Travelling from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan is one of the most popular ferry routes in southern Thailand — thousands of travellers make this crossing every week, heading to Koh Phangan's famous beaches, Full Moon Party and growing wellness scene. The Surat Thani to Koh Phangan journey combines a mainland transfer with a ferry crossing of the Gulf of Thailand, and can be completed in as little as 2h30 with the right operator. This complete guide covers every option, every operator, every schedule and all current prices for 2026.
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Surat Thani to Koh Phangan — All Options
Getting from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan can be done several ways — each with different speeds, comfort levels and prices. Here is the complete comparison of every Surat Thani to Koh Phangan option available in 2026:
| Operator | Pier | Type | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lomprayah | Donsak Pier | High Speed Catamaran | 2h–2h30 | 350 THB |
| Seatran | Pralarn Pier | Car Ferry | 2h30 | 250 THB |
| Raja Ferry | Donsak Pier | Car Ferry | 3h | 200 THB |
| Songserm | Tapee Pier (city) | Slow Ferry | 5–6h | 150 THB |
| Night Boat | Tapee Pier (city) | Overnight | 7–8h | 200 THB |
Lomprayah from Donsak Pier — fastest at 2h–2h30, most comfortable with air-conditioned assigned seating and the most reliable connections. For travellers with vehicles, Seatran from Pralarn Pier is the practical choice. All bookable via 12Go Asia.
Option 1 — Lomprayah High-Speed Catamaran (Best Choice)
The Lomprayah high-speed catamaran is the best way to travel from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan for most travellers. The Surat Thani to Koh Phangan Lomprayah journey takes just 2–2h30 — significantly faster than any car ferry option. The catamaran is fully air-conditioned with assigned seats, a small snack bar and good luggage storage.
How Lomprayah Works — Surat Thani to Koh Phangan
- Transfer from Surat Thani to Donsak Pier — shared minivan included in the combined ticket (~1h from the airport, ~45 min from the train station). Book via 12Go Asia and specify your pickup point.
- Board the Lomprayah catamaran at Donsak Pier — check in at the Lomprayah counter, show your QR code and board the air-conditioned catamaran.
- Cross to Koh Phangan via Koh Samui — the catamaran stops briefly at Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) before continuing to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier). Total crossing time approximately 2–2h30.
- Arrive at Thong Sala Pier, Koh Phangan — the island's main pier with taxis, songthaews and scooter rental immediately available.
Lomprayah Schedule — Surat Thani to Koh Phangan 2026
| Depart Donsak | Via Koh Samui | Arrive Koh Phangan |
|---|---|---|
| ~8:00am | ~9:30am | ~10:30am |
| ~1:00pm | ~2:30pm | ~3:30pm |
Adult: 350–450 THB (~$10–13) for the ferry leg · Transfer from Surat Thani included in combined ticket · Child (3–11): half price · Book via 12Go Asia for combined transfer + ferry pricing.
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Option 2 — Seatran Ferry from Pralarn Pier
Seatran operates a car ferry from Pralarn Pier to Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan. The Surat Thani to Koh Phangan Seatran journey takes approximately 2h30 and is the best option for travellers bringing a vehicle to the island. At 250 THB for a passenger ticket, Seatran is slightly cheaper than Lomprayah for the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan crossing.
Seatran operates approximately 5 daily departures from Pralarn Pier. The pier is approximately 60 km from Surat Thani city — a shared minivan transfer costs 80–120 THB from the city centre or bus terminal. Book Seatran's Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ticket via 12Go Asia which also shows the minivan transfer options.
Option 3 — Raja Ferry from Donsak Pier
Raja Ferry operates a large car ferry from Donsak Pier to Koh Phangan. The Surat Thani to Koh Phangan Raja Ferry journey takes approximately 3 hours — slower than Lomprayah but the cheapest passenger option at around 200 THB. Raja Ferry is particularly popular with Thai travellers and those bringing motorbikes or cars. 3 daily departures from Donsak Pier.
Option 4 — Night Boat from Tapee Pier
For budget travellers and those who love a genuine Thai travel experience, the overnight night boat from Tapee Pier in Surat Thani city to Koh Phangan is a beloved classic. The Surat Thani to Koh Phangan night boat departs at approximately 11pm and arrives at Thong Sala Pier at 6–7am — covering the crossing while you sleep and saving a night's accommodation cost.
