Koh Samui to Koh Phangan Ferry: Piers, Times & Prices 2026

What Is the Best Way to Get From Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?

Take a high-speed catamaran. Lomprayah (from Maenam pier) and Seatran Discovery (from Bang Rak) cross to Thong Sala in about 30-45 minutes for roughly 250-355 THB (~7-10 USD). Raja Ferry from Lipa Noi is the cheapest (about 130 THB, 60-75 minutes) and the only one that carries vehicles. Haad Rin Queen lands directly at Haad Rin.

The crossing is about 17 km. Which boat suits you depends on where you sleep on Samui and where you are going on Phangan. This guide lists every operator, pier, timetable and fare, then the airport transfer, the return trip and the Full Moon Party boats. Heading on to Koh Tao? See the Samui to Koh Tao ferry guide.

Key takeaways

• Fastest: Lomprayah (about 30 min, about 3 sailings a day from Maenam) and Seatran Discovery (30-45 min, about 3 a day from Bang Rak). Cheapest: Raja Ferry, about 130 THB (~3.50 USD), 60-75 min.
• Only Raja Ferry (Lipa Noi) carries cars and scooters.
• Only Haad Rin Queen lands at Haad Rin; all others land at Thong Sala, about 8 km / 20-30 min by songthaew from Haad Rin.
• Agent and aggregator prices include a markup over operator fares: confirm the pier, time and price on your ticket (checked Oct 2026).
• Book 1-3 days ahead in December-January and Full Moon Party week; expect delays or cancellations in the Nov-Dec monsoon.

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Which Ferry Operators Run Samui to Phangan, and What Do They Cost?

Five operators sail the route from four Samui piers. Fares and times below come from Direct Ferries, 12Go, phanganferries.com and the operators’ own pages, checked 2026-10-01. Sources disagree by 10-50 THB, so treat them as ranges; rows marked unverified were not reconfirmed against an operator page.

Cheaper figures are operator or walk-up fares, higher ones are same-day agent bookings; the Lomprayah “from 199 THB” promos seen online refer to other piers or speedboat services, not the Maenam catamaran. Young children usually pay less than the adult fare, but the discount varies by operator, so ask when you buy. Aggregators list up to about 50 ferry and shared speedboat services a day across nine operators (thailandlife.info, Oct 2026); the scheduled ferries above are the core of it.

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What Time Are the Ferries From Samui to Phangan?

Most scheduled boats sail between about 07:00 and 18:30, and first and last sailings move with the season. Lomprayah and Seatran run only about three daytime crossings each, so a missed boat can cost half a day. Ranges by operator, checked 2026-10-01:

Live timetables are on phanganferries.com and the operators’ own sites. Pick a morning boat if you have a connection: the last boats leave before dark and monsoon weather cancels afternoon sailings first.

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Which Samui to Phangan Ferry Is the Fastest?

Lomprayah is the fastest and the most direct pick for the north coast: its catamaran leaves Maenam pier (also called Pralan pier) and reaches Thong Sala in about 30 minutes for 250-350 THB (~7-10 USD). The pier sits inside Maenam Beach, so it suits Maenam, Bophut and Bang Po.

Source: Direct Ferries Maenam to Thong Sala page and siamtickets, checked 2026-10-01. Earlier versions of this page said some Lomprayah sailings also use Nathon; no current source confirms that, so plan around Maenam.

1. Check the date on lomprayah.com or an agent such as 12Go; with only about three sailings a day, December-January fills up 1-2 days ahead.
2. Arrive about 30 minutes before departure: check-in is by boarding pass, not an open queue.
3. Luggage is loaded separately from the cabin; limits are set by the operator (commonly about 20 kg per passenger), so check your ticket.
4. The catamaran is air-conditioned with assigned seats.
5. From Thong Sala, songthaews (about 40-60 THB to nearby spots) and taxis wait to take you to Haad Rin, Chalok Lam or your resort.

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Is Seatran Discovery a Good Choice From Bang Rak?

Yes, if you stay near the airport, Bophut or Choeng Mon. Seatran Discovery departs Bang Rak pier beside Big Buddha and lands at Thong Sala in about 30-45 minutes for roughly 300-355 THB (~8.50-10 USD), about three times a day (12go.asia operator page, checked 2026-10-01). It is a few minutes from Bang Rak Beach and the airport.

1. Reserve on seatrandiscovery.com or 12Go; Seatran is often bundled into Bangkok bus-ferry tickets.
2. Check in at the Bang Rak ticket counter at least 30 minutes before sailing.
3. The vessel is larger than the Lomprayah catamaran, so it is a reasonable pick if you get seasick.
4. At Thong Sala, songthaews and taxis queue at the pier exit.

