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What is the best way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Phangan in 2026? Before you read on, some big things have changed for this route recently – it is essential to read this article carefully to avoid expensive & stressful mistakes. You will find quite a lot of old and out of date info online.
The golden rule for travel – a little research and preparation now can save many problems later. We have designed this guide to be a super helpful travel guide (we have done this journey a few times over the years – so we hope our experience helps you plan a smooth trip)
In this article we will compare different methods of transport for this journey. We will share different ways to book your tickets and we will help you navigate this journey step by step. And we will help you picture what to expect to help you plan your journey and avoid upsetting mistakes. We really do hope this article helps you plan a smooth and enjoyable trip to one of our favourite destinations in Thailand.
DON’T FORGET TO BOOK AN AMAZING PLACE TO STAY – THE BEST Koh Phangan Resorts
Overview of ways to travel from Bangkok to Koh Phangan
If you only have a few weeks in Thailand and you want to make the most of your time in the beautiful Koh Phangan, it’s super important to choose the best means of travel. You will need to consider various things like budget, time and comfort. So what is the best way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Phangan?
There are several ways to travel from Bangkok to Koh Phangan. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Take a flight: You can take an internal flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui and then take a ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. This is fast, relatively convenient but is the most expensive.
- Take a train and ferry: You can take a sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then buy a combined bus and boat ticket to transfer you from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan.
- Take a bus and ferry: You can also take a sleeper bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then take a ferry to Koh Tao.
We will review each of these options more fully to help you plan your trip and make the best decision for you.
Why Koh Phangan?
There are plenty of reasons to visit Koh Phangan. Where to start?! Here is a list of some reasons to get your butt down to Koh Phangan…
- Amazing night life (e.g. Full moon parties, half moon parties and more)
- Chilled hippy vibes (lots of yogis and chilled beach bars)
- Great place for digital nomads (lots of trendy affordable cafes and coffee shops)
- Stunning nature (waterfalls, jungles, beaches and more)
- Great for families (play spaces and family friendly activities)
- Lovely Thai culture (local food, night markets and more)
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on things to do in Koh Phangan
Bangkok to Koh Phangan: methods of transport compared
| Method | Average price | Travel time excluding layovers and waiting time | How to book tickets |
| Train and boat (BEST for comfort & price) | £40 £30 train + £10 minibus and ferry | 15 hours 12 hours train + 1 hour minibus + 2 hours ferry (depending on the service) | Book train tickets at any train station in Thailand a few days in advance. It is a little more expensive but you can also book train tickets on 12GO Asia. You can purchase the ferry ticket at Surat Thani near the train station (including transfer to the pier) |
| Bus and boat (Best for low budget travellers) | £20 – £30 | 13 hours 11 hours bus + 2 hours ferry (depending on the service) | You can normally book bus tickets from travel agents and hostels in Bangkok. You can also book the FULL JOURNEY online on Klook. Alternatively you can buy your ticket at the Southern Bangkok bus terminal. |
| Flight and boat (Best for speed & convenience) | £120 £100 flight + £10 taxi + £10 boat | 90 minutes + transfer time (1 hour flight + 30 minutes boat) | Use skyscanner to find the best deals on flights Book boat tickets with Lomprayah |
What do you do if you want to travel to Koh Samui or Koh Tao?
If you’re planning to travel to Koh Samui or Koh Tao, this article will be helpful for you too. If you’re traveling to Koh Samui you can fly from Bangkok or just take the train or bus and boat option. If you’re going to Koh Tao – follow the same info but just travel a little further by boat to Koh Tao. The cheapest ferry company (Raja Ferry) does not travel as far as Koh Tao so you will need to take a Lomprayah ferry instead.
Don’t miss our travel guide: Travelling From Koh Phangan to Koh Tao
Option 1 Take a train and ferry
In our view this is the BEST way to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan as long as you have time. Trains are affordable, interesting and relatively comfortable.
IMPORTANT UPDATED INFORMATION: Trains to Surat Thani no longer depart from the Bangkok Hualamphong train station (central Bangkok). Trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani now depart from the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station (situated in the North of Bangkok near Chatuchak Park). You need to allow at least an hour to reach this train station if you’re travelling from central Bangkok. Taxi journeys across Bangkok city can be very slow in rush hour. You can also take the subway. Take the MRT Blue Line and get off at Bang Su Station.
How do you book Train Tickets for this journey?
