Koh Phangan Travel Guide & Money-Saving Tips

Plan a Koh Phangan trip around full-moon nights, quiet beaches and cheap local food, with clear guidance on seasons, costs and saving money.

Chase full-moon nights and quiet island bays

Koh Phangan is a brilliant island to recommend to anyone who wants a proper choice of holiday mood. Haad Rin's Full Moon Party can run until sunrise, with fire shows, neon paint and tens of thousands of people on the sand.

Away from the party, Zen Beach in Sri Thanu has sunset drum circles, fire dancers and a far more relaxed crowd. Add jungle trails, boat-only beaches and more than 30 beaches, and the island gives you plenty to do between late nights.

This hub brings together what to know before going to Koh Phangan and how to save money while still getting the most out of the trip.

Good to know

The Full Moon Party takes over Haad Rin each month, and prices and crowds spike for several days around it. Check the party dates before booking, whether you want to join or avoid it.

Top tips

Currency: THB (฿)
Daily spend: 500–1000+ THB per person
Hotels: 250–1000+ THB per night
Plug: American 2-prong / Europlug / Thai
Tipping: Welcomed
Timezone: GMT+7
Taxis: Grab
Food: Grab

Best time to visit

Weather, prices, crowds and the events worth travelling for.

Prime season

Great

Dec – Feb

Dry, warm and calm with February at its driest; peak room rates and full-moon crowds.

Hot season

Good

Mar – Apr

Hot and mostly dry, with April around 34°C; rates ease after February and Songkran brings visitors.

Shoulder season

Good

May – Aug

Showers mix with sun and July–August brings a drier spell; quieter beaches and shoulder rates.

Monsoon

Good

Sep – Nov

Heavy October–November rain brings rough seas and ferry delays; rooms are cheapest and beaches are quieter.

Cost saving tips

Book Haad Rin or Ban Tai accommodation one to two weeks before a Full Moon Party, when rooms and ferries become more expensive.
Buy Halfmoon Festival passes in advance, with passes priced around ฿1,500–4,900 and peak-weekend door sales not guaranteed.
Visit in October or November for the lowest room rates and possible long-stay discounts, while allowing extra time for weather-related ferry delays.

Top tips

Carry small baht notes because Phantip Night Market stalls and the Full Moon Party gate take cash, while ATMs are easiest to find in Thong Sala.
Agree the songthaew or taxi fare before boarding, especially after dark when rides back from Haad Rin cost more.
Never ride a scooter home from Haad Rin after a Full Moon Party; arrange a sober ride before the night gets busy.
Eat one dish at a time at Phantip Night Market and follow the queues used by local residents.
Walk through Thong Sala on Saturday evening for the weekly Walking Street, with food, crafts and live music along the closed main road.
Arrive at Zen Beach about an hour before sunset to find a good spot for the drum circle and fire performances.

Packing tips

Closed shoes for Full Moon beach nights, where broken glass can be hidden in the sand.
A dry bag for longtail boat transfers and sudden monsoon downpours.
Small baht notes for cash-only food stalls and the party gate.
A packable rain shell for September–November journeys.