Getting to the Island
Posted by Peter on Mar 21, 2011 in | 0 comments
If booking from outside Thailand, the best option is to fly. The region’s premiere short-haul airline is Bangkok Airways (it owns Samui Airport, the closest airport to Koh Phangan). There are 20+ flights between Koh Samui and Bangkok everyday, as well as from Asian cities such as such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Once you are on Samui, there are many speedboat services that will get you to Phangan. Just ask at the airport or any travel agents. The trip from Samui to Phangan is only about 25 minutes. Plan on getting to Samui by 430 PM to make the last boat of the day to Haad Rin, a bit earlier for Tongsala.
Speedboats and Ferries
Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf of Thailand and has no airport. In order to arrive on the island, you will need to take a ship. Three major operators in the area are Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery and Raja Ferry. In general, you will not need to worry about booking these tickets in advance. However, we encourage a visit to their websites in order to get an idea of the schedules. Some smaller airlines are partnering with these ship companies for cheaper travel options than flying to Samui.
Traveling by Bus
Most long-haul bus journeys in Thailand are taken on air-conditioned tour coaches. They are the cheapest way to get around, but on longer journeys, they can become a bit tiresome. Nearly all long-haul bus journeys are made overnight when the traffic is at a minimum.
All buses and trains stop in Suratthani town center, where you will be provided with a connecting bus to the ferry pier enabling you to continue your over-sea journey to Koh Phangan. Once you arrive at the pier, the ferry ride to Koh Phangan is about 2 and a half hours, but the scenery as you sail the Gulf of Thailand makes the trip goes by rather quickly.
Bus tickets can be booked at any travel agents or TicketMajor outlets in most popular malls in Bangkok.
State Railway of Thailand
The State Railway of Thailand operates an efficient rail service down from Bangkok to Surratthani and up from Had Yai in the deep south of Thailand. Overnight sleeper trains are the best way to go, with clean and secure carriages, waiter service and clean, crisp bedding. Make sure you book the AC private cabin for privacy.
You will want to take the train to Suratthani train station. If coming from Bangkok, plan on arriving at Suratthani no later than 530 AM in order to make the first morning ferry to Koh Phangan. Upon arrival at the train station, there will be a shared bus that will take you to the pier.
