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Phangan Island

Transportation

Ferry & speedboat crossings
White sand beach lined with coconut palms and low-rise bungalows beside turquoise water under blue sky, Thailand

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Destination overview

Phangan Island Information

Traveling to Koh Phangan by speedboat or ferry is the most convenient and popular option. Thousands of travelers make their way to this stunning island from nearby Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and the Surat Thani mainland. While Koh Phangan is a year-round destination, the demand skyrockets during the "Full Moon Party" periods. Ferries and speedboats fill up quickly, so booking early is essential if you're traveling at this time.

Koh Phangan's main pier, Thong Sala Pier, is located on the island's southwest, close to the famous Ban Had Rin Beach. Ferries carry 180–300 passengers and offer breathtaking views. These ferries undergo regular safety checks and are fully equipped with lifejackets and other safety gear.

For FerrySamui.com customers, the process is seamless. To ensure a smooth journey, check our Travel Tips page, arrive at the pier at least 30 minutes before departure, and have your E-ticket ready. Pier staff will provide you with a destination sticker for your trip.

Here’s how to get to Koh Phangan:

  • From Koh Samui: Ferries depart frequently from Bangrak Pier and Maenam Pier, with a travel time of 30–45 minutes.

  • From Surat Thani: Ferries from Donsak Pier connect the mainland to Koh Phangan in about 2.5 hours.

  • From Koh Tao: High-speed ferries take approximately 1.5 hours.

  • Direct from Bangkok: Choose a combination ticket (bus and ferry) for a hassle-free journey.

 

Songserm ferry moored at a long concrete pier under hazy blue sky, green island headland in the distance
Schedules & prices

Departures from Phangan Island

The first 8 of 77 departures leaving Phangan Island today — pick one to choose your date and book.

See all 77 departures from Phangan Island
Schedules & prices

Arrivals in Phangan Island

The first 8 of 78 services arriving in Phangan Island today — pick one to choose your date and book.

See all 78 arrivals in Phangan Island
Popular stations & vehicles

Piers

Ban Tai

Ban Tai Pier: Ferry and Speedboat Access on Koh Phangan Ban Tai (also spelled Tai Pier, or บ้านใต้ in Thai) is a beach and...

Haad Rin Queen Pier

Unveiling Haad Rin Pier: Koh Phangan's Doorway to Paradise At the southern tip of the beautiful island of Koh Phangan...

Thong Sala Pier

Koh Phangan Gateway: Adventures Begin at Thong Sala Pier Step onto Thong Sala Pier, the gateway to Koh Phangan. Located...
About Phangan Island

Koh Phangan Information

Koh Phangan at a glance

Koh Phangan is a great little island sandwiched between Koh Tao (35km) to the north and the larger Koh Samui (15km) to the south. Phangan is the location of the notorious "Full Moon Party" on Haad Rin Beach, which attracts masses of partying backpackers who arrive from everywhere seeking the party of their lives! Yet Koh Phangan is about so much more than a wild party. It's a beautiful place, mostly unspoilt and full of tranquil natural beauty. Lots of people come for the serenity of Phangan, and you can find lots of wonderful little hotels, spas and retreat centres to relax and soak up the tropical ambience!

That mix is what makes the island easy to plan around. The party crowd concentrates on the south-east corner at Haad Rin, while the rest of the coastline stays quiet, so the beach you choose matters as much as the date you travel.

How to get to Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan sits in the Gulf of Thailand and has no airport of its own, so every arrival involves a sea crossing. Most travellers reach Phangan Island either by a direct boat from a nearby island or by a combined land-and-sea ticket from the mainland, where a road transfer connects to a pier and a boat completes the journey.

We list 124 routes bookable routes serving the island, with connections to Ao Nang, Bangkok, Chumphon, Donsak, Hua Hin, Khao Sok National Park and 7 more places. Enter your departure point and date to see what is running, who operates it and the current fare from ฿199.

Operators serving the island

Boat services to and from Koh Phangan are run by companies including Haadrin Queen, Lomlahkkhirin High Speed Ferries and Lomprayah High Speed Ferries Co., Ltd. Each operator uses its own piers and timetable, so the arrival beach can differ even on the same route. Check the several operators and pier details shown on your chosen departure before you book, and use them to pick the crossing that lands closest to your accommodation.

