Budgeting, Koh Phangan, Nomadlife, Thailand, Travel

Koh Phangan Cost of Living 2024: A Complete Guide to Budgeting, Expenses, and Living as a Family on the Island

July 5, 2024

Updated in November 2024!

Here we are again with one of my favorite topics: a proper cost breakdown, the Koh Phangan cost of living 2024!

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I regularly share breakdowns of our expenses. I believe there’s a lack of information on this topic, especially for families. Today, we’re talking about Koh Phangan, a small island in southern Thailand. We’ve made this our base since early 2020 and have witnessed the price changes over the years firsthand.

In this article, I’ll cover the expenses for hotels and long-term rentals, share crucial tips on the best times to book, and provide a general overview of the costs for schools, childcare, transportation, and dining. Let’s go!

longtail boat with green roof in clear water — Something that Koh Phangan is known for: crystal clear water and colorful longtail-boats.

Is Koh Phangan Still Worth It?

First things first: Is Koh Phangan still worth visiting? In short, yes! But a lot has indeed changed over the past few years. Around 2,000 new foreigners have moved to the island to live here permanently. Construction is happening everywhere (which is admittedly heartbreaking), prices for almost everything have gone up, and during the high season, the island is more crowded than ever.

However, we must also acknowledge that the island has more to offer now. There are more schools, kindergartens, restaurants, sports facilities, art programs, and generally family-friendly activities. So, while you might be paying more, you’re also getting more. I think that’s a fair trade-off. It would be different if we were paying more but getting the same as before. In that case, we would have left the island long ago.

Is Koh Phangan Expensive? Our Koh Phangan Cost of Living 2024

Here’s our monthly expense breakdown. Further down, I’ll go into detail on each point.

🏠 Housing: 44,000 THB ($1,195) – 2-bedroom house in Sri Thanu (including electricity, 7 THB/Unit)
🛒 Groceries: 10,300 THB ($301) – mostly at supermarkets and local markets
🥗 Restaurants: 57,000 THB ($1,548) – mostly Western food
🛵 Transportation: 4,100 THB ($111) – we own 2 scooters and only pay for gas and maintenance
👶 Childcare/Education: 55,000 THB ($1,490) – school and kindergarten, plus playground and occasional nanny
🏋️ Sports: 8,500 THB ($230) – gym and yoga classes
💆‍♀️ Personal Care: 12,690 THB ($344) – massages, nails, and barber
🥳 Fun & Activities: 22,000 THB ($597) – e.g., waterparks, museums, diving, kids’ experiences

Total: 193,790 THB = $5,263

Find out our Koh Phangan cost of living 2023 in this article. It’s quite a difference.

Finding Accommodation in Koh Phangan – The Toughest Part

Now, this is by far the most challenging part of living on the island: finding a place to stay. During the low season (basically from May to early December), it’s definitely easier. However, in the high and peak season (mid-December to the end of April), it’s nearly impossible.

On top of that, prices skyrocket around the Full Moon Party. I remember a friend recently tried to extend her stay on the island by one night, which happened to be the night of the Full Moon Party. The result? Even a hostel bed cost $200. Unbelievable, right?

So, here’s my tip for you. If possible, avoid arriving during the week of the Full Moon Party (about 3 days before and 3 days after, you can check the Fullmoon Party schedule here). This way, you can save a lot of money. Also, try to avoid coming during the peak season, which starts around December 20th and ends around January 15th. Prices are the worst during this time.

House with blue roof in the middle of lush greenery in thailand — A drone shot of our 2bdr house in Koh Phangan (the one with the blue rooftop).

How to Find the Best Hotel or Holiday Accommodation in Koh Phangan

For a short stay of a few days or weeks, I highly recommend using Booking.com. Airbnb is generally much more expensive, and you can find great discounts on Booking. Here are some hotels where our guests have stayed in the past few months and found to be excellent:

Green Papaya Resort: A beautiful 3-star resort located directly on Salad Beach.
Beyond the Blue Horizon: An incredibly clean 3-star resort with extremely friendly management and staff.
Secret Beach Bungalows: Very basic bungalows, but located directly on one of the most beautiful beaches of the island.
Salad Hut: Beautiful small bungalows surrounding a nice pool directly on Salad Beach. This is also one of our favorite dinner places for family evenings on the beach.

If you love luxury, you should definitely check out Bay Villas. We often rent villas here for special occasions or when our parents visit. Each villa is unique and stunning (but also very pricey).

