Koh Phi Phi has no airport and no road link, so every trip from Bangkok ends with a boat. The fastest way is a flight to Phuket or Krabi (about 1.5 hours) and a ferry (about 1.5–2 hours) or speedboat (about 1 hour): about 6–8 hours from a Bangkok hotel. The cheapest way is an overnight bus to Krabi (from about 752 THB) plus the ferry (about 450 THB), or Lignite Tour's bus-and-boat ticket (about 17 hours, from 1,415 THB); Smile Taxi Service drives you from your Bangkok address to Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang for a fixed 600 THB by sedan, and gives a quote for a car to a ferry pier.
Distance and travel time overview
Koh Phi Phi (Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh) is part of Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province. Ferries dock at Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don; Maya Bay is on Phi Phi Leh.
The two main departure piers are Rassada Pier in Phuket, about 40 km from Phi Phi by sea, and Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi, about 38 km by sea.
By road, Phuket is about 863 km from Bangkok and Krabi about 814 km. By air, allow about 1.5 hours of flying, 1 hour by road to the pier, 30 minutes for check-in and 2 hours on the ferry.
Comparison table
| Option | Travel time | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight to Phuket + ferry | About 6–8 hours | Flight often 1,000–2,000 THB; ferry 700 THB | Most travellers |
| Flight to Krabi + ferry | About 6–8 hours | Flight from USD 35; ferry 450 THB | A good Krabi fare |
| Bus-and-boat ticket | About 17 hours | From 1,415 THB | One ticket, low budget |
| Overnight bus + ferry | 11–14 hours, plus the boat | Bus 715–1,238 THB, plus the ferry | Lowest cost |
| Train + minivan + ferry | Overnight, then most of the next day | Sleeper 904–1,004 THB, minivan 290–300 THB, plus the ferry | A bed for the night |
| Smile Taxi Service to a Bangkok airport | Door to door | 600 THB per sedan; to a pier: ask for a quote | Families, groups, early flights, heavy luggage |
Third-party prices above are approximate and were checked in September 2026; confirm them with the operator before you travel. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle and one way.
Flying to Phuket, then the ferry from Rassada Pier
Phuket has more flights from Bangkok, and more sailings to Phi Phi, than Krabi.
Flights and getting to the Bangkok airport
- From Suvarnabhumi (BKK): Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Vietjet Air and, from 1 October 2026, Thai AirAsia (5 flights a day).
- From Don Mueang (DMK): Thai AirAsia (its main base), Thai Lion Air and Nok Air.
The flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes, with departures all day. One-way fares in September 2026 were often about 1,000–2,000 THB, more at holidays. Thai Smile no longer flies; book Thai Airways instead.
To Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai takes 27 minutes (45 THB, 05:30–24:00). To Don Mueang, take the SRT Dark Red Line from Krung Thep Aphiwat or an airport bus: A1 from Mo Chit 2 or A2 from Victory Monument (30 THB), A4 from Sanam Luang near Khao San Road (50 THB). For an early flight or heavy bags, a car is simpler.
From Phuket airport to Rassada Pier
Flights from Bangkok land at Phuket's domestic terminal. Rassada Pier is a few minutes south of Phuket Town, which is about 32–33 km (about 40 minutes by car) from the airport.
- Transfer with your boat ticket: Andaman Wave Master sells airport-to-pier transfers as a paid add-on.
- Metered taxi: counters outside both terminals; a 100 THB airport surcharge is added to the meter.
- Grab: pick-up zone near Exit 1 of the domestic terminal; the app shows the price first.
- Private car: Smile Taxi Service meets you outside the arrivals exit. There is no fixed fare to Rassada Pier, so ask for a quote.
The Phuket airport bus (100 THB) goes only to the Phuket Town bus terminal. Shared minibuses (about 180–200 THB per person) leave when full and stop at hotels, not at the pier.
