On my travels to Thailand, I found myself repeating the same ‘How to get to…’ search, so I decided a standalone post was required!

Working out how to get to Thailand’s southeast islands could be a bit of a logistical headache, depending on which route you take. On paper, it might seem like there are cheap ways to get there, and quicker, more expensive options, but no ‘cheap and quick’ route. However, having done this journey multiple times now, I’ve come to realise that the cheaper option isn’t worth the savings if you’re travelling here from outside of Thailand, and I wouldn’t recommend it!

So, in a bid to save you precious time, and cursing at the pier, here’s my lowdown on how to get to Koh Phangan, Samui and Koh Tao.

How to get to Koh Phangan, Samui and Koh Tao

I’ve done this trip many times now, in all the routes stated below. The easiest southeast island to get to is Koh Samui, as it has its own airport. But being an island, it has a limited number of flights per day, and it can be easy to miss out if you don’t book in advance during peak periods. Flights here are also more expensive than to other Thai destinations.

Getting to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao is basically the same gig as getting to Samui, but as they don’t have an airport, you need to take the ferry from Samui or the mainland (the latter is a much longer route!).

Thankfully, organising transport in Thailand is much simpler these days compared to even 8 years ago. With multiple ferry operators, piers, routes, prices and times to choose from, newer booking sites like 12Go Asia are really handy for comparing your options. In the past, you had to visit each individual website and try to navigate a very slow and clunky system!

1. Hassle-free route: Flight + Ferry (recommended ⭐️)

1. Fly direct to Koh Samui ✈️ from Bangkok or Singapore (1-2 hours)
   Flight cost: About 10-12’000 THB per person, return ($450-550 AUD/ £230-280)
2. High-speed ferry ⛴️ to Koh Phangan (20-30 minutes).
   Ferry cost: About 500-700 THB per person, return ($23-33 AUD/ £12-16)

This is by far the easiest way to get to Koh Phangan, and I think it’s worth the extra baht. 

Flying to Samui is generally more expensive than other Thai or SE Asian destinations because low-cost airlines like AirAsia don’t fly there, sadly. As Bangkok Airways owns Samui airport, it’s the only airline that flies there from within Thailand, so it has the monopoly. For European standards, it’s still affordable, but quite expensive in SE Asia. 

Most people think they’re saving money by booking the cheaper route to Koh Phangan (detailed below), by flying to Surat Thani on the mainland. However, if you’re coming from outside Thailand like us, then the savings aren’t worth the extra hassle. Rather than getting from Ho Chi Minh City to Koh Phangan in a day, we needed to stay overnight in Bangkok, and it was two long-ass days of travelling!

I tried to convince the Sailor that it’ll be worth taking this quicker route via Samui, but he wasn’t having any of it. However, he understood my point when we were waiting for the ferry at Donsak Pier and began cursing. We’re returning to Samui next week, and with all parties in agreement, taking this route instead. Lesson? Listen to your wife 😉 lol. 

Flights from Bangkok and Singapore to Koh Samui

Within Thailand, you can catch a direct flight to Samui with Bangkok Airways. It departs from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Outside of Thailand, there’s only one direct flight here. In 2021, Bangkok Airways stopped flying to Samui from Kuala Lumpur. But recently, in 2024, Scoot started flying here from Singapore. I booked with them for our upcoming trip, and the times worked out better coming from Saigon. There must also have been a bug in their system, because we somehow got the return leg for free! But otherwise, they’ll probably turn out to be more expensive than Bangkok Airways.

Ferry to Koh Phangan from Samui

Samui Airport is really close to Bangrak Pier to catch the ferry. You can get a Grab or Bolt taxi there for about 350 baht, and it takes 10 minutes. However, if you choose another pier, it may be quite a drive. Samui is pretty big!

To see all ferry options from Samui and to book, check out 12Go Asia. I always use Lomprayah if I can help it, as they’re one of the fastest ferries across these waters. They have 7 crossings to Koh Phangan per day, between 8 am and 5 pm. Journey time is just 30 minutes, and they stop at Thongsala Pier on Koh Phangan’s southwest coast. My experience with them has always been positive, and they’re pretty efficient. Since their catamaran is large and the inside is protected from the elements (with AC), the crossing is smooth and comfy. Advance online bookings are recommended as they can book out on the day. 

