Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat tickets

About the ride from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat 

 

Thailand is a land of contrasts, and discovering every aspect of cultural life and natural history is bound to resonate with world-weary travelers. If you think this applies to you, grab a cup of Ceylon tea and let’s find out more.

Koh Phangan is a notorious party island. And Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the country’s oldest cities. So there couldn’t be two more contrasting places to visit in southern Thailand.

The distance from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat is approximately 173 kilometers (107 miles). As you need to take a two-hour ferry first, followed by a bus or taxi, the journey usually takes between four to five hours to complete.

Ferries leave from Thong Sala Pier, in the southwest of the island. The journey by boat takes approximately two hours to reach Don Sak Pier on the mainland. The bus ride to Nakhon Si Thammarat from Don Sak takes around about 90 minutes.

Buying a combination bus/ferry ticket is the best way to get from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat. You don’t have to worry about buying two different tickets. There are numerous times combo rides leave throughout the day.

Seatran Discovery, Lomprayah and Raja Ferry are the three service providers for ferry/bus tickets. They all have ticket offices located on Koh Phangan as well as in Surat Thani on the mainland.

The fastest mode of ferry/bus transport from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat is Lomprayah’s service, which usually takes four hours and 20 minutes. Raja Ferry’s service is the cheapest, with combo tickets starting from US$17.

All ferries are safe and well maintained, with bathrooms onboard as well as air-conditioned seating areas down below and sunbathing decks up top. Some will have a little food and drinks kiosk, although bringing your own water is advisable.

The luggage allowance for ferries is usually 20kg for your main bags in addition to a 7kg carry-on bag. This basically equates to one massive rucksack and a day pack. You’ll be hard pushed to reach the max allowance!

If you’re wondering, how do I get from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat after the ferry? Wonder no more. Buses should be waiting for your arrival, although you might have to wait for them—this is Thailand, after all. Thai time is very relaxed.

Seatran Discovery’s bus has plenty of seats to accommodate lots of passengers. Lomprayah and Raja Ferry tend to provide minivans. Both buses and minivans are air-conditioned with relatively comfortable seating and safety belts. 

Rest stops for the overland part of the journey will be minimal—make sure you use the facilities before you board. This route takes you directly to the airport, which, in turn, can take you back to Bangkok via an internal flight, if need be.

 

What to see when traveling from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat 

One of the great things about the trip from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat is that you’ll see lots of contrasting scenery as you travel. First, you’ll cross the Gulf of Thailand on a two-hour ferry journey.

The best place to watch out over the ocean waves will be from up on the top deck. Keep an eye out for the islands of Koh Samui and Ang Thong as you head to the mainland. 

Leaving and arriving from each pier is also a good time to be looking out overboard. It’s pretty entertaining to watch all the local porters and harbor hands scurry about to ensure everything is present and correct.

The overland section of the ride from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat allows you to see a whole new set of scenery. Watch out your window for street-side stalls, Buddhist monuments and traditional fishing villages.

 

How to get from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat 

Taking a bus/ferry from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat  

The best way to travel from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat is by buying a combination ferry and bus ticket. It’s an affordable option, somewhere between US$17-31, and the most popular service for travelers is Seatran Discovery’s high-speed bus/ferry.

Hotel pick ups are usually available, although sometimes it pays to get to Thong Sala Pier,  Koh Phangan, under your own steam, just to ensure you arrive in good time to make the designated departure. Service providers often have ticket offices right on the docks.

The bus/ferry is a tried and tested route which allows you to reach the airport or city center in roughly four and a half hours. Then, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. 

 

Taking a ferry/taxi from Koh Phangan to Nakhon Si Thammarat 

This is quicker than a bus and actually quite affordable. The ferry to Don Sak Pier costs US$17, and a taxi to Nakhon Si Thammarat costs around US$27. The entire trip can easily be achieved in roughly four hours.

Taking a cab is a convenient way to travel and can pick you up right from the pier and drop you off outside your hotel. Just book ferry tickets in advance and be prepared to write down the agreed price for the cab before you set off.