To get from Chiang Mai to Koh Phangan, you will practically have to travel all over Thailand. Doing so will require two night buses or trains, followed by taking a ferry to the island. Alternatively, you can fly the distance in under two hours and then take a boat.
Fly nonstop
Flying is the fastest and easiest way to get from Chiang Mai to Koh Phangan, but unsurprisingly, it is also the most expensive. There is no airport on the island of Koh Phangan, so you will have to choose to fly to Surat Thani or Koh Samui. Flights between Chiang Mai and departure points to Koh Phangan typically take less than two hours.
Options to fly direct from Chiang Mai to Koh Phangan:
- Thai AirAsia has direct flights between Chiang Mai and Surat Thani: Surat Thani is the busiest port city for catching ships to Koh Phangan and the surrounding islands.
- Bangkok Airways operates direct flights between Chiang Mai and Koh Samui – a large island south of Koh Phangan. Flying to the large neighboring island of Koh Phangan is the most expensive option, however you will only be an hour’s boat ride from Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan.
Flights to Koh Phangan with a stop in Bangkok
Nok Air from Thailand operates many low cost daily flights between Chiang Mai and Bangkok, and then from Bangkok to Surat Thani; two separate flight reservations are required. You will have to make two different reservations and allow a short period of time in between. Flights arrive and depart at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, the former airport now used by low-cost airlines.
In a pinch, another option to get to Koh Phangan is to fly to Chumphon, a port city north of Surat Thani. There are no direct flights between Chiang Mai and Chumphon. The small Chumphon airport is only served by Nok Air flights from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.
Useful airport codes in Thailand
- Bangkok Don Mueang Airport: DMK
- Chiang Mai: CNX
- Koh Samui: USM
- Surat Thani: URT
- Chumphon: CJM
How to get there by bus and train
The cheapest and slowest option to get to Koh Phangan from Chiang Mai is by bus, although all buses and trains will stop in Bangkok. You will probably be forced to break the trip with a stay in Bangkok. With the added time and expense of obtaining ground transportation and a hotel in Bangkok, flying directly to Surat Thani often turns out to be a better deal.
The cost of booking a night train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, and then another from Bangkok to Surat Thani, often adds to the cost of a flight. Plus, you’ll save more than 24 hours of travel when flying! In general, it is quite easy to get from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
How to get to the ferries from Surat Thani
Different ferry companies operate from scattered terminals outside of Surat Thani; they are all quite a long way (about an hour or more by bus) from the airport. You will need to make sure you have time to get from the airport to the boat terminal before the last ferry departs.
Combination tickets that include bus transportation to the ferry terminals and ship tickets can be booked online at the same time you book your flight. Otherwise, you will need to approach one of the few counters at the airport that sell tickets that include a charter bus to the ferry terminal and the boat ticket.
Getting a combination ticket at a counter at the airport is much safer (and cheaper) than trying to get to the ferry terminals, a very expensive endeavor by taxi.
The different ferry companies operate at times that vary according to the season; you should check their websites for departure times. Each company varies in comfort level and amount of time required to get to Koh Phangan.
Some ferry companies include:
- The king
- Lomprayah
- Seatran Discovery
- Songserm (by Chumphon)
Arriving in Koh Phangan
Unless you take the ferry from the Big Buddha Pier on Koh Samui, you will arrive in Thong Sala, the main port city on the west side of Koh Phangan. A songthaew (van taxi) from the port to the island’s main resorts and beaches should cost around 100 baht regardless of destination.
Ferries from Big Buddha Pier on Koh Samui to Koh Phangan arrive at Sunset Beach on the west side of Haad Rin.
Traveling during the full moon
The monthly full moon party at Haad Rin on Koh Phangan actually affects the migrations of travelers throughout Thailand. Transportation to Koh Phangan can often be sold the week before and after the popular beach party during the peak season months.
If you intend to enjoy the Full Moon Party, get to the island early. Otherwise, check the party dates and stay away from the island when the moon is almost full.
