By plane
The closest airport is Ko
Samui (USM) which has frequent flights from
Bangkok and Phuket, daily flights from U-Tapao and
Singapore, and several direct flights each week
from Chiang Mai and Kuala Lumpur. Transportation
to the ferry dock is easy to find at the airport.
Ferries depart several times a day with the last
one around dusk.
By boat and bus
Buses arrive in Surat Thani, capital of Surat Thani
Province, from all over Thailand and you will find
yourself inexorably swept up in the machine that
will, several buses and at least one ferry later,
spit you out on the rusty pier of Thong Sala.
Caution is to be exercised when stowing valuables
on the bus: Keep all valuables with you in the main
cabin of the bus, and not below. There have been
reports of stolen goods, so be aware, and don't
leave cameras, credit cards, or other such items
in your bag- it could get sifted through by someone.
Better yet, take a Thai Government bus down to
Surat Thani: this is widely regarded as a less hassle
filled voyage than the Khao San Road (or other travel
agent sold) tickets.
There are also ferries (at least 3 a day) from
Ko Samui's "Big Buddha" pier directly
to Haad Rin. Ferries also leave from Nathon and
Maenam piers to Thong Sala multiple times a day.
(check schedules before leaving.)
By train, boat and bus
Overnight train from Bangkok is an interesting option.
Trains arrive in Surat Thani or Chumphon, and from
there you can take the usual bus, boat combo to
Ko Samui and on over to Pha Ngan. Purchase train-bus-boat
tickets from any of the travel agents in Hua Lamphong
station in Bangkok.
Getting around
By motorcycle
100-125cc motorbikes can be hired from around 150
baht/day; larger capacity models cost 300-1000 baht/day.
Foreigners may be required to leave their passport
as a deposit. Even though you don't need to present
a drivers license - learning how to drive a motorbike
in the hills of Haad Rin is not advisable.
Some rental shops overcharge for every scratch
or dent. They don't fix, but rather replace the
whole part - so note damages to the bike on the
rental contract.
Avoid riding at sundown, when the bugs are out
en masse, and result in brief periods of riding
blind, while you desperately try to clear your corneas.
Try not to go home with a 'KPN tattoo' - this can
either result from your tender-skinned body sliding
along a bitumen road at high speed with few clothes
on, or from the inside of your leg touching too
hot exhaust pipe of the moped. King Cobras on the
road are extemely rare, appear as large branches
across your path from afar, but may strike or coil
themselves around the axle of your bike if you're
not careful.
Care is needed if attempting to go over the notorious
Haad Rin hills, the roads at the eastern side of
the island, and north of Haad Yao. Especially the
"Hill of Tears" (first steep ascend from
Thong Sala towards Haad Rin) needs caution - use
low gear only and rather have your passenger walk,
than bruised up.
Drunk driving in the West is illegal - in Ko Pha
Ngan it's suicidal. Better to sit in the back of
a taxi than hitting one head on at night, or end
up in hospital.
Wear a helmet, avoid riding in flip-flops and stay
within your limits. The slower you drive, the less
it's gonna hurt.
It is also possible to rent small Suzuki jeeps,
however you will find that you can circuit the island
in a day.
By songthaew
Songthaew pick-up truck taxis criss-cross the island
for around 50 baht a ride, or 100 baht for the less
accessible destination of Thong Nai Pan.
By boat
Boats cruise the bays with your snorkeling gear
until somewhere takes your fancy. The round-the-island
6-hour boat trip is a great way to see some of the
best beaches in the island, for around 500 baht/day.
Koh Phangan Transportation - How to get here
By plane 
