Reader’s E-mail:
I am flying from Bangkok to Surat Thani on Air Asia FD 3233, scheduled to arrive at 19.10. Is there anyway I can get to Koh Phangan same day? Should I stay near the ferry port?
Reply from Thailand Info
The last ferry over to Koh Phangan departs at 18.00 from Donsak ferry pier, which is a 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Surat Thani Airport.
Stay in Surat Thani For The Night
The best thing to do is to go into Surat Thani town and stay there for the night. The ferry terminal at Donsak is a long way to go at this time of night (there are no buses running) and the accommodation at Donsak is not very good.
There is a minivan service which picks up from this flight which will be waiting outside the terminal building after you clear customs. It is run by the Phantip Travel Company it costs a 100 THB and goes to Surat Thani Bus Station. The drive from the airport to Surat Thani town takes around 50 minutes.
Staying in Surat Thani Town
A good place to stay in Surat Thani is the Wang Tai Hotel the minivan from the airport goes past it on the way to the bus station and they will (probably) drop you off there on the way if you ask in advance. The rooms are modern with bathrooms and air-conditioning. The restaurant is very good also and you will appreciate not needing to leave the hotel as you are arriving late in the evening and likely to be tired from the travelling.
Travel from Surat Thani Town to Koh Phangan
The next day you can get to Phangan by the Raja Ferry. No need to book. You need to get to the Phantip Travel office on the Talad Mai Road slightly before 08.30 (for 10.00 departure from the port to arrive in Koh Phangan at 12.30) or slightly before 11.30 (for the 13.00 departure from the port to arrive in Koh Phangan at 15.30). The Wang Tai Hotel is on the Talad Mai road, but the distance to Phantip Travel office is about 2.2 km so flag down a taxi or Songthaew (which is type of converted pick up truck) to do the journey. If you ask at the reception they can arrange something for you.