Thailand Koh Phangan

How to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan

In this in-depth route guide, you can compare the best ways to travel the 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. Our team of indpendent travel experts researched each route — breaking down each option by travel time, price, and comfort. Plus, we’ll share the best booking options to help you get the best deal.

Written by Maarten - Trip Planning ExpertReviewed by Abegail - Travel WriterLast updated: May 27, 2024

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Why visit Koh Phangan?

Koh Phangan is an island known for its full moon parties. Every month during full moon, Haad Rin Beach hosts an all-night-long celebration. This alone attracts thousands of travellers to this side of southeast Thailand!

But Koh Phangan is more than just a party destination. Surrounded by crystal clear waters and a lush green landscape, there are plenty of things to do in Koh Phangan during the day. You can explore the island’s best beaches, discover its 7 waterfalls, or join a yoga and meditation course.

What are the 3 ways to travel from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?

There are 3 ways to travel the 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. You can choose between the minivan, private transport and ferry. The journey takes 20 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by with tickets starting at .

Transport

Duration

Pricing

Transport Options

Minivan

1h 30m - 2h

From

Book Tickets

Private Transport

1h - 1h 45m

From

Book Tickets

Ferry

20m - 2h 30m

From

Book Tickets

Where to stay in Koh Phangan?

Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Koh Phangan at the bottom of this page.

Koh Samui to Koh Phangan by Minivan

Duration: 1h 30m - 2h

Costs:

Duration: 1h 30m - 2h

Costs:

A minivan ride from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan costs around . The minivan journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

Seatran Discovery operates on this route.

Minivan options from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan

Samui Airport

Standard

Koh Phangan Transfer

09:30

1h 30m

11:00

14:30

1h 30m

16:00

Seatran Discovery

Get Your Tickets

Koh Samui Transfer

Standard

Koh Phangan Transfer

09:30

11:30

14:30

16:30

Seatran Discovery

Get Your Tickets

Koh Samui to Koh Phangan by Private Transport

Duration: 1h - 1h 45m

Costs:

Duration: 1h - 1h 45m

Costs:

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.

Rates start from for a 10-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about per person. Travel time is around 1 hour to 1 hour 45 minutes.

Private Transport options from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan

Standard

Speedboat Ferry 10 PAX

Price per person =

Sub Somwang Fullmoon Party Speedboat

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Ferry 7 PAX

Price per person =

Sub Somwang Fullmoon Party Speedboat

Get Your Tickets

Speedboat

Speedboat Ferry 10 PAX

Price per person =

JK Speed Tour

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Ferry 7 PAX

Price per person =

JK Speed Tour

Get Your Tickets

Speedboat

Speedboat Ferry 12 PAX

Price per person =

JK Speed Tour

Get Your Tickets

Speedboat

Speedboat Ferry 16 PAX

Price per person =

JK Speed Tour

Get Your Tickets

Speedboat

Speedboat Ferry 50 PAX

Price per person =

JK Speed Tour

Get Your Tickets

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Koh Samui to Koh Phangan by Ferry

Duration: 20m - 2h 30m

Costs:

Duration: 20m - 2h 30m

Costs:

Seatran Discovery ferry departing from Koh Samui's Bangrak Pier to Koh Phangan — Seatran Discovery ferry departing from Koh Samui’s Bangrak Pier to Koh Phangan (Source: BookAway)

Being the more popular and bigger island, Koh Samui houses many piers. When you travel from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, you can board ferries from any of these piers.

The ferry trip to Koh Phangan takes around 20 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on the ferry company. There is also an option to depart from Samui Airport, which will take around 3 hours to Koh Phangan.

TIP: Book your tickets at least several days in advance as tickets tend to sell out fast.

Departure and arrival station

We recommend first checking the location of your hotel so that you can choose the pier that is closest to your hotel. Even with hotel pick-up, it will save you some travel time.

All ferries going to Koh Phangan dock at the Thong Sala Pier in the southwest part of the island. The exception is the shuttle + ferry service provided by SmackOne.

SmackOne offers pick-up service from Koh Samui Airport, and the ferry drops off passengers at Haad Rin Beach – the beach that became famous for its full moon parties in the south of Koh Phangan.

Option 1: From Koh Samui Airport to Koh Phangan

Duration: 1h - 2h 30m

Costs:

Duration: 1h - 2h 30m

Costs:

Coming from Koh Samui Airport and wanting to go straight to Koh Phangan? SmackOne and Seatran Discovery both offer shuttle + ferry services from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.

If you’re planning to stay in the southern part of Koh Phangan (and can’t wait to hit the first bar), you can book with SmackOne, as the arrival port is Haad Rin Beach. Meanwhile, Seatran Discovery heads to Thong Sala Pier, along with all other ferries.

