How to Get to From Phuket to Phi Phi Island (Read This First!)

To Phi Phi from Phuket

Ready to go to the most infamous island in Thailand? Phuket is the perfect jumping-off point to Phi Phi and other Thai islands by ferry! There are just a few things you should know first before you go. Join us as we tell you about the different ferries and detail our own adventure to Phi Phi Island from Phuket Thailand.

Ferries From Phuket to Phi Phi Island

When booking a speed boat or ferry in Thailand you will have a few options. You can easily stop at a tour center and get a breakdown of the different boats or go through your accommodation. However, if you’re traveling in high season to Phi Phi from Phuket you may want to book your boat in advance.

When searching for ferries from Phuket to Phi Phi we used 12Go to book the one-hour speed boat. It’s a great website that compares flights, trains, buses, and boats around Asia. 

12Go actually ended up being our favorite tool for island hopping in Thailand! Depending on your travel style and budget there are several different boats to choose from.

We went with the fast ferry as it takes just 1 hour to Phi Phi Island from Phuket. There is also a slow boat you can jump on which is cheaper, but the durations ranged from 1 to 4 hours with stops!

When’s the Best Time to Visit Thailand For Perfect Weather?

Phuket to Phi Phi Ferry Times & Prices ↓

Powered by 12Go system 

There are a few things you want to consider before booking your ticket. Not all companies and ferries are the same in Thailand. There are dozens of different tour operators that make the trip so here are 4 things questions to ask yourself beforehand!

  1. What time does the ferry take off? 
  2. Where is it departing from in Phuket?
  3. Is there a transfer included or how will you get to the pier?
  4. How long is the ride?

Koh Phi Phi Don East Coast

Booking the Phuket to Phi Phi Fast Ferry

Back in 2016 we were island hopping in Thailand and would book the cheapest ferry possible. Yes, it saved us some money but gosh the boats were crowded and hot! It didn’t help that there was a good chance that I would get seasick half the time. 

Let’s jump to island hopping in 2022 now! When we saw there was a way to get to Phi Phi from Phuket in 1 hour we knew it was the option for us. The cost is slightly more than the Ferries from Phuket to Phi Phi but we were happy to have an easy and low-stress travel day. 

At the time of our trip to Phi Phi from Phuket, the fast ferry was 800 Baht ($24 USD) each. The slow ferries were between 500-700 baht… So it was an easy choice for just a few dollars more!

If you’re on a short vacation and trying to see as much as possible the Phuket Speedboat is hands down the way to travel. Yet, you’re on a long backpacking trip or tight budget then you might want to consider the slow ferry. 

Phi Phi from Phuket Thailand

Phuket to Phi Phi Island Check-in

Around 9:30am we called a grab taxi and headed to Rassada Pier. We had to check out of our accommodation and wanted to be early to have some breakfast.

If you’re traveling to Asia and don’t have the app GRAB downloaded you’ll want to get it before you go. It’s basically the equivalent of UBER in the United States.

When we booked our tickets we were emailed our confirmation with everything we needed to know about the trip. Check-in was super easy and only took a few minutes to complete. 

We grabbed some ice coffees and a quick breakfast as we waited for our boat. One of the most important rules when traveling through Asia is not to eat anything that will be too crazy on your stomach while in transit. 

At the coffee stand the women whipped up easy sandwiches and eggs. We got an omelet over rice for 50 Baht and it was just what we needed!

→ What’s Thai Food? 40 Delicious Dishes & Drinks You Must Try!

Phi Phi from Phuket Ferry

High-Speed Ride to Phi Phi From Phuket

Boarding was quick and easy. If you have a large bag it will be carried on and stored on the boat before the passengers. Don’t keep anything fragile in your bigger bags! They’re thrown on top of each other in a large pile with zero regard for what’s inside.

We’re not gonna lie… The ride itself on the speedboat is quite bumpy! They also packed it full of people with not an empty seat in sight. If you get seasick easily you may want to take the slow ferry instead. Still, for us it was an easy choice as it arrived to Phi Phi from Phuket in under an hour.

Also, keep in mind there is a small fee to enter the Phi Phi Islands. Make sure to bring enough cash to cover the 20 baht per person which is collected once you get off the boat.

Phuket to Phi Phi Ferry Cost 

  • 2 Tickets: 800 Baht ($48 USD)
  • Taxi Ride: 500 Bhat ($15 USD) 
  • Total Cost: $31.50 Each

Ferries from Phuket to Phi Phi

How to Get to Phi Phi from Phuket

Arriving on Phi Phi Island From Phuket 

The view pulling into the island of Phi Phi Don is awesome. Being out on the water and pulling up to a new island to explore is such an amazing feeling!

