Most reviewed
The Samui ferry
Quickest crossing
- Time30 to 165 minutes
- PickupOptional
- Best forStaying on Phangan
Spot your stop
How to get to Koh Phangan from Samui: the ferry guide
See 20 route stops
Koh Phangan on the map
Pick a route and tap a pin or a stop: you get its note and a Google Maps link.
The main pier of the island, where the HMS Phangan Memorial Museum stands near the pier.
Google MapsAt Mae Hat a sandbar stretches to the island of Ko Ma.
Google MapsKo Ma has great snorkelling and a viewpoint for those who climb.
Google MapsOne of the west coast beaches named for sunsets.
Google MapsAnother west coast beach named for sunsets.
Google MapsA fishing village on the north coast, drawn here to place the north of the island.
Google MapsA north-east bay that the 4x4 road trips and the cruise's beach stop reach.
Google MapsHat Rin is named as the most famous beach of the island, where people like to party.
Google MapsA royal pavilion of King Rama V stands near this waterfall, one of three he named.
Google Maps
A royal pavilion of King Rama V stands near this waterfall, one of three he named.
Google MapsA waterfall in the south-west interior, drawn here to place the inland day.
Google MapsThe waterfall seen from the zipline on the north-west side of the island.
Google MapsA north-east bay that the 4x4 road trips and the cruise's beach stop reach.
Google MapsAt Mae Hat a sandbar stretches to the island of Ko Ma.
Google MapsKo Ma has great snorkelling and a viewpoint for those who climb.
Google Maps
Hat Rin is named as the most famous beach of the island, where people like to party.
Google MapsThe main pier of the island, where the HMS Phangan Memorial Museum stands near the pier.
Google MapsOne of the west coast beaches named for sunsets.
Google MapsAnother west coast beach named for sunsets.
Google MapsAt Mae Hat a sandbar stretches to the island of Ko Ma.
Google Maps
Map source: © OpenStreetMap contributors
The piers on both islands, how long each kind of boat takes, why there is no flight, and the routes in from Surat Thani, Krabi, Phuket and Koh Tao.
Editorial team, kohphangandaytrip.click · Updated November 12, 2026 · Reading: 6 min
Essentials
- Fastest boatHigh-speed ferries are given at approx. 45 to 90 minutes.1
- Cheapest ticketFerry tickets start from $10, one way.
- No airportThe Tourism Authority of Thailand says Phangan has no airport.2
- From the mainlandSurat Thani to Phangan starts from $10, one way.
- Book aheadBooking early matters most from December to March.3
The short answer: a boat from Samui
How to get to Koh Phangan is a short question with a short answer: by boat. There is no airport on the island, a point the Tourism Authority of Thailand made in a 2017 feature that also called the effort of reaching it part of the attraction.2 From Samui the crossing is the most common route, because both islands sit in the same corner of the Gulf of Thailand and the operators run regular boats between them.
The listing for the crossing has 1,888 reviews averaging 4.6 and starts from $10, which makes it both the cheapest option and the one with the most proof. Its options include a ticket on its own and tickets with hotel pickup, and a Samui airport option exists too. A cruise from Samui is the other way to arrive, covered on the prices page: it takes you to Phangan and back in one day.
This page covers the ferry and the other ways in. It does not cover Samui itself, its roads or its own getting-there routes. For what to do once you arrive, the page about the island and its areas and the page about the Full Moon night are the next stops, and both assume you have already worked out your crossing here.
Side by side
Ways to reach Koh Phangan by start, price and time
| From | From price | Time | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Samui | $10 | 30 to 165 minutes | High-speed ferry |
| Surat Thani | $10 | 2.5 to 6 hours | Ferry and shuttle |
| Koh Tao | $17 | 1.5 hours | Catamaran |
| Krabi | $28 | 5.5 to 9 hours | Van and ferry |
| Phuket by coach | $57 | 6 hours | Coach and catamaran |
| Phuket by van | $61 | 5.5 hours | Van and ferry |
The lowest fares printed on the listings, not quotes.
Samui piers and Phangan piers
The Samui piers to know are Bangrak and Nathon. Lomprayah, a high-speed catamaran operator, lists Koh Samui to Koh Phangan departures from Bangrak pier and from Nathon pier.4 The Bangrak pier is near Samui Airport, and the operator runs catamaran services from there with transfer services, which makes it the natural choice if you land at the airport.5 Nathon is on the west side of the island, so a hotel on that side is the one to pair with it.