Hotels I personally do not recommend:

Highlife Bungalow: The bar stays open late into the night, making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
Santhiya Resort and Spa: I think we had our worst hotel experience ever here. It is extremely overpriced, the bungalows and the entire facilities are run down, and the food is downright bad.

How to Find Long-Term Accommodation in Koh Phangan

If you’re planning to stay in Koh Phangan for more than just a short vacation, you’ll want to look for long-term accommodation. The great thing about this type of lodging is that it’s much cheaper since you’re not paying for all the hotel amenities. Plus, you get long-term discounts and the opportunity to live more like a local.

Here’s my best practice for finding long-term accommodation:

1. Start with Facebook Marketplace: You can usually find the best and most affordable deals from local hosts here. You might also come across sublet offers, which are great because you often get to use the owner’s infrastructure (furniture, kitchen utensils, sometimes even a scooter or car).

2. Check Airbnb: If you don’t find anything suitable on Facebook, search for long-term rental options on Airbnb. Once you find a place that looks good, don’t book it right away. Do some detective work: Does the house have a name? Is the host’s full name provided? If so, use this information to search further. You can either try to find the place on Booking.com for a cheaper price or look for the host on Facebook and message them directly to negotiate a better rate.

I do this 90% of the time and am almost always successful. It’s understandable – the host is often happy to avoid paying the Airbnb fee. A win-win situation!

screenshot of facebook marketplace showing the map of koh phangan and different housing offers, koh phangan cost of living 2024 — We discovered our dream Thai house with a 2-year lease through Facebook Marketplace. Not spending too much on accommodation had a significant impact on our Koh Phangan cost of living 2024.

Here are a few managed housing communities that I can recommend:

Wanpratheep Village: Beautiful and family-friendly compound with a pool in Madue Wan. (+66 96 156 4794)
Stella Bungalows & Villas: Very tasteful houses with kind owners in the Hin Kong area. (+66 97 932 5677)
Naiwok Hills Resort: Large and family-friendly housing community close to Thongsala. (+66 2 544 0060)
Peacock Village: Affordable, basic houses with a large red pool. (+66 89 461 1115)

Transportation in Koh Phangan

Getting around in Koh Phangan isn’t as easy as it is in places like Koh Samui since we don’t have Grab or other taxi apps here. However, you have the following options:

Rent a Scooter: Depending on the model, it costs between 100 and 800 THB per day ($3 to $23). For 100 THB ($3), you get an old Honda Click; for 800 THB ($23), you get a new Yamaha XMAX. Scooter rentals are available on nearly every corner. Be aware that rental providers always require a deposit, preferably your passport. Always try to leave cash (usually around 10,000 THB or $290) instead of your passport. Fueling your scooter is very cheap. A full tank, which lasts about a week, costs between 200 and 350 THB ($6 to $10).
Rent an Electric Tricycle: These models are relatively new on the island. They are electric scooters with two rear wheels. They have a maximum speed of 40 km/hr (25 miles/hr) and can carry only one person. They come with a long electrical cable, so you can easily charge them for free at home, in your hotel, or even at a 7-Eleven. The cost is about 600 THB per day ($17) from providers like Dream E-Bike Rental.
Ride Songthaews: Songthaews are usually converted pickup trucks or larger trucks fitted with two rows of bench seating in the back, covered by a canopy. They serve as shared taxis and operate all over the island. You can simply flag one down on the street and hop in. Most rides cost only 200 THB per person ($6).
Use Private Taxis: If you want more comfort, you can call for private taxis. There is no central taxi service in Koh Phangan, so you’ll need to look for private taxi drivers on Facebook and negotiate the price with them. Note: Private taxis are often also songthaews, so don’t always expect an air-conditioned, closed car.

man with three children on saleng scooter in thailand — Salengs are modified scooters that are widely used for both personal and commercial purposes by locals.

The Costs of Food in Koh Phangan

You might have wondered why our food costs are so high in my expense breakdown. It’s simple: Firstly, we have a really basic mini Thai kitchen that’s no fun to cook in. Secondly, at least for us, living here means we can’t eat Thai food three times a day. And thirdly, we often work in cafes and restaurants, which saves us the cost of co-working spaces, but also means that we have to order food and drinks.

In general, the island offers excellent dining options. You can find everything from street Thai food to cozy cafes with healthy options to more upscale restaurants. However, you won’t find fine dining here. For that, you’ll need to head over to Samui.