Night Boat — What to Expect
- Departure — Tapee Pier, Surat Thani city centre, approximately 11pm daily
- Arrival — Thong Sala Pier, Koh Phangan, approximately 6–7am
- Duration — 7–8 hours including stops
- Prices — Deck class: 150–200 THB · Cabin bunk: 250–350 THB
- Facilities — Basic sleeping mats or bunk beds, simple toilet, small food stall
The Surat Thani to Koh Phangan night boat is worth it if you're arriving in Surat Thani late at night and want to avoid paying for accommodation. The experience is authentic and budget-friendly. Bring a sleeping bag liner and arrive at Tapee Pier by 10pm for a good spot. For most daytime travellers, Lomprayah from Donsak is the better Surat Thani to Koh Phangan option.
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How to Get from Surat Thani to the Ferry Pier
The first step of the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan journey is getting to the right pier. Here are all your options depending on where you're arriving in Surat Thani:
From Surat Thani Airport (URT)
Surat Thani Airport is approximately 90 km from Donsak/Pralarn Pier — about 1h15 by shared minivan (150–200 THB per person) or private taxi (800–1,000 THB). The easiest option for the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan journey is a combined airport transfer + Lomprayah ferry ticket via 12Go Asia — one booking covers everything from airport pickup to Thong Sala Pier.
From Surat Thani Train Station (Phunphin)
Phunphin station is approximately 1 hour from Donsak Pier by shared minivan (100–150 THB). This is the key connection point for the Bangkok overnight train + Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry route. Book the combined train + ferry via 12Go Asia — the platform coordinates the transfer between Phunphin and the pier automatically.
From Surat Thani City Centre
Shared minivans from Surat Thani city centre to Donsak Pier depart from near the bus terminal for 80–120 THB per person (~1h). For the night boat, Tapee Pier is in the city centre itself — walkable from most central hotels.
Full Moon Party Planning — Surat Thani to Koh Phangan
The Full Moon Party is the main reason many travellers make the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan crossing. If you're planning your Surat Thani to Koh Phangan journey around the Full Moon Party, there are specific things to know:
Full Moon Party Dates 2026
January 13 · February 12 · March 13 · April 12 · May 12 · June 11 · July 10 · August 9 · September 7 · October 7 · November 5 · December 4.
Booking Your Surat Thani to Koh Phangan Ferry for Full Moon
- Book 2–3 weeks in advance — all Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry options fill up in the days around Full Moon Party. This is especially true for Lomprayah which has limited daily capacity.
- Travel 1–2 days before the party — ferries on the actual party day are extremely crowded. Travel to Koh Phangan on the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry 1–2 days early for the best experience.
- Book return ferry simultaneously — the day after Full Moon Party is the busiest return day. Book your Koh Phangan to Surat Thani/Koh Samui return when you book the outward Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry.
Ferries on the night of the Full Moon Party are dangerously overcrowded. Never take the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry late at night on party day — plan to stay on Koh Phangan overnight and return the following morning.
Arriving at Thong Sala Pier — Koh Phangan
All Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferries arrive at Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan's south coast. Thong Sala is the island's main commercial hub with ATMs, restaurants, convenience stores and the central market.
| Destination from Thong Sala | Transport | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haad Rin (Full Moon Party) | Songthaew / Taxi | 100–400 THB | 30–40 min |
| Srithanu (Yoga area) | Taxi / Scooter | 100–200 THB | 10–20 min |
| Thong Nai Pan (North beaches) | Taxi | 400–600 THB | 45–60 min |
| Haad Yao (West coast) | Taxi / Scooter | 150–250 THB | 15–20 min |
| Scooter rental (per day) | Pier shops | 150–200 THB | — |
What to Do on Koh Phangan
After completing the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan journey, the island offers a diverse range of experiences far beyond the Full Moon Party:
Beaches Worth Visiting
Thong Nai Pan Yai & Noi — the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan, on the north-east coast. Worth the rough 45-minute road from Thong Sala. Haad Salad — quiet west-facing beach with excellent snorkeling, protected from the northeast monsoon. Bottle Beach — the most secluded beach, accessible only by longtail boat from Chalok Lam or a steep hike. Absolutely worth the effort.