Ports and piers

Arrivals and departures are spread across a small number of piers rather than a single terminal. Thong Sala, on the west coast, is the island's main pier and the usual arrival point for services from the mainland and neighbouring islands. Haad Rin, on the southern tip, handles shorter crossings and is the closest landing point to the Full Moon Party beach.

On the other side of each route you will typically use a mainland pier or an island pier on Koh Samui or Koh Tao. The exact pier for your ticket is confirmed during booking, so read the departure details rather than assuming — piers a few kilometres apart can mean a very different onward taxi ride.

Popular routes to and from Koh Phangan

The island's busiest connections reflect its position between two well-known neighbours and the mainland transport hubs behind them.

  • Koh Samui to Koh Phangan — the shortest island hop, 15km to the south, and a common first leg for travellers flying into Samui.
  • Koh Tao to Koh Phangan — the northern link, 35km away, often used as part of a three-island trip.
  • Bangkok to Koh Phangan — a long combined journey from the capital, usually sold as a single through ticket.
  • Chumphon and Donsak to Koh Phangan — the mainland pier towns that feed most of the Gulf crossings.
  • Hua Hin, Ao Nang and Khao Sok National Park to Koh Phangan — longer overland-plus-boat itineraries linking the beaches, the Andaman coast and the rainforest interior.

Travelling onward afterwards? The same connections work in reverse, so you can continue north towards the dive sites or south to the airport island without backtracking.

Practical travel information

Book ahead around the full moon. Haad Rin fills quickly in the days before and after the party, and both boats and beds are under pressure at that time. Outside those dates the island is far calmer and seats are easier to find.

Sea conditions vary through the year, and crossings can be delayed or cancelled in rough weather. If you have a flight to catch from Samui or the mainland, leave a generous buffer rather than connecting on the same day.

Arrive at the pier in good time, keep your booking confirmation accessible, and check the baggage terms shown with your ticket — allowances and any surcharges are set by the operator, not by the island. Getting around once you land is by songthaew, taxi or rented scooter; the interior roads are steep in places, so take local advice before riding across the island.

What to see and do

Beyond Haad Rin, the island rewards exploring. The north and east coasts hold quiet bays reached by dirt track or longtail boat, the interior is largely national park with waterfalls and viewpoints, and the west coast catches the sunset. Yoga schools, detox retreats and spas cluster in the quieter bays, which is why many visitors come for a week of doing very little.

Snorkelling and diving are strong here too, with easy access to reefs around the island and to the dive sites further north.

Book your trip to Koh Phangan

Compare every operator, pier and departure across all 124 routes routes in one place, with live prices from ฿199 and instant confirmation. Search availability for your travel date and secure your seat.

Highlights

Crowded beach at Koh Phangan with a hand-painted "Welcome to Full Moon Beach" sign and people in swimwear on the sand

Full Moon Party!

Crazy with a capital C! This is not your average party, it is completely wild. Haad Rin Beach becomes a sandy dance floor as a truly global gathering of backpackers and travelling party people dance and socialise the night away in the wildest possible way! PhuketFerry.com is sure that two-thirds wake up the next day saying stuff like "what happened" and "where are we"! Yes, alcohol abounds (in sand buckets actually), and normal living is suspended. Our advice is BE CAREFUL (well we tried!). Actually, it does make sense to read up a bit about what to expect, because there are some cautionary notes to be found, but whatever you do, have a good time at the party in paradise!




Palm-fringed white sand beach with longtail boats moored in turquoise shallows under an overcast sky

Phangan Beaches

Starting with the infamous Haad Rin Nok, which is the most popular beach complete with all the tourist amenities, this beach turns into a massive sandy dance floor on full moon party night and takes a while after to get cleaned up. Why not try Haad Rin Nai in the south, otherwise known as "Sunset Beach". To the southwest you'll find Ao Ban Tai and Ao Ban Khai, which are two long beaches with stunning sunset views. To the West there's Had Yao and Mae Had, which are beautiful, highly rated beaches with soft sand and great snorkelling conditions. Finally, to the East, there's the picturesque Had Yao and Thong Nai Pan, which are still so special and tranquil.


