Surat Thani to Koh Phangan: Ferry, Bus & Night Boat Guide
Travelling from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan is simple once you know the route. Most visitors take a bus or van to Donsak pier, then a ferry across to Thong Sala, Koh Phangan's main port. This guide covers the best options, travel times, costs, and what to do when you arrive.
How to get to Koh Phangan from Surat Thani
Route: Bus or van to Donsak pier, then ferry to Thong Sala
Total travel time: About 3 to 4.5 hours
Typical cost: About ฿500–1,050 for a combined bus and ferry ticket
Where to buy: At the airport, outside the train station, and in Surat Thani town, usually as one ticket
Other option: An overnight boat from Surat Thani town
Best Ways to Get from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan
Raja Ferry (Bus + Car Ferry)
A steady, budget-friendly choice with frequent sailings throughout the day.
Travel time: About 4.5 hours in total, with a 2.5-hour crossing
Cost: About ฿600 from the airport; ferry only about ฿270–290
Why choose it: Five daily sailings from Donsak, with the last one in the early evening. It also carries scooters and cars.
Lomprayah (Bus + Catamaran)
The fastest way across, with comfortable seating and a stop at Koh Samui on the way.
Travel time: About 3 hours from the airport, or 2 hours 45 minutes from town
Cost: About ฿700 from town and ฿950 from the airport
Why choose it: Shorter journey time and a smooth, quick crossing. Hotel drop-offs on the island are available for most areas.
Seatran and Phantip (Bus + Ferry)
Two more combined-ticket options sold in Surat Thani town.
Travel time: About 4 to 4.5 hours
Cost: Phantip is the lowest fare at about ฿500; Seatran is about ฿620 from town
Why choose it: Good value, with several departures through the morning and afternoon.
Night Boat
An overnight crossing that leaves from the Ban Don riverfront in Surat Thani town.
Travel time: Around 6.5 to 8 hours, arriving near dawn
Cost: About ฿500–750
Why choose it: Saves a night's accommodation and suits late flights or trains. Mattresses and blankets are provided on deck.
Getting Started: From the Airport, Train Station, or Town
From Surat Thani Airport: Combined ticket counters are in the arrivals hall. Morning departures are the most convenient, and the last daytime combo tickets leave in the mid-afternoon. The drive to Donsak takes about an hour and a half.
From the train station: Overnight trains from Bangkok arrive early in the morning, and buses to the ferries start from around 05:30, so you can reach Koh Phangan by midday.
From Surat Thani town: Lomprayah departs from Tapee pier on the river. Other operators run coaches from their town offices throughout the day.
Arriving at Thong Sala
Almost every boat lands at Thong Sala pier, where songthaews, taxis, and scooter rentals are waiting. Shared songthaews to Ban Tai and Haad Rin cost about ฿100–200 per person.
If you're heading to the Half Moon Festival, Ban Tai is a short ride from the pier. The festival runs every two weeks across Harmony Beach Club and Halfmoon Magic Forest, so it's easy to fit into your trip. Read our Ban Tai Beach guide for what to do in the area, and check the Half Moon Festival website for the latest dates.
Travel Tips
Book ahead around Full Moon Party dates. Boats into Thong Sala fill up, so book three to 7 days early. See our Full Moon Party guide for the dates.
Plan flexibly from October to December. Rougher seas in the rainy season can affect sailings, so a spare day in your schedule keeps the trip relaxed.
Match your pier to your ticket. Donsak has more than one ferry pier, so check which one your operator uses.
Heading to Thong Nai Pan? Hotel drop-offs don't cover it, so arrange a songthaew or taxi from the pier.
Fly to Koh Samui instead? It's a shorter ferry to Koh Phangan, usually 20–50 minutes, though flights cost more than flying into Surat Thani.
Plan Your Koh Phangan Trip
Once you've arrived, there's plenty to explore. See our guide to Koh Phangan events for the island's best parties and festivals, and browse the Half Moon Festival blog for more travel tips.
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