On Phangan the main pier is Thong Sala. The Seatran ferry from Krabi, one of the listings, uses Thong Sala pier, and a speedboat day to Koh Tao starts from Thong Sala Pier as well. Haad Rin, on the south of the island, is where the Full Moon night is held, and the party boat listings land guests there. The map above shows the Phangan end of the crossing, with Thong Sala pier and Haad Rin pinned against the beaches.
The ticket with hotel pickup reaches many corners of Samui, with zones that include Nathon, Maenam, Bophut, Bangrak, Chaweng, Lamai and Choeng Mon. If your hotel is outside them you meet the boat at the pier yourself. A taxi to the pier is a cost of its own, so a ticket with pickup can be cheaper than it looks.
Minutes afloat
Crossing times by kind of ferry, in minutes
- High-speed, shortest45
- High-speed, longest90
- Vehicle ferry, shortest90
- Vehicle ferry, longest120
Journey times as the operator Lomprayah states them; schedules may vary, so check the day.1
Crossing times by boat type
The Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry time depends on the boat. Lomprayah quotes journey times of roughly 45 to 90 minutes on its high-speed ferries and 90 to 120 minutes on its vehicle ferries, with a warning that schedules may vary.1 The ferry listing is more cautious still: its key details run from 30 to 165 minutes, because that number includes pickup and waiting as well as sailing. A good rule is to count the crossing as the middle of the range and add the transfers on either side.
The same operator links Samui with Phangan, Koh Tao, Chumphon and Bangkok by high-speed catamaran, with an air-conditioned bus from Chumphon.6 Smaller speedboats make the same crossing for day-trip operators, and the Full Moon speedboat from Samui is one example, a 7-hour excursion in total. The sailing is the short part of such a trip; the rest is boarding, waiting and the late return.
Timing your ferry matters more than choosing the model. Boats run on a timetable that the operators change by season, and Lomprayah says plainly that schedules may vary, so check the current time on the day you plan to travel.1 If you are connecting to a flight or a night bus, leave a wide margin rather than a tight one.
Pick by plan
Which way to Phangan suits you
Say what you are doing on the island and see the matching route.
If I am staying on Phangan
The ferry from Samui
A one-way ticket from $10, with pickup if your hotel is in a zone.
If I land at Samui Airport
The Bangrak pier
Catamarans run from Bangrak, near the airport.5
If I want Phangan and back in one day
The junk cruise
A full day with lunch and snorkeling, from $104.
If I am coming from Surat Thani
The mainland ferry
A one-way ticket from $10, taking 2.5 to 6 hours.
If I am coming from Koh Tao
The catamaran
A ticket from $17, in about 1.5 hours.
Ways in
Ferry, shuttle or day cruise
Long haul
From Surat Thani
From the mainland
- Time2.5 to 6 hours
- PiersDonsak or town
- DailyWeather permitting
Day return
The junk cruise
Sold on this site
- Length8 hours
- StartsYour Samui hotel
- IncludesLunch and snorkel
Can you fly to Koh Phangan?
Not directly. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has described Phangan as an island with no airport, and the practical answer is to fly to the nearest airport and finish by boat.2 From Samui Airport the shortest route is the Bangrak pier, where the Lomprayah route list includes a service from Samui Airport (Bangrak Pier) to Koh Phangan.15
The listing for the airport option is the one ferry ticket that starts with the airport, and it is part of the same product family as the main ferry ticket from $10. That is the cheapest and simplest way to link a flight to the island. The mainland alternative is to fly to Surat Thani and finish by ferry, and the Surat Thani to Phangan crossing in the listings starts from $10.
Plan on a flight to Samui or to the mainland, a transfer to a pier and a crossing, and give yourself most of the day. A morning flight and an afternoon ferry is a realistic target, while a late flight and a same-night crossing is a risky one, so check the last departure of the day before you book your flight.
Price your crossing
Work out the ferry bill
Set your group size and see the one-way fares multiply out.
Weigh up 4 options
Work out the ferry bill
Set your group size and see the one-way fares multiply out.
- Samui ferryOne way · per person starting at $10
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View - Surat Thani ferryOne way · per person starting at $10
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View - Koh Tao catamaranOne way · per person starting at $17
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View - Krabi transferOne way · per person starting at $28
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View
Figures are GetYourGuide from-prices, translated at the ECB reference rate. The booking step shows what you pay exactly.
A ferry day from Samui
From hotel to Thong Sala
Before you go
Choose the pier
Bangrak suits an airport arrival; Nathon the west side.4
At the hotel
Pickup if booked
Pickup zones include Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam.
At the pier
Check in early
Boarding runs to a timetable the operator may change.1
On the water
The crossing
A high-speed boat takes approx. 45 to 90 minutes.1
On arrival
Thong Sala pier
Onward transport waits at the pier on Phangan.
