Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To/From Ko Tao
Ko Tao-bound
Lomprayah
ferries (500B) depart from Thong Sala on Ko Pha-Ngan at
8.30am and 1pm and arrive at 9.45am and 2.15pm. The
Seatran
service (430B) departs
from Thong Sala at 8.30am and 2pm daily. Taxis depart Hat Rin for Thong Sala one hour
before the boat departure. The cheaper-but-slower
Songserm
(350B) leaves Ko Pha-
Ngan at 12.30pm and alights at 2.30pm.
To/From Surat Thani & the Andaman Coast
There are about eight daily departures between Ko Pha-Ngan and Surat Thani on the
(550B, 2¾ hours) services, both travelling via Ko Samui. These boats leave from Thong
Sala throughout the day from 7am to 8pm. Every night, depending on the weather, a boat
runs from Surat (350B, seven hours), departing at 11pm. Boats in the opposite direction
leave Ko Pha-Ngan at 10pm.
Combination boat-bus tickets are available at any travel agency. Simply tell them your
desired destination and they will sell you the necessary links in the transport chain. Most
travellers will pass through Surat Thani as they swap coasts.
Getting Around
You can rent motorcycles all over the island for 150B to 250B per day. Always wear a
helmet - it's the law on Ko Pha-Ngan, and local policemen are starting to enforce it. If
you plan on riding over dirt tracks it is imperative that you rent a bike comparable to a
Honda MTX125 - gearless scooters cannot make the journey. Bicycle rentals are discour-
aged unless you're fit enough to take on Lance Armstrong.
Pick-up trucks and
sŏrng·tăa·ou
chug along the island's major roads and the riding
rates double after sunset. Ask your accommodation about free or discount transfers when
you leave the island. The trip from Thong Sala to Hat Rin is 100B; further beaches will
set you back around 150B to 200B.
Long-tail boats depart from Thong Sala, Chalok Lam and Hat Rin, heading to a variety
of far-flung destinations such as Hat Khuat (Bottle Beach) and Ao Thong Nai Pan. Ex-
pect to pay anywhere from 50B for a short trip, and up to 300B for a lengthier journey.
You can charter a private boat ride from beach to beach for about 150B per 15 minutes of
travel.
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