- The regular daytime ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan stops in the early evening, long before the party even gets going, so it cannot bring you back that night.
- A night speedboat transfer from Koh Samui costs ฿890 one way or ฿1290 round trip and includes hotel pickup and a return boat from Haad Rin pier.
- Return speedboats leave Haad Rin pier every hour from 0:00 to 6:00, so you do not need to plan your exact leaving time in advance.
- Staying overnight on Koh Phangan avoids the night sea crossing entirely, but rooms near Haad Rin sell out and often require a minimum stay around full moon.
- A private boat charter is the flexible, pricier option for a group that wants its own schedule rather than a shared timetable.
There are four real ways to get from Koh Samui to the Full Moon Party: the regular daytime ferry plus a taxi, sleeping over on Koh Phangan, a private boat charter, or a night speedboat transfer. Only the night speedboat and an overnight stay actually solve the problem of getting home after sunrise, because regular ferries from Koh Samui stop running in the early evening, well before Haad Rin beach fills up.
Picture this: it is midnight, the beach is loud, someone in your group is holding a bucket and asking "so how do we get back?" This is the question that catches people out every month. Sort it before you leave your hotel, not at the pier.
Can you take a regular ferry from Koh Samui to the Full Moon Party?
You can take a regular ferry over in the afternoon, but you cannot take one back that night. The scheduled ferries that run between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan during the day stop in the early evening, and there is no regular ferry service once the party is underway.
This catches a lot of first-timers out. They book a normal ferry ticket, land at Thong Sala in the afternoon, taxi over to Haad Rin, and have a great night, then realise at 2 am that there is nothing scheduled to take them home. Some end up booking a room last minute at inflated prices, others wait around hoping for a boat that is not coming.
If you only want to go one way and sleep on Koh Phangan, a regular ferry plus a taxi from Thong Sala pier to Haad Rin works fine. If you plan to come home to Koh Samui the same night, this route alone will not do it.
Is staying overnight on Koh Phangan a good idea?
Staying overnight near Haad Rin removes the night boat problem completely, but you pay for it in room prices and availability. Accommodation close to Haad Rin is often booked out around the full moon, and minimum-stay rules are common.
If you book early and do not mind the Haad Rin scene for a day or two either side, this is genuinely the most relaxed option. You walk to the party, you walk home, no boats involved at all.
It suits people who want to make a short trip of it, maybe adding a day at the Full Moon Party itself or exploring the island afterwards. It does not suit people who are based on Koh Samui for their whole trip and do not want to pack a bag for one night. For a fuller comparison of the two bases, see staying on Koh Samui or Koh Phangan for the party.
What about a private boat charter from Koh Samui?
A private charter gives a group its own boat and its own schedule, leaving and returning whenever you want rather than on a shared timetable. It is the most flexible option and also the most expensive, since you are paying for the whole boat rather than a seat on it.
This makes sense for a larger group that wants full control, or for people who want to leave well before sunrise without waiting for a scheduled departure. For a solo traveller or a couple, it rarely makes financial sense compared to a shared transfer.
How does the night speedboat transfer from Koh Samui work?
A night speedboat transfer picks you up from your hotel, drives you to the pier, and takes you across by boat timed around the party rather than a daytime schedule. This is the option built specifically for people who want to party on Koh Phangan and sleep in their own bed on Koh Samui.
The crossing leaves from Bangrak pier near Big Buddha and lands at Haad Rin pier, a few minutes' walk from the beach. The ride takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on the sea that night.
Coming home is the part people care about most. Return boats leave Haad Rin pier every hour through the night, so you are not locked into one departure time picked in advance.
For the full detail on how that return trip feels and what to expect at the pier, read how to get to the Full Moon Party from Koh Samui by speedboat and how to get back to Koh Samui after the party.
Koh Samui to Full Moon Party: comparing the options
Laid out side by side, the trade-offs are pretty clear once you know what you are optimising for: cost, flexibility, or simply not having to think about logistics at midnight.
| Option | Gets you home same night? | Hassle level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular ferry + taxi | No, last ferry is too early | Low effort, but leaves you stuck | Those sleeping on Koh Phangan anyway |
| Overnight stay on Koh Phangan | Not needed | Low on the night, but book early | Travellers happy to pack a bag for one night |
| Private boat charter | Yes, on your own schedule | Low once arranged, costly | Larger groups wanting full control |
| Night speedboat transfer | Yes, hourly returns 0:00 to 6:00 | Low, pickup and return included | Anyone based on Koh Samui for the night |
What does the speedboat transfer include and cost?
The transfer includes hotel pickup, the speedboat crossing, and life jackets for everyone on board. A one way ticket is ฿890 and a round trip is ฿1290 per person, paid in cash at the pier on the day, with no prepayment online.
- Pickup from your hotel or villa anywhere on Koh Samui, by minivan
- Speedboat from Bangrak pier to Haad Rin pier (and back, on a round trip)
- Life jackets for every passenger
- Not included: the 200 THB party entrance, paid in cash at the beach, and your food and drinks
On the New Year party, 31 December, prices are slightly higher at ฿1190 one way and ฿1490 round trip, since it is the busiest night of the year with far more boats and people moving at once.
Booking takes a couple of minutes, there is nothing to pay until you are at the pier, and you can see the full breakdown of what pickup times are available on the transfer page.
Staying on Koh Samui? Hotel pickup, speedboat from Bangrak pier to Haad Rin and boats back every hour from 0:00 to 6:00. One way ฿890, round trip ฿1290, free booking, pay cash at the pier.
Book your transferWhich option should you actually choose?
If you are based on Koh Samui and just want one solid night out, the night speedboat transfer is the straightforward answer. It is built around the shape of the party, it is cheaper than a private charter, and it removes the stress of working out a last ferry that does not exist.
If you want to turn it into a short island-hopping trip, staying overnight on Koh Phangan is a good call, just book your room well ahead. A private charter is worth it mainly for bigger groups with a flexible budget who want their own timetable rather than a shared one.
Whichever way you get there, check the Full Moon Party schedule before you book anything, since dates shift around Buddhist holidays and are not always exactly on the full moon night.
A few things to sort before party night
A short list of the practical stuff that saves a headache later:
- Bring cash in Thai baht: the 200 THB entrance fee is cash only, no online tickets exist for it, as covered on Full Moon Party tickets and entrance fee.
- Book your transfer pickup time in advance rather than trying to arrange something last minute on the day.
- Decide one meeting point with your group before the party starts, since phone signal and finding people gets hard after dark.
- Check what to wear and what to leave at the hotel on what to wear and bring to the Full Moon Party.
None of these take long to sort, and they are the difference between an easy night and a stressful one. The party itself takes care of the rest.
Questions and answers
How early should I book the Koh Samui transfer before the Full Moon Party?
There is no strict rule, but booking a few days ahead is sensible, especially in high season when minivans and boats fill up. Booking online on the transfer page takes a couple of minutes and there is no prepayment, so there is no risk in locking it in early.
Can I go to the Full Moon Party for just a few hours and come back early?
Yes, with a round trip ticket you are not locked into a single return time. Return boats leave Haad Rin pier every hour from 0:00 to 6:00, so you can come back on whichever one suits you.
Is it cheaper to arrange the ferry and taxi myself instead of a transfer?
A daytime ferry plus taxi can work out cheaper for a one-way daytime trip, but it does not solve the return journey at night, since regular ferries stop running in the early evening. Once you add a night boat and transport back to your hotel, the saving mostly disappears.
What happens if I miss the last return boat from Haad Rin?
With return boats running every hour until 6:00, missing one just means waiting for the next one at the pier. It is worth pacing your night so you are not relying on catching the very last departure.
Do I need to book the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan transfer separately for a group?
No, you can book for the whole group in one booking and specify the pickup details. Everyone is collected from the same hotel or villa and travels together.
Is the night speedboat crossing rough?
It depends on the sea that night, and the ride itself takes 20 to 30 minutes. Life jackets are provided for every passenger, and conditions are generally manageable, though it is still open water at night, so expect some movement.
Should I stay on Koh Phangan instead of doing a transfer from Koh Samui?
It depends on how you want to spend your trip. Staying over removes the night crossing but means booking accommodation early and possibly a minimum stay, while the transfer suits anyone who is happy with their base on Koh Samui and just wants one easy night out.
Transfer facts checked on 17 October 2026. Prices and party dates can change: the booking form always shows the current ones.