Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry 2024 timetable
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find tickets for the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry in this useful 2024 travel guide.
Koh Phangan (Phantip) is one of the best islands to see in Thailand. You’ll need this guide on getting from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan the fastest way possible. Most backers travel to Koh Phangan for the full moon party – it’s awesome. Which is why I created this guide on how to get to Phangan from Surat Thani pier.
The beaches on Koh Phangan, the culture and things to do, make this one of the sweetest destinations for backpackers and tourists. Also, there are hotels on Koh Phangan that are perfect for family holidays.
Koh Phangan is easy to get to and it is also close to the other popular island of Koh Samui and Koh Tao. So you have the chance to visit these amazing islands too with just a quick ferry ride.
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Tapee pier to Koh Phangan via the Lomprayah Ferry
You can get the Tapee Pier Lomprayah to Koh Phangan ferry if you’re closer to this pier.
Let’s look at the ferry times. Tapee pier to Koh Tao, there are two ferry departure times to Koh Tao (get the earlier ferry if you can); Dep 09:00 Arr 14:15 and Dep 15:00 Arr 18:45. So, You can book the Lomprayah ferry to Koh Tao here.
Tapee pier to Koh Samui (Nathon) and there are three ferry departure times to Koh Samui; Dep 09:00 Arr 10:55, Dep 11:30 Arr 13:15 and Dep 15:00 Arr 16:45. You can book a cheap ferry ticket to Koh Samui here
Tapee pier to Koh Phangan, you can jump on either of these three ferry departure times to Koh Phangan; Dep 09:00 Arr 11:45, Dep 11:30 Arr 14:00, Dep 15:00 Arr 17:30. Check out the ferry ticket prices to Koh Phangan here.
Another popular option it the Seatran Discovery.
Getting the Raja Ferry
If you’re travelling between the mainland and islands in Thailand by car or motorbike, the Raja Ferry is a lifesaver for you! Raja Ferry services three main routes with a fleet of 13 ferries running between Donsak, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry
You may have arrived at the Surat Thani train station, and be wanting to get the high speed ferry straight away. However, I would recommened leaving the Surat Thani train station and staying overnight in the Surat Thani town centre – just to experience it.
Then get the high speed ferry in the morning.
You will want to get the ferry from Donsak Pier to Thong Sala Pier in Koh Phanghan. The ferry is regular throughout the day, so you don’t have to worry about getting a ticket. One of the things that may affect the times of the ferry, is the weather. Some boats to Koh Phangan may be cancelled due to bad weather. So, you should do a quick Google search to find out the weather around Surat Thani and Koh Phangan. How long is the ferry from Donsak Pier to Thong Sala Pier? The boat ride will take between 2-3 hours. It’s not a bad ride so you should be okay if you have trouble with sea-sickness. However, if the weather is rainy and windy, you may need them sea-sickness tablets!
How to get the Surat Thani night ferry
If you’re going to struggle to get the day ferry from Surat Thani, you can hop on the night ferry to Koh Phangan. You will board at night and do a slow cruise until you reach the Koh Phangan Island at around 6 am. Furthermore, the night ferry to Koh Phanghan takes between 6 – 8 hours, so it takes longer than the day ferry. A night-time ferry ticket price is roughly 400 Baht.
The fast ferry to Koh Phangan timetable
The ferry operates over 20 times a week, and every day. Here’s the thing, the 1600 and 1800 high speed ferry gets very busy with other backpackers and locals.
So…
I would avoid the travel time of 1600 and 1800pm ferry, and get the early morning scheduled boat. The morning travel time will give you all day to get sorted once you reach ko pha ngan.
You can check out the image below for the full timetable schedule;
Surat Thani Airport to Don Sak
If you have got a flight to Thailand, you may have landed in Bangkok first and then got a flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani airport. So, the next part is to get from the Surat Thani airport to Donsak Pier, which is where you will get the ferry to either Koh Phanghan, Koh Samui or Koh Tao. Okay, so you can either book a private taxi or get a mini-van from the airport to the pier.
How long does it take to get from the Airport to the ferry pier? The journey will take between 1-2 hours. Don’t worry about being too hot, the vans come with air-con.
