We chose operator Lomparayah to travel from Bangkok to Koh Phangan because of their service reputation and recommendation from online users. One of their service highlight is the High Speed Catamaran Ferry which is fast and stable in rough sea. Here is the summary of our experience with Lomprayah travelling from Bangkok to Koh Phangan.
1. Early check in at Lomprayah Khao San office
2. Dine in at restaurant at Khao San Road before gatherng at departure point at 8:30pm
3. Boarding and bus leaving on time for Chumphon Pier
4. Stopver at Ton Restaurant for break
5. Arrival at Chumphon Pier at 5am
6. Boarding High Speed Catamaran Ferry at 7am
7. Drop off passengers at Koh Nayuan and Koh Tao
8. Arrival at Thong Sala Pier, Koh Phangan at 10:45am
1. Early check in at Lomprayah Khao San office
Early check in is allowed at Lomprayah Khao San office. Those who preferred to have front seat could check in earlier after 6:00pm because the seat selection is on a first-come-first-served basis
We received ferry ticket and orange sticker for tagging on our luggage after check in. This is the convenience of Lomprayah staffs to seal the luggage in groups of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Then the luggage would be transferred to destination in safe manner.
2. Dine in at restaurant at Khao San Road before gatherng at departure point at 8:30pm
After checking in, we left our luggage at Lomprayah office and went for dinner. At Khao San Road, there are great variety and choices of foods and beers to choose from.
We returned and gathered at Lomprayah office at 8:30pm. Lomprayah staffs would then lead all the passengers to the adjacent departure point, which is just a 5-minute walking distance away from Lomprayah office.
3. Boarding and bus leaving on time for Chumphon Pier
Lomprayah bus was punctual and arrived on time at 9:00pm. After boarding, the bus left on time for Chumphon Pier. It is a double-decker bus with seat configuration of 4-seats-in-a-row, as can view from the pictures below.
4. Stopover at Ton Restaurant for break
At about 2:00am, the bus had a stopover at the Ton Restaurant for a short break. Many of the passengers used the restroom and some of the passengers took their supper at this restaurant. The stopover is somewhere in between Bangkok and Chumphon. The food stalls are still in operations to serve any visiting customers, despite the late hour.
5. Arrival at Chumphon Pier at 5am
The bus eventually arrived the Lomprayah Pier in Chumphon at 5:00am. There are benches, reclining seats and free WiFi at the pier. Many of the passengers just lay back and rest while waiting for the ferry. Ferry departure time is at 7:00am.
6. Boarding High Speed Catamaran Ferry at 7am
At 7:00am sharp, Lomprayah staffs came to the counter to check in passengers for boarding the High Speed Catamaran Ferry.
The Catamaran Ferry was comfortable, and equipped with air conditioning and spacious seats. Surprisingly, the ride was also stable throughout the journey even when the Catamaran Ferry was riding on the rough sea.
7. Drop off passengers at Koh Nayuan and Koh Tao
After about two and half hour journey on the Catamaran Ferry, it finally arrived at Koh Tao at 9:30am. The Catamaran Ferry stopped at the Mae Haad Pier on Koh Tao, where most of the passengers alighted.
Soon after, there was another group of passengers that boarded the Catamaran Ferry at Koh Tao Mae Haad Pier heading to Koh Phangan, Koh Samui or Surat Thani. By 9:45am, the Catamaran Ferry continued the journey to the Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan.
8. Arrival at Thong Sala Pier, Koh Phangan at 10:45am
By 10:45am, we finally arrived at the Thong Sala Pier on Koh Phangan. After getting off the ferry, we saw that there were many tuk tuks and taxis waiting at the jetty area, ready to transfer guests to their respective hotels. The whole journey from Bangkok to Koh Phangan takes about 14 hours.
Sepcial Note: Try to avoid engaging the tuk tuk or taxis at the jetty. Instead, walk a little further up to the main road to look for cheaper tuk tuks or taxis. You can see the 7-Eleven and Lomprayah office near the main road.
