How to Travel from Krabi to Koh Phangan: Your Complete Guide
Traveling from Krabi to Koh Phangan can seem quite daunting with both locations sitting on opposite coasts of Thailand. Although the journey is a bit tedious and long, making the trip is easier than you think, and knowing the best options can make all the difference. From ferry and taxi schedules to budget-friendly travel tips, this guide covers everything you need to know about getting from Krabi to Koh Phangan—what to expect, how to book, and a few tricks to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Of course, this can be reversed to travel from Koh Phangan to Krabi!
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Krabi to Koh Phangan Travel Guide
The journey from Krabi to Koh Phangan averages 5-6 hours, depending on traffic and weather. The first half of the journey is from Krabi to Surat Thani by taxi, shared bus, or shared van. The average travel time is 2-2.5 hours. The second half is by ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan. The ferry ride is between 2 and 3 hours.
I reccomend booking a transfer from Krabi to Koh Phangan, which includes a bus and a ferry ticket, ensuring you make all necessary connections. This is the easiest way to travel between the two. On the contrary, you can book the taxi from Krabi to Surat Thani Pier and then book the ferry ticket on your own, but there is not much of a difference in pricing and it is more of a hassle.
The direct transfers (bus and ferry ticket combined) begin operating at 7:00 AM, with the last departing at 3:30 PM. Departures are every 15 to 30 minutes, with multiple companies operating during these time frames. The total travel time for the taxi and ferry typically ranges from 5 to 8 hours, depending on traffic and weather.
You may see options for taxi and ferry transfers after 3:30 PM, but these are for the night sleeper ferry, which takes around 6.5 hours (plus the 2-2.5 hour taxi ride from Krabi to the ferry port). I do not recommend this option. While some sleeper ferries offer beds set up in a hostel-style layout, they are generally uncomfortable, and the noise from other passengers can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
12GoAsia is a great resource for finding direct transfers. The site lists all the companies offering this service, with departure times, locations, and other pertinent details. I always book my tickets through 12GoAsia because if anything goes wrong, their team is there to help resolve it. Lomprayah and Phantip Travel are the two most popular companies offering direct transfers from Krabi to Koh Phangan. They depart from various locations in Krabi, including the airport, Ao Nang Beach, Krabi Town, and more. Be sure to triple-check your departure point to avoid any confusion. Again, you can either book the transfer directly through the companies or to make life easier book them through 12GoAsia, here!
Part 1: Krabi to Surat Thani by Taxi, Shared Van, or Bus
The first portion of your transfer, the taxi, will be in either a bus or a shared van. Most will make at least one stop along the way for a restroom break and to grab some snacks for the remainder of the journey. With the stop, the journey usually ends up just under 2.5/3 hours.
The total cost for direct transfers can be as cheap as 15 USD and up to 40 USD, which is far more affordable than booking the taxi and ferry separately in some cases. The taxi is 7-30 USD, and the ferry is 8-25 USD.
The taxi price not including a ferry ticket is usually 7 USD to 30 USD. A private taxi is upwards of 80 USD.
Part 2: Surat Thani to Koh Phangan by ferry
The Standard Ferry.
Types of Ferries Available:
Four types of ferries operate between Surat Thani and Koh Phangan, including catamarans, speedboats, standard ferries, and sleeper ferries.
The Catamarans offer one of the fastest transfer times and the most reliable service because of the boat’s structure. However, if you are prone to seasickness this may not be your best option—it will be less stable during rough seas.
Speedboats are another fast option, but are dependent on weather conditions— rough waters can make for a BUMPY ride. If the weather is too rough, the speedboats will cancel.
Standard Ferries can accommodate more, being much larger and more spacious. There are often outdoor areas for those prone to seasickness, but not always. They tend to have a longer travel time, at a cheaper price. Some included space for cars, trucks, and motorbikes.
Sleeper ferries are 6.5-hour overnight boats, some of which offer dorm-style beds. However, I do not recommend this option. As mentioned earlier, it can be quite difficult to sleep due to the noise from other passengers, and, honestly, who wants to spend more time on a ferry than necessary?
Ferry Ports & Companies:
Surat Thani has 2 ports that ferries operate from.
Tapee Pier is the closest pier to Surat Thani Town but is the farthest from Koh Phangan geographically, and therefore takes longer to travel from. I believe Lomprayah is the only company operating out of this ferry port, but even when I thought I had booked out of this ferry port, Lomprayah ended up taking us all on a bus and heading over to Donsak Pier to board the ferry.
Donsak Pier is south of Tapee Pier and offers faster ferries since it is closer to Koh Phangan. I recommend ensuring you book a transfer that departs from this ferry port. You will know if you booked from this ferry port by selecting the direct transfer with the shortest travel time. Lomprayah, Raja, and Seatran run the ferries from this port to Koh Phangan.
Koh Phangan has a couple of ferry ports, but the most common arrival pier for this journey is Thong Sala.
Ferry Schedule & Frequency
During the high season (December to March) ferries run at:
5:00 AM
5:30 AM
8:00 AM
8:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
Plus the additional overnight ferries previously mentioned.
Ferries will be slightly less frequent outside of this timeframe. During the monsoon season (September to November), fewer companies may operate, and the ferries will be more affected by the weather.
