Your first trip to Koh Phi Phi
Krabi's stunning, busy Andaman island of limestone cliffs and clear water, planned before the ferry

The main route is to fly into Krabi or Phuket, then take a road transfer to the pier and a ferry across to Koh Phi Phi — from Phuket (Rassada pier) and from Krabi / Ao Nang it's about 1.5 to 2 hours either way. Pick whichever you fly into more easily. Many operators sell a combined "hotel transfer + ferry" ticket. More on getting in from the neighbouring cities at the Phuket guide → · the Krabi guide →

If you're already on Koh Lanta, there's a direct boat from Lanta to Koh Phi Phi in high season (roughly November to April). Good for island-hopping the Andaman as one trip. ⚠️ In the monsoon this route may run less often or stop, so check the schedule first. More on getting in from the neighbouring island at the Koh Lanta guide →

November to April is the prime window for this Andaman island: a calm, clear sea, easy ferries and everything open, with good diving and visibility. ⚠️ This is also high season, so it's busy and prices climb. March and April are very hot. Full Thailand-wide picture at when to visit Thailand →

May to October is the Andaman's southwest monsoon: more rain, a rough sea, harder crossings and some ferries cancelled, with lower underwater visibility when it's roughest. The upsides are fewer crowds and cheaper rooms. Important: Koh Phi Phi stays busier than Koh Lanta all year, and Maya Bay has periodic seasonal closures in some years (around August to September) — check the current rules and closures before booking. See the best time to visit Koh Phi Phi →

Koh Phi Phi has no airport, so every trip in and out is by boat. The common mistake is not allowing enough time for the ferry plus an onward transfer or flight. On departure days, build in time for the ferry to Phuket or Krabi and the trip to the airport. In the monsoon the sea is rough and crossings can drop off, so leave even more margin.

A lot of first-timers expect to rent a scooter or open Grab like on other islands, but Koh Phi Phi has no roads for cars and no vehicles at all. Every trip is on foot in Tonsai village or by boat to the far beaches and islands. Choose your hotel with this in mind (the north depends entirely on boats), and don't bring big hard-wheeled cases, because the paths are sand and steps.

Koh Phi Phi is genuinely busy and chaotic, especially midday when the day-trip boats all land at once. The way to handle it is to stay overnight at least one night so you see the island quiet, take tours early or late to dodge the peak, and if you want real quiet, base at Long Beach or in the north (Laem Tong / Loh Bagao).

First-timers often assume they can swim in Maya Bay like in the film, but there are strict rules — limited numbers, no anchoring in the bay, entry via a back-bay pontoon, usually no swimming in the bay, and periodic seasonal closures in some years. Check the current rules and closures before booking a tour, or you may arrive and find you can't go in.

There are ATMs on the island, but they cluster in Tonsai village and charge high fees. Small shops, seafood spots, longtails and some tours take cash only — withdraw enough before you arrive, and sort out a SIM or eSIM in advance, since the signal can be patchy in places, especially the northern beaches and Phi Phi Leh. See the Thailand SIM / eSIM guide →

Koh Phi Phi is in the tropics and the sun is strong — you can burn even on a cloudy day, and people often burn their backs from long, face-down snorkelling. Pack sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, drink plenty of water, and for water activities use reef-safe sunscreen and don't stand on the coral. The viewpoint climb is brutal at midday — go early or late.