Another quick option from Bangrak Pier is taking a Songserm speedboat, which takes 20 minutes. However, if you’re not good on water or would prefer not to feel the wind in your barnet, then go with Lomprayah!

Depending on where you’re staying, some hotels also offer speedboat transfers direct to their jetty, though it’s usually extra and quite expensive compared to the ferries.

2. Pain in the ass route: Flight + bus + Ferry

1. Fly direct to Surat Thani ✈️ from BKK with Air Asia (1h 15 minutes)
   Flight cost: About 5-6’000 THB per person, return ($230-270 AUD/ £115-140)
2. Bus to 🚌 to Donsak Pier (1h 45 minutes, + waiting time).
   Bus cost: Usually booked as a combo with the ferry.
3. Ferry to ⛴️ to Koh Phangan (2 hours, + waiting time).
   Ferry cost: Ferry + bus combo with Lomprayah about 1’900 THB per person, return ($90 AUD/ £45)

We did this route recently, which reminded me what a pain in the hiney it is! lol.

The journey time might not look so bad on paper, but since we were coming from Saigon, it took 2 long days of travel each way. It was also quite tedious to plan, to ensure all the times and piers matched up, so it was a 2-man job to book the thing, with the Sailor and I both on it.

After flying to Bangkok, we didn’t have time to catch a connecting flight to Surat Thani and take the ferry on the same day, so we spent the night in the city. Most folks travelling from overseas will probably have the same scenario.

On the second day, we left the hotel at 7:30 am to catch the 9:15 flight and didn’t arrive in Koh Phangan until 6:00 pm. For me, the savings weren’t worth the hassle and loss of holiday time. I wouldn’t do this route again unless I had to!

If you live in Thailand, then it’s not as bad. I’d still recommend Option 1, but if you’re really counting the pennies or you miss out on a flight to Samui, this is the next-quickest option to Koh Phangan.

Flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani

Surat Thani is located in southern Thailand, and it’s the closest mainland airport to Koh Samui & Koh Phangan. You can only fly here direct from Bangkok or Chiang Mai. There’s not really anything to see and do in the Thani, so don’t bother going off piste and trying to spend time here!

From Bangkok, Air Asia, Lion Air, Nok Air and Vietjet Air all fly here. Having gone with all of them before, I’d recommend Air Asia. They’re probably the best budget carrier in the region, and compared to Western alternatives like RyanAir (never again!), at least service comes with a smile and a decent customer experience.

The only benefit to going with Vietjet if you’re coming from afar is that it departs from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where most international flights arrive; the others depart from Don Mueang, which is about an hour’s drive away.

To check out all available flight options, it’s helpful to start a search using Skyscanner.

Bus and Ferry to Koh Phangan

From Surat Thani Airport, cross the road and bear left to reach the ferry and speedboat ticket office. Even for ferries, it’s best to book everything online in advance, especially during busy periods like Christmas (note, you still need to head here to check in with the transport company). I saw quite a few backpackers who missed out on the next ferry and had to wait hours longer than we did.

Just like Samui, I’d recommend taking a Lomprayah ferry, which will be the quickest option. You can book the bus + ferry combo directly on their website or 12Go Asia. Phantip Travel is the main bus operator for transfers to Donsak Pier. They give you a sticker to wear before you board, showing your end destination: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao. 

All I can say is that Koh Tao must have been properly pumping at Chrissy! It had so many people that it required its own boat, whereas Samui and Phangan shared one, and Koh Tao is the smallest island. Unless you don’t mind that, I would avoid the festive season on Koh Tao. 

3. Even bigger pain in the ass route: Train + bus + Ferry

1. Take a train to Surat Thani 🚆 from BKK (9-11 hours)
   Train cost: 1’600-6’300 THB per person, return ($72-290 AUD/ £40-150)
2. Bus to 🚌 to Donsak Pier (1h 30 minutes, + waiting time).
   Bus cost: Usually booked as a combo with the ferry.
3. Ferry to ⛴️ to Koh Phangan (2 hours, + waiting time).
   Ferry cost: Ferry + bus combo with Lomprayah about 1’900 THB per person, return ($90 AUD/ £45)

I did the train route down from Bangkok when I first visited Thailand in my 20s, and let’s just say, never again! 

As it takes so long to get here, you’ll need to take an overnight train to make the ferry to the islands, so we didn’t get to see anything anyway, and I barely slept a wink. This was my first time outside of Europe, where I was very weak in the insect department (before I moved to Australia and hardened up, lol), and all I remember were some small cockroaches that kept coming out of a hole in the wall near the bed. We cancelled our dinner order quickly after that.

For those wanting a mini adventure, and you have time on your hands, and you’re okay with some sleep deprivation, then this may be for you. It’s not the Orient Express though guys, so don’t dream up something romantic or remotely luxe. The toilets were minging, but it gets you used to squatting pretty fast. I guess it was a memorable experience, however it’s definitely comfort over cost these days for me!

Train from Bangkok to Surat Thani

I remember booking our ticket from Bangkok’s main train station, Hua Lamphong, back in 2014, before the days of online booking. We got there hours in advance and managed to get the last 1st class sleeper tickets, which has its own room and AC. Nowadays, this is more expensive than an AirAsia flight (not sure why!), so you’re not saving any money if you go 1st class, and they book out ahead of time.

Prices vary depending on what class you’re in, the journey time, and whether your seat has a fan or AC. All tickets, including first-class sleeper tickets, can be booked in advance via the Thai Rail website.

You can also book through 12Go Asia for 2nd-class sleeper seats (which have a bed in an open carriage), and 3rd-class seats. In case there are any delays, it may be easier to book the whole train-bus-ferry combo with them, or through a travel agency. (Just double check you’re booking a sleeper ticket if you’re doing the overnight train!).

Bus and Ferry to Koh Phangan

The next legs are almost identical to Option 2 if you were taking the flight. The only difference is that you’ll be picked up from the train station, which is a 25-minute drive from the Airport, and closer to the pier. Check out the train-bus-ferry combo here.

* * *

Even though I’ve done this journey a few times, it still took hours of research when we returned at Christmas, and two days to edit this article for 2026! Quite a bit has changed since 2018 when I first wrote it, but I hope this post saved you some time. 

If you’re looking for great places to stay in Koh Phangan and Bangkok, I’ve included them below. You may want to stay somewhere closer to the pier on KP before the return leg, as chances are, you’ll set out early to make the flight back.

Safe travels lovely people.x

Where to stay in Koh Phangan

If you’re coming here to relax, I wrote up where we stayed recently at Thong Nai Pan beach. It’s an incredible spot on the northeast coast and much quieter than the rest of the island.

Back in 2018, I also wrote an article on other places to stay in KP. I’m in the process of re-editing it, so check it again soon! 

Where to stay in Bangkok

Living in Saigon now, as a non-city person, I was trying to find a hotel in Bangkok that was close to everything but still pretty chilled. The city can be very chaotic if you book the wrong part. I’ve been there, done that many times!

Here are two great mid-range stays that I’d happily book again.

Le Tada Parkview Hotel

I booked a night here on the outbound leg, and it was lovely. It was right in front of Santiphap Park so we enjoyed a green view (rare in this neck of the woods!), and the road was nice and quiet. 

Our room was a great size and really comfy, I slept like a log on that big bed. The hotel has a pool if you want a wee swim.. we didn’t have time as we went shopping at Central World, which is only a 10-minute drive away. From there, you’re closer to a number of great restaurants, although offerings are more local around the hotel.

• I booked the Superior Parkview room, which was worth the extra few bucks, and I think it’s really well priced. I paid $110 AUD (2’400 baht/ £60), which had a Genius discount included through Booking.com.

Daraya Boutique Hotel

We stayed here on the return leg, and it’s another great option. Daraya is 15 minutes from Le Tada and in a busier neighbourhood, but it’s perched on a side road where it’s surprisingly quiet. It also has more eateries within walking distance, and it’s just a 5-minute drive from Central World.

There isn’t a green view here, but the room is more stylish. I loved all the small touches and traditional features, which felt a bit more luxe. The size is also great at 27m², and the bed was super comfy, which was appreciated after all the travelling! 

There’s a small rooftop pool too, which I didn’t see, but don’t expect much from it.

• I booked the Deluxe Double room through Booking.com for $125 AUD (2’800 baht/ £65).