For the return
Keep it flexible
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
From Surat Thani, Krabi, Phuket and Koh Tao
From the mainland, a one-way ferry from Surat Thani to Phangan starts from $10, with departures from Donsak Seatran Ferry Pier and from Surat Thani Town. Its key details list 2.5 to 6 hours, and the ferry runs daily unless there is unforeseen bad weather. Luggage over 55x40x20 cm, or a backpack over 20 kg, needs an extra seat on the shuttle options.
From the Andaman coast, a ferry transfer from Krabi starts from $28, with the Seatran ferry from Thong Sala pier on the return, and takes 5.5 to 9 hours. From Phuket the listings include a van and ferry transfer from $61 that takes 5.5 hours, and a coach and high-speed catamaran from $57 that takes 6 hours. The Phuket van picks up free only in Patong, Kata, Karon and Phuket town.
From Koh Tao, a high-speed catamaran to Phangan starts from $17 and takes 1.5 hours to 135 minutes in the key details. Its listing says arrival times are estimates and recommends leaving a margin before any onward connection. Koh Tao is the easiest neighbour to add to a Phangan stay, and TAT describes the link as a short boat ride.16
Video
How to reach Samui, Phangan and Tao by boat
Bangkok Jack on YouTube · Video data is requested only when you tap play.
has no airport, but this is part of the attraction. Visiting to this lush green getaway requires effort
Sea, weather and the last boat
The wet end of the year affects boats. For the southern east coast the Land Development Department gives November as the rainiest month, and says showers last to the year's end.14 Its winter season, from mid-October to mid-February, is when that coast receives a great amount of rain.17 Ferries usually keep running, but delays and cancellations are more likely.
The listings spell out the policy. The Surat Thani ferry operates daily unless there is bad weather, and the Full Moon speedboat can be cancelled or rescheduled if the sea is unsafe, with a full refund or another date. Smartraveller adds habits for sea travel: look at the weather and the ocean on the day, and ask how many people the vessel is allowed to carry.13 Both checks are quick and free.
Book ahead when the island is busy. Another ferry operator, Songserm, urges passengers to book ahead, especially in the peak months from December to March.3 Keep your return ticket flexible, since free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure is common in these listings. A late boat is easy to catch when your booking is flexible and your plans are not tied to the minute.
FAQ
Questions answered quickly.
How do I get to Koh Phangan from Samui?
By boat.
A high-speed ferry crosses in approx. 45 to 90 minutes, from $10 one way.1
Can you fly to Koh Phangan?
How long is the ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?
About 45 to 90 minutes.
That is the operator's high-speed range; the booking listing counts 30 to 165 minutes with pickup.1
Which Samui pier is near the airport?
Bangrak.
Lomprayah runs catamarans from Bangrak pier, near Samui Airport.5
How do I reach Phangan from Surat Thani?
By ferry.
A one-way ferry starts from $10 and takes 2.5 to 6 hours.
Is there a ferry from Koh Tao?
Yes.
A high-speed catamaran from Koh Tao starts from $17 and takes about 1.5 hours.
Do ferries run in the rainy season?
Usually, with delays.
Rain persists into December, and November is the wettest month.14
Should I book the ferry in advance?
Yes, in peak season.
Songserm recommends booking early, especially from December to March.3
Sources
- Lomprayah High Speed Ferries (lomprayah.com) · Lomprayah ferry tickets ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Phangan - a colorful getaway in the Gulf of Thailand ↩
- Songserm Express (songserm.com) · Koh Samui, Phangan and Tao ferries ↩
- Lomprayah High Speed Ferries (lomprayah.com) · Lomprayah ferry tickets ↩
- Lomprayah High Speed Ferries (lomprayah.com) · Lomprayah ferry tickets ↩
- Lomprayah High Speed Ferries (lomprayah.com) · Lomprayah ferry tickets ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Colourmoon Festival 2017 opens to showcase different sides of Ko Phangan life
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Phangan - a colorful getaway in the Gulf of Thailand
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Phangan - a colorful getaway in the Gulf of Thailand
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Phangan - a colorful getaway in the Gulf of Thailand
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Phangan - a colorful getaway in the Gulf of Thailand
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Phangan Colour Moon Festival returns for the second, greater and bigger year
- Australian Government Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au) · Thailand travel advice ↩
- Land Development Department of Thailand (ldd.go.th) · Seasons ↩
- Lomprayah High Speed Ferries (lomprayah.com) · Lomprayah ferry tickets ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Ko Phangan, Ko Tao and Ko Nang Yuan ↩
- Land Development Department of Thailand (ldd.go.th) · Seasons ↩