da Krabi a Koh Phangan

About the ride from Krabi to Koh Phangan

You are probably coming to Koh Phangan to experience one of the infamous Full Moon parties. These parties are legendary...and for good reason. People flock to the island from all over the world, paint their faces, and party until the sun comes up.
If your trip doesn’t line up with a full moon or partying doesn’t sound like your thing, don’t worry. There are plenty of other reasons to visit Koh Phangan. The island offers a ‘Half Moon’ party, similar to the full moon party with DJs, dancing, and lots of nighttime fun. This is great for people who can’t make it during the actual full moon. 

Aside from these raging parties, Koh Phangan has a lot of activities that you may find on similar Thai islands, but with fewer crowds as lots of tourists will be recovering from the party the night before. You can enjoy cooking classes or the amazing Thong Sala night market to try out some local street food. If you are looking for something unique, the Herbal Sauna Baan Thai is something to experience. It is located right next to the biggest tree on the island and was founded by monks from the Wat Pho temple. The Sauna is situated in a beautiful garden, the tree itself is insanely impressive as it is centuries old and over 40 feet wide, and you can enjoy a nice massage while you are there. What more could you want?
As Koh Phangan is a Thai island, there are also plenty of beaches to relax on and explore. Thong Nai Pan beach is beautiful and there are a few waterfalls located close by. Mae Haad beach is a spot where two different currents meet, so the water is two different colors. It is also separated by a strip of land and during low tide it looks as though you can literally walk on water, making it an Instagrammer’s dream. Chaloklum Beach is another great find off the beaten track. This is a hidden gem, so you won’t find any loud music or drunken tourists and you may get lucky and have the water all to yourself. 
Getting from Krabi to Koh Phangan is pretty straightforward. It is usually advertised as a four hour journey, but often takes about six due to transfers in Koh Samui or small stops once you switch between the pier and the ferry. It can also be a little confusing, especially at the pier, as there are often several ferries going in all different directions. 
Not to worry though, because Thai people are among the friendliest on the planet. People at the pier are always willing and able to help you and once you have checked in, you will be given a color-coded sticker with your final destination. Wear this somewhere visible, and people will make sure to point you in the right direction throughout your journey. You can also find many people at the pier and the bus stop who speak English and are extremely helpful if you do get lost or confused, but things are generally done in a form of organized chaos that only Thailand seems able to perfect.
If you’re not too exhausted from your time in Krabi, enjoy your ferry ride over to Koh Phangan through the Gulf of Thailand. The crystal blue waters are stunning and there are several islands that pop up along the way. The ferry ride is usually pretty smooth, but if you are prone to seasickness you may want to take some medicine and relax during the journey. Once you get closer, you’ll pass Koh Samui and know it is nearly time to start your island adventure. 

 

How to get from Krabi to Koh Phangan

Taking a Combo Ferry-Bus 
The combo bus-ferry service is the best option for getting from Krabi to the island of Koh Phangan. It takes away the hassle of organizing your journey around transfer times and makes the trip as seamless as possible. There are actually three different companies that operate the same route for approximately the same price. The best bet is to select the company with the best departure time for your travel plans. 
No matter which company you choose, the ferry ride from Koh Phangan is approximately two and a half hours. However, you will often find that you may have to wait for a transfer while on Koh Samui.  All companies have a luggage allowance as well. However, it is worth noting if you have a lot of luggage or an oversized bag and choose to go with Raja Ferry, you may have to book an extra seat for your belongings. Make sure to read each of the company’s policies before booking if you plan on traveling with several bags or oversized luggage.

Taking a Combo Ferry-Taxi 
Another option that might save you a little time, but would cost a bit more would be to take a taxi from your accommodation in Krabi all the way to Don Sak pier. This would cost approximately between $75-95, but it would allow you to set your own schedule and have the comfort of more space than a shared minivan or bus. You would then take a ferry from the pier over to Koh Phangan. You would avoid having to get to the bus station in Krabi town and you would get to set your own schedule if you selected this option, but would pay a premium for the luxury.

Taking a Combo Ferry-Flight 
The priciest option would be to fly from Krabi to Koh Samui and then take the ferry over to Koh Phangan. There is one 50 minute flight per day that departs Krabi at 1:45 pm for Koh Samui. However, there are only two ferries that go between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan each day, the last one departing at 1:00 pm. This would require you to stay overnight in Koh Samui. So unless you want to add an extra island into your plans, this option isn’t recommended.