Ferries & Speedboats from Phuket to Phi Phi

How to Get From Phuket to Phi Phi Island?

29,839 viewsBy Willy Thuan · Living in Phuket since 1994

Ferries and speedboats depart daily from Rassada Pier in Phuket Town to Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi Don. The big ferry takes about 2 hours and costs around 600 THB one way. Speedboats take about 1 hour and cost 850 to 950 THB. Most ferry operators offer hotel pickup from Patong, Kata, Karon and other popular areas for an extra fee. You can also book online in advance and skip the queue at the pier. I have taken this ferry more times than I can count, and booking ahead with a hotel transfer is definitely the easiest option.

Getting to Rassada Pier

All ferries and speedboats to Phi Phi Islands depart from Rassada Pier, located on the east coast of Phuket, a few minutes south of Phuket Town. If you book your ferry ticket with a hotel transfer, a shared minivan will pick you up about 1.5 to 2 hours before departure. If you go on your own, a taxi from Patong takes about 35 to 45 minutes and costs around 700 to 1,000 THB. From Kata or Karon, expect about 30 to 40 minutes. Arrive at the pier at least 30 minutes before your departure to check in and get your boarding pass.

Ferry Timetable (Phuket to Phi Phi and Return)

Big ferries run several times a day in both directions. The trip takes about 2 hours. The ferry is air-conditioned with indoor seating and an open deck area. Each passenger is allowed one piece of luggage and one piece of hand luggage (total up to 25 kg).

Note: Schedules and prices vary by operator and season. Some operators offer promotional online fares starting from 450 THB. During the low season (May to October), some departures may be cancelled due to rough seas.

Speedboat Timetable (Phuket to Phi Phi and Return)

Speedboats are faster (about 50 minutes to 1 hour) but more expensive. They can also get quite bumpy in rough weather. If you get seasick easily, the big ferry is a smoother ride.

Note: Speedboat operators include Andaman Wave Master, Bundhaya Speed Boat and others. There are often more departures than listed here, especially during the high season (November to April). Prices vary by operator.

Book a Ferry Trip

Ferry or Day Tour?

If you plan to stay overnight on Phi Phi, the ferry is the right choice. Book a one-way or return ticket and explore the island at your own pace. But if you only have one day, a guided day tour from Phuket is much easier. Day tours include hotel pickup, the boat ride, lunch, snorkelling stops, and visits to Maya Bay and other spots. You do not need to organise anything yourself. I always recommend a day tour for first-time visitors who are not planning to sleep on the island.

National Park Fees

Phi Phi Islands are part of Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. When you arrive at Tonsai Pier, you pay a small 20 THB pier fee. If you visit Maya Bay or Bamboo Island, there is a separate national park entry fee of 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children (3 to 14). Thai nationals pay a reduced rate. These fees are not included in your ferry ticket. If you book a day tour, check whether the national park fee is included or not.

Good to Know

Ferries arrive at Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don. From there, everything in Tonsai Village is walkable. There are no cars or motorbikes on the island. A few resorts on the quieter north coast (such as Zeavola and Holiday Inn) are served by Laemtong Pier instead. Check with your hotel if you are staying at that end of the island.

During the monsoon season (May to October), seas can get rough and some departures may be cancelled, especially speedboats. If you are visiting during this time, the big ferry is the safer option. Always check conditions a day or two before you travel.

If you are heading from Phi Phi to Krabi or Koh Lanta instead of returning to Phuket, direct ferries also run between these destinations.

Book a Day Trip to Phi Phi

Insider Tips

I have been taking the Phuket to Phi Phi ferry for decades, back when Rassada Pier was a basic concrete jetty, and there was only one ferry a day. The crossing has not changed much. Two hours on a big ferry, sometimes calm as a lake, sometimes bumpy enough to make you reconsider lunch. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit in the middle of the lower deck, not at the back, where the engine vibrations are strongest.

The 8:30 am ferry is always the busiest because most day-trippers want to arrive early. If you are staying overnight, the 11 am or early afternoon departure is a lot more relaxed. You will have more space on the ferry and a quieter arrival at Tonsai Pier.

One thing that surprises people: buying tickets at the pier is possible, but the walk-up price is the same or higher than online, and you waste time queuing. Book online with a hotel transfer included. The minivan picks you up, drops you at the pier, and you walk straight to the boarding gate. It is worth the small extra cost.

Phi Phi Ferries Through the Years

When I first took this ferry in the mid-1990s, Phi Phi was a backpacker island with wooden bungalows and no internet. The ferry was a slow, noisy boat, and there was no speedboat option at all. After the 2004 tsunami devastated Tonsai Bay, ferry services stopped for months while the pier was rebuilt. When they resumed, the boats were newer, and the pier was much better. Over the years, more operators joined the route, prices crept up, and the crossing became more of a well-oiled tourist machine. But the view when you round the last headland, and Phi Phi appears in front of you, has not changed one bit.

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