Koh Phangan is about 2 1/2 hours from Surat Thani Province and 45 minutes from Koh Samui Island by boat. There are ferries between Suratthani, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. You can also go by a speed-boat from Bophut pier on Samui. Buy your ticket at any travel agency. Try to book a bungalow or room in advance. There are a lot of people staying overnight so it can be difficult to get a bungalow in the early morning.

Boat Services to Koh Phangan
(Schedules and fares mentioned here are subject to change without notice. Please contact boat companies or TAT offices in Surat Thani and Koh Samui for current information.)

Don Sak - Koh Phangan
Racha Ferry operates ferry services from Don Sak pier (40 kilometers from Surat Thani town) to Ko Pha-ngan daily at 7 a.m.,10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. It takes 2.30 hours for the journey. Bus services from Surat Thani town or Surat Thani Railway Station to Don Sak are available.

Surat Thani - Koh Phangan
Songserm Rungrueang Co. Ltd operates express boat services. The boats depart from Lamphun pier (10 kilometers from Surat Thani) to Koh Phangan daily at 8 a.m. It takes 3 hours for the journey. Bus services to the pier are available.
Visitors can obtain more information from the following offices of Songserm Rungrueang Co. Ltd:
Bangkok office Tel: 0-2280-7897,
Surat Thani Office Tel: 0-7728-5124-6,
Koh Samui office Tel: 0 -7742-1316-9, 0-7742-0163,
Koh Phangan office Tel: 0-7737 -7096.
A nighttime boat departs from Surat Thani's Ban Don pier to Koh Phangan daily at 11 p.m. It takes 6 hours for the journey.

Koh Samui - Koh Phangan
Songserm Rungrueang Co. Ltd's express boats depart from Ko Samui's Na Thon pier 2 times daily at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. It takes 45 minutes for the journey. A catamaran leaves Koh Samui's Mae Nam pier at 8 a.m. and 12a.m.The journey takes 30 minutes. Ordinary boats leave Koh Samui's Phra Yai pier at 9.30 a.m.,11.40 a.m. 2.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. and proceed to Koh Phangan's Rin Nai beach. It takes 50 minutes for the journey.

Taxi Boats
The pictureresque and now famous Thai longtail boat is infact one of the best ways to get around Koh Phangan's best beaches and outer islands.

Taxi boats can be found on most beaches and it is a simple matter of going up to them and asking to be taken to the destination of your choice. However, it is a good idea to make sure you agree on the price before getting onboard and make sure you that you listen to the 'drivers' advice regarding waves and weather as certain times of year can present problems getting to some of the more outlying beaches and bays.

Apart from that, enjoy it! It's a great experience and more fun than going by car...


Songthaews (Taxi)
If you have been to Koh Samui you are most likely already familiar with this cross between a pickup and a taxi. Comfortable enough, these taxis operate usually between the main beaches and you simply flag one down as it comes towards you. They operate without timetables or set prices, so check the fare before you get in and expect the driver to try to fill it up (and then some).


Renting a Moped
There are bikes for any budget and purpose available on the island. If you are unfamiliar with bikes we would actually urge you not to learn how to drive on Koh Phangan but stick to public transports.

If you go ahead with a bike atleast ensure that it is a clutch free automatic such as the Honda Dream that you rent. These bikes are fairly easy to handle as long as you keep your tongue in check.

You can also rent larger dirtbikes, which if you know how to ride them are good fun and safer than a smaller bike.

Whatever you choose we urge you to consider not getting on the wheels when you are intoxicated!


Renting a Car
Should you wish to rent a car then we recommend a 4WD Jeep such as the Suzuki Carribean which is very popular with the local car renters. You can expect to pay anywhere between 700 THB and 1200 THB per day.


Remark:
Before renting either a Jeep or Motorbike we urge you to check the vehicle for faults, scratches and so forth as to not have such things piled on you when you return it. It is also a good idea to check if the rentee have insurance (although most do not).

Please bear in mind that it is standard practice for the rentee to hold on to your passport for the duration of the rental period.