Taxi on Koh Phangan and how to get around the island

Koh Phangan is a popular tourist island known for its Full Moon Parties, beaches and secluded atmosphere. However, unlike the major cities of Thailand, there are no traditional taxis, nor services like Grab, Uber or Bolt.

Although there are no standard taxis on Koh Phangan, there are alternatives. The main form of public transport is songthaews – open pick-up trucks with seats in the back that travel around the island. Private transfers can also be arranged, but they are considerably more expensive.

Why is there no official taxi on Koh Phangan?

There are no licensed taxis on Koh Phangan like in Bangkok or Phuket. This is due to several reasons.

Firstly, services like Grab, Uber or Bolt do not operate here. The reason is that Koh Phangan is a small island with a limited number of drivers, where large aggregators do not operate.

Secondly, licensing of taxis here is almost impossible. To officially register a taxi service, infrastructure, standardization of tariffs and registration of drivers are required, but on Koh Phangan there is none of this.

What are songthaews and how do they work?

Songthaews are pickup trucks with a covered body and two rows of seats for passengers. They serve as shuttles and run along the main roads of the island. Unlike a regular taxi, songthaews are not called via an app, but simply stopped on the road.

Main Songthaew Routes

The central point of all routes is Thong Sala, the main pier of the island. It is from here that songthaews depart for different areas:

Route	Price (baht)
Thong Sala → Bantay	150
Thong Sala → Had Rin	150
Thong Sala → Sritanu	200
Thong Sala → Chaloklam	200
Thong Sala → Thong Nai Pan	300

Songthaews do not operate on a fixed schedule. They run more frequently during the day, especially between Thong Sala and Haad Rin, where the main beaches and parties are located. After 10pm there are fewer songthaews, and at night they hardly run at all, so it is worth planning your return in advance.

The price depends on the distance, time of day and number of passengers. If there are already people in the car, the price is fixed. However, if you are a single passenger and want to go to a distant area, the driver may ask for an amount 2-3 times higher than the standard.

Since there are no fixed prices, sometimes you can bargain with the driver. It is better to clarify the cost before boarding, as some may try to overcharge tourists.

Individual trips and is there a private taxi?

There are no traditional private taxis with fixed rates on Koh Phangan, but you can arrange a personal transfer.

If you need a private car, songthaew drivers are willing to offer a private ride, but the price will be significantly higher. For example, if a regular ride on the Thong Sala → Haad Rin route costs 150 baht per person, then for a private car they may ask 1000-1500 baht.

Some hotels and guesthouses can arrange private car transfers, but this also costs between 1,200 and 2,000 baht depending on the distance.

There is no official service for booking a taxi on Koh Phangan, but some drivers provide phone numbers for contact. You can agree in advance with the songthaew driver or use the contacts provided by the hotels.

Thus, a private taxi on Koh Phangan is more of an individual arrangement than a standard service, so it is important to clarify the cost and conditions of the trip in advance.

Conclusion

Getting around Phangan requires some planning as there are no regular taxis. Songthaews are convenient for short trips, but their service is limited in time. For longer trips, you can arrange a private transfer, but the price will be high.

Renting a motorbike remains the best option for most tourists, especially those planning to stay on the island for longer than 3-5 days. However, those who cannot drive are better off relying on songthaews and delivery services.

The choice of transport on Koh Phangan depends on your driving experience, budget and travel goals. If you take all the nuances into account in advance, moving around the island will not be a problem, and your vacation will be comfortable and without unexpected expenses.