If you land too late for the boats, one option is a night in Patong: Smile's fixed fare from Phuket airport to Patong Beach is 1,000 THB (sedan), 1,100 THB (SUV) or 1,400 THB (van). Next morning, a ferry ticket with hotel transfer includes a shared minivan that collects you about 1.5–2 hours before sailing; a taxi to Rassada takes about 35–45 minutes (about 700–1,000 THB).
Ferries and speedboats from Rassada
| Boat | Departs Rassada | Time on board | Adult / child, one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman Wave Master ferry to Tonsai | 08:30, 13:45 | About 2 hours | 700 / 600 THB (Standard) |
| Andaman Wave Master ferry to Laem Tong | 08:30, 13:45 | About 3 hours | 800 / 700 THB (Standard) |
| Andaman Wave Master speedboat to Tonsai | 08:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30 | About 1 hour | 850 / 650 THB |
| Phi Phi Cruisers ferry to Tonsai | 08:30, 13:30 | About 2 hours | 700 / 500 THB |
On the Andaman Wave Master ferry, Standard is the lower deck; First Class (sofa seats, middle deck, 1,000 / 800 THB) and Premium (upper deck with a sundeck, 1,300 / 1,100 THB) include coffee or tea and a snack. Speedboats on this route cost about 850–950 THB and take 50–60 minutes; other operators include Bundhaya Speed Boat and Satun Pakbara Speedboat Club. 12go.asia sells tickets for all operators.
To catch the 08:30 boat you must be at Rassada by 08:00. After a morning flight from Bangkok, aim for the 13:30 or 13:45 sailing.
Flying to Krabi, then the ferry from Klong Jilad Pier
Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air fly to Krabi from Don Mueang about 10–12 times a day; Thai Vietjet Air, Thai Airways and, from 1 October 2026, Thai AirAsia fly from Suvarnabhumi. The flight takes about 1 hour 26 minutes; one-way fares from about USD 35 were seen.
Krabi airport is about 15 km from Krabi Town, and Klong Jilad Pier is a few kilometres south of the town (the old town-centre pier is no longer used for Phi Phi). The airport shuttle bus costs about 100 THB to Krabi Town and leaves when full. For a direct ride to the pier, take a taxi or ask Smile Taxi Service for a quote.
Andaman Wave Master sails from Klong Jilad to Tonsai at 09:00 (arriving 11:00) and 13:00 (arriving 15:30), for 450 THB per adult and 350 THB per child, ferry only. A morning flight into Krabi usually fits the 13:00 boat. Boats from Ao Nang leave from Nopparat Thara Pier; check the times with the operator.
More detail: How to Get from Bangkok to Krabi and How to Get from Bangkok to Phuket.
Bus-and-boat ticket
Lignite Tour sells one ticket from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi: the bus leaves the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) at 18:20 and you reach Phi Phi at 11:20 the next day, from 1,415 THB. Its website shows no such ticket for the way back.
Sai Tai Mai is in far western Bangkok, about 10 km from the nearest rail station; a taxi from central Bangkok costs about 250–450 THB. Allow for evening traffic.
Overnight bus to Phuket or Krabi, then the ferry
Buses leave from Sai Tai Mai; you buy the ferry separately.
- To Krabi (about 11–14 hours, to Krabi bus terminal, about 4 km north of Krabi Town): Lignite Tour at 18:40 (779 THB), 18:50 (VIP, 24 seats, 1,170 THB) and 19:30 (796 THB), arriving 08:40–09:30. Transport Co. (บขส.) buses start at Mo Chit 2 and stop at Sai Tai Mai; for travel on 26 September 2026 its booking site listed 16:30, 17:15 and 18:10 for 752–878 THB.
- To Phuket (about 12–14 hours, to Phuket Bus Terminal 2, about 4 km north of Phuket Town): Sombat Tour at 18:00 and 18:50 (1,238 THB) and 19:10 (928 THB), arriving 06:45–07:55; Lignite Tour at 18:20 from 715 THB, arriving 06:20; Transport Co. from about 749 THB.
