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Updated January 2026
Fancy a Thai island holiday? Koh Phi Phi might be just the place for you: beautiful beaches, turquoise water dotted with limestone karsts, stunning sunsets, fun beach parties, Maya Bay, and reefs crowded with colorful fish.
So how to get to Koh Phi Phi? The Phi Phi Islands consist of Phi Phi Don, the main and inhabited island, and Phi Phi Leh probably best known as home of the world-famous Maya Bay. There are also some other tiny islets that are part of the marine park.
The islands are located about halfway between Phuket and Koh Lanta and Krabi, south of Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai in the Andaman Sea. If you want to get to Koh Phi Phi from anywhere in Thailand you will eventually need to take a speedboat or a ferry.
How to get to Koh Phi Phi – Speedboat vs Ferry?
So what is better, you may ask, a speedboat or the ferry? That is entirely up to you of course! The speedboat is as the name applies quite a bit faster than a ferry. In fact, it will take only half the time to get to Koh Phi Phi by speedboat. However, I personally think the ferry, even in standard class, is so much more comfortable.
For the speedboat, you have to be prepared to climb from the pier into the boat, and while the crew will usually give you a helping hand, it is not the easiest especially if you have mobility issues. Also, speedboats are a lot bumpier and you will have less space. Sometimes it can even get a little wet and if the weather doesn’t cooperate the speedboats will get canceled first.
With that said, I much prefer a ferry as I can sit in an air-conned room, work, have a toilet close by and even get coffee.
But if time is of the essence I understand you might prefer a speedboat to Koh Phi Phi. They also run at slightly different times, so especially coming back from the island if you have a plane to catch you may simply want to go for the time that suits you best.
Some things to remember:
- Most boats have a luggage limitation of 1 piece at 20 kg per passenger and will charge more if it weighs more. I have had to pay before on a boat coming from Koh Tao. The boat crew is always helpful in getting your luggage on the boat – I just make sure to tip the guys as my suitcase tends to be quite heavy.
- Taxis in most coastal towns and Phuket are crazy expensive. Luckily most boat operators offer shared van transfers from your accommodation/airport to the pier and back. Not all operators cover all the different areas but it often pays off to ask them via Line or Facebook if that is a service they do offer.
- Note that regardless of how you get to Koh Phi Phi you will need to pay a sort of island tax once you arrive at the pier. It is 20 baht and it is best to have it at hand so you don’t have to wait in line with all the other tourists who came unprepared.
The best ways how to get to Koh Phi Phi
Here are the best ways how to get to Koh Phi Phi from Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Lanta, Krabi, and Koh Tao/ Koh Samui.
From Bangkok to Phi Phi Island
To get from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi you can board a short flight to Phuket or Krabi before taking the speedboat or ferry. This is by far the fastest and most comfortable way though it will cost a bit more and require a little bit of juggling to get your plane arrival and boat departure times just right.
You may have to add a night in Phuket or Krabi – not the worst thing that can happen, but inconvenient if you are pressed for time.
Alternatively, you can get yourself a ticket for the bus/van/ferry combo that many companies sell. This is cheap but takes a long time – you will be on a bus overnight so unless you are a limber 20-something backpacker on a budget, this is not something I would recommend.
From Phuket to Koh Phi Phi
Getting from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi is incredibly easy. Speedboats and ferries both depart from Rassada Pier in the southeast of the island. That is unless you have a swanky private transfer that may depart from the Phuket Marina.
As I mentioned above best to book a shared transfer with your boat operator that will get you to the pier on time for only a little extra. You usually have to be there 30 minutes before departure to check-in. Get a coffee and a snack while you wait!
The speedboats and ferries from Phuket usually go to both Ton Sai Pier, the main pier in Koh Phi Phi, and Laemtong Beach in the northeast of the island. The speedboat will take you 1-1,5 hours and the ferry 2-3 hours. That said, the last time I took the ferry it went the scenic route via Maya Bay and dropped some people on another boat in the bay so it took quite a bit longer.
From Krabi to Phi Phi Island
If you are coming from the east, Krabi is an even better starting point to get you to Koh Phi Phi.
Plenty of speedboats and ferries depart from Klong Jilad Pier in Ao Nang and take you to the island in 1-2 hours. You can also choose a boat that will pick you up from Ao Nam Mao Pier or the Floating Pier East Railay if you are coming from there. This way you save yourself a trip back to Ao Nang before.
Depending on what operator you book with you can also ask for a hotel or airport pick-up to be included. This way you don’t need to worry about finding a taxi to get you to the pier in time.
From Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi
Getting to Koh Phi Phi from Koh Lanta is probably the fastest and easiest option. There are plenty of speedboat and ferry options to get you there and depending on which boat you choose it will only take you 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Most boats depart from Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta.
From Koh Tao to Koh Phi Phi
Coming from the Gulf of Thailand or heading from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Tao you will be in for quite a bit of traveling.
For the fastest way takes about 8 hours. You will need to book your own connections and make your way from Koh Tao to Surat Thani, from Surat Thani to Krabi, and finally from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi. This however comes with the risk that connections might be missed.
Personally, I recommend you book with Lomprayah from Koh Tao to Krabi which will take about 6 hours. From there you can either try to hop on the last boat to Koh Phi Phi or stay a couple of nights, chill at Tonsai Beach, and continue your trip after.
If you want to eliminate any long bus trips your best option is taking the ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui, then fly to Phuket or Krabi, and finally take the speedboat to Koh Phi Phi from there. It doesn’t make the overall travel time any shorter but this way you avoid the bus drives.
The cheapest way to get from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao or vice versa is to book a combo ticket for the night ferry, bus & ferry to Koh Phi Phi. Some operators will guarantee your connections and tickets are about $45 but the whole trip will take up to 15 hours and you will spend the good part of the night on sea.
What to do in Koh Phi Phi once you have arrived? Here are some ideas for you:
