Monday, September 04, 2006

How to get here ?

Getting to Koh Phangan is easy and you have several options depending on your port of entry and the amount of money and time you want to spend. If you come from another location than Bangkok check your travel guide or a local travel agency for your options.

Airplane

By AirplaneThe quickest and most comfortable way to get here is flying from Bangkok to neighbouring island Koh Samui (which takes about 1 hour) and then take a boat from there. Bangkok Airways does about twenty return flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui daily. For more information about flights or booking you can visit the Bangkok Airways site: http://www.bangkokair.com

Train

The State Railway of Thailand offers an efficient rail service from Bangkok to the South of Thailand (southern line). The overnight sleeper trains with clean and secure carriages are the best way to go. Check the latest prices and schedules via the service link on : http://www.railway.co.th/Eng/ All trains stop in Suratthani, where you will be provided with a connecting bus to the ferry pier. The total trip by train and boat takes about 11 to 16 hours.

Once you get on the train and you only see seats and no beds, don't be afraid you entered the wrong coach. In the evening the seats are changed into beds. Also note that the on board food is quite good but relatively expensive (250 baht) and at every station local people are offering you a variety of Thai snacks which are much cheaper.

Bus

Taking a government bus from Bangkok is a good way to get to Koh Phangan. Contrary to the regular (tourist) buses, which are offered by travel agencies and TAT-agencies, the government bus has less seats and therefore a lot of leg space, wórking reclining seats and has a direct connection to the island. The bus will continue to the ferry to Koh Phangan with you so you can leave your luggage on the bus, saving you time and the hassle of changing transport. The government bus leaves from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok, where you must also buy the ticket, and will cost around 900 baht (one way).

Boat

Arriving by train or bus in Suratthani : A boat ticket from Suratthani to Koh Phangan is usually included in the 'joint ticket' you already bought when buying a train- or bus ticket in Bangkok. Joint tickets also include transport from the bus or train station to the pier.

Arriving by airplane on Koh Samui : On arrival at the cosy airport of Samui you can ask the information desk for a taxi and boat ticket to Koh Phangan.

There are several boats you can choose from : By Boat The Lomprayah Catamaran offers a high-speed service and leaves from Mae Had in the Northwest of Koh Samui and takes about 20 minutes to get to main town Thong Sala in Koh Phangan.

The Haad Rin Queen leaves from the Big Buddha pier in Bophut, near the airport and takes about 45 minutes to get to Haad Rin in Koh Phangan.

The car ferry and the Songserm or Seatran Express Boats leave from Nathon on the west side of Koh Samui and all take about 45 minutes up to an hour to get to main town Thong Sala in Koh Phangan.

Information : How to get here ?

No comments: