Transportation and ferries to Koh Pha Ngan
Koh Pha Ngan can be a little tricky to get to if you are planning to head here from an international destination without intending to break your journey. The journey is likely to be lengthy if you decide to go via Surat Thani, but quicker if you go via Koh Samui. Ferries are the only means of transport, connecting the island with the mainland and Koh Samui. The quickest way here is to fly from Bangkok or Singapore to Samui and then catch a 45-minute ferry to Koh Pha Ngan.
Koh Pha Ngan air and airports
Koh Pha Ngan does not have an airport so international visitors need to fly into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport and then transfer by a combination of plane, train, bus and ferry to the island. Flights are available to Samui every hour throughout the day, with the first departing at 06.00 and the last at 21.00, but there are few budget options since Bangkok Airways owns Samui Airport and therefore monopolise the route. The award-winning island airport is uniquely tropical, with a thatched open sala as a terminal. The ferry pier for services to Koh Pha Ngan is a 5-minute ride away at Big Buddha Beach, but this doesn’t stop the taxi mafia from charging you at least 200 baht. More on Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Ferry transportation to Koh Pha Ngan
Visitors coming from Bangkok need to take the bus to Surat Thani province, from where a ferry service can be picked up for the connection to Koh Pha Ngan. Ferries take 2 to 3 hours depending on the vessel and tickets can be bought at the pier itself or from travel agents on Khao San road or at the airport. A ferry service is also available from Samui and is considerably faster, taking just 45 minutes to complete the journey. It’s worth planning which ferry you end up on since there are three piers on the mainland, and two disembarkation points on Koh Pha Ngan, the main one being at Tong Sala and a smaller one at Had Rin for Samui ferries.
Ferries from Surat Thani to Koh Pha Ngan
If you’ve been sold an all-inclusive ticket in Bangkok, you’ll be shepherded onto a transfer minibus in Surat Thani and needn’t worry about a thing (with the exception of patience for the perpetual waiting around). Invariably the journey takes several hours longer than it should, but that’s travel in Thailand for you. Even if you enquire independently in Surat Thani, the agents won’t be very helpful in sending you on the next departing ferry, and the transfer to the piers can sometimes take more than 30 minutes. You should be sure you’re catching a direct ferry, as some stop off at Samui first. The overnight ferry is a bad choice, being uncomfortable and taking forever
Ferries from Samui to Koh Pha Ngan
From Samui, the easiest option is to depart from the ferry pier at Big Buddha Beach, with ferries leaving every other hour throughout the day. Ferries can also be caught from Nathon Town on Samui to Tong Sala on Koh Pha Ngan, taking up to 2 hours.
Ferries from Chumpon and Koh Tao to Koh Pha Ngan
Some of the ferries that arrive at Koh Pha Ngan from the mainland (sometimes via Samui) go on as far as Koh Tao, taking up to 3 hours. This is one of only two ways to reach Koh Tao. There is also a high-speed catamaran operated by Lom Prayah Ferries which runs from Samui, via Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao to Chumphon, which is on the mainland halfway to Bangkok on the isthmus of Kra. From here you can catch a bus directly to Bangkok making the whole journey much quicker. It takes 3 hours, 30 minutes and services operate twice a day.
Ferry timetable for Koh Pha Ngan.
Public transportation on Koh Pha Ngan
Songthaew (covered pick ups) are the only form of public transportation available on the island. They operate across the island with an average journey costing about 50 baht, while difficult-to-reach destinations cost up to 100 baht. On the night of the Full Moon Party, you are advised to set out early to get to Had Rin as a traffic jam grows on the hilly narrow road to the cape.
Bike and car hire on Koh Pha Ngan
Motorbikes are a good and economical way of getting around although they can be dangerous, especially to those who aren’t used to riding them and others who insist on doing so under the influence of alcohol. Learning to ride on some of the quieter roads, wearing a helmet and avoiding excessive speed and shows of bravado can go a long way to keeping you safe.
Motorbikes can be hired for as little as 150 baht per day, while larger-capacity machines may cost double that. Look out for the modified Honda Dream bikes with raised suspension and sturdy tires if you are intending to explore the back roads in the hills. Car rental is also available at upwards of 700 baht per day, depending on the vehicle model. In both cases, visitors are normally asked to leave their passport with the rental company for legal reasons. We recommend that you book car hire online in advance.
