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How to get from Phuket to Koh Phangan: All Options

How to get from Phuket to Koh Phangan: All Options

Koh Phangan is a spectacular island located in the Southern side of Thailand within the Surat Thani Province, and has acquired the name of being the ‘ultimate tropical escape’. Boasting beautiful beaches, some of the best accommodation and unique local culture, this is a destination welcoming to those who want to experience an authentic island way of life. Famous for hosting vibrant full moon parties, many travellers visit here to check them out as well as all of the other great activities Koh Phangan has to offer its guests, making it a popular place to explore around.

If you are travelling from Phuket to Koh Phangan, the best way to discover the most ideal commute options available to you is via the online booking platform 12Go, which I will explain more of throughout this article.

Phuket to Koh Phangan

HOW TO GET FROM PHUKET TO KOH PHANGAN

Throughout this blog I am going to delve into the details of how you can book your ticket online from Phuket to Koh Phangan, whilst sharing the information you will need to know around each travel option available. The best way to compare each commute and pre-book your ticket ahead of the trip is via the online booking platform 12Go. The current forms of transport used to get from Phuket to Koh Phangan are;

  • Van
  • Taxi
  • Bus
  • Ferry

Further on in this article I will also go through the best time to visit Koh Phangan, how long to spend there and the must-do activities that you will want to check out.

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Bangkok to Koh Tao

BEST WAY TO BOOK A TICKET FROM PHUKET TO KOH PHANGAN

You may not have the time right now to read through this whole article but you are ready to book your ticket online ahead of your trip from Phuket to Koh Phangan, the most reliable way to do this is via 12Go. With this online booking platform you will be able to compare the travel options available, as well as departure and arrival times, commute lengths and pricing as well as ensure that you will reach your connecting transfers. You will also be able to find out all of the information you will need to know ahead of booking your trip.

However if you are looking to find out as much information as possible, such as how to get to your departure station in Phuket and final destination in Koh Phangan, key points around travelling and more about your stay in Koh Phangan, then you will want to keep reading.

Ferry Bali - Nusa Penida $ 7.41–11.54 15m – 1h
  •   Speedboat 06:30, 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 09:30, 11:45, 12:15, 13:45, 14:00, 15:45, 16:00, 17:00
Van Bali - Nusa Penida $ 23.56–25.14 2h 15m – 3h
  •   Van + Speedboat 07:30, 07:45, 08:00, 08:10, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 12:10, 13:00, 13:15, 13:30, 13:40
Ferry Sanur - Nusa Penida $ 6.63–11.70 30m – 1h
  •   Speedboat 06:30, 07:00, 07:25, 07:30, 08:00, 08:15, 08:25, 08:30, 08:55, 09:00, 10:00, 10:15, 10:25, 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 12:55, 13:00, 14:00, 14:15, 15:00, 15:30, 17:00
Phuket to Koh Phangan

4 OPTIONS TO GET FROM PHUKET TO KOH PHANGAN

There are currently 4 ways which you can make the commute from Phuket to Koh Phangan with all of them concluding in a ferry from Don Sak Pier over to Thong Sala, but please note that some may not all include the ferry price in the ticket when booking. The 4 options of travel available are;

Option 1 – Bus and ferry
This form of transport from Phuket to Koh Phangan hosts some of the quickest and most affordable options available, taking between 7 hours to 11 hours and 30 minutes in commute, costing from $30 to $60 in per ticket. All commute options depart from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 and arrive at Thong Sala Koh Phangan, however some trips include taking two buses prior to transferring over to the ferry.

The best option for this form of transport is the 8am depart from Phuket, arriving into Koh Phangan at 4.40PM. This trip takes 8 hours and 30 minutes in commute time, only costing $30 per ticket, per person. You can pre-book this ticket online via 12Go.

Option 2 – Van and ferry
Before booking this option, please be aware that not all van tickets may include the ferry trip. The best way to book this travel option is by making sure you click on a combined ticket option via 12Go, reading the fine print of the trip before booking will state if the ferry ticket is not included in the price stated. If the ferry is not included you will need to pre-book a ticket online for a ferry from Don Sak Pier to Thong Sala in Koh Phangan.

