Covering Koh Phangan in one day is challenging but possible with a focused itinerary. Start with a morning visit to Haad Rin Beach, famous for its Full Moon Parties. Enjoy breakfast at a local cafe local cafesa, with options ranging from traditional Thai to Western dishes.
Next, head to Thong Sala, the island's main town, for shopping and exploring the local market. Afterward, visit Phaeng Waterfall for a short hike and scenic views.
For lunch, try a beachside restaurant offering Thai curries or fresh seafood, typically costing around 200-400 THB ($5-11).
In the afternoon, relax at Bottle Beach or Haad Yuan, known for their tranquil settings.
Wrap up the day watching the sunset at Amsterdam Bar, a popular spot with panoramic views.
Transportation is primarily via rental scooters (~250 THB/day or $7) or taxis, which can be more costly. Plan your time efficiently to ensure you experience the island's highlights.
What is the weather like in Surat Thani vs Koh Phangan?
Surat Thani and Koh Phangan have similar tropical climates, with two main seasons: wet and dry. The wet season generally spans from May to November, with heavy rainfall and occasional storms. The dry season runs from December to April, offering sunnier and drier conditions.
Surat Thani, being on the mainland, might experience slightly more rainfall compared to Koh Phangan, which is an island. Both locations have average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F).
Travelers should plan visits during the dry season for more predictable weather, especially if they wish to enjoy outdoor activities or beach-related pursuits. Always check local forecasts as weather can be unpredictable.
Is there a lot of walking in Koh Phangan?
Koh Phangan is a walkable island, especially in areas like Thong Sala and Haad Rin where shops, restaurants, and beaches are close together. However, the island's hilly terrain and distances between some attractions can make walking challenging.
Renting a scooter is a popular option for getting around, with daily rentals typically costing 200-300 THB ($6-$9). Taxis and songthaews (shared pickup trucks) are also available, but fares can be higher, ranging from 100-300 THB ($3-$9) depending on the distance.
For safety, stick to well-lit areas at night and be cautious on roads if you decide to walk.
Facts about the transport from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan
Cheapest Transport
$9
Fastest Transport
1h 30m
Earliest Departure
12:00 AM
Latest Departure
6:00 PM
Departures per day
8
Distance
75 kilometers
Transport Companies
12Go Transport, 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport, BangkokTaxi24, Kim Transfers Thailand, Lomlahkkhirin, Lomprayah, Phangan Tour 2000, Phantip 1970, Raja Ferry, Seatran Discovery, Seatran Ferry, Van2Travel
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan Destination Reviews
AV
Arvid V
Nothing wrong with this service. Although they left later than it was said, we still had time for the ferry
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Van Van + Ferry, Phangan Tour 2000, Feb 13, 2025
AK
Aviv K
The van was too hot, but was otherwise fine
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Bus Bus + Ferry, Phangan Tour 2000, Feb 10, 2025
OS
Olaf S
Staff was very helpful but half the boat was vomitting constantly.
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Ferry Express, Lomprayah (ลมพระยา), Jan 24, 2025
MS
Maid S
Everything was fine, we had a bus for around one hour, waiting for ferry was not that long, 40-45 minutes and ferry itself was directed with duration of 3 hours approximately!
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Bus Bus + Ferry, Phangan Tour 2000, Aug 26, 2024
C
C
Of course it was my fault in the first place but you should have seen at check-in that it was the wrong ferry. I ended up in koh tao instead of koh phangan where I had to pay another 800 batt for the crossing.
The air conditioning was also far too cold.
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Ferry Sleeper Night Boat, Koh Tao Booking Center (Koh Tao Booking Center), Jun 15, 2024
M
Maxemanuel
The bus was very old but okish. Ferry was nice with a little supermarket. Due to low season there where not to many people so it was quite comfortable.
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Ferry Ferry, Seatran Ferry (บริษัท ซีทราน เฟอร์รี่ จำกัด), May 28, 2024
CA
Corin A
It took 5hours and 15minutes and was meant to be 4 hours all in. Slowest boat ever. Literally got overtaken by two seatrans en route.
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Bus Bus + Ferry, Phangan Tour 2000, Apr 12, 2024
TS
Tim S
Depending on your expectations. If you want to have a sleeping place enter the boat at least 3 hours before departure and stay there otherwise is not guaranteed that it’s still available. Boat was totally full lots of locals using it for transport accordingly is the comfort. At the end it’s a unforgettable experience didn’t sleep that much because of the heat and cuddling with locals :D
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Ferry Sleeper Night Boat, Koh Tao Booking Center (Koh Tao Booking Center), Apr 1, 2024
G
Genevieve
On time. It’s not a vip experience, more a traveller experience, seatbelts don’t work, but no problems, it has aircon. Friendly people.
