Home Koh Phi Phi Thailand Koh Phi Phi Hotels About
Home  ›  Asia  ›  Thailand  ›  Koh Phi Phi  ›  Getting to Koh Phi Phi
⛴️ Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide · 2026

How to get to Koh Phi Phi
ferry only, arriving at Tonsai pier

Koh Phi Phi has no airport and no roads, so the only way in is by boat to Tonsai pier. The most common route is a ferry from Phuket (Rassada pier), about 1.5–2 hours, with boats from Krabi, Ao Nang, Koh Lanta and a longtail link from Railay too. Here's every way to reach the island, with real times, costs and the monsoon catch.

First things first

Koh Phi Phi — it's ferry-only, with no airport and no roads

The first thing to get straight is that Koh Phi Phi is reached by boat only, because the island has no airport and no roads or cars at all. Every boat arrives at Tonsai pier, the main village on Phi Phi Don. The most common route is a ferry from Phuket, leaving Rassada pier and taking about 1.5–2 hours, followed by boats from Krabi (Klong Jilad pier) and Ao Nang in a similar time. The boat from Koh Lanta runs in the high season only, and if you're staying at Railay you take a longtail out to connect. Since there's no airport on the island, most people fly into Phuket (HKT) or Krabi (KBV) first, then transfer by road to a pier and board a boat. Combined air + ferry + transfer tickets exist to save sorting each leg, and remember there's a national-park entry fee collected on arrival.

⛴️
By boat — the only way to the island
There is no alternative

Big ferries and speedboats leave Phuket (Rassada pier), Krabi (Klong Jilad pier) and Ao Nang for Tonsai pier. The Phuket route is the most common, at about 1.5–2 hours. There's no land route — it's boat only.

Nearest airports: Phuket (HKT) / Krabi (KBV)
Time from Phuket: ~1.5–2 hr
Arrive at: Tonsai pier (Phi Phi Don)
Fee: national-park fee on arrival
✈️
Fly in first, then transfer to a boat
No airport on the island

Fly into Phuket (HKT) or Krabi (KBV), transfer by road to a pier, then board a boat to Phi Phi. Combined air + ferry + transfer tickets are available if you'd rather not sort each leg yourself.

Fly into: Phuket (HKT) / Krabi (KBV)
Board at: Rassada / Klong Jilad pier
Transfer to pier: ~20–40 min
Combined tickets: air + ferry + transfer
How to get there
Rough time
Rough cost
Best for
Big ferry from Phuket (Rassada pier)
~1.5–2 hr
about ฿600–900 /person
most common · based in Phuket
Speedboat from Phuket
~45 min–1 hr
about ฿1,000–1,800 /person
arriving quickly · short on time
Ferry from Krabi (Klong Jilad) / Ao Nang
~1.5–2 hr
about ฿400–700 /person
based in Krabi · budget
Ferry from Koh Lanta (high season)
~1–1.5 hr
about ฿400–700 /person
island-hopping
Check before you go: The figures above are approximate ranges compiled in 2026. Ticket prices and departures shift around holidays (Songkran / New Year / long weekends) and with the season, and — most importantly — the monsoon (May–October) brings rougher seas. Some routes, especially the boat from Koh Lanta, may cut back or stop, while the main routes from Phuket and Krabi run nearly all year. Confirm the boat schedule and the season once more before you travel, and budget for the national-park fee on arrival.
Every option compared

Getting to Koh Phi Phi — pick your departure pier, matched to your trip

Koh Phi Phi has no airport and no roads; every option is a boat to Tonsai pier. Choose to leave from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang, Koh Lanta or Railay — read this before you book.

