From Koh Samui to Koh Phangan

The best way to enjoy the islands and beaches of southern Thailand is a multi-island tour. Moving from one island to another allows travelers to enjoy some of the best beaches in the world and experience Thai culture and hospitality first hand. Two of Thailand’s most popular islands are Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Koh Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, boasts magnificent coconut plantations, palm-fringed beaches and luxurious resorts and hotels. On the other hand, Koh Phangan is famous for its nightlife and beaches for tourists, but above all for the world-famous Full Moon Party. So, once you’ve enjoyed the hotels and resorts on Koh Samui, you can head to Koh Phangan for a change of pace. Here are the best options for traveling between these two fantastic islands.

What are the options?

Since we are talking about two islands, the only option to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan is by boat or ferry. Both islands are so close that there are no flights between them, and even the slowest ferry takes an hour. This means you can have a good breakfast at your hotel in Koh Samui and be in Koh Phangan by lunchtime.

Find out more:
• Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferries
• Speedboats from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan
• From Koh Samui to Koh Phangan for a full moon party

Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferries

Seatran large ferry arriving in Koh Samui © LMspencer / Shutterstock.com

Ferries run from one island to another all day long, and since there are three companies that make up the ferry route, there are always plenty of options and timetables. Each ferry company has its advantages and disadvantages. They are all very cheap, but the level of comfort varies and the duration of the journey varies in each case, although certainly what determines the choice of one or another ferry is where each one departs and arrives.

Seatran operates a fairly comfortable fast ferry that has indoor and outdoor seating, air conditioning, restrooms, plenty of seating, and a shop to buy drinks and snacks. Seatran ferries depart from Big Buddha Harbor in Bangrak and arrive at Thong Sala Harbor on the west coast of Koh Phangan.

Tourists boarding the Lomprayah Ferry © charnsitr / Shutterstock.com

Lomprayah offers a similar service. The catamarans they operate are new and comfortable, and the journey from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan is even faster – it only takes 20 minutes to get there, so in terms of time, this is the best option. You would expect Lomprayah prices to be higher than Seatran, but the truth is that they are very similar and even Lomprayah can offer slightly cheaper tickets than Seatran. The comfort offered by both companies is very similar as Lomprayah also offers air conditioning, bathrooms and a shop and the boats are well maintained. Lomprayah catamarans depart from Paralan Harbor in Maenam, west of Bangrak, arriving at Thong Sala Harbor on Koh Phangan.

The third company that operates the route between the two islands is the choice of most backpackers looking to save money. Unfortunately, with the Haad Rin Queen passenger ferry, the saying you get what you pay for is true. This ship is notorious for being overcrowded and not having enough seats. Also, it only has a few wooden benches, which can be quite uncomfortable, especially considering the journey takes an hour, twice as long as other companies. But thousands of tourists traveling on a budget choose this option to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan because, in addition to being cheap, it is a practical service for people going to a full moon party. Haad Rin Queen departs from Sunset Harbour, which is a short distance north of Big Buddha Harbour, making it easily accessible to any traveler arriving from the airport. In this case, the ferries arrive at another place on Koh Phangan, namely Haad Rin Port on the south-eastern coast of the island. The good thing is that Haad Rin is where the full moon party takes place, so if that’s your destination, you won’t have to walk far when you get off the ferry.

Fast boats from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan

If you’re on a bigger budget and don’t like the idea of traveling with a few hundred other people, you can take a fast boat from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. Yes, this is a much more expensive option than the previous ones, but these boats offer a private service with total flexibility. They can take you from anywhere on Koh Samui to anywhere on Koh Phangan. If you’re traveling with friends, splitting the cost between everyone can make a fast boat an inexpensive option, so look at the rates and don’t rule it out in advance.

From Koh Samui to Koh Phangan for a full moon party

If you are going to Koh Phangan for a full moon party, you need to plan your trip in advance. Ferries from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan during Full Moon Party are always full of passengers, so to secure your spot on your preferred ferry, purchase your ticket in advance to avoid waiting for a seat on the ferry. any of the ships.

Many travel agencies offer combination tickets that include a taxi or minibus ride from your hotel on Koh Samui to the port. It’s a way to save time because you won’t have to worry about moving from place to place.