It is cheapest & easy to book tickets at the station but be aware trains can sometimes sell out during busier periods. If possible we recommend booking your train tickets at least 3 days in advance to get your seat or bed preference (first class beds disappear fast!) You can purchase these train tickets at any station in Bangkok. They normally have English speaking staff and you don’t need to book at your departure station. You may need to show a passport when you book your train ticket. You can book tickets in advance online using 12Go Asia, at the station or from a travel agent or hostel in Bangkok.
The Official State Railway of Thailand Website also has a ticket booking option but this is unreliable (this website is also surprisingly hard to find on Google!)
What are the trains like?
We recommend taking a sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani. This saves travel time & also saves the cost of 1 night accommodation in a hotel. The night train is also fun and relatively comfortable. If you are able to take the train that departs at 7.50pm it should arrive in Surat Thani around 5.30am (earlier trains arrive sickeningly early – before 5am!). 5.30am should allow you enough time to have a smooth transfer to the morning ferries.
- First class sleeper cabins: Generally sleep 2 or 4 people and include a lockable door, small sink and a small amount of space to store bags. They also have a socket to charge your phone or laptop!
- First class compartments are more expensive but the difference may be worth it if you’re travelling as a group, family or have lots of valuables
- Book early if possible to reserve a first class cabin
- Second class sleeper carriage: Generally have rows of beds. We recommend taking a lower bed if possible to avoid the intense A.C. Beds have the privacy of curtains.
- Seats: You can also buy seats on the night trains. We don’t really recommend this as this would not be comfortable or conducive to a good night sleep.
Be aware that there is no buffet car on the Bangkok-Surat Thani night trains. However, individuals sometimes hop on the train selling rice and local food. We recommend beginning drinks and food on the train with you (also get dinner before you depart).
WHAT DOES THE TRAIN JOURNEY LOOK LIKE?
Check out our fun giggle-filled adventures on the train from Bangkok to Surat Thani…
The Journey to Koh Phangan
The price difference between classes is not very big and it is worth paying the extra for a bed. Most night trains depart from Bangkok around 5pm – 7pm and arrive between 4am – 6.30am. Check arrival times – it is preferable to arrive a little later if possible.
Once you arrive in Surat Thani, it is very easy to buy tickets to Koh Phangan. There are several travel agents around 1 minute walk from the station selling combined bus and boat tickets. They generally wait for minibuses to fill up. Minibuses from Surat Thani to Donsak pier generally depart between 6.30am – 8am. The bus journey is by minibus and takes around 1 hour.
From a travel agent in Surat Thani: Seatran and Raja (bus boat combi tickets) cost 480 baht for an adult (around £10 or $12) and 360 baht for children (around £7 or $10).
TOP TIP: If you’re travelling with young kids it may be cheaper to share minibus seats. You can share a seat on the bus (kids should be free for the bus section of the journey if you share seats). You can buy a Seatran or Raja ferry ticket ONLY (no bus) for an adult 240baht (around £5 or $6) at the Donsak Pier. For the boat journey Children 100cm – 150cm in height are half price and children below 100cm free. Minibus tickets on their own (no ferry) cost 250baht per seat (around £5 or $6). Add up the prices for your family to work out the cheapest option for you.
The boat journey takes around 2.5 hours from Donsak Pier to Koh Phangan with Raja Ferry. Boats depart at 5am, 8am, 11am, 2pm and 8pm.
Option 2 Take a bus and ferry
This is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan. However, this is also the least comfortable method of transport. You can take buses from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) to Surat Thani.
Buses take around 10 hours and you can find night buses with reclining seats. It is not necessary to book bus tickets in advance, although you can book tickets online or with travel agents. The absolute cheapest way to get your bus tickets is just to turn up at the bus station and book them there. Be aware that night buses are not very comfortable and it is important to look after your valuables carefully. Buses may arrive at terrible times (e.g. 4am). From Surat Thani bus station you can buy connecting tickets to Koh Phangan. Alternatively, make your own way to Donsak Pier (around an hour outside Surat Thani) and you can book a Raja Ferry to Koh Phangan.
BOOK A BUS & FERRY COMBI – Bus & ferry tickets from Bangkok to Koh Phangan
Option 3 Fly and take a ferry
This is the fastest and most convenient way to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan. But it is also the most expensive method of transport and delays or cancellations can be very frustrating. Bangkok Airways operate several flights per day from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Koh Samui Airport. The flights take around 1 hour.
CHECK Skyscanner to get the best deals on flights
If you are booking your flight as one booking from your country of origin all the way to Koh Samui, this may be more expensive but the airlines will take responsibility for transferring your check in luggage. And if you miss your connecting flight due to delays the airline should take responsibility for getting you on a later flight. Alternatively, you may wish to book the Bangkok to Koh Samui flight separately and this may save money (the best way to be sure is check using SkyScanner). If you book the Samui flight separately remember to check that Bangkok Airways offers the same check in luggage allowance as your first flight. Also make sure you leave a sufficient gap between flights uncase there is a delay on your first flight.