⛴️
Ferry from Phuket (the most common route)
Rassada pier (Phuket) → Tonsai pier · big ferry ~1.5–2 hr

The route most people use to reach Koh Phi Phi is the ferry from Phuket. Big ferries leave from Rassada pier on the east side of Phuket and take about 1.5–2 hours to Tonsai pier, at roughly ฿600–900 per person, with morning and midday departures. The big ferries are comfortable and far less bumpy than a speedboat, and many operators pick you up from your Phuket hotel and run you to Rassada pier. It's the natural choice if you're already based in Phuket, or flying into Phuket Airport (HKT), which has the most flights. Book ahead in the high season and on long weekends, and a ticket that includes the transfer is the easiest way to go.

about ฿600–900 /person hotel pickup available ~1.5–2 hr
Best if: you're based in Phuket or flying into HKT, and want a comfortable big-ferry crossing rather than a rush. Pick a ticket with a hotel transfer and you'll have nothing to arrange at the pier.
Tip: If you're not sure whether to stay over on the island or just visit for the day from Phuket, compare the options first in our guide to a Phi Phi day trip from Phuket versus an overnight stay.
🛥️
Ferry from Krabi / Ao Nang
Klong Jilad pier (Krabi) / Ao Nang → Tonsai pier · ~1.5–2 hr

If you're based on the Krabi side, the boat leaves Klong Jilad pier in Krabi town and takes about 1.5–2 hours to Tonsai pier; there are boats from Ao Nang in a similar time too. Fares run roughly ฿400–700 per person, usually a little cheaper than the Phuket route. If you fly into Krabi Airport (KBV) it's about a 20–30 minute transfer to the pier before you board, and many operators sell tickets that include the pickup from your hotel or the airport. This route suits anyone staying in Krabi or Ao Nang, or who wants to see the Krabi side first and then cross to Phi Phi, or simply wants a cheaper fare than from Phuket.

about ฿400–700 /person based in Krabi / Ao Nang ~1.5–2 hr
Best if: you're based in Krabi or Ao Nang, flying into KBV, or want a cheaper fare than the Phuket route. Check at purchase whether the ticket includes the transfer from your hotel to the pier.
The twin bays and limestone karsts of Phi Phi Don seen from the water as a boat approaches the island
Every boat docks at Tonsai pier on Phi Phi Don — the limestone karsts and clear water are the first thing you see as the boat nears the island
🏝️
Ferry from Koh Lanta (high season) · longtail from Railay
Koh Lanta → Tonsai pier ~1–1.5 hr · Railay needs a boat link

If you're island-hopping, there are ferries and speedboats straight from Koh Lanta to Phi Phi, taking about 1–1.5 hours — handy because you don't backtrack to the mainland. Just know that this route runs in the high season only, November to April; in the monsoon the sea is rough and it usually cuts back or stops. If you're staying at Railay, which is itself reached only by boat, you generally take a longtail out to Ao Nang and connect to a Phi Phi boat from there, so allow time for the transfer. Both of these suit travellers planning to link several islands in one trip.

~1–1.5 hr from Lanta island-hopping Lanta Nov–Apr only
Watch out: The boat from Koh Lanta to Phi Phi is a seasonal service. In the low season / monsoon (May–October) it usually cuts back or stops, so if you're travelling in the rainy months and want to cross from Lanta, check the latest schedule or keep a backup plan to loop round to a main boat from Krabi or Phuket.
✈️
Which airport to fly into, then a boat (+ park fee)
Phuket (HKT) / Krabi (KBV) → pier → boat to Phi Phi

There's no airport on Koh Phi Phi, so everyone flies to the mainland first and then takes a boat. The most popular is Phuket Airport (HKT), with plenty of domestic and international flights; from there you transfer to Rassada pier and board a ferry. The other option is Krabi Airport (KBV), which is close to the Krabi pier and often has good fares. The easiest approach is to buy a combined air + ferry + transfer ticket, or at least a boat ticket that includes the pickup from your hotel or the airport, so there's nothing to arrange on the spot. And remember Phi Phi is national-park territory: there's a national-park entry fee collected on arrival, so carry cash to pay it at the pier.

HKT most flights KBV close to Krabi pier no airport on the island
Tip: Fly into whichever airport has the cheaper fare and an easy onward boat, and book the boat plus transfer ahead. Sort a SIM or eSIM to use maps and contact your driver or hotel on the way in our guide to eSIM & SIM for Thailand.
Once you're on the island

From Tonsai pier to your hotel — walk, or take a longtail

Every boat arrives at Tonsai pier, the main village on Phi Phi Don — and the island has no cars and no roads, only walking and boats.