Keep in mind, Phi Phi is actually made up of 6 islands but this is the only inhabited one. The main ferry pulls into Tonsai Pier in the center. You can check out our hotel recommendations at the bottom of this post to see the different areas of Phi Phi Don!

After arriving, we went to our hotel to drop off our bags before getting lunch. Many hotels won’t allow an early check-in because they are busy flipping the rooms from past guests.

We booked our ferry to arrive at noon and when leaving had a 9:30 ferry continuing on to Koh Lanta Thailand. Luckily we were able to check-in early after getting to Phi Phi from Phuket!

Koh Phi Phi Travel Planning 

Phi Phi Island From Phuket

Where to Stay on Phi Phi Island 

Phi Phi Island really offers something for every type of traveler! Before traveling to Phi Phi Island from Phuket and booking your hotel, make sure to double-check where on the island it’s located.

If it is not in the main walking area of Tonsai Village verify they offer transportation. Many have complimentary boat transfers included. You can also check out our complete breakdown of the 16 best hotels on Koh Phi Phi in addition to the recommendations below.

Long Beach –  Phi Phi The Beach Resort (Luxury) or Paradise Resort Phi Phi (Budget) – This was hands down our favorite beach on the island! The area is away from the party zone but you can still get to all the action with a quick longtail boat ride or hike. 

Tonsai Village Hostel Voyagers Hostel – Great option if you want a cheap place to crash while in the party area of the island. Steps from the popular beach bars and island nightlife. 

Tonsai Village BudgetP2 Wood LoftSet in the center of the main port town, the rooms are clean, modern, and have great wifi if you are working remotely. You can spend time on the rooftop hammocks or co-working desk as well.  

Loh Ba  Beach LuxurySAii Phi Phi Island Village – Large resort offering high-end accommodations on the beach. This is a quieter side of the island. Yet with multiple restaurants, a pool, and fitness center you really never need to leave!

Laem Tong Bay – Zeavola Resort – Located on the quiet northern tip of the island, this is are far as you can get from the nightlife and craze of Phi Phi. Offers a luxury setting for travelers who are really looking to slow down and disconnect.

Phi Phi Island Thailand

Have any questions about traveling to Phi Phi from Phuket? How about tips from your own experience on the ferries from Phuket to Phi Phi? Let us know in the comments below! 

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

 Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar

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Phuket Thailand phi phi island

Thailand Travel Planning 

 Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we found flights from Bangkok to Phuket for $12 USD, and Thailand to Vietnam for less than $50! 

 Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also,  Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget. 

 Transportation: While traveling through Thailand 12Go is where we find all our ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! You can find everything from island hopping speed boats to the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

 Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over Phuket! You can find everything from a James Bond island luxury sunset cruise, to Phuket Old Town 15-taster food adventure, and 5-hour island tour

 Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.

 Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials

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Phuket: 22 Things to DoOld Town Food Guide6  Sunset SpotsRawaiElephant SanctuaryPromthep Cape SunsetSunday Night MarketPhuket Old TownBig BuddhaRenting a Motorbike 

Phuket Beaches:  15 Best Beaches Nai Harn & Yanui – Kata BeachKata NoiNui Beach

Koh Lanta: 8 Best BeachesOne Day Motorbike

Railey Beach:  12 Things to Do3 Epic BeachesKrabi to Koh Phangan

Gulf of Thailand: Koh Phangan 10 Things to KnowBottle Beach Koh PhanganKoh Tao 12 Things to KnowFreedom Beach Koh TaoKoh Samui 

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Brigitte & Jake

We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!

Find me on: Web | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook

4 Comments

  1. October 18, 2023 / 10:43 am

    What a gorgeous region! I’d love to visit someday — see that crystal water for myself! Thanks for the travel tips, I’ll save it for my next big vacation

    • Brigitte & Jake
      Author
      October 18, 2023 / 11:09 am

      There are so many beautiful islands in Thailand to experience! Thanks for reading (-:

  2. Ella
    October 18, 2023 / 5:23 am

    Another great guide. Thanks guys. This has made our travels to Phuket so much easier. Great to learn from someone who has been there and done it all before. Can’t wait to get over there now!

    • Brigitte & Jake
      Author
      October 18, 2023 / 5:31 am

      No problem! We have spent so much time traveling around the Thai islands so it’s happy to hear our guides are helping (-:

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