Get from Chiang Mai to Koh Phangan
Like the Krabi journey, you can either choose to get a flight from Chiang Mai to Koh Phangan. Well to Koh Samui or Surat Thani airport, as Koh Phangan doesn’t have an airport. The flight from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani is a quick one, you’ll be in the air and then off the plane in under 2 hours! However, this is the most expensive route. The cheapest way is to get the coach from Chiang Mai to Don Sak Pier. But, be warned, this is a haul of a journey! All the coaches pass through Bangkok first and usually stay there for a while. You will most likely have to stay overnight in Bangkok. Also, you could get a taxi from Chiang Mai but this would be crazy expensive. So this is not a good option.
How to get from Bangkok to Surat Thani?
This is a very popular route for tourists and those of us backpacking Thailand. And, you can easily find tickets online.
My preferred way is to get the sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani. But of course, you can get a flight, taxi or coach.
Let’s look at the prices for the different ways to get from Bangkok to Surat Thani;
- Train – $28
- Flight – $60
- Bus – $20
- Taxi – $200+
The flight only takes 45 minutes, so this is the quickest way, however, it’s not the cheapest!
The bus is the cheapest, but this is not a fun way to travel for over 12 hours.
An overnight sleeper train is a great option, you will get your bed and you can just sleep the night away.
You’ll like my Bangkok to Chiang Mai guide
Koh Samui to Koh Phangan
This is one of the quickest journeys you will do!
The Lomprayah catamaran takes just 20 minutes to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, this is a real-quick ferry.
It’s no wonder why the island hopping is so popular with these fast and cheap catamarans.
If you’re wondering what’s included in the Lomprayah ferries, here’s what to expect;
- Clean area on-deck
- Toilets
- Air conditioning
- A shop that sells snacks, food and drinks
You can book the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry here.
Surat Thani to Koh Samui by ferry
Koh Samui is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand. So, many backpackers will be taking this ferry with you if you decide to travel from Surat Thani to Koh Samui.
You might not want to travel to Koh Phangan first, so here’s a guide on how to get from Don Sak Pier to Koh Samui or Koh Tao;
- Don Sak Pier to Koh Samui (Na Thon Koh Samui Songserm) – The ferry takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the island and it only costs around $9.
- Don Sak Pier to Koh Tao (Mae Haad Koh Tao) – Koh Tao is the most northern of the 3 islands. So the ferry from Don Sak Pier takes around 4-5 hours. Tickets are a little more expensive, a single ticket will cost around $20.
Once you arrive in Koh Samui, make sure you check out the Silver beach and Lamai beach.
You can search for Koh Samui accommodation and the best places to stay on Koh Samui here;
How to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan?
This, of course, is a very popular route amongst holiday-makers and backpackers. So here it is, the most comfortable and best way how to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan is to;
- board a flight to Koh Samui
- take a boat/ferry to Koh Phangan
- This travel route takes about 3-5 hours
- The most used way is to go by train or bus to Surat Thani and take a boat
- There are various tourist buses to Surat Thani.
You can book your Bangkok to Koh Phangan ticket here.
Where to stay on Koh Phangan
Once you arrive at the Koh Phangan island, you will be wanting somewhere to stay. Now, there’s plenty of hotels on Koh Phangan including luxury places to stay, mid-range accommodation and hostels perfect for our backpacking budget!
Okay, let’s have a look at some of the best places to stay on Koh Phangan;
Budget
Mid-range
Luxury
Final Thoughts
Now you have your complete guide on how to get to from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan. Also, how to get here from other places such as Bangkok and Krabi.
Once you arrive, you will have an amazing time. This is a paradise island!
Check out these posts for your trip;
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries operate from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan?
Ferries from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan typically operate multiple times per day. The exact frequency will depend on the specific ferry company and the time of year.
How long does the ferry ride from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan take?
The ferry ride from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan typically takes about two hours. However, the exact duration of the journey will depend on the specific route and the speed of the ferry.
Can I bring my car on the ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan?
Some ferries from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan may allow you to bring your car onboard, but this will depend on the specific ferry company and the size of your vehicle. It is best to check with the ferry company in advance to confirm whether you can bring your car and to make any necessary arrangements.
Is there a lounge or seating area on the ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan?
Most ferries from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan will have seating areas, and some may have a lounge or other amenities. However, the specific amenities will vary depending on the ferry company and the class of ticket you have purchased. It is a good idea to check with the ferry company in advance or ask about the available amenities when you purchase your ticket.
How much does it cost to take the ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan?
The cost of a ferry ticket from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan will vary depending on the specific ferry company and the class of service you choose. Prices may also vary depending on the time of year and demand. It is best to check with the ferry company directly or look for current ticket prices online to get an accurate estimate.