Wellness & Yoga
Koh Phangan's Srithanu area is one of Asia's leading wellness destinations — dozens of yoga studios, healing centres and retreat programmes. Week-long yoga retreats cost a fraction of Bali prices. Popular with digital nomads on Thailand's DTV visa who combine wellness with remote work.
Island Hopping from Koh Phangan
After the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan crossing, Koh Phangan makes a great base for continuing to Koh Tao (45 min by Lomprayah) or returning to Koh Samui (30–45 min). Book onward ferries via 12Go Asia.
Insider Tips — Surat Thani to Koh Phangan
- Book the Lomprayah combined ticket for the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan journey — all connections guaranteed in one booking via 12Go Asia.
- Take the 8am departure from Donsak — the earliest Surat Thani to Koh Phangan Lomprayah gives you a full day on arrival.
- Full Moon Party travellers — book 2 weeks ahead — the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan route fills up completely around party dates.
- Withdraw cash in Surat Thani — ATM fees on Koh Phangan can be high. Use an ATM at Surat Thani Airport or train station before the crossing.
- Night boat tip — for the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan night boat, arrive at Tapee Pier by 10pm and bring a sleeping bag liner for the deck.
- Download Koh Phangan offline maps before boarding the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry — signal is poor during the crossing.
- Book accommodation before departing Surat Thani — especially for Full Moon Party periods when every guesthouse on the island fills up weeks in advance.
FAQ — Surat Thani to Koh Phangan
How long is the ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan?
The Lomprayah high-speed catamaran takes approximately 2–2h30 from Donsak Pier to Thong Sala Pier (via Koh Samui). The Seatran car ferry from Pralarn Pier takes approximately 2h30. Raja Ferry takes around 3 hours. The night boat from Tapee Pier takes 7–8 hours overnight. The fastest Surat Thani to Koh Phangan option is always Lomprayah.
How much does the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ferry cost?
Passenger tickets for the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan crossing range from 150 THB (Songserm slow ferry) to 350–450 THB (Lomprayah). Combined transfer + ferry tickets from the airport or train station via 12Go Asia typically cost 400–600 THB total for the full Surat Thani to Koh Phangan journey.
Which pier do I use for Surat Thani to Koh Phangan?
It depends on your operator. Lomprayah and Raja Ferry use Donsak Pier (70km east of Surat Thani city). Seatran uses Pralarn Pier (60km east). Songserm and the night boat use Tapee Pier in Surat Thani city centre. When booking via 12Go Asia, your transfer to the correct pier is included in the combined Surat Thani to Koh Phangan ticket.
Is there a night ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan?
Yes — the night boat departs Tapee Pier in Surat Thani city at approximately 11pm and arrives at Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan at 6–7am. Basic sleeping mats and cabin bunks available. The Surat Thani to Koh Phangan night boat costs 150–350 THB and is bookable via 12Go Asia.
How do I get from Surat Thani Airport to Koh Phangan?
Book a combined Surat Thani Airport to Koh Phangan ticket via 12Go Asia — it includes the airport transfer to Donsak Pier and the Lomprayah ferry to Thong Sala Pier. Alternatively, take a shared minivan from the airport to Donsak Pier (150–200 THB, 1h15) and board the next Lomprayah catamaran. Always book the Surat Thani to Koh Phangan Lomprayah in advance during high season.
Continue Reading
- Koh Samui to Koh Phangan — Complete Ferry Guide
- Koh Phangan to Koh Tao — Essential Ferry Guide
- Pralarn Pier to Koh Phangan — Definitive Ferry Guide
- Donsak Pier Surat Thani — Complete Guide
- Complete Ferry Guide to Koh Samui
- Island Hopping from Koh Samui — Complete Guide
- Best eSIM for Thailand 2026 — From $3
Some links in this article are affiliate links. InsideSamui.com earns a commission if you book through our 12Go Asia links, at no extra cost to you. Prices and schedules are indicative for 2026 — always verify on 12Go Asia before travelling.