How to Get to Koh Phangan - Best Ways to Reach Koh Phangan Island in Thailand

Often regarded as one of the best holiday hubs in all of Thailand, Koh Phangan is no less popular than Koh Samui among avid beachgoers. Home to some of the finest seaside landscapes in the country, the island is also a haven for those with a love of water sports adventures. From flying into the paradise isle to the options available for budget travellers, here are the most convenient means to reach this tropical destination. 

Manfred Werner (User:Tsui or de:Benutzer:Tsui), August 2003, Koh Phangan Faehre1, CC BY-SA 3.0

1. Flying Into the Island

While it may not be the most cost-effective way to reach Koh Phangan, those with the means can fly into the island by catching a flight to the nearby Koh Samui Airport. Koh Phangan does not have its own international airport so tourists must land at Koh Samui Airport and travel to Koh Phangan via boat trip or speed boat transfer. Finding flights heading to Koh Samui should not prove difficult as many regional destinations, as well as the Thai capital, offers direct flights to the holiday island. This not only includes Singapore, Hong Kong and Penang but also the capital of Malaysia to name a few. Travellers based in Krabi and Pattaya can also find domestic airlines flying to Koh Samui. Those who are planning to fly to Koh Phangan, however, may want to secure overnight accommodation at a Koh Samui resort as boat transfers between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan come to a stop at 6:30 pm.

2. Take the Bus

Those who wish to travel to Koh Phangan via less costly means can take the bus to the island from the Thai capital. There are a number of buses including overnight buses heading to Koh Phangan from Bangkok. While it may take more time to reach your final destination, the journey is comfortable and takes you across some of the most stunning locations across the country. The overnight bus route is a popular option among seasoned tourists as one can rest and arrive on the island refreshed in the morning hours. One should be aware that the bus from Bangkok does not go directly to Koh Phangan but Surat Thani. The entire journey takes ten to twelve hours to complete. From Surat Thani, one can hop on a ferry to Koh Phangan as most local travel agents offer bundle deals. 

3. Hop on the Train

The most time-consuming way to reach Koh Phangan is taking the train from Bangkok. The long-winded journey takes almost 16 hours but it can also be a great way to see the country although it is not the most convenient way to reach resorts in Koh Phangan the likes of Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas. Those who wish to arrive in Koh Phangan must head to the Hua Lamphong station in the Thai capital and take the bus bound for Thong Sala pier. Then it is a matter of reaching Koh Phangan via boat. 

4. Travelling around Once in Koh Phangan

Upon arriving on the island, the best way to get around is via a motorbike or scooter. As there are little to no public transportation options available on the island, the easiest way to go sightseeing or explore what Koh Phangan has to offer is to rent a scooter from a local rental company. Those who don't feel comfortable driving in a foreign land can hop-on and hop-off the songthaews or pick up trucks that transfer locals around the island for a nominal fee. The only drawback of relying on songthaews is that they do not travel long distances and are only useful for short trips to beaches and other popular locations.