Phuket and Koh Phangan are two of the most popular destinations in Thailand, both with tourists and tourists. Packed with lively bars and beaches, Phuket Island includes places like Patong and Phuket Town, while Koh Phangan is best known for hosting a full moon party. No wonder so many tourists choose to travel from Phuket to Koh Phangan to soak up the party atmosphere. Likewise, Phuket and Koh Phangan have some of the most spectacular beaches in the world, so if you prefer a laid-back vibe, there are places on both islands where you’ll find the serenity you’re looking for.
Options to go from Phuket to Koh Phangan
On the map, it may seem that Phuket and Koh Phangan are not very far away, but the truth is that the distance is quite a distance. By road, the shortest route is 340 kilometers (212 miles), but this includes areas with several curves that run between rivers and mountains. Keep in mind that while Phuket is connected to the mainland by land, Koh Phangan is not. This means that if you choose to travel by road, you will need to take a ferry at some point to reach Koh Phangan. The good thing is that many travel agencies offer combined tickets, so you can get to your destination on one ticket. An easier and faster option is to fly by plane, but this alternative is not as simple as you might think. In addition to being an expensive option, you cannot fly directly to Koh Phangan as there are no airports on the island.
Flights from Phuket to Koh Phangan
A Bangkok Airways plane landing in Koh Samui. © IamDoctorEgg / Shutterstock.com
If you want to get to your next destination in the shortest possible time, a plane is usually the best option, but traveling from Phuket to Koh Phangan is not necessarily the best option. For those unfamiliar with the area, there is no airport on Koh Phangan, so you would have to fly to the neighboring island of Koh Samui and take a ferry from there. The flight time from Phuket is 55 minutes and the ferry ride from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan takes 30 minutes, but you may have to wait a bit in Koh Samui before boarding the ferry. So while this may seem like a quicker option at first glance, do your research before you buy a plane ticket as it is likely to be much more expensive and you may not get to Koh Phangan much faster than by other means.
While this is an expensive option, the good thing is that there are combo tickets, so you can take both the plane and the ferry with the same ticket, which can make your plan much easier.
From Phuket to Koh Phangan by ferry
Considering the price and duration of air travel, most travelers choose much cheaper options that are always available and easy to book. You can opt for combined tickets or, if you prefer, travel more independently and take a bus to Surat Thani and from there by bus and/or ferry. It will take a little more work and the trip will be longer, but you will save some money.
We recommend buying a combined ticket as this way you can be sure that everything is prepared and if you buy your tickets from a reliable company you will have more peace of mind should something go wrong.
The fastest way to travel by bus and ferry from Phuket to Koh Phangan is via Lomprayah. This reputable Thai travel agency offers two daily departures from Phuket and the entire journey takes approximately 7.5 hours. This combo ticket includes a bus from the Lomprayah office in Phuket Town to Surat Thani followed by a high speed ferry. The journey by bus takes about 4 hours, while the sailing time is 3 hours. If you like this option, please note that you must book at least two days in advance to secure your spot, and more in advance if you plan to travel during the Full Moon Party.
Other travel agencies also have various pick-up points in Phuket, including individual pick-up from your hotel in Patong from Phantip and Lomprayah (this journey may take 10-11 hours), Phuket station buses from Phantip and Seatran Discovery, and drop-off from Phuket airport from Lomprayah . Journey times vary depending on where you start, but some companies stop along the way to pick up more passengers, which can add a lot to the trip. Phantip is the company that usually does this, but the advantage of Phantip is that it offers the cheapest combined bus and ferry tickets from Phuket to Koh Phangan, so it’s a good option if you’re traveling on a budget.
Whether you choose to travel with Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery or Phantip, it is always recommended to purchase combination tickets through a reliable and reputable agency such as 12Go.asia Unless you want to spend some more time in Surat Thani. Traveling through Surat Thani on your own will save you some money, but you may have to spend the night in the city, which may mean staying overnight at the bus station or renting a hotel room.