Getting to Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

If you want to go to Koh Phi Phi in Thailand then I hope you have your sea legs because there is no airport on the island and the only way you are going to get there is by boat. You can take the slower and cheaper route and take the public ferry or if you are in a hurry you can charter a speedboat. You will cut your travel time in half, but it will cost you more than double.

As I said, the cheaper way to travel to Koh Phi Phi is via the public ferry. Whether you are leaving from Phuket or Krabi, there are ferries that make the crossing to Phi Phi on a daily basis. The ferry from Krabi leaves from the pier in Krabi town 3 times a day (10:30, 14:30 and 16:00) and the trip takes about 90 minutes. The cost is just 250 baht which is less than $10.

Ferries from Phuket also take about 90 minutes, but will cost you almost double or 450 baht. They leave from Rasada pier daily at 8:30 and 13:30. In either case, the ferry will drop you at Tonsai Bay in Koh Phi Phi and if your hotel or resort is located elsewhere on the island you will need to arrange for transport from there to your hotel. This isn't too difficult as there are many longtail boats at Tonsai willing to take you to most any point on the island.

If cost isn't a factor and you just want to get to Phi Phi as quickly as possible then your best bet is to charter a speedboat. This is undoubtedly the quickest way to get to the island as well as the most convenient. Speedboats can make the crossing and have you back on land on Phi Phi in as little as 45 minutes. Even better, many speedboats can drop you on the beach by your hotel so you can shave even more travel time off your trip.

You can expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000 baht per person for this luxury. Costs can be somewhat higher than that during the high season and depending on your ability to barter with the speedboat captain. You can also cut the cost per person quite a bit if you have a larger party. There are speedboats that can accommodate up to 20 passengers and if you can fill one of these your cost might be close to the same as taking the ferry.

If you plan on taking a speedboat then plan on leaving by 16:00 as the speedboat captains prefer to get back before night falls. You can get a speedboat from either Phuket or Krabi.