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Which Ferry Is the Cheapest From Samui to Phangan?

Raja Ferry, from the vehicle pier at Lipa Noi Beach, at about 130 THB (~3.50 USD) per passenger in October 2026 listings, taking 60-75 minutes and sailing roughly every two hours. The Samui-Phangan leg is unverified against the operator’s own page; Raja’s Donsak crossing is documented separately in the ferry dataset.

1. Drive or taxi to the Lipa Noi terminal on the southwest coast and allow extra time in high season.
2. Buy the passenger or vehicle ticket at the counter, or reserve online in December-January and Full Moon Party week.
3. Passengers can stay with the vehicle or use the upper deck.
4. Foot passengers walk off at Thong Sala; vehicles use the ramp.

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Is the Songserm Boat From Nathon Worth It?

It is worth it if you are already in the port town. Songserm sails from Nathon pier to Thong Sala in about 45-60 minutes for roughly 200-250 THB (~5.50-7 USD) in October 2026 aggregator listings. Fare and times are unverified against Songserm’s own page, so confirm at the pier. See the Nathon guide for the area.

1. Buy tickets at the Nathon pier office; walk-up seats are usually available outside peak season.
2. Sailings run a few times a day, roughly between 09:30 and 17:45; confirm the timetable at the counter.
3. The boat is simpler and slower than Lomprayah or Seatran.
4. Onward transport from Thong Sala is by songthaew.

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Which Boat Goes Straight to Haad Rin?

Haad Rin Queen, the only scheduled boat from Koh Samui to Haad Rin, the Full Moon Party beach. It leaves Big Buddha pier at Bang Rak a few times a day, takes about 50 minutes and costs roughly 250-300 THB (~7-8.50 USD) in October 2026 listings (thailandboattickets.com). Fare and times are unverified against an operator page, and listings disagree on departures.

1. Head to Big Buddha pier, next to Wat Phra Yai, 30-40 minutes before departure.
2. Buy at the pier counter or from a Samui travel agent; it is less common on international booking sites.
3. The boats rock in the October-December swell; sit low and central if you are prone to seasickness.
4. Arrive at Haad Rin pier, a short walk from the beach, and skip the songthaew leg from Thong Sala.

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Are Speedboats From Samui to Phangan Worth It?

Only when the timing matters. Shared speedboat seats are sold mostly through agents and aggregators, from roughly 350 THB (~10 USD) in 2026 listings, and leave from the same piers as the catamarans. They are faster than a ferry, but open seats bounce in chop and are cancelled first in rough weather.

Private speedboat charters are the only option for a custom time or pier: ask your hotel for a quote and agree the pier and return time in writing. Quotes vary widely by boat and season, so there is no standard rate to cite.

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Which Pier Is Closest to Where I Stay on Samui?

Your nearest pier can save 20-30 minutes of transfer before you board.

• Chaweng / Chaweng Noi: Bang Rak pier (Seatran Discovery, Haad Rin Queen) is about 15-20 minutes by taxi or songthaew and the fastest from the east coast.
• Lamai: no pier is close: Bang Rak is roughly 25-30 minutes and Nathon 35-40 minutes.
• Bophut: Bang Rak and Maenam piers are both 5-10 minutes away, so Bophut is one of the best-placed bases for this crossing.
• Maenam: Maenam (Pralan) pier is inside the beach, walkable from most Maenam Beach hotels.
• Nathon: Nathon pier serves Songserm with no transfer from Nathon Beach.
• Lipa Noi: the Raja Ferry terminal is here, so Lipa Noi Beach is the only base with same-beach access to the car ferry.

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How Do I Get From Samui Airport to Koh Phangan?

Take a taxi to a pier, then a boat: Samui Airport is not on the water. Bang Rak (Big Buddha) pier is a few kilometres from the airport, and the airport taxi counter sells fixed zone fares of about 500-1,500 THB (see the Koh Samui airport guide). Maenam pier is further, so ask the counter which zone applies.

Do not book a tight connection: allow for baggage, the taxi and the 30-minute check-in, and choose a later sailing if your flight is delayed. Seatran and Haad Rin Queen leave from Bang Rak, nearest the airport; Lomprayah leaves from Maenam. For the full arrival options, see how to get to Koh Samui.

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Can I Take a Scooter or Car to Koh Phangan?

Yes, but only with Raja Ferry from Lipa Noi: every other operator carries foot passengers only. Vehicle fares are priced per vehicle on top of each rider’s passenger fare; earlier checks gave about 180 THB (~5 USD) for a scooter and 420 THB (~12 USD) for a car, not reconfirmed in October 2026, so ask at the counter.