Every boat arrives at Tonsai pier, the main village on Phi Phi Don. The key thing to know is that there are no cars, no roads, no taxis and no motorbike taxis on the island — getting around means walking or taking a boat (porters with carts handle the luggage through the lanes). If your hotel is around Tonsai or Loh Dalum bay you simply walk in; if it's out at Long Beach, or up in the north around Laem Tong or Loh Bagao, you take a longtail or the resort's own boat transfer. Pick the method that matches where you're staying.

Koh Phi Phi has no cars and no roads — walking the Tonsai lanes and taking a longtail are how you get around the island
Walk — if you're around Tonsai / Loh Dalum

Most hotels around Tonsai village and Loh Dalum bay are a few minutes' walk from the pier. The lanes are narrow walking paths, easy on foot, and porters with carts will move your luggage if you're carrying a lot. It's the simplest option for anyone staying in the centre of the island.

Best for: staying around Tonsai / Loh Dalum, central
Longtail boat — on to another beach

If your hotel is out at Long Beach or any beach reached by water, a longtail will take you on from Tonsai pier, charging by distance. Tell the boatman your beach or hotel name clearly and agree the fare before you board.

Best for: Long Beach, or a beach you can't walk to
Resort boat transfer — the north

Most resorts in the north around Laem Tong and Loh Bagao run their own boat transfers, some meeting you at Tonsai pier and some collecting you from the mainland pier. Give the hotel your boat or flight details ahead so they can have the transfer waiting on time.

Best for: resorts in the north, Laem Tong / Loh Bagao
No cars, no roads, no motorbike taxis

Phi Phi is an island with no cars, no roads for vehicles, no taxis or Grab, and no motorbike taxis. Getting around is walking and longtail boats only, so pack so your luggage is easy to wheel, because you'll be hauling it through the lanes yourself.

Read more: getting around Koh Phi Phi
Before you set off

Sort these 4 things — for a smooth trip onto the island

Koh Phi Phi isn't hard to reach, but the common slip-ups are not budgeting for the national-park fee on arrival, and turning up in the monsoon to a rough crossing without being ready for it. Sort these four things before you leave and the whole trip runs far more smoothly.

Pick your departure pier + book the boat ahead (most important)

Decide first whether you'll leave from Phuket (the most common) or Krabi / Ao Nang, then book the boat ahead — especially in the high season and on long weekends, when boats sell out fast and prices climb. A ticket that includes the transfer from your hotel or the airport to the pier is the easiest and saves sorting onward transport.

Why it matters: boats sell out in peak season and on-the-spot transfers waste time
Budget the national-park fee + carry cash

Phi Phi is national-park territory, with an entry fee collected on arrival (the rate differs for Thais and foreign visitors). It's usually not included in the boat ticket, so carry cash to pay it at the pier — ATMs on the island are limited and the queues are long.

Allow for: the park fee plus spare cash for the island
Check the season — the monsoon is rougher

In the high season (November to April) the sea is calm, with smooth boats and plenty of departures. In the monsoon (May to October) the sea is rougher and the ride bumpier, the Lanta route may stop, and if you're prone to seasickness bring tablets. Check the latest boat schedule before you travel.

Plan with: Best time to visit Koh Phi Phi
Data / SIM + plan your on-island boat

Sort a SIM or eSIM for maps, booking boats and contacting your hotel. If you're staying in the north (Laem Tong / Loh Bagao), arrange the resort boat transfer ahead, because there are no vehicles on the island — it's walking or a longtail only.

