Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island Ferry

Ferries from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island sail approximately 34 times per week and are available with Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, Songserm & Lomprayah High Speed Ferries. Most travelers sail from Bangrak Pier on Koh Samui to Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan, a crossing of around 30 minutes. It is one of the busiest ferry routes in Thailand.

Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island Ferry: Quick Facts

Main route	Koh Samui (Bangrak Pier) to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier)
Typical crossing time	30 minutes (fastest 20 minutes, longest 35 minutes)
Weekly sailings	Up to 135 on the main route; 34 across all Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island ports
Daily sailings	19 each way on the main route
Operators	Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, Songserm & Lomprayah High Speed Ferries
Runs	All year
First and last day trip times	First out at 08:00, last back at 18:00
Sea	Gulf of Thailand

How long is the ferry from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island?

The ferry from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island takes between 30 minutes and 50 minutes depending on the ferry route, operator, and ship that you choose.

Crossing times by pier

Koh Samui has several departure points, so the journey time and number of sailings depend on the pier you choose. All ferries arrive at Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan.

From	To	Typical time	Fastest to longest	Sailings per week	Operators
Koh Samui (Bangrak Pier)	Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier)	30 min	20 min to 35 min	135	Lomlahkkhirin, Seatran Discovery, Songserm
Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier)	Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier)	30 min	30 min	17	Lomlahkkhirin, Lomprayah High Speed Ferries
Koh Samui (Nathon Pier)	Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier)	30 min	30 min to 50 min	19	Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Songserm
Samui Airport (road transfer included)	Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier)	1 hr	1 hr to 1 hr 30 min	90	Lomlahkkhirin, Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Seatran Discovery

Which pier should I choose?

Bangrak Pier has by far the most sailings, with 135 a week, and the fastest crossings at 20 minutes.
Mae Nam Pier suits resorts on the north coast and has 17 sailings a week.
Nathon Pier has 19 sailings a week and is a good fit if you arrive on the mainland ferry from Donsak or Surat Thani.
Samui Airport tickets include a road transfer to the pier and suit travelers arriving by flight, with 90 sailings a week.

Return sailings from Koh Phangan

Thong Sala to Bangrak Pier: 30 minutes, 127 sailings a week.
Thong Sala to Samui Airport: 1 hour 25 minutes with a road transfer, 110 sailings a week.
Thong Sala to Nathon Pier: 30 minutes, 19 sailings a week.
Thong Sala to Mae Nam Pier: 30 minutes, 17 sailings a week.

Do ferries run all year between Koh Samui Island and Koh Phangan Island?

Yes, ferry services between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan run all year on every route. The Gulf of Thailand is generally calmest from January to September. From October to December there is more rain and swell, so sailings can be delayed or cancelled in bad weather, and it is wise to leave a buffer before flights.

Ferry season by month

January to September: generally the calmest seas and the most reliable crossings.
October to December: more rain and rougher crossings, but fewer travelers and cheaper accommodation.
Full Moon Party dates: ferries and accommodation fill up quickly, so book well ahead.

What is the fastest ferry from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island?

The fastest ferry from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island is on the Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier) ferry with Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, Songserm & Lomprayah High Speed Ferries in 30 minutes.

Is there a car ferry from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island?

No, you are currently not able to take your car on the ferry from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island.

Getting around Koh Phangan without a car

Most visitors get around Koh Phangan by taxi, shared songthaew or rented scooter. Thong Sala Pier is the main arrival point, so book your transfer or accommodation near where you are staying, as beaches such as Haad Rin are a drive from the pier.

How far is it from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island?

There are approximately 4 miles (7km) and 4 nautical miles between Koh Samui Island and Koh Phangan Island.

What does it cost for a ferry from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island?

The price of a ferry from Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island can differ by route, operator, season and whether you are sailing on a high-speed ferry or conventional ferry.

What affects the ticket price?

Operator and vessel type (high-speed catamaran or conventional ferry).
Pier, as ferry-only tickets from Bangrak, Mae Nam and Nathon differ from Samui Airport tickets with a road transfer.
Departure time, with popular morning sailings selling out first.
Whether the ticket is one way or return, and whether it includes a transfer.

Can you visit Koh Phangan from Koh Samui as a day trip?

Yes. The short crossing makes Koh Phangan one of the easiest day trips from Koh Samui, giving you up to 10 hours to explore the island.

Route	First out	Last back	Longest time ashore	Daily sailings (out / back)
Koh Samui (Bangrak) to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala)	08:00	18:00	9 hr 30 min	19 / 18
Koh Samui (Mae Nam) to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala)	08:00	18:30	10 hr	2 / 3
Samui Airport to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala)	07:30	18:30	10 hr	13 / 16

Day trip tips

Book the earliest departure to maximize time on the island.
Check the last return time on your ticket before you plan dinner. Regular day trip returns finish around 18:00 to 18:30, so plan an overnight stay if you want to go out in the evening.
Times are indicative and change by season, so confirm in the Deal Finder.

Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island Ferry Offers and Discounts

We suggest that you book in advance to ensure that you get the cheapest ferry prices and availability, especially around full moon dates. Please check out our special offers page to take advantage of all the latest ferry discounts available.

What are the onboard facilities on Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferries?

Facilities depend on the operator and vessel, but you can typically expect:

Indoor air-conditioned seating and, on some vessels, an open deck.
Toilets and luggage storage areas.
A snack and drinks counter on larger ferries.

Bring a light layer for the air-conditioning and keep valuables and medication in your day bag rather than the luggage rack.

How do you get to Koh Phangan from Koh Samui?

The most direct way is by ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. All ferries arrive at Thong Sala Pier, so every visitor arrives by boat from Samui.

From Samui Airport

Combined road transfer and ferry tickets connect Samui Airport with Thong Sala Pier in around 1 hour, with around 90 sailings available a week. This suits travelers arriving on a flight who want a single booking.

From Koh Samui beach resorts

Travel to Bangrak, Mae Nam or Nathon Pier by taxi or hotel transfer and allow time for traffic, particularly on morning departures.

Where to go after Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan sits in the middle of the Gulf island network, so it is easy to continue your trip.

Koh Tao: about 1 hour from Thong Sala Pier, with around 60 sailings a week.
Donsak (mainland): about 2 hours 15 minutes with Seatran Ferry, with around 35 sailings a week.
Back to Koh Samui: about 30 minutes to Bangrak Pier, with around 127 sailings a week.
Phuket: about 7 hours to Phuket Town with a road transfer, with around 20 sailings a week.

For a Samui, Phangan and Tao loop, see our 5-day Thailand island itinerary. Koh Phangan is also home to the monthly Full Moon Party, so check the date before you book.

How early should I arrive for the Koh Samui Island to Koh Phangan Island ferry?

Arrive at your Koh Samui pier at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure to check in, load luggage and choose your seat. Leave extra time in high season and on full moon party dates.