Most Samui scooter rental agreements exclude inter-island travel, so ask your shop before loading a bike, or rent separately once you land at Thong Sala. Car space fills fast in December-January and around Full Moon Party dates, so reserve a few days ahead.

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How Do I Get Back From Koh Phangan to Koh Samui?

Use the same operators in reverse, from Thong Sala (or Haad Rin for Haad Rin Queen) to the Samui pier you choose, with broadly the same fares and durations. Last boats leave Thong Sala around late afternoon or early evening, so do not plan a late dinner before a same-day return.

If you only have a day, the Koh Phangan day trip guide lists what fits between an early sailing and the last boat back. Check the return time when you buy the outbound ticket.

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Do Night Boats Run for the Full Moon Party?

Yes. On Full Moon Party nights, operators add extra late sailings from Samui to Haad Rin, and independent speedboats supplement the regular boats. Return boats to Samui run through the night and again after sunrise. Check the dates on the Full Moon Party dates page first.

Night fares are higher than daytime ones and set by each operator for each party, so no single figure applies. Expect crowded piers and slow boarding. Buy a round trip in advance through your hotel or a Samui travel agent, and confirm the last return time before you leave the pier, since it varies by operator and season.

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What Problems Should I Plan for on the Crossing?

The crossing is generally reliable, but a few issues recur.

• Monsoon cancellations (Nov-Dec): the northeast monsoon brings the roughest Gulf seas in these months and rough weather delays or cancels sailings, especially smaller boats such as Haad Rin Queen and Songserm. Check conditions the morning of travel and keep a buffer day before a flight.
• Overbooking in peak season: December-January and Full Moon Party week sell out, particularly Raja Ferry’s vehicle slots.
• Wrong pier: Samui has several departure piers (Maenam, Nathon, Bang Rak, Lipa Noi). Check the pier name on your ticket, not just the operator name.
• Thong Sala vs Haad Rin: most tickets land at Thong Sala. For the Full Moon Party beach, budget a 20-30 minute, roughly 100-150 THB songthaew ride, or take Haad Rin Queen.
• Luggage and children: limits and child fares differ by operator (about 20 kg is common); oversized bags or surfboards may cost extra.

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FAQ

How long is the ferry from Samui to Phangan?

The Samui to Phangan ferry takes about 30-60 minutes. Lomprayah and Seatran Discovery catamarans take about 30-45 minutes to Thong Sala, Songserm about 45-60 minutes, and Raja Ferry’s car ferry from Lipa Noi about 60-75 minutes. Haad Rin Queen takes roughly 50 minutes.

Which ferry goes to Haad Rin, not Thong Sala?

Haad Rin Queen, departing Big Buddha pier at Bang Rak, is the only scheduled operator that lands directly at Haad Rin. Lomprayah, Seatran Discovery, Raja Ferry and Songserm all arrive at Thong Sala, roughly 8 km and 20-30 minutes by songthaew from Haad Rin beach.

How much does the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry cost?

Fares run roughly 130-355 THB (~3.50-10 USD) one way on regular daytime sailings. Raja Ferry passengers pay the least, about 130 THB, while the Lomprayah and Seatran catamarans cost about 250-355 THB. Agent bookings cost more than operator or walk-up fares, and Full Moon Party night boats cost more again.

Can I take a scooter or car on the ferry to Koh Phangan?

Yes, but only with Raja Ferry from the Lipa Noi vehicle terminal. No other operator carries vehicles, and many rental shops forbid taking their bikes across. Vehicle fares are charged on top of the passenger fare per rider; ask at the counter for the current price.

What’s the best day trip from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?

Take the morning Lomprayah (08:00 from Maenam) or Seatran Discovery sailing to Thong Sala and return on the last boat, around 16:30 on the catamarans. Confirm the return time at the pier, since it shifts seasonally. For a longer plan that includes Koh Phangan, see our Koh Samui itinerary guide.

Do I need to book the ferry in advance?

Not outside peak periods, when walk-up tickets at the pier are usually available. Lomprayah and Seatran run only about three sailings a day, so book 1-3 days ahead in December-January and during Full Moon Party week, when they and especially Raja Ferry’s vehicle slots sell out.

Is Koh Phangan nicer than Koh Samui?

Neither is better for everyone. Koh Samui has more resorts, restaurants and services, while Koh Phangan is hillier, quieter outside the Full Moon Party and more backpacker-oriented. Our Koh Samui vs Koh Phangan comparison covers beaches, cost and nightlife so you can choose a base.