The combined shuttle and ferry ride takes 1h - 2h 30m and costs .

Samui Airport (USM)

Standard

Haad Rin Pier

09:00

2h 15m

11:15

15:30

2h 15m

17:45

SmackOne

Get Your Tickets

Samui Airport (USM)

Standard

Thong Sala Pier, Koh Phangan

09:00

10:00

14:00

15:00

Seatran Discovery

Get Your Tickets

Samui Airport (USM)

Standard

Thong Sala Pier (Raja, Lomprayah, Seatran)

08:00

2h 15m

10:15

09:30

11:30

10:30

12:30

11:00

13:00

2h 15m

15:15

13:00

15:00

2h 30m

17:30

SmackOne

From

Samui Airport (USM)

Standard

Koh Phangan - Any hotel in Baan Kai, Haad Baan Tai and Haad Rin

09:00

1h 30m

10:30

14:00

1h 30m

15:30

Seatran Discovery

Get Your Tickets

Samui Airport (USM)

Standard

Haad Rin Pier (Haad Rin Queen Ferry)

13:30

15:30

SmackOne

Get Your Tickets

Option 2: From Bangrak Pier to Thong Sala Pier

Duration: 30-45m

Costs:

Duration: 30-45m

Costs:

Bangrak Pier on the north coast is the port nearest to Chaweng Beach, the most popular beach on the island. This is why tourists usually take ferries from this port when travelling to Koh Samui.

Lomprayah Bangrak Pier

Catamaran

Thong Sala Koh Phangan

09:30

0h 30m

10:00

14:30

0h 30m

15:00

Lomprayah

Get Your Tickets

Bangrak Pier

High Speed

Thong Sala Pier, Koh Phangan

09:30

0h 45m

10:15

14:30

0h 45m

15:15

Seatran Discovery

Get Your Tickets

Option 3: From Mae Nam Pier to Thong Sala Pier

Duration: 30m

Costs:

Duration: 30m

Costs:

Another port you can depart from is Mae Nam Pier on the north coast of the island. Located about 20 minutes from Bangrak Pier, this port is accessible to tourists staying at the beaches on the north and northeastern side of Koh Samui.

For , the Lomprayah ferry can take you from Mae Nam Pier to Thong Sala Pier in Koh Pangan in just 30m.

Maenam Pier Koh Samui (Pralan Pier)

Standard

Lomprayah Ticket Office, Thong Sala pier

11:00

0h 30m

11:30

Lomprayah

Get Your Tickets

Maenam Samui

Catamaran

Thong Sala Koh Phangan

08:00

0h 30m

08:30

Lomprayah

Get Your Tickets

Maenam Pier

Catamaran

Thong Sala Koh Phangan

12:30

0h 30m

13:00

Lomprayah

Get Your Tickets

Option 4: From Na Thon Pier to Thong Sala Pier

Duration: 30m - 1h

Costs:

Duration: 30m - 1h

Costs:

Lomprayah also has a ferry departing from Na Thon Pier. This pier is on the western side of Koh Samui and is less convenient if you’re staying around Chaweng beach area.

If you’re staying on the west side of the island, leaving via Na Thon pier is a great option that gets you to Koh Phangan in just 30m - 1h.

This ferry company also offers hotel pick-up service for an additional 440 THB (€11.60) per person.

Nathon Pier Koh Samui

High Speed

Thong Sala Pier (Songserm)

10:30

11:30

Songserm

Get Your Tickets

Na Thon Koh Samui

Catamaran

Thong Sala Koh Phangan

12:15

0h 30m

12:45

16:00

0h 30m

16:30

Lomprayah

Get Your Tickets

Option 5: From Lipa Noi Pier to Thong Sala Pier*

Duration: 1h 30m

Costs: 180 THB (€4.70)

Duration: 1h 30m

Costs: 180 THB (€4.70)

Rajah Ferry is the most affordable option when travelling from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. While it is the cheapest option at 180 THB (€4.70), this ferry has the longest travel time, around 1h 30m compared to other ferries’ 30-minute travel time.

This ferry operates from Lipa Noi Pier, which is also on the west side of the island and a few km away from Na Thon Pier. If you’re staying at Chaweng beach, you have to take a 45-minute taxi ride to this port.

Rajah Ferry also offers hotel pick-up with a private van that fits up to 6 passengers for 800 THB (€21). This service is a great option if you’re travelling in a group. However, if you are only with 1 or 2 people, you might be better off with a taxi to Lipa Noi Pier.

Lipa Noi Pier

Thong Sala

07:00

1h30m

08:30

16:30

1h30m

18:00

Rajah Ferry*

180 THB (€4.70)

Get Your Tickets

The last time we checked (October 2024), Rajah Ferry was not available. Please click the link provided to see if anything has changed.