Set up first: eSIM & SIM for Thailand · Koh Phi Phi hotels
Frequently asked

FAQ · before you set off for Koh Phi Phi

Is there an airport on Koh Phi Phi?
There's no airport on Koh Phi Phi, and no roads or cars either, so the only way to reach it is by ferry to Tonsai pier. The nearest and most popular airports are Phuket (HKT) and Krabi (KBV); from either you take a road transfer to a pier and then a boat across to Phi Phi. Many people buy a combined air + ferry + transfer ticket from the start to avoid sorting each leg, and there's a national-park entry fee collected on arrival at the island. See the bigger picture in our Koh Phi Phi first-timer guide.
How do I get to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket?
Phuket is the most common starting point. Big ferries leave from Rassada pier on the east side of Phuket and take about 1.5–2 hours to Tonsai pier, at roughly ฿600–900 per person, with morning and midday departures. If you want to be faster there are speedboats that cut the crossing to about 45 minutes to an hour, but they cost more and the ride is bumpier. Many operators also pick you up from your Phuket hotel and drop you at Rassada pier, so a ticket that includes the transfer is the easiest option.
How do I get to Koh Phi Phi from Krabi or Ao Nang?
From Krabi town the boat leaves Klong Jilad pier and takes about 1.5–2 hours to Tonsai pier; there are boats from Ao Nang in a similar time too. Fares run roughly ฿400–700 per person, usually a little cheaper than the Phuket route. If you fly into Krabi (KBV) it's about a 20–30 minute transfer to the pier before you board, and many operators sell tickets that include the pickup from your hotel or the airport. This route suits anyone based on the Krabi side, or who wants to see Krabi or Ao Nang first and then cross to Phi Phi.
What's the difference between the cheapest and the fastest way to Koh Phi Phi?
The cheapest is usually a big ferry from Krabi or Ao Nang, at roughly ฿400–700 per person, but it takes longer and makes several stops. The fastest is a speedboat, which cuts the Phuket crossing to about 45 minutes to an hour but costs more and gives a bumpier ride. If you're on a budget and not in a hurry, take the big ferry; if you're short on time or want to arrive quickly, pay extra for a speedboat. The prices above are rough ranges, so check the latest timetable and fares before you book.
Is the crossing to Koh Phi Phi rough in the monsoon?
In the high season (November to April) the Andaman Sea is calm, the boats run smoothly and there are plenty of departures. In the monsoon (May to October) the sea gets rougher and the crossing is bumpier, so bring tablets if you're prone to seasickness, and on the windiest days some routes — especially the boat from Koh Lanta — may cut back or stop. The main routes from Phuket and Krabi still run nearly all year because Phi Phi is so popular, but expect fewer departures and choppier seas in the rainy months, so check the latest schedule and allow extra time. See the season in detail in our guide to the best time to visit Koh Phi Phi.
Once I reach Tonsai pier on Koh Phi Phi, how do I get to my hotel?
Every boat arrives at Tonsai pier, the main village on Phi Phi Don. There are no cars, no roads, no taxis and no motorbike taxis on the island. If your hotel is around Tonsai or Loh Dalum bay you simply walk (porters with carts handle luggage); if it's out at Long Beach, or up in the north around Laem Tong or Loh Bagao, you take a longtail or the resort's own boat transfer. See the full rundown in our getting around Koh Phi Phi guide.
Koh Phi Phi travel guide
Where to stay, the beaches, what to see — everything before you go
View →
Getting around Koh Phi Phi
No cars, no roads — on foot and by longtail, plus what to know
View →
Koh Phi Phi for first-timers
What to know before your first trip — how to get there, where to stay, what to do
View →
Best time to visit Koh Phi Phi
Clear seas in the high season, rough crossings in the monsoon — pick your window
View →
Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh
The latest rules for visiting Maya Bay and its seasonal closures, before you book a tour
View →
Snorkelling & diving at Phi Phi
The dive sites around the islands — Bida, blacktip sharks and the boat trips
View →
Klook · Transfers & island trips

Heading to Koh Phi Phi — book a ferry plus transfer from Phuket or Krabi, and a Phi Phi Leh / Maya Bay trip, ahead and skip the hassle

Reserve a ferry or speedboat from Phuket (Rassada pier) or Krabi to Koh Phi Phi with a hotel pickup, plus a Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay or island-hopping snorkelling trip, in advance through Klook — plan the journey without sorting each boat or transfer on the spot.

See Koh Phi Phi ferries & trips on Klook →
Wherebest is a Klook affiliate partner — we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.