There are various options for getting to Koh Phangan. Until the rumours of an airport become reality, one always has to factor in a boat trip. The shortest sea journey is from Koh Samui, with ferry times averaging around 30 minutes. Ferries from the mainland take around 3-4 hours. Obviously, timetables can become disrupted in bad weather. Below we have listed some reliable operators and contact details.
Seatran Car ferry (0 7742 6000-2) or Raja Car Ferry (077471151-3) Both depart from their own pier in Donsak, near Suratthani to Thongsala
Songserm Ferry (077377704) From Surratthani jetty, 31/2 hrs to Koh Phangan.
Lomprayah (077 238 411-2) From Maenam toTongsala. Reliable catamaran service three times a day. Also organize VIP bus & ferry to Bangkok
Seatran Discovery (077 238 679) from a ne, purpose built pier 5 mins from Samui airport, on big Buddha beach, to Tongsala pier twice a day. Comfortable service.
Haad Rin Queen (077 375 113) The only regular service that goes to Had Rin, rather than Thongsala. Departs from the pier at Big Buddha (Ban Rak) Can arrange transfers from the airport or Chaweng.
High-Speed Launch from Petcharat marina (077 425 262) The new hourly high-speed taxi boat from Samui, leaves from Petcharat Marina close to the airport and takes just 15 minutes to Thongsala - significantly shortens traveling time. Can be a choppy ride.
Full-Moon Speedboat operators from Samui On the day and night of the full moon party, speedboats run from many destinations all throughout the day and night, see tour operators advertisements. Private Charter Speedboat Can be arranged from travel agents and tour operators in Samui: expect to pay between 6 - 10,000 baht. If there are a few of you, or time is at a premium, this is a great option as you can be delivered to any of the various beaches (weather permitting)
Train to Suratthani (02 220 4334) www.railway.co.th Trains must be booked well in advance during busy periods. Check website for timetables, but trains can be easily booked through a travel agent, who can also organize transfers to he ferry. Most trains arrive in the morning, after which a bus will transfer you to the ferry port.
All-in one bus and ferry tickets can be brought from tour operators, for under 1,000 baht. Journey time is approximately 12 hours depending on ferry links. Long haul, but inexpensive option.
The Bangkok Airways flights between Samui and the capital run every hour from 6am until 10pm. They cost around 4500 baht one-way, but journey time is less than an hour. The airport on Samui is a five minute drive from the Seatran Express or Had Rin jetties, Big Buddha Beach, also Petcharat Marina pier.
NB: If you miss the ferry connection on Samui for Koh Phangan, a comfortable, inexpensive place to stay close to the pier is Shambala beach Bungalows (077425330) on Big Buddha beach. www.samui-shambala.com