The earliest van departs from Phuket at 7.30am and arrives in Koh Phangan at 4pm, with the latest departing at 9.30am and also arriving at 4pm, with this journey taking between 6 hours and 30 minutes up to 8 hours and 30 minutes in commute time. Ticket prices for this choice of transport costs between $40 and $72 per ticket, depending on which type of ferry you choose, it can be either a normal ferry or speedboat. To pre-book these tickets online, you can find them via 12Go.

Option 3 – Taxi and ferry
With this option of transport from Phuket to Koh Phangan, there is one taxi and ferry choice that departs from Phuket at 6.30 and arrives into Koh Phangan at 4.30pm, taking 10 hours long in commute time. This journey can be pre-booked via 12Go, costing $38 per person, making it a very affordable trip to take.

Option 4 – Bus, van and ferry
There is currently one option available for this choice of travel from Phuket to Koh Phangan, leaving Phuket at 11am and arriving in Koh Phangan at 6am the next making this trip 19 hours long in commute time via bus, van and ferry. This is the longest travel option available but also one of the most affordable, costing only $39 per person.

You will travel via bus and van from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 to Don Sak Pier, where you will then transfer onto a ferry which will take you over to Thong Sala in Koh Phangan. It will be dependent as to which ferries are available on the day for the type that you will board and travel with. You can book your ticket online for this trip via 12Go.

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Transfer from Phuket to Koh Phangan

KEY POINTS

These are some great key points to know before booking your ticket online from Phuket to Koh Phangan and ahead of making the commute…

Most affordable travel option
The cheapest trip from Phuket to Koh Phangan costs only $30 and is the 8am departure from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 for the bus and ferry journey. This takes 8 hours and 30 minutes in commute time, arriving into Thong Sala Koh Phangan at 4.30pm. You can pre-book your ticket online via the 12Go website.

Quickest travel option
For the fastest commute time from Phuket to Koh Phangan, you will want to book the 9.30am combined van and ferry option that departures from Phuket Airport. This then arrives into Thong Sala Pier in Koh Phangan at 4pm, taking just 6 hours and 30 minutes in commute time. The cost for this depends on whether you choose to book a ferry or speedboat following on from the van.

  • Van and ferry costs $59 per ticket
  • Van and speedboat costs $72 per ticket

Both of these options can be booked online with 12Go.

Arrival times ahead of departure
When booking a combined ticket for your journey from Phuket to Koh Phangan, you will just need to be aware of your arrival time at the stated departure station for the first part of your journey, as when you book your ticket online with 12Go you are ensured to be in time for any connections you may have.

Bus
When travelling from Phuket to Koh Phangan with this option, you will need to check in 30 minutes before the travel time that you have booked. Arriving 45-60 minutes before you are due to depart Phuket is always good so you can ensure you have everything in order ahead of travelling.

Van
You are required to arrive 15 minutes ahead of the departure time stated on your pre-booked ticket from Phuket to Koh Phangan, however arriving around 15-30 minutes ahead of this time is never a bad idea as it will allow you to make sure you are organised and ready to go.

Taxi
The pick up for a taxi commute at the first part of your journey from Phuket to Koh Phangan can sometimes be 30 minutes prior or later than the time stated on your pre-booked ticket. With this, you must arrive at the latest 30 minutes before the departure time, but being there 45-60 minutes beforehand will be better.

Luggage allowance

Bus
Depending on which bus you book via 12Go, will depend on the amount of luggage you are allowed to take. Some journeys do not have any luggage weight or height allowance policies, whereas others state the exact amount each passenger may take on board. Please check these details thoroughly before booking your ticket online from Phuket to Koh Phangan.

Van
You are allowed to take on board 1 carry-on bag and 1 suitcase weighing no more than 20 kg per person. For additional luggage there will be an extra cost.

Taxi
Each passenger is allowed 1 piece of hand luggage and 1 suitcase no bigger than 20 inches.

Additional information
When booking online a combined ticket journey from Phuket to Koh Phangan, the type of ferry that was at first stated on your ticket may change depending on what is available on the day of travel.

