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Koh Phangan is an island without an airport, which means everyone-no matter how they started their journey-comes in by boat. The shortest way to get to Koh Phangan is to fly into Koh Samui and take a ferry into Koh Phangan. There are other ways to get to the island. Here are some of the possibilities. [more]
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 By Air
Via Samui, you go with Bangkok Airport T077-425029-30 Note: The airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways.
Flying really is the quickest, easiest, and most painless option. Bangkok Airways has done a magnificent job connecting Samui to the rest of the world. There are many connecting flights from Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya, as well as connections from Singapore and Hong Kong. Once in Samui you can take an express boat to Koh Phangan, though you may want to consider spending a few days in idyllic Koh Samui.
Bangkok Airways uses a turbo-prop Franco-Italian ATR-72 to get you to Samui from Bangkok. There is an early morning flight that you can catch if you are coming in from Europe. It leaves at 7:40am and arrives at Samui by 9:10am. There is another flight at 2:00pm that arrives by 3:00pm. If you are in a hurry, Bangkok Airways also has two services a day that use a Boeing 717 that can cut 50 minutes off of your flight time.
The one downside is the large airport international departure tax (currently between ?300-500 for domestic and international flights respectively).
One can also fly directly into Surat Thani and take a boat to Koh Phangan from there.
Note: If you are taking connecting flights (from Bangkok to Surat Thani for example) and assume the airline will transfer your baggage for you, will arrive without any! Your baggage will not be redirected automatically. You have to pick it up yourself, move it to the domestic terminal and check-in your baggage again.
 By Boat
There is regular ferry service from one of Surat Thani's piers. The journey takes about 3 hours. If you are coming into the country and landing in Bangkok, you can get service from Bangkok to Surat Thani and get a bus and ferry transfer to Koh Phangan. Any travel agent in Bangkok can also arrange a bus and ferry trip to Koh Phangan for you. The price for the bus and ferry part of your travel is approximately ?2,800 one way. The bus rides on the ferry, and the total bus and ferry trip will take approximately 4 hours. Your hotel will often arrange pickup if given advance warning.
If you fly in to Samui, the ferry ride can take anywhere from 20-50 minutes, not counting the short ride via taxi to the pier. Prices range from 95-300 Baht.
It isn't hard to find a ferry service to Koh Phangan. There are five different companies that operate on four main routes. The ferry companies outside the town centre have a shorter sea journey-a definite plus if you get sea sick. The ferries also provide shuttle buses from Surat Thani in the price of the ticket. Look for the tourist guides that are at all the major entry points-they will show you the best way to get to Koh Phangan.
The biggest ferries are the Raja and Seatran Car Ferry. Both run out of Donsak, one hour away from Surat Thani. The Songserm Express Boat will get you there a bit faster and leaves from Thathong Pier, thirty minutes outside Surat Thani.
The Seatran Express is brand new, and as fast as it's name implies. You can find it in Surat Thani centre. The Night Ferry also leaves from Surat Thani centre, and comes with fully equipped beds and bedding. It is a relatively painless way to see the sunrise over the islands.
For those in a hurry to begin relaxing, the Lomprayah Catamaran offers a high-speed service between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
The Had Rin Queen operates between Big Buddha in Koh Samui to Had Rin in Koh Phangan, and takes 50 minutes to arrive in Koh Phangan.
Here are the ferry schedules for Koh Phangan. Note: Schedules change. Call the provider for a current schedule.
 By Train
State Railway of Thailand (Ph 02223 7010, 02223 7020)
If you wish to travel by rail, you can buy a train ticket at the Bangkok Airport. The overnight train takes 10 hours, and then you transfer to Koh Phangan using a bus and ferry transfer as you would if you had taken the bus from Bangkok Airport. Note: If you are coming into the country from Europe or elsewhere, plan for an overnight stay in Bangkok. You may or may not get a ticket for a trip to Surat Thani that same night.
The train tickets may be more than bus fare, but if your budget allows, take the train. Thaniland's trains are quite wonderful.
 By Bus
You can take an air conditioned bus to Surat Thani (with the ferry transfer added in) for 750 Baht. If you wish to ride in extra comfort, take the VIP bus service from Sai Tai Mai. This is Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal. They are located on Boromratchchonnani Rd, (Ph 02435 1200). Any bus labeled VIP must have 24 reclining seats or fewer, a food and drink service, and a toilet.
By Road
You can take one of two ferries that operate from Don Sak (on the mainland) to Koh Phangan. The Raja ferry operates every hour from 0500-1900 in either direction. See above or details about the Seatran Ferry. If you wish to rent a car, it will be easier to do so once you arrive at Koh Phangan.
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