Samui Airport is the nearest airport to Koh Phangan and offers direct flights from a range of domestic destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai as well as daily flights from Singapore and Hong Kong. Bangkok Air owns the airport and is the only airline operating flights in and out. 

Samui Airport is unusual because there is no indoor area, with the exception of the souvenir shop. It is a two-terminal facility, with the International Terminal being found just 50 metres north of the Domestic Terminal. Other facilities include a restaurant, toilets, a post office and a shuttle trolley that transfers passengers to the planes. Facilities are very limited, but the unique atmosphere and tropical scenery make up for this.

The airport can be found very close to Bo Phut Beach in the northern part of the island as well as being near to the Big Buddha Pier, which is where ferries to Koh Phangan depart from. It is best to get a taxi or minibus to the pier before catching a ferry across the water to Phangan. There are several ferry departures throughout the day, although they stop at nightfall.

Tourist buses arrive in Surat Thani from all across the country, although the most popular route is from Bangkok. These buses vary in comfort and quality and therefore price. When you arrive in Surat Thani, you will be led to another bus which you have to catch to the pier. Once at the pier, you will be able to catch a ferry to Thong Sala. If you are travelling by bus, it is important to remain alert and never leave your valuables unattended.

Thai government buses are often considered to be less hassle than those dedicated to tourists and like the tourist buses; they arrive in Surat Thani every day from nationwide destinations.

If you are already on Samui and wish to make the short crossing to Phangan, you can catch a ferry from Big Buddha Pier directly to Hat Rin. Ferries also depart from Nathon and Maenam piers to Thong Sala many times per day.

Overnight trains from Bangkok make for a comfortable and interesting alternative to the buses, arriving at either Surat Thani or Chumphon where you can catch bus and boat combinations to Koh Phangan. It is possible to buy train-bus-boat tickets from travel agents at Bangkok’s main train station (Hualumpong).

Once you are on the island, transport is limited, but you will never be stuck for travel options. Songtaews (taxis) travel around the island for a minimal charge per journey, although prices go up if you want to travel to some of the more remote areas. Boats cruise around the bays stopping at snorkelling sites and remote beaches. The round-the-island boat trip is an excellent way of seeing some of the best beaches, with a total journey time of about 6 hours.