How to Get Around in Koh Phangan – Full Guide 2025

This depends on exactly what you are wanting to do and how far you are planning to travel. It is possible to walk around towns in Koh Phangan. There are also some very beautiful jungle treks on the island. However, if you are planning to walk between the main towns and beaches in Koh Phangan, the distances are too far to walk. For example, if you wanted to walk from Thong Sala (south coast) to Chaloklum (north coast), it probably takes 2 or 3 hours at a reasonable pace. So if you are hoping to explore the island and see some different beaches, you will need to work out the best transport option for you.

A few tips for renting vehicles in Koh Phangan

Here are a few tips to help you if you’re planning to rent vehicles in Koh Phangan:

• Check the vehicle for damage and maintenance issues. Take photos of any scratches or damages on the body of the vehicle and check things like brakes and lights.
• Make sure you read the contract carefully and understand your responsibilities and liabilities.
• Check what deposit your rental dealer is looking for. In some cases, they will ask for a passport. We don’t recommend this; it is much better to get a cash deposit.
• Make sure that your deposit is written on your contract or ask for a receipt for your deposit.
• Agree on a daily rental rate and try to negotiate a lower rate if you are looking for a longer rental period.
• Remember to check the amount of petrol in the tank before you drive away. You will generally be expected to return the vehicle with the same amount of petrol in the tank.

1 Motorbike rental (the cheapest way to get around in Koh Phangan)

Don’t miss our full guide to motorbike rental in Koh Phangan

Advantages and disadvantages of bike rental

The cheapest and most convenient way to get around in Koh Phangan is to rent a bike and ride around the island. Bike rental in Koh Phangan is simple and straightforward. There are plenty of bike rental dealers around, and you can often arrange bike rental through your hotel or resort. Bike rental is one of the most popular methods of transport for tourists and backpackers visiting this island. The obvious disadvantages of bike rental are lack of safety, lack of bag space, and getting soaked in a storm (especially likely from October – December but possible any time of the year). 

Prices of bike rental

On the plus side, riding a bike around Koh Phangan is a very beautiful and exhilarating way to get around. Petrol is cheap and easily available, and you can generally park your bike anywhere without problems. The daily rate for bike rental in Koh Phangan generally ranges between 150 baht (£3 or $4) and 250 baht (£6 or $6) for a basic 125cc motorbike for a short rental.

If you are able to rent for a month, you may be able to get the price down to around 100 baht per day (£2 or $3). Newer and more powerful bikes (150cc or 155cc) are likely to cost between 250 baht – 400 baht per day (£5 – £8 or $6 – $10 per day). You may be able to get longer rentals down to 200 baht per day (£4 or $5). Petrol is cheap on Koh Phangan – it generally costs around 40 baht per litre and bikes are light on petrol. 

What is the best bike rental company?

Pajampo is one of the best bike rental dealers in Koh Phangan. They are open from 9 am – 7 pm every day. This bike rental company is conveniently located a short walk from the main pier in Thong Sala. This means that you can pick up your bike straight away; there is no need to contact them in advance or reserve a bike; just show up and pick your bike.

Pajampo generally starts with very reasonable prices, so you won’t need to barter hard to get a good deal here. In order to rent a bike, you will need to leave a deposit; they generally ask for a passport or 5,000 baht; we don’t recommend leaving a passport. So be prepared for the big cash deposit. You will also need to sign a contract before you rent your bike. The bike rental contracts in Koh Phangan are standardized, so it is the same document wherever you rent. 

Safety tips – Koh Phangan by bike

If you plan to rent a bike in Koh Phangan, we just wanted to share a few safety tips. Firstly, always make sure that you wear your helmet; the roads can be very hazardous, and sadly, there are many fatalities each year, normally involving people without bike helmets. Secondly, be aware of water and sand on the roads; some areas of the island accumulate dry sand which can be surprisingly slippery on the road surface. Thirdly, be aware of other cars and vehicles on the roads; the roads in Koh Phangan can be quite fast and crowded at times.

Always ride cautiously and let cars overtake when there is space. It is also important to be aware of steep hills; some of the coast roads around the island have very steep hills, and this can be challenging, especially for inexperienced riders. If possible, we only recommend riding a bike in Koh Phangan if you have some prior experience and a reasonable level of confidence. Make sure that you are fully covered by your insurance to ride a bike in Koh Phangan.

2 Shared taxi buses (a convenient way to get around in Koh Phangan)

If bike rental is not your thing, then you may want to consider taxi options in Koh Phangan. Traveling by taxi is a convenient and easy way to get around the island; what’s more, this is safer than traveling by motorbike. However, taxi prices in Koh Phangan are relatively high, and local drivers seem to be very unwilling to barter. They really do stick to high prices. In some cases, they may discount the price a little; however, if you’re traveling on a tight budget, you can’t rely on local drivers being willing to negotiate a lower price. If you’re planning to travel around Koh Phangan, we highly recommend that you consider your budget if you are going to rely on taxis. 

How do taxis work in Koh Phangan?

