The island of Koh Phangan in Thailand is well known for its Full Moon Party, but it’s unfair to think that this destination is only about partying. In addition to its unique atmosphere and diverse beaches, Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf of Thailand, an ideal area for diving.
If you want to discover this paradise, you’ll first need to know how to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan, and here we’ll explain all the details.
There are about 500 kilometers between Bangkok and the main port that serves as the gateway to Koh Phangan, and then you’ll need to travel another 100 kilometers across the sea to reach the island. Since there is no airport on Koh Phangan, you will have to arrive by boat.
One of the most common ways to travel from Bangkok to Koh Phangan is by bus, and it’s perhaps the preferred option for most backpackers staying in the Khaosan area.
We won’t deny that traveling to Koh Phangan by bus and ferry can be tiring due to the long hours on the road, but the Lomprayah agency—which manages this journey—offers first-class buses that are clean and spacious. They depart from Rambutree Street, right in the heart of the capital’s most international district, and you can buy tickets through 12GoAsia.
If you decide to take the bus from Bangkok to Koh Phangan, prepare for a journey of approximately nine hours to the port, where you will board a ferry that takes about an hour and a half to reach the island. The ticket typically costs between 35 and 45 euros, with departures in the evening or early morning.
You could also make this trip separately by booking a bus from Bangkok to Chumphon and then taking a ferry to Koh Phangan, but it’s not worth it since only Lomprayah’s boat is high-speed; other options can take twice as long or more.
More experienced travelers in Thailand often prefer to take the train from Bangkok to Koh Phangan, especially if they have more time. This option offers the most scenic journey but also requires the most time.
If you choose to travel to Koh Phangan by train, you’ll find it less tiring than the bus journey. The first step is to book a ticket from Bangkok to Surat Thani. We recommend traveling overnight in a second-class sleeper berth.
Although this ticket is a bit more expensive, typically around 25 euros, it saves you the cost of a night’s accommodation and allows you to rest during the trip. You can book your ticket through 12GoAsia.
When you arrive at Surat Thani station, you’ll find a Lomprayah office where you can purchase a combined bus and ferry ticket for the rest of the journey for about 20 euros. They’ll take you to the pier and help you board the boat to Koh Phangan.
You can also book your ticket in advance online and travel with the Phantip company, which also departs from Surat Thani train station. The choice is yours.
This option for traveling from Bangkok to Koh Phangan can take up to 20 hours due to multiple transfers, so it’s best suited for those with plenty of time.
As mentioned earlier, Koh Phangan does not have an airport, nor is there a bridge connecting it to the mainland. However, you can save a lot of travel time by booking a flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani, which takes just over an hour and usually costs between 20 and 40 euros.
At the Surat Thani airport, you can purchase a ticket with Lomprayah for a van transfer to the port, followed by a boat to the island. This combined road and sea journey costs about 20 euros. Alternatively, you could choose the Phantip company, although their ferry service is slightly slower.
Another option is to fly to Koh Samui Island and then take a ferry to Koh Phangan. However, this might not be worth it, as the time savings are minimal, and flights to this popular Gulf of Thailand destination typically cost over 130 euros each way.
Therefore, if you’re looking for our recommendation on how to get from Bangkok to Koh Phangan, we suggest traveling via the Surat Thani region, whether you decide to go by air, sea, or land.