Ferry Ticket Costs
Ticket prices vary between seasons, ferry types, companies, etc., but most often fall between 8 and 25 USD.
I sound like a broken record, but I prefer booking my ferry tickets through 12GoAsia because they have never failed me. They list every ferry company operating for a specific date, alongside the times, prices, etc. If you prefer, you can purchase tickets through the ferry company's FB, WhatsApp, or website instead.
How to Get to the departure points and ferry terminals
If you book through 12GoAsia, you can sometimes opt for a ticket including a “transfer” from your accommodation. These transfers are often shared and can be cheaper than other booking methods. Another option is booking a transfer from your accomodation in Krabi to the bus or shared van with Grab (similar to Uber or Lyft).
If you have one, you can drive a rental car or walk to the departure point, depending on where you rented your motorbike or car, or the location of your accommodation.
When you arrive in Koh Phangnan, you will notice the expensive taxis advertised by the drivers. I suggest either booking ahead with your accommodation or walking out of the pier to a nearby rental shop and simply renting your motorbike or car to drive yourself to your accommodation. I always rent from Pajampo!
Travel Tips for a Smooth Journey
This standard ferry with Lomprayah even has a shop onboard!
The best time to travel to Koh Phangan is outside the monsoon season (September until the end of November). This gives you a better chance at calmer waters and clear skies.
I always recommend packing snacks and water for the ride.
Pack some wipes for the restroom and clean your seat and hands before eating.
Pack earphones so you can jam out during your ride.
Bring some seasickness-prevention items including bracelets, tablets, etc. It is always best to be safe than sorry!
If you start to feel sick, I recommend heading outside for some air and trying to focus on the horizon. Staying still and taking deep breaths is important. For me, I usually pop in my earphones, close my eyes, and focus on deep breaths.
It is best to book the direct transfer so that if your taxi is running late (which is rare), the company handling the transfer will take responsibility and ensure you're put on the next ferry
Mistakes can happen, especially while traveling, so I recommend always having some form of travel medical insurance. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Get an eSIM—so you do not get lost navigating your way. I always use Airalo for my eSims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my luggage with me?
Yes, most companies will ask how many pieces of luggage you have before purchasing the ticket. It is usually 1 piece of luggage (larger bags) per person. Your larger bags will be stored elsewhere, so be sure to keep all valuables with you in your seat.
For taxis, buses, or shared vans, luggage is typically stored under the bus or in the trunk. On the ferry, bags are usually piled in one central area on the boat.
Can I fly instead of the taxi and ferry?
Yes, you can fly from Krabi Airport (KBV) to Surat Thani Airport (URT), but there are no direct flights. You will likely need to connect in Bangkok, and you will still need to take a ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan. This option makes little sense, as it will cost more time and money than simply taking a taxi or bus directly to Surat Thani.
On the contrary, Bangkok Airways occasionally operates a direct 45-minute flight from Krabi Airport (KBV) to Koh Samui Airport (USM). From Koh Samui, you can easily catch a ferry to Koh Phangan, making this a faster but more expensive option. The flight is usually around 100 USD. I have a complete guide on traveling from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan here, which you can reference if you choose to fly instead.
Where should I stay in Koh Phangan?
The island of Koh Phangan is quite big, so choosing where to stay on it, is essential. I reccomend staying on the west side of the island between Mae Haad to Haad Ban Tai to be within the best proximity of the top restaurants, beaches, waterfalls, gyms, etc. The southern portion of the west coast, near Thong Sala and Haad Ban Tai, is known as the backpacker section of the island, whereas Mae Haad and Srithanu are more of an expat, laid-back area. I prefer to stay between Srithanu and Thong Sala. I spent a few weeks at My Home Resort and one week at The Zohan Resort, both I enjoyed. They have kitchens in the rooms.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler:
Backpacker/Hostel Option: Puk’s Palace (Dorm, I stayed here my first time in KP and loved that it was right on the beach)
Best Low-Budget: Colorful Hut or The Nidhra Boutique Resort
Best Mid-Budget: Angkana Bungalows (Adults Only) or Zama Resort Koh Phangan
Best High-End Budget: Nibbana Bungalows or Buri Rasa Village Phangan
Best Luxury Budget: Zee Luxury Boutique Hotel or Somewhere Only We Know Resort
You can also find hotel deals at Agoda and Hostel World! You can help support my travel blog by clicking and booking through the links!
Is Koh Phangan worth visiting?
Yes! Koh Phangan is my favorite of the three islands because it feels less crowded, more laid-back, and more authentic than the other two. Of course, this is outside of the full moon party time frame. I also feel like the demographic in Koh Phangan is older than its neighbor Koh Tao, and less short-term vacationers than Koh Samui.
Thailand Travel Planning:
Traveling from Koh Phi Phi? Check out this guide on getting to Koh Lanta and Krabi!
Heading to Koh Tao next? Find your step-by-step guide for the ferry here.
Looking for the best beaches to visit in Koh Phangan? Click here
Click here for the best waterfalls on the island.
Head here for the best night markets in Koh Phangan.
Find the best Koh Lanta itinerary here!