Koh Phangan Ferry

HOW TO BOOK A TICKET FROM PHUKET TO KOH PHANGAN

The most convenient way to book your ticket online from Phuket to Koh Phangan is with 12Go. On this online booking site you will be able to check exact time schedules, compare ticket pricing and find out more about how you will make the commute. This will then allow you to find the most suitable travel option for you, as well as have a reliable contact point if you need to change any details prior to the trip, or for them to contact you if anything may change on their side. You will also be ensured to make all of your connecting transfers.

Taxi Koh Phangan

GETTING TO YOUR DEPARTURE STATION IN PHUKET

Before making the commute from Phuket to Koh Phangan you will need to travel to the departure station ahead of your journey. There are a handful of options you can choose from, these are;

  • Tuk Tuk
  • Taxi
  • Local buses
  • Motorbike taxi

When planning your route to the departure station ahead of your trip from Phuket to Koh Phangan, ensure that you have set aside enough time in the case of any traffic jams or delays, and to be on time for your check in.

GETTING TO YOUR FINAL DESTINATION IN KOH PHANGAN

Once you have made the commute from Phuket to Koh Phangan you will then have a few options to be able to further travel to your final destination on the island. Over the past few years the island has updated its roads which does making getting around a lot easier, however there aren’t any public transport options such as buses or trains, but what you do have available is;

  • Scooter hire
  • Car hire
  • Taxi car
  • Longtail boat
  • Bicycle
  • By foot

Before arriving in Koh Phangan it is best to have thought about how you will get from your arrival station to your final destination as this could also affect the journey you book from Phuket to Koh Phangan, as you will need to consider things such as arrival times and luggage weight. 

Phuket Ferry

BEST TIME TO VISIT KOH PHANGAN

The ideal time to visit the gorgeous island of Koh Phangan in Thailand is during the month of February as this is when it hosts the least amount of rainfall, showing off with its high temperatures and sunshine filled days. Throughout this time you will be able to really enjoy all of the activities on offer in amazing weather conditions.

Although, if you can’t book your trip from Phuket to Koh Phangan during this period of time, the island is also known for having great weather throughout December through to and including March, as this is their dry season yet not too humid, making it a pleasant time to visit. The time that you should not visit Koh Phangan from September through to and including November as this is when there is a big chance of high winds and flooding.

Phuket Taxi

HOW LONG TO SPEND IN KOH PHANGAN

You will want to spend at least 3 days on the amazing island of Koh Phangan, and pushing it to be a 7 day trip is never a bad idea. This means you will get to really enjoy the authentic island life whilst getting involved in the array of activities that are on offer, plus taking time out to relax. Hosting a tropical atmosphere, you will be in love with visiting here and potentially not want to leave, so make sure to pre-plan your trip to make sure that you don’t miss out on anything. 

Koh Phangan

MUST-DO HIGHLIGHTS IN KOH PHANGAN

Here are some great activities to get involved in on your trip to Koh Phangan…

Check out a full moon party
The island is very well known for hosting incredible full moon parties, making it a popular place for people to visit, so attending one of them should be at the top of your Koh Phangan bucket list. Haad Rin Beach is the best one to attend as this is where the all-night beach party originated in 1985.

Enjoy a sunset
Before going to one of the full moon parties, watching the sun go down over the horizon is a wonderful way to end your day and start your night. Become in awe of the vibrant colours that fill the sky whilst relaxing along the golden sands.

A trip to Ang Thong Marine Park
Hop on a boat tour around the islands to soak up the beautiful lush greenery surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters, you will also get the chance to go snorkelling, swimming and sunbathing. This is also a great way to check out the different islands as it can take weeks to travel around by island hopping.

Visit the waterfalls
Going to see Paradise waterfall is a fun activity to do whilst visiting Koh Phangan, especially on a high temperature day. Before embarking on your adventure to see it, make sure that the water will be running through it that day as sometimes during dry season there isn’t enough rainfall to fill it enough to reach its full potential.

Discover the island itself
Hire a motorbike and explore around the island at your own place. By doing this you will be able to stop off at the best points across Koh Phangan such as Haad Rin, Haad Yao and Khao Ra, which all offer spectacular viewpoints and brilliant views overlooking the island.

Sunset Koh Phangan

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Ready to travel around more of Thailand? Then you will want to read these blogs that will show you some of the best must-do activities that you will want to check out, amazing accommodation to stay at across the country, and ways that you can get from one place to another…

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