The amount of time you leave depends on how much your willing to risk it but a few hours is normally the minimum recommended time between flights. When you arrive in Koh Samui the airport is pretty small and easy to get through. Koh Samui airport is also pretty close to the Lomprayah ferry terminal and they have several ferries per day to Koh Phangan. It is not necessary to book a taxi to the ferry terminal in advance. There will be lots of drivers at the airport. Which pier you go to depends on which ferry service you wish to use:
- If you take a Lomprayah or Marine Passion speedboat: Bangrak Pier near the airport. Walk or 50 – 100 baht taxi from the airport.
- If you take a Lomprayah Catamaran: Nathon Beach Lomprayah Pier – North West of Koh Samui take a taxi for around 400 – 500 baht
- If you take a Raja slow ferry: Lipa Noi Pier – South West of Koh Samui – around 800baht for a ferry and the journey takes around 90 minutes.
Ferry schedule from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan
| Company and departure port | Departure time | Journey time | Boat type | Price |
| Lomprayah (Bangrak Lomprayah Pier) | 8.00am | 30 minutes | Speed boat | 350 baht (promotions for 300 baht) |
| Raja Ferry (Lipa Noi Pier, south west Koh Samui) | 9.30am | 90 minutes | Large slow boat (can take cars and bikes) | 150 baht |
| Lomprayah (Bangrak Lomprayah Pier) | 12.00pm | 30 minutes | Speed boat | 350 baht (promotions for 300 baht) |
| Marine Passion (Bangrak Marine Passion Pier) | 12.30pm | 30 minutes | Speed boat | 350 baht (promotions for 250 baht) |
| Lomprayah (Na Thong Pier) | 12.30pm | 30 minutes | Catamaran | 350 baht (promotions for 300 baht) |
| Raja Ferry (Lipa Noi Pier, south west Koh Samui) | 2.00pm | 90 minutes | Large slow boat (can take cars and bikes) | 150 baht |
| Lomprayah (Bangrak Lomprayah Pier) | 4.30pm | 30 minutes | Speed boat | 350 baht (promotions for 300 baht) |
| Raja Ferry (Lipa Noi Pier, south west Koh Samui) | 6.30pm | 90 minutes | Large slow boat (can take cars and bikes) | 150 baht |
All of the boats from Koh Samui go to the Thong Sala pier in Koh Phangan. From here you can easily arrange taxis to your accommodation (normally 100baht – 500baht depending how far you need to go). Taxi prices tend to be quite standardized and drivers are not generally happy to barter.
Top tip: Be careful on your return journey to allow sufficient time for your return flight. It is recommended to take the boat from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui at least one day before your flight. Boat services can occasionally be canceled or delayed due to bad weather. This is particularly true in the Thai monsoon season (July – December).
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao compared
It can be tricky to decide which of the islands to go to. Koh Samui is the largest and closest to the mainland. Accommodation is more expensive on Koh Samui. Koh Samui has an airport, a mall and a large town. Koh Phangan is further from the mainland and is medium size. Koh Phangan is famous for the full moon parties, but in recent years is attracting more families and people are enjoying more of the island. Koh Tao is the smallest and further from the mainland. The cost of food and transport is higher on Koh Tao. Koh Tao is famous for diving and has a few amazing view points too.
Summary: What is the best way to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan?
In our view the train and boat option is the best if you have time. The sleeper trains are comfortable and because you travel overnight you save the cost of one night’s accommodation AND you don’t lose that much travel time (you would be sleeping either way!). Taking the train is a fun and interesting experience.
Although the bus option is cheaper than a train, it is far less comfortable. Even the “sleeper buses” are not that comfortable with reclining seats. In contrast, sleeper trains offer relatively comfortable and spacious beds. The trains are also a fun and interesting experience. The main tip is to bring some food and drinks along and enjoy the journey.
Flying is a good option if you are short of time. However, be aware that it can add hundreds of pounds to your overall holiday budget.
Where do you want to go next?
Here is the beautiful Nang Yuan viewpoint a short boat ride from Koh Tao…
Koh Samui is also a beautiful island near Koh Phangan with plenty to see and do – find out how to travel from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui
Alternatively Koh Tao is a small island and great for diving and snorkelling – Learn to to get from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao
OR if you want to go further afield why not check out the beautiful Krabi on the west coast of Thailand? You can get there in a single day. Find out how to travel from Koh Phangan to Krabi