Here’s a general idea of what you can expect:

Local Thai Restaurants:
- Street Food: 50 to 100 THB ($1.50 to $3)
- Casual Thai Restaurant: 80 to 150 THB ($2.50 to $4.50)
- Seafood Dish: 150 to 300 THB ($4.50 to $9)
Western Restaurants:
- Pizza: 250 to 400 THB ($7 to $11)
- Burger and Fries: 200 to 350 THB ($6 to $10)
- Pasta Dish: 200 to 350 THB ($6 to $10)
International Cuisine:
- Indian Curry and Rice: 150 to 300 THB ($4.50 to $9)
- Sushi Plate: 300 to 600 THB ($9 to $18)
- Mexican Dish: 200 to 400 THB ($6 to $12)
Cafes:
- Coffee: 50 to 100 THB ($1.50 to $3)
- Smoothie: 80 to 150 THB ($2.50 to $4.50)
- Sandwich: 100 to 200 THB ($3 to $6)
- Cake or Pastry: 80 to 150 THB ($2.50 to $4.50)

Sunset on a beach in Koh Phangan — Who wouldn’t like to have dinner on the beach with a sunset like this?

Personal Recommendations: My Favorite Restaurants and Cafes

Breakfast

Pura Vida: My favorite dish is the Acai Nuts Bowl – a must-try! The mini indoor playground in the cafe is perfect for families with young children.
What’s Cup: As the name suggests, they have fantastic coffee and a great view of Haad Yao.
Kikekla: Great for late risers as it opens at 9 am. They have excellent smoothie bowls and pancakes.
Bubba’s: Whether it’s the branch in Thongsala, Ban Tai, or Haad Yao, they hands down have the best coffee on the island.
Indigo: Branches in Thongsala and Hin Kong with delicious pastries and the best ice cream on the island. Check out the upstairs seating options.

Lunch

Warung: The most delicious Balinese food in Sri Thanu.
Eat.Co: A vegan restaurant with hearty dishes. Try the “Morning Potato Hash”!
Karma Kafe: Wonderfully decorated vegan restaurant with great staff and tasty food.
Pum Pui: The most famous Thai restaurant on the island. Pum Pui means “chubby” and refers to the friendly Thai owner.
Seasalt & Sage: Cozy restaurant with healthy, wholesome dishes and the friendliest staff ever.
Deli Devi: A vegan cheese shop and chocolaterie offering fantastic creative creations and delicious cacao.

Dinner

Pure Vegan: Branches in Thongsala and Hin Kong. Pure Vegan offers extremely affordable and delicious vegan meals.
Chana Masala: The best Indian food on the island. All dishes are vegetarian or vegan. Try the “Paneer Butter Masala”!
Coco Locco: The go-to restaurant right on Haad Yao beach with a pool and tasty pizza. (Though I think the overall pizza quality on Koh Phangan could use some improvement.)
Foods and Roots: A vegan restaurant in Chaloklum with very healthy and lovingly prepared dishes. A staircase leads directly down to the beach, and there’s a bucket of children’s toys ready.
Saladhut: Delicious Thai food right on Salad Beach. The kids can play, and you can keep an eye on them.
JJ’s: A relaxed Thai spot at a mangrove beach in Hin Kong with affordable food and a laid-back atmosphere.
Siris Island Cafe: You will find the best (vegan) Khao Soi here. Also the owners are just lovely, it’s worth supporting.

sun beds at a pool on the beach — The pool of Saladhut, unfortunately, is only for guests. But kids can still play at the beach while you’re waiting for your food.

Gyms and Sports Activities in Koh Phangan

I always say, “Koh Phangan is the island of beautiful people.” And that’s also because everyone here is so fit. This is partly due to the incredible variety of sports activities available. Here’s what you can find on the island:

Yoga: My favorite schools are Yoga House and Boilerroom.
Gyms: My husband swears by Podium Gym, and another good gym is Xantiva.
Padel and Tennis: Oxygen offers very new and modern courts.
Football: The largest football club on the island is called Atletikoh Phangan.
Diving: All dive schools mainly go to one spot: Sail Rock. We’ve had great experiences with Asia Blue Scuba Diving.
Hiking: For example, hike up Khao Raa or take the scenic Bottle Beach hike.
Kiteboarding: On windy days, you can kite in Ban Tai, Thongsala, or Chaloklum. Providers include KBA Kitesurf Center.
SUP and Kayaking: At almost every major beach, you can rent boards and kayaks. Cost: about 150 THB ($4.30) for 30 minutes.
Muay Thai: The national sport is taught at many locations on the island. Regularly, there are also fights to watch. My favorite stadium is the Thongsala Stadium. Also, check out the kickboxing courses at MAA Martial Arts Academy in Wok Tum.
Beach Volleyball: At Malibu Beach in Chaloklum, several courts are set up. Amateurs and pros regularly meet here to play.
Badminton: We now have indoor badminton facilities on the island.
Minigolf: The new mini-golf course in Thongsala is a hit. It’s also a great place for kids’ birthday parties.

