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How to get from Koh Phangan to Phuket
Koh Phangan and Phuket are on opposite coasts of southern Thailand. The quickest way is a boat to Koh Samui, about 30 min, then a flight of about 1 h to Phuket. Joint boat-and-bus tickets via Surat Thani or Donsak are cheaper but take about 8–10 h.
Best option: Flight. A short boat to Samui plus a one-hour flight turns a full day of travel into about four hours.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| flight Boat from Thong Sala (Koh Phangan) to Koh Samui, then a flight from Samui to Phuket | about 30 min boat, about 1 h flight; about 4 h door to door | boats many times a day; flights daily | about THB 300–500 boat plus about THB 2,500–5,000 flight | Samui airport flights are relatively expensive; book ahead. |
| ferry Joint boat-and-bus tickets: ferry from Koh Phangan to Donsak or Surat Thani, then a bus or minivan to Phuket (several companies, including Lomprayah) | about 8–10 h | a few departures a day | about THB 900–1,500 | The cheapest option; arrives in Phuket town or at your hotel area depending on the operator. |
| flight Boat to Surat Thani, then flights from Surat Thani airport via Bangkok | most of a day | daily | about THB 2,000–4,000 | Rarely better than the Samui flight. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Seas can be rough in the north-east monsoon (roughly November–January); allow extra time.
- Book Samui–Phuket flights early; there are few airlines on the route.
- Joint tickets include transfers between boat and bus; keep your ticket stubs.
- After a Full Moon Party, boats from Koh Phangan are packed; book ahead.
Common questions
What is the fastest way from Koh Phangan to Phuket?
Take a boat from Thong Sala to Koh Samui, about 30 minutes, then fly from Samui to Phuket, about an hour. With transfers and check-in, the trip takes about four hours. Flights from Samui are relatively expensive, so book as early as you can.
Is there a direct ferry from Koh Phangan to Phuket?
No. Koh Phangan is in the Gulf of Thailand and Phuket is on the Andaman Sea, on the other side of the peninsula. The overland option is a joint ticket: a ferry to Donsak or Surat Thani, then a bus or minivan across to Phuket, about 8–10 hours in total.
What is the cheapest way from Koh Phangan to Phuket?
A joint boat-and-bus ticket, at roughly THB 900–1,500, sold by several companies and travel agents on the island. It takes about 8–10 hours. Flying via Samui costs much more but saves about half a day. Buying the joint ticket a day ahead is enough outside peak periods.
Do I need to book ahead?
In the high season, from about December to March, and around Full Moon Parties, book boats and flights a few days ahead. Samui–Phuket flights in particular can sell out. Joint boat-and-bus tickets usually have space but are easiest to buy from your accommodation or a local agency the day before.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.