Tropical coastline with palm trees, wooden pier huts and small boats moored under an overcast sky

Natural Beauty of Phangan

Koh Phangan is blessed with wonderful waterfalls and viewpoints if you are adventurous enough to venture inland. Check out the Domesila Viewpoint and then hike around 15 minutes to swim in the fresh waters of Phaeng Waterfall in the beautiful Phaeng National Park near Thong Sala Beach. There's also a viewpoint of the north of the island on a rocky viewpoint that's 30-45 minutes away-and-up from Haad Khuat (Bottle Beach). Many people enjoy a hike in Phangan along trail that leads between Haad Rin and Haad Tien, and if it's relaxing upon the ocean you'd prefer, then try a special little boat trip whilst enjoying the natural beauty of Ko Maa and other areas. 


Decommissioned grey navy warship with hull number 73 sitting on grass as a land-based memorial

Getting Around Phangan

It's relatively easy to get around Koh Phangan. Car or motorcycle taxis are available, or you could take a "songthaew", which is a small pickup truck with seats and a roof at the back that seats around 10 people. If you're feeling extra adventurous then how about renting a motorcycle so you have much more traveling freedom. If you're fairly inexperienced be extra careful. Phangan roads are not all smooth so beware the potholes, always wear your helmet and get some insurance coverage. Best cars for hire are definitely the four-wheel drive automatic cars that'll enable you to move effortlessly up and down the hilly landscape. 


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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where is the pier that my ferry departing from?

Phuket Ferry :

We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents; we are happy to help.

 

Ferry Samui :

FWe understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.

 

Bali Ferry :

We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Departure Point Information page for the most comprehensive information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.

What are the tourist seasons ?

Phuket Ferry :

Phuket really just has two seasons, which are known as "high season" and "low season" (or "green season"). During the low season months (May- September), boat numbers are reduced. During the high season (October - April), boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options.

 

Ferry Samui :

There are three distinct weather seasons on the tropical island of Koh Samui: the dry season (December until February), the hot season (March until August) and the rainy season (September until November).

 

Bali Ferry :

Bali actually has a variety of tourist periods, notably around the Balinese New Year, 15 December - 15 January, and 1 June - 30 September. During these high traffic periods, boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options. The quieter periods are between 16 January - 30 April and 1 October - 14 December historically.

Will bad weather affect my travels?

Ferries are large and can usually operate in the rain, except in extremely bad weather. During storms or strong winds, the journey may take a little longer than usual.

Speedboats are more likely to be canceled than ferries. If a trip is canceled due to bad weather, you can choose to receive a refund or reschedule. Please note that refunds for bad weather are only issued if the ferry operator cancels the trip.

On rough days, we recommend bringing motion sickness medication and taking it about 20 minutes before boarding if you are prone to seasickness. Boat staff may also provide Dramamine upon request, but you will need to remain indoors during rough conditions. On sunny and calm days, the sun deck is open for passengers to enjoy the weather.

What's the boarding process on the day of my trip?

At the pier named on your ticket, look for the staff of the ferry operator listed on your ticket as well. Please present your e-ticket (QR code) from your phone or other device—they’ll provide you with a sticker and/or boarding pass and direct you to your boat. Most piers have staff available to help load your luggage. In Koh Samui, staff are usually stationed at booths near the boarding area; at other locations, they’re typically near the boats, wearing their company uniforms.

 

 

When will I receive my ticket confirmation?

After completing your online booking, your reservation will remain in “Pending” status until it is processed. Once confirmed, we will send your e-ticket via email. The process is usually very quick.

On the day of travel, please present your e-ticket to the ferry staff at the relevant booking counter. If you do not receive your confirmation within 24 hours, contact us immediately.

What are the baggage allowances?

Your ferry e-ticket includes ferry transport, baggage fees, and handling. The free baggage allowance per person is 20–25 kg, depending on the operator. If your baggage exceeds this limit, you can pay the extra fee directly to the ferry operator in cash.

To check the baggage allowance for your specific trip, please refer to the trip details for your selected route.

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