Koh Phangan to Koh Samui

Koh Phangan to Koh Samui

Koh Phangan
Koh Samui
Wed, Mar 19
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Koh Phangan to Koh Samui Schedule

TypeOperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Taxi
Koh Tao Booking Center
Private Speedboat 10pax
Any time
+45m
$237.43
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Speedboat
01:00
01:20
$17.81
  4.0
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Speedboat
02:00
02:20
$17.81
  4.0
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Speedboat
03:00
03:20
$17.81
  4.0
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Speedboat
04:00
04:20
$17.81
  4.0
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Speedboat
05:00
05:20
$17.81
  4.0
Ferry
Faiz Travel and Tour
Speedboat
06:00
06:20
$29.68
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Speedboat
07:30
07:50
$14.84
  4.6
Ferry
Echo Travel
Speedboat
08:00
08:30
$11.87
  4.7
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Ferry
09:30
10:20
$6.83
  4.3
Ferry
Echo Travel
Speedboat
10:00
10:30
$11.87
  4.7
Ferry
Songserm
Speedboat
10:30
10:50
$8.90
  4.6
Ferry
Echo Travel
Speedboat
11:00
11:30
$11.87
  4.8
Ferry
Echo Travel
Speedboat
12:00
12:30
$11.87
  4.7
Ferry
Koh Tao Booking Center
Speedboat
12:30
12:50
$14.84
  4.6
Ferry
Songserm
Speedboat
13:00
13:20
$8.90
  4.6
Ferry
Songserm
Speedboat
14:00
14:20
$8.90
  4.6
Ferry
Echo Travel
Speedboat
15:00
15:30
$11.87
  4.7
Ferry
Seatran Discovery
High Speed Ferry
16:00
16:45
$8.90
  4.7
Ferry
Lomprayah
Express
17:00
17:30
$7.27
  4.3

Do I need a car in Koh Samui?

Public transportation options like songthaews (shared taxis) and taxis are widely available for getting around. Songthaews are relatively inexpensive, with fares typically ranging from 50 to 100 THB ($1.40 to $2.80) depending on the distance.

Renting a scooter or motorbike is a popular choice, offering flexibility at around 150 to 300 THB ($4 to $8.40) per day. Car rentals are also available, costing approximately 800 to 1,500 THB ($22 to $42) per day, providing comfort and safety, especially in rainy weather. Keep in mind that driving requires an international driving permit. Roads can be narrow and winding, so driving experience is necessary.

Overall, a car is not essential, but it can be convenient for exploring more remote areas.

What is Koh Samui known as?

Known for its beaches, Koh Samui offers a mix of natural beauty and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore the Big Buddha Temple, enjoy the Ang Thong National Marine Park, or relax at Chaweng Beach. The island is also famous for its vibrant nightlife and local markets, offering Thai street food and souvenirs.

For transportation, renting a scooter (~150-300 THB/day, $4.50-$9) is popular, but taxis and songthaews are available. Dining ranges from local street food (~50-100 THB/meal, $1.50-$3) to upscale restaurants.

Tap water is not safe to drink; bottled water is recommended.

When should we avoid Koh Samui?

Avoid visiting Koh Samui during the monsoon season, which typically occurs from October to December. During this period, the island experiences heavy rainfall and rough seas, which can disrupt outdoor activities and travel plans. Additionally, some ferry services may be less reliable due to weather conditions.

If you prefer drier weather, consider visiting from January to April, when Koh Samui enjoys sunnier days and lower humidity. Keep in mind that the peak tourist season falls between December and February, leading to higher accommodation prices and crowded attractions. Planning your visit for the shoulder months of March and April can offer a good balance between favorable weather and moderate tourist numbers.

How to get from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui

Crystal clear waters and idyllic beaches, lush tropical greenery and modern ‘island style’ shopping molls, fancy jewellery shops and colourful local markets – you name it – Samui has it all. No wonder that the third-largest island in Thailand, Samui has become popular amongst both luxurious holiday makers and backpackers on a budget who can each find the experience, accommodation, activities and entertainment that they come for. Whether its candle-lit dinners on post-card beaches, wild and adventurous partying through the night, treks through forests and jungles or days spent oiled up on the beach, Koh Samui is the right choice to get it.

Getting to Koh Samui from Koh Phangan

Koh Samui lies within an easy reach of Koh Phangan. When Koh Phangan is rocking with its crazy Full Moon parties and you cannot find any accommodation on the island, do not fall into despair and consider making your base on Samui. In any case, if you happen to Koh Phangan, it makes sense to visit its more glamorous brother just to understand what all that Samui fuss is about.

The fastest service from Koh Phangan to Samui is offered by Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran and Seatran Discovery. They whisk you to Samui in about 20-30 minutes for THB300-THB350.

Both Lomprayah and Seatran Discovery pick up passengers from Thong Sala pier on Koh Phangan. On Samui, Lomprayah arrives to Maenam Pier (departures from Koh Phangan at 11am and 4.20pm) or Nathon Pier (7.15am, 12pm and 2.30pm). Seatran uses its own Bangrak Seatran Pier.

If you come and go to/from Samui with your main destination being Koh Phangan’s Full Moon parties, your best bet is a small Haad Rin Queen which plies the route between Haad Rin on Koh Phangan and Big Buddha Pier on Samui. The timetable is subject to change; as a reference consider these four boats: 9.30am, 11.40am, 2.30pm and 5.30pm. Transit time is from 50 minutes to one hour. It is not possible to buy tickets or make a booking for Haad Rin Queen online. Tickets cost THB 200.