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Bus Bus + Ferry, Phangan Tour 2000, Dec 20, 2023
KM
Karsten M
An overnight trip in calm seas. We slept very well in the large dormitory and woke up to a wonderful dawn. A cruise couldn't be more beautiful
This review was autotranslated
Eine Nachtfahrt bei ruhiger See. Wir haben im grossen Schlafsaal sehr gut geschlafen, und erwachten mit einer traumhaften Morgenröte. Schöner kann eine Fährtfahrt nicht sein
Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, Ferry Sleeper Night Boat, Koh Tao Booking Center (Koh Tao Booking Center), Dec 10, 2023
When you want to get from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:
Bus
Ferry
Van
Taxi
If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Ferry. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Bus+ferry+van ticket.
The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A Ferry ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about USD 16.22. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a ferry as a ferry ticket costs as low as USD 8.25.
How far is Surat Thani from Koh Phangan?
If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan. Your trip will be a total of 47 miles (75 km). The flying distance is 47 miles (75 km).
How long does it take to get from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan?
The travel time from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 2 to 15 hours.
How much does it cost to get from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan?
The cost of the trip from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Raja Ferry (ราชา เฟอร์รี่): travelling by ferry expect to pay as low as USD 8.25 for your ticket.
However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a Ferry - a one-way Ferry ticket can cost as much as USD 16.22.
Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan:
Ferry tickets - USD 8.25 to USD 16.21.
Bus+Ferry price: USD 12.68 - USD 28.01. From Surat Thani to Koh Phangan starting from 05:30 Surat Thani Train Station until 16:00 Surat Thani Airport
Ferry+Van price: USD 12.68 - USD 30.96. From Surat Thani to Koh Phangan starting from 05:30 Surat Thani Train Station until 16:00 Surat Thani Airport
taxi+Ferry price: USD 16.51 - USD 245.81. From Surat Thani to Koh Phangan starting from 00:00 Surat Thani train station until 11:00 Surat Thani Town Transfer
Bus+Van price: USD 21.58. From Surat Thani to Koh Phangan starting from 06:30 Suratthani Town Seatran office until 16:00 Suratthani Town Seatran office
Van price : USD 25.47;
Bus+Ferry+Van price: USD 26.92. From Surat Thani to Koh Phangan starting from 15:20 Ratchaprapha Dam Van Station until 18:00 Ratchaprapha Dam Van Station
Bus+taxi price: USD 30.10. From Surat Thani to Koh Phangan starting from 12:30 Koh Phangan Transfer until 12:30 Koh Phangan Transfer
You can order a taxi, too - an estimated cost of the ride is from USD 203.42 to USD 237.32.
How many trips per day are there between Surat Thani and Koh Phangan?
Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.
Ferries leave from Surat Thani for Koh Phangan 8 times a day.
Which means of transport is the best for the route?
Taxi
Catching a cab is the easiest way to get from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan. It allows you to tailor-make your trip, plan all the detours and see all the places you want. You can choose the type and the size of your car as well to be as comfortable as you'd like to.
Depending on the route, it might cost as much as USD 203.42.
Things to remember: It's a good idea to follow the route on Google Maps or any other GPS navigator.
Ferries
Travelling by ferry is one of the most scenic ways to get from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan as it combines transportation and sightseeing to some extent.
However, with these upsides in mind, you should still understand ferry travel is not for everyone. If you’re prone to seasickness it may be an unpleasant experience. As a rule, a ferry journey isn’t the cheapest way to travel During the high season ferry tickets might be hard to get, so you should always book in advance when possible.
Things to remember: ferry rides are dependent on weather conditions.
Vans
A shared van is another means of transport for traveling from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan. As far as travel time is concerned, it’s basically equal to a taxi ride, while price-wise it’s way more affordable. The majority of tourists book a van online in advance.
Sometimes, when trains or buses aren’t available, a van is your only way to get from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan.
Things to remember: while traveling by van, you might not have as much space for luggage as you would on a train or a plane. It’s a good idea to pack only the most useful things for a van trip and put them in a backpack that will be easy to carry around..
The most popular transport from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan
How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll: