Moving from island to island – or island hopping as they say – is one of the best ways to experience Thailand’s stunning beaches and landscapes. But with over 1,400 islands to choose from, which ones should you visit? Two of the best are Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi. They lie on both sides of the Malacca Peninsula, so it’s not a simple jump from one to the other, but both have something special about them. On the one hand, Koh Phangan is famous for hosting the Full Moon Party and has lively bars and beaches with bungalows. Koh Phi Phi, on the other hand, has a different landscape, with the karst formations that this and the surrounding islands are famous for, as well as beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters. If you want to explore both destinations, don’t miss this guide to learn how to go from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi.
Viewpoint on Koh Phi Phi. Koh means island in Thai
Options to go from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi
Since these two islands are separated by the Malacca Peninsula, getting from one to the other can seem complicated. You can’t take a ferry and cross a short stretch of water, because you also have to cross part of the peninsula along the way. Flying would be the quickest option if there were airports on both Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi, but neither island has an airport. Still, if you want to fly by plane, you can choose this option, although it does not cover the entire route. Below are details of flights, buses and ferries.
Flights from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi
Bangkok Airways plane at Koh Samui Airport © islandboy_stocker / Shutterstock.com
As we said, it is possible to fly from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi, but it is not the best option as it does not save time and is much more expensive than other solutions. But it remains possible nonetheless.
First of all, you would need to take a ferry to Koh Samui and go to the island’s international airport. Fortunately, this airport is very close to the Big Buddha Pier where the ferries from Koh Phangan arrive, so it’s only a short walk away.
Then you would have to catch a plane to Krabi. There is only one direct flight from Koh Samui to Krabi with Bangkok Airways, which takes less than an hour. The problem is that you need to calculate the departure and arrival times of the ferry from Koh Phangan well, otherwise we will spend a night on Koh Samui that we did not plan. The flight leaves at 12:20 noon and you should arrive at least one hour before your scheduled time. Another problem is the cost. As we said, since there is only one airline operating this route, there is no competition and the prices are quite high.
Upon arrival at Krabi Airport, make your way to the pier to catch the ferry to Koh Phi Phi. You can buy combination tickets that include transfer from the airport to the pier and a ferry ticket in 12Go.asia. The final leg of the tour is a boat trip, which lasts approximately 90 minutes. Adding up all the stages of the journey and waiting times, in addition to the high cost of the plane, you will understand why we do not recommend flying from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi.
From Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi by ferry
Although it may seem that the ferry and bus journey from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi takes too long, the truth is that the journey does not last longer than if you took the flight we mentioned in the previous option. The best thing about traveling by ferry and bus or van from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi is that you can buy combination tickets for the entire trip. This not only saves you money, but also the hassle and stress of doing each trip separately. When buying a combined ticket with a travel agency, you should have guaranteed connections. Therefore, in the event of a bus delay while crossing the Malacca Peninsula, you will still be guaranteed a spot on the ferry to Koh Phi Phi, even if it is not the one originally planned. These guaranteed connection options are perfect for traveling with peace of mind. Combination tickets can be purchased with instant confirmation and refund at 12Go.
The total travel time from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi will be between 8 and 9.5 hours, so it takes almost a day to reach your destination. Of course, the landscapes you can see along the way are spectacular. Ferry crossings are relaxing and you can sit on the deck or inside. The ferries have several services on board so you can enjoy your trip worry-free.
Traveling by bus and ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi is cheap and easy with a combo ticket. Five companies operate the route, so you can check out the different options and compare prices. Lomprayah, Phantip, Raja Ferry, Seatran Discovery and Songserm boats depart from Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan and arrive at Ton Sai Pier on Koh Phi Phi.
Generally, Phantip has the cheapest fares on the Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi route, while Lomprayah tends to be the most expensive option. All of these companies are reliable and have a good reputation, but if you are looking for more comfort and better service in more modern vans, buses and ferries, Lomprayah is a good choice.
Although the journey from Koh Phangan to Koh Phi Phi is long, it is worth experiencing. The scenery along the way makes the trip worthwhile, and a ticket with guaranteed connections allows you to sit back, relax and enjoy.