If you are staying in Haad Rin or some other east coast beaches on Koh Phangan, you can opt for a rickety Thong Nai Pan Express. Depending on where you board it, expect to pay from THB 200 to THB 400 per person. Thong Nai Pan Express runs only when the weather is good.

Can I transport my car from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui?

It is not possible to go with your car directly from Koh Phangan to Samui. You will need to sail back to Donsak from Koh Phangan and then make a new journey to Samui instead. Go to the mainland from Koh Phangan with Raja Ferry (THB 550 for a 4-wheel car) and change to Raja Ferry or Seatran heading from Donsak to Samui. Seatran delivers passengers and their vehicles to its pier in Nathon. Raja ferry uses its own port in Lipa Noi on the western coast of Samui. Choose port-wise as both services are equal in price and quality. Note that it is always wise to book in advance if you do not want to make a long queue to board the ferry with your car (or find all the ferries full on the day you want to travel).

Getting around

Koh Samui is large and you will need a way to get around easily, since doing it on foot is very limiting and uncomfortably hot, but there are many far better options available depending on how you like to get around.

Taxis (songthaews) are a great way to travel long distances on the island, or if you want to go out partying and know you shouldn't drive yourself around. While they are convenient and can get you everywhere from anywhere, this is probably the most expensive option, as you can expect to pay between 50 and 100 THB a person which adds up quickly.

Motorcycles are a fantastic way to get around. Motorcycles (and bicycles, too) can be rented from almost every resort on the island. Rentals are cheap, petrol is cheap, and they give you the freedom to go just about anywhere you want to go as you explore the island’s natural wonders. A word of caution though, you will undoubtedly see many tourists about with bandages and scrapes on their arms and legs, almost all of the time these are caused by accidents on scooters. You should be able to find a scooter for less than 200 THB a day. Most of the rental shops insist that you leave your passport behind. While this is a bit unnerving, it is also standard practice throughout Thailand, so be very careful with your scooter if you want to avoid any trouble.

Where to stay

Hat Chaweng is packed with all kinds of accommodation to suit any budget. It is the epicentre of the action, and the northern part of the beach can be quite noisy. Hat Lamai is another popular choice attracting holiday-makers both with its long stretch of white sand and a good choice of restaurants, bars and shops along the main road. In between the two beaches hides a little gem of Crystal Bay with – as the name suggests – crystal clear waters embraced with imposing boulders of a small bay. Hat Bang Rak (or Big Buddha Beach) leis relatively close to the airport (you may hear some noise), but the white sand of its western part compensate for it. Bo Phut is of particular interest not because of the beach but thanks to its trendy boutique hotels peppering Fishermen’s Village where strong Chinese influence can be felt even today. Families often opt for Mae Nam with its gentle sea. The West Coast is not a good choice if you come for the sea, but the sunsets are exceptional there.
Tip: Do not spend all your time on Samui on one and the same beach; try at least a couple of them and you will be rewarded with the diversity which this island has to offer.

Activities

Besides usual diving, snorkelling, kayaking, jungle-trekking and waterfalls find a couple of hours to visit the only rum distillery in Thailand, Magic Alambic. They produce Caribbean rum with a variety of natural flavours (obviously, they have coconut rum, too). They offer tasting sessions and sell rum, too (600-700 THB per 700ml bottle). Located in Baan Bang Kao. Travellers with the little ones in tow will love Paradise Park, which is a considerably large petting zoo, which is also one of the best viewpoints on the island.

Transportation from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui

Facts about the transport from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui

Cheapest Transport$5
Fastest Transport20m
Earliest Departure5:30 AM
Latest Departure7:30 PM
Departures per day34
Distance17 kilometers
Transport CompaniesEcho Travel, Koh Tao Booking Center, Lomlahkkhirin, Lomprayah, Phantip 1970, Seatran Discovery, Songserm

Koh Phangan to Koh Samui Destination Reviews

LM
Quickly and easy
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Ferry Speedboat, Echo Travel (เอคโค่ ทราเวล), Mar 13, 2025
YM
Everything went well, I recommend.
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Ferry Speedboat, Echo Travel (เอคโค่ ทราเวล), Mar 10, 2025
RV
Good boat ride and nice drive to hotel.
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Phantip 1970 (พันทิพย์ 1970), Feb 24, 2025
MG
I have booked with 12go through the website “travel to thailand tips .com” many times. My experience with booking was aways superb! Thank you.
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Van Ferry + Van, Seatran Discovery (ซีทราน), Feb 20, 2025
SH
Wasn’t too bad, we had to stand on the ferry though as there wasn’t enough space for everyone to sit down
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Ferry High Speed Ferry, Seatran Discovery (ซีทราน), Feb 16, 2025
NC
Most reliable boat company in Thailand! Departed on time, arrived on time, seats was comfortable!
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Ferry Speedboat, Echo Travel (เอคโค่ ทราเวล), Feb 15, 2025
LB
We expected a large ish ferry with air con. We were put onto a small speedboat which was difficult to get on/off. It was super hot and we felt sickly. It was a nightmare for the staff to get all the suitcasss on the front of the boat.
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Feb 14, 2025
RD
Great organised ticket and boat trip I will use this again
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Ferry High Speed Ferry, Seatran Discovery (ซีทราน), Feb 11, 2025
JF
Delayed 20 mins,too many people, had to sit out front in bad weather
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jan 29, 2025
GE
Es war normal
Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, Ferry Ferry, Koh Tao Booking Center (Koh Tao Booking Center), Jan 28, 2025
4.5
1958 customer reviews
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65%
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