How to Get to Phi Phi: Ferry, Speedboat & Routes

The short answer: you reach Phi Phi by boat

No airport and no road serve Koh Phi Phi, so every route ends with a boat to Tonsai Pier. From Phuket, boats leave from Rassada Pier. From Krabi, operator listings point to Klong Jilad Pier, so confirm the pier on your ticket. Ferries are the cheap and comfortable choice. Speedboats are faster and more flexible. Our guide to the Phi Phi Ferry Guide: Routes, Times and Tickets goes deeper on schedules.

• Tightest budget: take the ferry.
• Shortest crossing: take the speedboat from Phuket.
• Hotel drop-off flexibility: ask a speedboat operator.
• Bangkok start: fly to Phuket or Krabi, then take a boat.

Ferry vs speedboat vs longtail at a glance

From Phuket, the ferry takes about 2 hours and the speedboat about 45 minutes. A one-way ferry ticket was around ฿600 in a March 2023 listing, so treat that as a rough guide only. Speedboat pricing depends on passenger count and costs noticeably more than the ferry. Longtail boats mostly appear as tours or short hops. Read more in our Phi Phi longtail boat guide.

From Phuket

Boats to Phi Phi leave from Rassada Pier. The ferry takes about 2 hours, and the speedboat takes about 45 minutes. Take the ferry if you have heavy bags or a tight budget. Choose the speedboat if you want the shortest crossing and can handle choppy water. Our Phuket to Phi Phi route page lays out the steps.

From Krabi and Koh Lanta

Ferries from Krabi or Koh Lanta take over 1 hour according to one operator-style listing. Krabi speedboats are reported to use Klong Jilad Pier, which sits south of Krabi Town. Ao Nang and Railay are also named as departure areas, so verify the pier before you book a transfer. Koh Lanta departures need the same check. Details sit in our Krabi to Phi Phi guide.

From Bangkok

Bangkok has no boat link to Phi Phi. Fly to Phuket or Krabi, then continue by road to the pier and by boat to the island. Choose Phuket if you want the speedboat option and Krabi if you plan to stay near Ao Nang. See our Bangkok to Phi Phi guide for the full chain.

Getting to the pier and booking tickets

Pier transfer times and ticket policies vary by operator, and the sources here give no verified figures. Check flight and transfer details at Airports of Thailand and confirm refund terms with your boat operator.

Bad weather, low season and timing rules

Speedboats slow down in adverse weather, and night speedboat travel is discouraged. Search snippets mention morning ferries around 08:30 and afternoon ones around 13:30. Confirm those times, because they change by season. Take the earlier crossing whenever you can, which leaves room for a delay. Check conditions with the Thai Meteorological Department. Our Best Time to Visit Phi Phi: Seasons and Trade-Offs page covers seasons. Never book a same-day flight right after a boat.

Arriving at Phi Phi: pier, luggage and getting to your hotel

Boats dock at Tonsai Pier. Phi Phi is car-free, so you walk or hire a longtail taxi to your hotel. Pack a rain cover for your bag. Ask your hotel about porters before you arrive. Our guide to getting around Phi Phi explains the options. Choose a base using our Phi Phi accommodation guide. National park or environmental fees may apply on arrival, so check the current amount. If you only want a day trip, you still need the same boat. See Day Trips From Phi Phi: Islands, Mainland & Timing Tips for ideas.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most missed boats trace back to a few avoidable errors.

• Going to the wrong pier: confirm Rassada or Klong Jilad on your ticket.
• Booking a tight flight connection after a boat.
• Packing luggage without a rain cover.
• Expecting a taxi at Tonsai Pier, since the island has no cars.
• Booking a night speedboat.

For the wider city context, see our complete Phi Phi tourism attractions guide.