Koh Samui is one of the best destinations in Thailand and visited by millions of travelers per year. After you’ve enjoyed this beautiful island, we recommend making the trip on the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry! Here’s everything you need to know about the route including the boat companies that we prefer. We’ve even added information on getting to Koh Tao if you’d like to continue your vacation!
Koh Samui to Koh Phangan Ferry Tickets
Figuring out how to book your tickets is probably the main reason you’re reading this article. Hands down, the best way to reserve a seat on the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan Ferry is online. When traveling through Thailand we always use the company 12Go.
This website filters the different times and companies so you can pick the Koh Samui ferry to Koh Phangan that works for you. We like to take the morning boats to maximize our days and usually choose the ones with the quickest arrival time.
Book Your Tickets Here or Use the Search Form Below!
Using the Koh Samui Ferry to Koh Phangan
In the past, we would typically wait until we were in Thailand and book the Koh Phangan ferry with our accommodation or a local ticket agency. You can still totally do this if you’d like!
The only thing about this strategy is you’ll have to wait until you’re in Thailand to confirm your plans. Even with multiple daily departures, many of the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry operators can sell out several days in advance. This especially applies during the high season months.
One important tip we have for getting the best Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry is to check your hotel locations first. The main Koh Phangan ferry port is Thong Sala Pier. Yet, boats also come into Phangan Haad Rin Queen Pier in the southern part of the island.
There are a handful of other ports on Koh Samui like Mae Nam Pier, Lipa Noi Pier, and Bangrak Pier. By booking your accommodation first, you will be able to plan your boat trip based on the closest departure point.
Where to Stay on Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is the 2nd largest island in Thailand after Phuket. Due to it’s massive size, there are many different areas to stay on your visit.
Picking the right spot is so essential to having a great trip. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation then we recommend heading to the northwest part of the Island.
In contrast, the famous Full Moon Party and lively places to stay are in the south. Below are some of our favorite hotels to check out when planning your visit to Koh Samui.
Our Favorite Koh Samui Hotels
Luxury Resort – The Cabin Beach Resort – Beautiful modern rooms that mix wood with an island vibe. The property is on Leela Beach in the south of the island. When staying here make sure to splurge and get an ocean-view room, or have the ultimate holiday and get a suite with a private pool!
Fun Vacation – Zama Resort Koh Phangan – This hotel is upscale but with a laid-back feel. The bungalows are stacked into the hillside and the sea view rooms are amazing! We spent three nights at Zama and didn’t want to leave. The onsite restaurant is fantastic and they have a great poolside happy hour as well.
Remote Stay – Smile Bungalow Bottle Beach – If you’re looking for something different check out this accommodation on a remote beach. Disconnect and enjoy island life from your small bungalow just steps from the water the best beach on Koh Phangan.
Budget-Friendly – Benjamin’s Hut – This family-run hotel is so popular it’s often sold out! Cute bungalows on the beach and in one of our favorite areas of Koh Phangan. Benjamin’s hut is just down the street from many fun cafes, restaurants, and beach bars.
Full Moon – Little Paradise – If you’re visiting Koh Phangan for the full moon party you’ll want to be on Haad Rin Beach. Little Paradise is THE spot if you plan to join in on the festivities near all the action.
Koh Samui to Koh Phangan Slow Ferry vs Speedboat
Something to always consider when island hopping in Thailand is the choice between the slow and fast ferries. While the journey from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan isn’t that long, you probably don’t want to spend part of your vacation on a longer route via slow boat.
Luckily, the difference in times with Koh Samui and Koh Phangan ferry companies is only 30 minutes to an hour. So unlike longer boat trips in Thailand, neither option is that strenuous. Some of the best companies running this route are Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery, and Raja Ferry.
→ Check the Koh Samui Ferry Times
How Long is the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan Ferry?
Where it can get really crazy is going from the mainland to Koh Tao. This is because you have to actually go through Koh Phangan first as their is no direct route to Koh Tao.
Depending on what transfer service you use, the time can be anywhere from 4 and 8 hours. If you have the time it’s better to spend a few days to explore each island before continuing on. Below we break down the types of ferries to use for how to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.
Ferry: You can use the car ferry whether you’re a foot passenger or traveling with a vehicle. Obviously, many tourists don’t have cars. It isn’t uncommon for some travelers to buy motorbikes though and take them on ferries while island hopping.
