Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are two of the most famous and popular islands in the country. The ferry service connects the islands in Surat Thani province and lets you travel from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan cheaply. Discover the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry schedule, route, ticket price, and other tips.
When planning a trip by ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, consider that there are several ferry piers on the island of Koh Samui. Different ferry companies use these piers. Therefore, you not only need to choose the ferry according to the schedule but also pay attention to the pier of departure, as it might be far from your location in Koh Samui.
Koh Samui Piers for Ferry to Koh Phangan
In Koh Samui, there are 4 piers where you can board a ferry to Koh Phangan.
- Nathon Pier, the busiest pier on Koh Samui, is located in the northwest of the island (Google Maps). This pier is the best connected with Koh Phangan by ferries, as here you can board a ferry of the Lomprayah, Seatran, and Songserm companies.
- Pralarn Pier, also known as Maenam Pier, is located in the Maenam Beach area, north of Koh Samui (Google Maps). Here you can board a Lomprayah ferry or high-speed catamaran going from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.
- Bangrak Pier is located in the northeastern part of the island, close to Koh Samui's emblematic Big Buddha statue (Google Maps). Seatran, Songserm, and Lomlahkkhirin, which is part of Lomprayah, here operate different ferries to Koh Phangan.
- Big Buddha Pier is located close to Bangrak Pier, in the northeastern part of the island (Google Maps). From this pier, you can take a Haadrin Queen ferry that runs directly to the pier in Haad Rin.
In Koh Phangan, all the ferries, except Haadrin Queen, arrive at Thong Sala Pier on the western side of the island. Haadrin Queen Ferry brings passengers to a small pier on Koh Phangan's Haad Rin Beach, where the legendary Full Moon Party takes place.
Koh Samui to Koh Phangan Ferry Companies
Several ferry companies operate on the route from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. Ferries travel back and forth between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan throughout the day, and with 4 different ferry companies to choose from, you will always find plenty of options.
1. Seatran Ferry
Seatran Ferry started operating in 2002 and currently is one of the most popular ferry services in Thailand. The company operates a high-speed ferry with a good level of comfort, including indoor and outdoor decks, air conditioning, restrooms, plenty of seating, and a shop selling drinks and snacks. If you are seasick, taking the Seatran ferry is a better option than the catamaran. In rough waters, ferries tend to be more stable, so you should consider it when buying tickets. For value for money and for the number of daily ferries, Seatran remains one of the most popular ways to travel from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. The transfer service operates daily in low and high seasons.
Seatran Ferry is offering several daily ferries to Koh Phangan that depart from Bangrak Pier and Nathon Pier in Koh Samui.
You can conveniently book ferry tickets here: Seatran Ferry between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
Another place where you can get tickets for the Seatran ferry: Seatran Ferry Ticket to Koh Phangan.
2. Lomprayah Ferry
Lomprayah is the first and the only high-speed catamaran operator in Thailand, established in 1999. The company is offering travel between the islands in the Gulf of Thailand. The high-speed ferry is usually the fastest solution. The new catamarans they use take you from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan even faster, taking only 30 minutes, so in terms of speed, Lomprayah is outstanding. Although Lomprayah ferry fares may not be the lowest that you can find, the price is really worth it for the comfortable and reliable journey. This high-speed ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan has comfortable seats both inside and outside. There is a shop where you can buy snacks and drinks. There are also toilets on board and even TVs that play movies.
Lomprayah is offering several daily ferries to Koh Phangan that depart from Pralarn Pier and Nathon Pier in Koh Samui.
Smaller ferries departing from Bangrak Pier are operated by the company Lomlahkkhirin, which is part of Lomprayah.
You can book ferry tickets of this company here: Lomprayah Ferry to Koh Phangan (you can also add hotel pick-up or drop-off as an add-on).
3. Songserm Ferry
Songserm is another ferry company that offers trips from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. Their tickets are slightly cheaper than other companies charge. However, the ferries are slightly older and slower, and the facilities on board are not that good. On this route, they also operate speedboats that are slightly more expensive but much faster.
Songserm is offering several daily ferries to Koh Phangan that depart from Bangrak Pier and Nathon Pier in Koh Samui.
You can book ferry tickets here: Songserm Ferry between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
Another place where you can get tickets for this ferry: Songserm Ferry to Koh Phangan.
4. Haadrin Queen Ferry
Haadrin Queen Ferry is the choice for most budget tourists, as it serves backpackers and travelers going to Haad Rin, being the best option for everyone who wants to go to the Full Moon Party or who has accommodation in the south of the island. The boat is slow, taking around an hour, but the tickets are cheap, and you are taken directly to Haad Rin. You can expect the boat to be too crowded and with insufficient seats on board. The seats on these boats are uncomfortable wooden benches.
The Haadrin Queen Ferry goes regularly from Big Buddha Pier on Koh Samui to Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan.
You can book ferry tickets online here: Haadrin Queen Ferry to Koh Phangan.
Ferry Schedule
To plan your trip, explore the timetable of all the main ferry companies operating ferries, catamarans, and speedboats from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.
| Ferry Koh Samui - Koh Phangan ฿ 250–20,800 20m – 3h 15m | |
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Ferry Tickets
We would recommend booking your ferry tickets for the trip from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan in advance, especially during the high season or before the Full Moon Party. The number of ferries is limited, so it is best to have a booking before arriving at the pier. It will guarantee your place on the desired ferry. You can also buy a combo ticket that includes a taxi or minibus transfer from your hotel in Koh Samui to the ferry pier. It can save you time and effort as you receive door-to-door service.
Explore different transportation options for the trip from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan, and book tickets by using this search form.
Speedboat from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan
Another alternative to travel between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan is by speedboat. Speedboats are fast and flexible, so they are especially recommended when your arrival time doesn’t coincide with the ferry timetables. There are many companies offering private speedboats for a trip between the islands. They can pick you up from all over Koh Samui and drop you exactly where you want to go on Koh Phangan. The speedboat ride between the islands takes only 15 minutes.
There are also a number of scheduled speedboat departures throughout the day. You can book speedboat tickets online here: Speedboats between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
If you are thinking of going to Koh Phangan only for the Full Moon Party, you can book a Full Moon Party Round-Trip Speedboat Ticket to enjoy a stress-free journey from Koh Samui to Haad Rin on Koh Phangan and, after partying hard, return to your hotel in Koh Samui the next day in the early morning.
Tour from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan
If your Thailand trip plan includes spending more than one day on each island, ferries are a good option. However, if you don't have much time, it is better to take a day trip. There are many tours from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan that you can choose depending on your interest.
Koh Phangan Island Full-Day Cruise with Sunset lets you discover the iconic Phangan Island aboard a traditional sailboat on a scenic cruise from Koh Samui. Eat a delicious lunch, relax on the beach, and end the day by admiring a stunning sunset.