Airport.
There are 3 companies operating on this route: Phantip Travel, Raja Ferry, and Lomprayah. The earliest departure is 05:00 and the last is 11:00 in the morning.
Fares start at €15.50 and travel time is 5-6 hours for standard ferries. But if you take the high-speed ferry of Lomprayah for a few more dollars, you can reach Surat Thani Airport in about 3 hours.
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Ferries depart from Thong Sala Pier in Koh Phangan and take you to Donsak Pier in Surat Thani. From there, a van or bus will be waiting to take you directly to Surat Thani Airport.
Step 2: Surat Thani to Bangkok by Flight
From Surat Thani Airport, the flight takes around 1h 10m, and airfare starts at 800 THB (€22).
There are several airlines operating on this route like AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air. Flights land at Don Muang Airport (DMK), which is located around 1 hour from Bangkok city centre.
You can check the best flight offers on Skyscanner.
Koh Phangan to Bangkok by Flight via Koh Samui
Taking a flight is the fastest way to get from Koh Phangan to Bangkok, but there is no airport on the island.
The closest airport to Koh Phangan is in Koh Samui. You will need to take a 1.5-hour ferry ride to Koh Samui. From there, you can hire a taxi or minivan to take you to the airport.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Koh Phangan to Koh Samui by Ferry
You easily reach Koh Samui by taking a ferry which departs from Thong Sala Pier and arrives at Lipa Noi Pier in Koh Samui. Fare starts at €7.10 for the 1.5-hour ferry ride.
There are multiple ferry trips offered by Raja Ferry and Seatran Discovery from 7:00 in the morning until 16:00 in the afternoon. You can check the schedule below so that you can plan ahead.
Seatran Discovery also offers a combined ferry + minivan that will directly drop you off at Samui Airport for 645 THB (€17.70).
This option is very convenient because you don’t need to arrange an airport transfer. However, there are only 2 trips per day so make sure to align the schedules with the flights.
Step 2: Koh Samui to Koh Samui Airport by Taxi
If you didn’t book a ferry with drop-off at the airport, you will need to travel from Lipa Noi Pier to Koh Samui Airport (USM).
The ride takes about 1 hour and fares start from 490 THB (€13.50) if you book with Grab.
Alternatively, you can book a private car with SmackOne that will bring you from Lipa Noi pier to Samui Airport. Fare starts at 945 THB (€26) on 12GoAsia.
Step 3: Koh Samui Airport to Bangkok by Flight
There are multiple daily flights from Koh Samui Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. All flights are operated by Bangkok Airways. The airport is about 33 km east of the Khao San Road area, which is one of the most popular areas in the centre of Bangkok.
You can get a ticket for around 3,000 THB (€82), and the flight takes about 1h 15m. For the best flight offers, we recommend checking Skyscanner.
Be sure to factor in the time it will take for your ferry to cross from Koh Phangan and the travel time from the pier to the airport.
Best places to stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is a big and bustling city with each neighbourhood offering something different to the next. Covering nearly 1600 km² and offering over a thousand accommodation options, it can be slightly daunting picking where to stay. Here is a quick rundown of our favourite areas to stay in Bangkok:
- Khao San Road — is one of the most famous areas in Bangkok, known for its party reputation. This area attracts a lot of backpackers that are looking for cheap accommodation and a place to party.
- Sukhumvit — has a more relaxed nightlife, centred around sophisticated restaurants and rooftop bars as opposed to travellers dancing on tables. It’s a great jumping-off point to explore the jam-packed city, thanks to the good connections via public transport.
- Riverside — along the Chao Phraya River, you’ll find an area rich in history and culture, hosting many of the popular sights of Bangkok, including the Royal Palace and Wat Pho – the Reclining Buddha.
Check out our favourite accommodations in Bangkok:
dusitD2 Samyan - Treating Yourself
dusitD2 Samyan is one of the most unique hotels in Bangkok with its tiered appearance overlooking the city. You can take a refreshing dip in their sky swimming pool and enjoy the panoramic views. Or head to the gym and take them in whilst working up a sweat.
The floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel create a bright and modern feel. The rooms are stunning, and decorated to an extremely high standard. This is one of the best hotels in Bangkok.
- One of the coolest buildings in Bangkok
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Onsite gym
- Bright and modern rooms
King rooms start from $110 per night.
The One Smart Living - Treating Yourself
The One Smart Living offers incredible value for money. The rooms are beautiful and feel extremely luxurious. You won’t want to leave your room it’s so nice!
It’s a great choice if you want to be close to the airport, but not so close that you’re constantly hearing planes above your head. The staff are incredibly helpful and super friendly. It’s hard to fault this place.
- Great value for money
- Close to the airport
- Helpful staff
- Beautiful rooms
Double rooms start from $50 per night.
Naga Residence - Mid Range
Naga Residence feels less like a hotel and more like a home — just a very beautifully designed home that’s exceptionally clean. The rooms are very spacious and all of them have a private balcony overlooking the city.
There’s also an onsite gym, garden and terrace area for you to enjoy. And when you venture out of the hotel there are plenty of restaurants, shops and cafes nearby.
- Huge rooms
- Exceptionally clean
- Private balcony
- Onsite gym
Double rooms start from $37 per night.
Phranakorn-Nornlen - Mid Range
It will be hard to find another hotel in Bangkok like Phranakorn-Nornlen. This hotel is like a piece of art, with every room decorated differently and boasting a unique theme. Make sure to pick your room wisely.
The staff takes your stay here to another level. They are incredibly friendly and helpful. They’ll give you great recommendations for the local neighbourhood which is full of cosy cafes and local restaurants.
- Unique design and rooms
- Incredible staff
- Nice local neighbourhood
- Very clean
Double rooms start from $33 per night.
Greenery Hostel - Budget Friendly
As you’ve probably already guessed, Greenery Hostel has a green theme both inside and outside. It actually creates a really tranquil vibe inside a busy city.
The rooms are simple but great value for money. Plus there are nice chill-out spaces throughout the hostel with a swing, games and comfy chairs. It’s in a great location, close to lots of Bangkok’s attractions.
- Great value for money
- Relaxing chill-out areas
- Good location
- Free cancellation
Private rooms start from $21 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Koh Phangan to Bangkok
What is the distance from Koh Phangan to Bangkok?
The distance from Koh Phangan to Bangkok is 770 kilometers (478 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Koh Phangan to Bangkok?
The fastest way to get from Koh Phangan to Bangkok is by flight via Koh Samui and takes 2 hours 35 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Koh Phangan to Bangkok?
The cheapest way to get from Koh Phangan to Bangkok is by train + ferry with ticket costs starting from €22.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Koh Phangan to Bangkok. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
