Koh Phi Phi, one of Thailand’s most famous island destinations, is a paradise of turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re traveling from Phuket, Krabi, or Koh Lanta, there are multiple ways to reach Koh Phi Phi, including ferries, speedboats, and organized day trips. This guide covers everything you need to know, from schedules and ticket prices to the best options for your journey.
Maya Bay
General Information on Getting to Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi is accessible only by boat, with no bridges or airports connecting it to the mainland. The two main transportation options are:
Ferries: Slower but more affordable, ferries take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Speedboats: Faster and more flexible, speedboats take around 45 minutes to 1 hour but cost more.
Day Tours: Ideal for short visits, many companies offer round-trip day tours from Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Lanta, including snorkeling stops.
How to book your ticket to Koh Phi Phi
To book your ferry or speed boat ticket to Koh Phi Phi I recommend using 12go. The platform offers competitive prices, making it easy to find budget-friendly options. The booking process is simple and secure, allowing you to pay online with ease. Plus, 12Go provides detailed instructions on where to collect your ticket, complete with photos and precise location details, ensuring a smooth and stress-free travel experience.
Booking a day tour to Koh Phi Phi with Klook or GetYourGuide ensures a seamless and stress-free experience. These platforms offer a wide range of reliable tours, from speedboat adventures to island-hopping excursions. The booking process is quick and secure, with easy online payment options. Plus, they provide detailed itineraries, customer reviews, and flexible cancellation policies, so you can book with confidence.
How to Get to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket
Phuket is one of the most common departure points for Koh Phi Phi. The main ways to travel include:
By Ferry
Duration: around 2 hours
Departure Port: Rassada Pier (Phuket Town)
Arrival Port: Ton Sai Pier (Koh Phi Phi)
Ticket Price: THB 450-600 per person (one way)
Schedule from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi: 8:30 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm
I personally took the 8:30 am Phi Phi Cruiser boat, which was quite comfortable. The upper deck featured bean bags and chairs for those who wanted to enjoy the outdoors in the sun, while the lower deck had standard seats with air conditioning. The boat departed from Phuket with a 20-minute delay. Although it was supposed to arrive at Koh Phi Phi by 10:30 am, we actually reached our destination at 11:30 am. A pleasant surprise was that, instead of heading directly to Koh Phi Phi, the boat made a detour around Pi Leh Island, allowing us to see Maya Bay, Pi Leh Lagoon, and Viking Cave from the sea.
You can also book a half day tour directly on the boat, either with a long-tail boat or with a speed boat. This way you can also manage to book your return ticket and transform your ferry ticket to Koh Phi Phi into a day tour from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi.
Some of the passengers continued their journey to Koh Lanta, changing boat at Ton Sai Pier.
Phi Phi cruiser upper deck
By Speedboat
Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Departure Port: Rassada Pier
Arrival Port: Ton Sai Pier (Koh Phi Phi) or Laem Tong Beach Koh Phi Phi
Ticket Price: THB 700-1,500 per person
Schedule: There are multiple departures each day with many different operators. The first boat leaves Phuket at 8:30 am, and there is one boat approximately every hour until the last one departs at 3:30 pm. On the way back the first boat leaves Laem Tong Beach in Koh Phi Phi at 7:50 am and Ton Sai Pier at 8:30 am. And the last ones at 2:00 pm from Laem Tong Beach and at 5:00 pm from Ton Sai Pier.
I traveled with Bundhaya Speed Boat, on a different route, from Krabi to Phuket. The trip was on time, and the boat was comfortable. It is much smaller than the big ferry boats, accommodating around 40 passengers, but I felt very safe.
Bundhaya speed boat
Day Tours from Phuket
If you’re short on time, you can book a full-day tour with operators like Klook or GetYourGuide. These tours often include:
Hotel pickup
Round-trip speedboat transfer
Stops at Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Viking Cave
Snorkeling gear and lunch
Price: THB 1,500-3,500 per person
Viking Cave
How to Get to Koh Phi Phi from Krabi
Krabi offers easy access to Koh Phi Phi via ferry and speedboat. Unless you come directly from the airport, you will probably spend a night in Ao Nang. By the way, you really should visit Railay Beach, which is great. In this case, the best option is to choose the Nopparat Thara Pier in Krabi. The other option if you want to stay in Railay is Floating Pier East Railay. I recommend taking a speed boat.
By Ferry
Duration: 2 hours
Departure Port: Nopparat Thara Pier or Floating Pier East Railay
Arrival Port: Ton Sai Pier (Koh Phi Phi)
Ticket Price: THB 600-700 per person
Schedule: 9:30 am, 3:30 pm (with a stop 15 minutes later at the Floating Pier East Railay)
Return (Koh Phi Phi to Krabi): 9:30 am and 3:30 pm (to Railay), 10:30 am (to Nopparat Thara Pier)
You can book a full-day tour from Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi with operators like Klook or GetYourGuide. These tours often include::
Round-trip speedboat transfer
Visits to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island
Snorkeling, lunch, and guide
Price: THB 1,500-3,000 per person
Maya Bay
Additional Travel Tips for Koh Phi Phi
Book in Advance: Speedboat and ferry tickets can sell out, especially in peak season (November-April).
Weather Considerations: Due to rough seas, the monsoon season (May-October) may affect boat schedules.
Arrival at Koh Phi Phi: Most boats arrive at Tonsai Pier. Some speed boats arrive at Laem Tong Beach north of Koh Phi Phi. No cars are on the island, so plan to walk or take a long-tail boat to your accommodation.
Luggage Handling: Some ferries charge extra for large bags.
Conclusion
Whether traveling from Phuket, Krabi, or Koh Lanta, reaching Koh Phi Phi is easy with ferries, speedboats, and organized day tours. Book your tickets in advance, check schedules, and prepare for an unforgettable island experience in Thailand’s paradise. Safe travels!