Other arrival stations

Koh Samui - Any hotel

Standard

Thong Sala Pier, Koh Phangan

08:00

2h 15m

10:15

13:00

2h 15m

15:15

Seatran Discovery

Get Your Tickets

Petcherat Marina Bangrak

Speedboat

Baan Tai Pier

09:00

0h 20m

09:20

12:00

0h 20m

12:20

16:00

0h 20m

16:20

18:30

0h 20m

18:50

20:30

0h 20m

20:50

Echo Travel

From

Sub Somwang Plai Laem Pier

Speedboat

Haad Rin Pier (Haad Rin Queen Ferry)

17:00

0h 45m

17:45

18:00

0h 45m

18:45

19:00

0h 45m

19:45

20:00

0h 45m

20:45

21:00

0h 45m

21:45

22:00

0h 45m

22:45

23:00

0h 45m

23:45

Sub Somwang Fullmoon Party Speedboat

Get Your Tickets

Bangrak Pier

Standard

Koh Phangan - Any hotel in Baan Kai, Haad Baan Tai and Haad Rin

09:30

10:30

14:30

15:30

Seatran Discovery

Get Your Tickets

Nathon Pier Koh Samui

High Speed

Koh Phangan - Any hotel in Baan Kai, Haad Baan Tai and Haad Rin

10:30

1h 45m

12:15

16:30

1h 45m

18:15

Songserm

Get Your Tickets

Koh Samui - Any hotel

Standard

Koh Phangan - Any hotel

08:00

2h 30m

10:30

13:00

2h 30m

15:30

Seatran Discovery

Get Your Tickets

Show 1 more operator(s)

Best places to stay in Koh Phangan

Benjamin's Hut - Budget Friendly

Benjamin’s Huts are very far from huts. In fact, they’re not huts at all. They’re spacious and modern rooms that offer a very comfortable night’s sleep. If there’s a group of you, opt for the two-bedroom village with its own private pool!

Staying here you’re seconds from the sea and a 10-minute drive from Thong Sala Pier. This accommodation proves that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a paradise beachfront stay.

Modern and clean rooms
Option for private pool
On the beach
Great value for money

Private rooms start from $29 per person.

Check Available Rooms

Secret Garden - Budget Friendly

You don’t need to splash the cash to go for a splash in a pool on Koh Phangan. Secret Garden has a stunning swimming pool surrounded by greenery, sun loungers and beanbags.

The hotel is located in Thong Sala, putting you close to plenty of restaurants and cafes, but the onsite restaurant is the real hidden gem! Make sure to check it out.

Beautiful swimming pool
Comfortable chill spots
Great location
Delicious onsite restaurant

Private rooms start from $27 per night.

Check Available Rooms

CheeVa Beach Resort - Mid Range

Just 500m from Baan Tai Beach, CheeVa Beach Resort offers a stunning place to stay. There’s an onsite restaurant, a beautiful outdoor swimming pool with sea views and a fully-stocked bar. You’ll even find a pool table on the beach.

Each room comes with its own sun terrace, comfortable beds, and air conditioning. Need help with something? The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful.

Great location
Beautiful swimming pool
Tasty onsite restaurant
Sea views from private sun terrace

Private rooms start at $35 per night

Check Available Rooms

Baan Manali Resort - Mid Range

Baan Manali Resort is incredible value for money. You can get the beachfront bungalow experience for less than $50 per night. The bungalows are beautiful with a private balcony and hammock.

Enjoy a quiet location on the private Nai Wok Beach. Spend all day lounging on the white sand or swimming in the infinity pool overlooking the beach.

Beachfront bungalow
Private balcony and hammock
On Nai Wok Beach
Infinity pool

Private rooms start from $43 per night.

Check Available Rooms

Mangata Boutique Bungalows - Treating Yourself

With an almost perfect rating, Mangata Boutique Bungalows ticks all of the boxes. Want to open your curtains in the morning and be greeted by stunning sea views? You can do that here!

Or do you want to swim in an infinity pool overlooking the beach? You can do that too. The rooms are absolutely stunning boasting unique designs and a balcony. This place feels like your own private oasis.

Incredible accommodation
Right on the beach
Infinity pool
Beautiful rooms with balcony

Bungalows start from $140 per night.

Check Available Rooms

Frequently Asked Questions about Koh Samui to Koh Phangan

What is the distance from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?

The distance from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan is 15 kilometers (9 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?

The fastest way to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan is by ferry and takes 20 minutes.

What is the cheapest way to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?

The cheapest way to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan is by with ticket costs starting from .

Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. 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!

About the author(s)

Maarten

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.

Abegail

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.

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