Speed Boat/Catamaran: These are two are the best options we use while traveling from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. The Lomprayah catamaran & Lomprayah high speed ferries are a fast way to get between the islands.
How Much Does the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan Ferry Cost?
The good news is that most of the ferries in Thailand are very inexpensive. For this reason, island hopping in this part of Southeast Asia is a great idea for budget travelers.
Honestly, it might cost you more to get your land transfer in a taxi or tuk tuk to the pier! Just know that the ticket prices can go up slightly in high season from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.
→ Check the Current Koh Samui to Koh Phangan Ferry Cost
Are You Going to a Full Moon Party?
This is the most important time to double-check the Koh Phangan ferry schedule and book your tickets well in advance. The full moon parties bring thousands of travelers once a month to this island to celebrate.
If you are planning to go to Koh Phangan for this once in a lifetime party you might want to arrive a few days beforehand. Also, there are some companies on Koh Samui that offer a ferry trip to Koh Phangan just for the full moon party then come back at night.
→ Is Koh Phangan Worth Visiting? 10 Things to Know First!
How to Get to Koh Samui
Before you jump on the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry you’ll need to get to the island of Koh Samui first. The fastest way to get to Koh Samui is by flying into the Koh Samui Airport.
This international airport connects flights from all over Thailand and Southeast Asia. We always use this website to find amazing deals in Thailand. That’s how we flew from Phuket to Bangkok for under $30 USD!
If you’re not arriving at the international airport then you will have to take a ferry from the mainland. Surat Thani is the main hub where boats leave from in this area of Thailand (book your tickets here).
For this route the best option will be the speedboat. It takes around two hours from Surat Thani to Koh Samui, otherwise the slow boat trip can be as long as five.
→ Is Koh Samui Thailand Worth Visiting? Pros, Cons & Things to do
Continuing onto Koh Tao
As we mentioned, there is another amazing place that’s part of this island grouping. Koh Tao is the furthest away, but is also connected by the Koh Samui ferry to Koh Phangan. Here’s a complete guide to getting to Koh Tao from the surrounding locations.
We visited all three Thai islands over the course of two weeks and had an absolute blast! The ferry service to Koh Tao can get a little choppy, especially during bad weather conditions during monsoon season.
You can book Your Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao here. Also, be sure to check out our article below to learn all about this can’t miss island.
→ 12 Koh Tao Thailand Tips For the Most EPIC Visit!
Is Taking the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan Ferry Worth it?
Yes! Aside from the fact that it’s the only way to get between the islands, it’s an easy and fun service to use. There are so many amazing places to visit in this region of Thailand and they are all worth seeing.
Hopefully, our experiences and tips were helpful for you planning your own trip to Thailand. At the end of the day, this is an extremely popular route and you shouldn’t have any trouble with it. Have any questions about this article or want to share your own experience on the Koh Samui ferry to Koh Phangan.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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Thailand Travel Planning
Transportation: While traveling through Thailand 12Go is where we find all our ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! You can find everything from island hopping speed boats to the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we found flights from Bangkok to Phuket for $12 USD, and Thailand to Vietnam for less than $50!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over Phuket! You can find everything from a James Bond island luxury sunset cruise, to Phuket Old Town 15-taster food adventure, and 5-hour island tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
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Helpful Thailand Posts
Phuket: 22 Things to Do – Old Town Food Guide – 6 Sunset Spots – Rawai – Elephant Sanctuary – Promthep Cape Sunset – Sunday Night Market – Phuket Old Town – Big Buddha – Renting a Motorbike
Phuket Beaches: 15 Best Beaches – Nai Harn & Yanui – Kata Beach – Kata Noi – Nui Beach
Koh Phi Phi: Ferry from Phuket – 25 Things to Know – Maya Bay Private Tour – 3 Viewpoint Hike – Monkey Beach – Phi Phi Don Boat Tour
Railey Beach: 12 Things to Do – 3 Epic Beaches – Krabi to Koh Phangan
Gulf of Thailand: Koh Phangan 10 Things to Know – Bottle Beach Koh Phangan – Koh Tao 12 Things to Know – Freedom Beach Koh Tao – Koh Samui
More: Planning Thailand Trip – Koh Lipe – Chiang Mai
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Thanks for the details on booking this ferry. We are planning to visit Thailand and not sure what we want to do or see and you gave me a good starting point here. The full moon party sounds fun as well.
Author
Glad you found it helpful! The ferries are such a great way to get around the islands, especially from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.