Chumphon to Koh Phangan tickets

About the ride from Chumphon to Koh Phangan

An idyllic island with perhaps the bluest water in all of Thailand, Koh Phangan is best known for its full moon parties and the bars and nightclubs of Haad Rin. There’s much more to this island though, including great food and a beautiful interior which is a key wildlife habitat. If you prefer yoga to partying, visit in the low season for quiet beaches and empty roads perfect for exploring by scooter. As well as luxury resorts, there’s a good choice of budget and mid-range hotels.

Koh Phangan doesn’t have an airport, so the only way to travel there from Chumphon is by boat. Two high-speed ferries operate on this route and the ride takes between 3 hours 10 minutes and 5 hours depending on the boat and what time of day you travel. 

Combination tickets can be bought which include transport from Chumphon to the pier and from the pier on Koh Phangan to your hotel. This is a good option if you don't want to worry about finding a taxi at the pier and having to haggle over the price, (taxi drivers on Koh Phangan have been known to inflate prices).

Traveling on from Koh Phangan, ferries connect the island to others in the archipelago, including Koh Samui (which has an airport) and top scuba diving island Koh Tao.  You can also take the ferry to Surat Thani on the mainland where there is an airport with flights to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Koh Phangan is also a convenient base for exploring Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, an unspoiled natural paradise where you can hike, kayak snorkel and swim.

What you’ll see when traveling from Chumphon to Koh Phangan

This is a typical ferry journey in the beautiful Gulf of Thailand.  You'll pass other islands in the Chumphon Archipelago and can take in the view from the ferry’s sun deck. 

How to travel from Chumphon to Koh Phangan

By ferry

There are 2 companies operating ferries on this route, Songserm and Lomprayah. Boats are modern, high-speed catamarans. Seating is inside in air-conditioned cabins or on the sun deck if you want to enjoy the breeze and the view. Both ferries have toilets on board. 

While both boats are much the same, which one you choose might depend on where you’re staying. The Lomprayah boat leaves from Thung Makham Noi Pier, which is around a 15-minute drive south of Chumphon. The Songserm ferry leaves from Matapon Pier which is closer to Chumphon. Both ferries arrive at Thong Sala Pier on the west coast of Koh Phangan, where you’ll find a handful of shops, an ATM, and some tour operators selling trips to other islands.

When you arrive on Koh Phangan, you might struggle to find a taxi or find that only motorbike taxis are available. It’s for this reason that Bookaway suggests buying a combination ticket that includes a bus from Chumphon to the pier, and transport to your hotel from the pier when you arrive on Koh Phangan. 

Have your passport to hand when you arrive at the pier as you might need it to check in. Be aware that seas can sometimes be too rough for travel, in which case you’ll be offered a refund or the option of waiting for a later boat.