The taxis in Koh Phangan are shared taxi buses called Songthaews. You can often find them waiting or flag them at the side of the road. They generally run fixed routes around the island. They also tend to have a fixed price to travel between different towns. Once you are happy with the price, jump in the back and enjoy the ride. Songthaews may be able to drop you off at a specific resort as long as it is not too far off their route; we recommend that you check this before you jump in, as you may need to walk a little to get to your exact destination. Alternatively, your driver may be willing to reroute a little to drop you at your resort or hotel, but they may charge more for this. Songthaews are colored depending on which areas they serve:

Dark Green: Thong Sala and up the west coast to Haad Yao and Haad Salad.

Blue: Thong Sala – Chaloklum and Thong Sala – Haad Rin. 

How much do taxis cost in Koh Phangan?

Prices typically range between 100 baht – 300 baht (£2 – £6 or $2.50 – $8), depending on how far you’re traveling, how many people are in your group, and what time of day you are traveling

Here are some examples of the daytime taxi prices (per person) to give you a feel for the island:

• Thong Sala – Haad Rin 100 baht (£2 or $2.50).
• Thong Sala – Chaloklum 200 baht (£4 or $5).
• Thong Sala – Haad Salad 200 baht (£4 or $5).
• Thong Sala – Thong Nai Pan 300 baht (£6 or $8). 

Private taxis (if you want to travel alone) 1,000 – 1,500 baht (£20 – £30 or $25 – $40). For nighttime taxis, you can add an extra 50 – 100 baht (£1 – £2 or $1.20 – $2.50). 

Top tip: If you are visiting Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Festival or for the Half Moon Festival, you may prefer to take a shared taxi rather than using motorbike rental to travel around the island at night. There are plenty of Songthaew buses running late into the night on these party nights. They do charge a little bit more, but this is a safe way to get to and from the beach parties.

3 Car rental (the best way for families to get around in Koh Phangan)

And finally, one of the most popular options for families in Koh Phangan is car rental. This is an underrated way to get around the island. Car rental is generally only a little bit more expensive than bike rental, and it is safer. Prices range between 500 – 1,500baht per day (£10 – £30 or $12 – $36). The advantage of car rental is more space, more safety, and protection from heavy rainstorms; you can transport your bags around the island. What’s more, car rental in Koh Phangan is surprisingly affordable, especially if you are renting for a couple of weeks or longer. Car rental is a particularly good method of transport for families. If you are uncomfortable taking your kids on a motorbike around the island, you could also negotiate a child seat or baby seat in your car rental deal. 

What is it like to drive a car around Koh Phangan?

Driving a car around Koh Phangan may sound like a very serious prospect. In reality, driving in Koh Phangan is very relaxed. You are very unlikely to be pulled over by the police, and parking around the island is generally easy (there are a few areas in Thong Sala where it can be hard to park). The main challenge is the lack of road rules, so although it is slightly easier and less intense to drive, you do need to stay very alert and watch out for risks and hazards on the road. The roads in Koh Phangan are usually crowded with bikes, pedestrians, dogs, and even the occasional monkey. So the rules are relaxed, but you do need to stay attentive if you plan to drive in Koh Phangan.

How do you rent a car in Koh Phangan?

There are several rental dealers around. We highly recommend A&M car rental for some of the best prices on the island. You can contact Mr A by email aasommas@hotmail.com or by Whatsapp +66 84 307 4244, to negotiate a deal and reserve a car. He can do pick up and drop off at the pier – which is perfect if you’re arriving by ferry with loads of baggage. We recommend that you reserve early – especially if your planning to visit in high season. You can negotiate better prices for longer rental periods.

Practicalities – How to get around in Koh Phangan?

We just wanted to share a few insights to help you understand what it is like to travel and navigate around Koh Phangan. The island is around 10 km in the North and South Direction and 15 km in the east-west Direction. It generally takes around 30 minutes to travel across the length of the island. The roads don’t have strictly enforced speed limits; however, most people drive around 40 km/hour. 

How do you navigate in Koh Phangan?

Navigating around the island is generally fairly easy; however, if you are trying to find a specific Guest House, Resort, cafe, or restaurant, some of the side roads can be obscure and difficult to find. We recommend having a good offline map available. For example, it is possible to save Google Maps offline on your phone, and you can use your phone’s location services to help you navigate. If you have saved the map offline, you don’t need mobile data to navigate around with your phone. 

What are the roads like in Koh Phangan?

Most of the roads in Koh Phangan are suitable for cars and bikes. However, there are some very steep hills which can be tricky, especially if you were sharing a bike. The steep hilly sections can be found along the road between Thong Sala and Haad Rin. The road up to the Bottle Beach Carpark (east of Chaloklum) is also very steep and challenging on a bike. There are some steep roads on the Haad Rin peninsula (southeast tip of the island). There are also some steep hills in the Than Sadet National park. If you are riding a motorbike up a steep hill, the motorbike loses speed and wobbles, which is dangerous. If you are riding your motorbike down a steep hill, keep your speed low in case you have problems with the brakes.

AND finally – some less accessible places (such as Bottle Beach) are best accessed by taxi boat (normally costs around 150baht per person and wait on the beaches for travellers)