Check out my article on the best kids’ activities in Koh Phangan.

beach with trees — Malibu Beach in Chaloklum is a fantastic beach with two volleyball fields.

Grocery Shopping in Koh Phangan

We have three major supermarkets on the island: Makro, Big C, and Tesco Lotus. At Makro, you’ll find a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other groceries in bulk quantities. Big C, on the other hand, offers a variety of international products, such as different types of cheese and popular brand-name items. Tesco Lotus is a Thai supermarket where you can also find most of what you need. What you won’t find in any of the supermarkets: High-quality bread and cheese. For these, you’ll need to take the ferry to Samui.

Here are some typical grocery store prices in Koh Phangan:

Rice (1 kg): 40 THB ($1.20)
Milk (1 liter): 50 THB ($1.50)
Eggs (12): 60 THB ($1.80)
Chicken Breast (1 kg): 120 THB ($3.60)
Beef (1 kg): 300 THB ($9.00)
Bread (1 loaf): 50 THB ($1.50)
Cheese (200 g): 150 THB ($4.50)
Butter (250 g): 100 THB ($3.00)
Yogurt (1 cup): 25 THB ($0.75)
Apples (1 kg): 100 THB ($3.00)
Bananas (1 kg): 40 THB ($1.20)
Oranges (1 kg): 80 THB ($2.40)
Tomatoes (1 kg): 50 THB ($1.50)
Potatoes (1 kg): 40 THB ($1.20)
Carrots (1 kg): 50 THB ($1.50)
Lettuce (1 head): 30 THB ($0.90)
Cucumber (1 kg): 40 THB ($1.20)
Onions (1 kg): 30 THB ($0.90)
Garlic (1 kg): 100 THB ($3.00)
Local Beer (1 bottle): 60 THB ($1.80)
Imported Beer (1 bottle): 120 THB ($3.60)
Wine (1 bottle): 500 THB ($15.00)
Bottled Water (1.5 liters): 15 THB ($0.45)
Coca-Cola (1.5 liters): 30 THB ($0.90)

Fireshow on the beach of Koh Phangan — You’ll find amazing fire shows mainly on the beaches in Haad Rin and Haad Salad.

Schools and Kindergartens in Koh Phangan

We now have many schools and kindergartens in Koh Phangan. The cost for international schools is around 20,000 THB ($580) per month. Kindergarten fees range between 12,000 and 20,000 THB ($350 to $580) per month. Many kindergartens offer their playgrounds to the public in the afternoons and on weekends. Supervised play sessions cost between 100 and 150 THB ($3 to $4.50) per hour.

Our eldest daughter, Lila (7 years old), currently attends Fairfax Academy in Thongsala. Our youngest daughter, Ruby (3 years old), goes to Seeds of Phangan. In the afternoons, both sometimes play at the indoor playgrounds of Messy House or Kiddies World.

Here is a list of schools currently active on the island (as of July 2024):

International Schools in Koh Phangan:

Check out my guide to the international schools in Koh Phangan here.

Kindergartens in Koh Phangan:

Here’s my guide to the international kindergartens in Koh Phangan.

Final Thoughts on the Cost of Living in Koh Phangan

In conclusion, yes, the costs are not low. Koh Phangan is no longer one of Thailand’s untouched islands where Westerners (Farangs) are a rarity and the infrastructure is sparse. On the contrary, Koh Phangan has now become one of the more developed—and unfortunately gentrified—islands. What bothers me the most is that many investors are currently buying large plots of land and building investment properties on them. Each of these houses looks the same, the charm is completely lost, and prices keep rising.

On the other hand, it’s also wonderful to see the many new opportunities available for families. The community of digital nomad families is growing and growing. So, I have mixed feelings when I think about Koh Phangan. However, despite these changes, the island remains one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And yes, Koh Phangan is still absolutely worth it!

What are your thoughts on the cost of living in Koh Phangan? Are you planning to come? Please let me know in the comments!

Thank you for reading and for making me part of your day! Yours, Lulu

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