Bus fares changed five times in 2026 with diesel prices, most recently on 15 September. Most buses arrive between about 06:20 and 09:30 at a terminal north of town, and the piers are south of town, so plan on the 13:00 boat from Krabi or the 13:30 or 13:45 boat from Phuket.
Train to Surat Thani, minivan and ferry
Neither Phuket nor Krabi has a railway station, so rail travellers ride to Surat Thani and continue by minivan. Southern trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat, not Hua Lamphong. As of September 2026, Seat61 lists train 85 at 19:50, arriving 06:23, with a 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper at about 904–1,004 THB; check times and fares when you book online. Trains can run 1–2 hours late.
Phantip Travel, across the road from Surat Thani station, runs minivans from its town office 14 km away. As of September 2026 they go to Krabi bus terminal six times a day, 09:00–16:30 (about 3 hours, 290 THB), and to Phuket Bus Terminal 1 every hour, 09:00–17:00 (about 4 hours 30 minutes, 300 THB); confirm with Phantip Travel. Large luggage may cost extra. The first minivan reaches Krabi around midday, so the 13:00 boat is tight; the Phuket minivans arrive too late for the afternoon boats, so plan a night there.
Private car with Smile Taxi Service
There is no fixed fare from Bangkok, or from an airport, to Rassada Pier or Klong Jilad Pier: send your dates on WhatsApp or LINE for a quote.
Fixed fares (THB per vehicle, one way, expressway tolls included):
| Route | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok → Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | 600 | 800 | 1,100 |
| Bangkok → Don Mueang (DMK) | 600 | 800 | 1,000 |
| Phuket airport → Patong Beach | 1,000 | 1,100 | 1,400 |
Book online: Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi by sedan, Bangkok to Don Mueang by SUV or Phuket airport to Patong Beach by van. All routes are on the Smile Taxi Service fare list.
- Vehicles: sedan up to 3 passengers and 2 bags; SUV up to 5 and 4; van up to 7 and 5. The fare is the same for one passenger or a full car.
- Before the trip: the team sends the driver's name, car and plate number.
- Airport pickups: 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time, and a person checks your flight. Name sign 100 THB, on request; a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM, on request.
- Extras: child seat 100 THB, on request; extra stops 250 THB per hour; pickups or drop-offs west of the Chao Phraya (Thonburi side) 100–200 THB. An English-speaking driver can be requested when booking, subject to availability.
- Payment: cash (THB) to the driver at the end of the trip; no online payment and no deposit. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (5% fee added).
- Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Smile Taxi Service works 24/7 in 9 languages and is rated 5.0 on Google and 5.0 on Tripadvisor.
Practical tips for this route
- Leave a buffer. Check in 30 minutes before sailing and book ahead in busy periods; missed boats are not refunded, and Andaman Wave Master advises against a ferry and a flight on the same day.
- Weather. From May to October some sailings, especially speedboats, can be cancelled in rough seas. The ferry is steadier than a speedboat.
- Luggage. A ferry ticket includes one suitcase up to 25 inches plus a hand bag; a speedboat ticket, one up to 18 inches. Extra bags cost 300 THB each.
- Children. Child fares apply from 4 to 11 years; infants under 4 pay 300 THB each way on Andaman Wave Master speedboats.
- Fees on arrival. A 20 THB pier fee at Tonsai, and a national park fee (a few hundred baht) for Maya Bay and the outer islands; check whether your tour includes it. Ferry tickets include neither.
- Maya Bay closes every year for two months: in 2026 from 1 August to 30 September, reopening on 1 October. Swimming is not allowed there, only knee-deep wading.
- Sunscreen. Products with oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4MBC or butylparaben are banned in Thai national parks (fine up to 100,000 THB).
- On the island. There are no cars or motorbikes for visitors; you walk from Tonsai Pier or take a longtail boat. For Laem Tong resorts, book the ferry to "Phi Phi Laemtong". Carry cash: many shops and boatmen take only Thai baht.
The return journey
| Boat | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman Wave Master ferry, Tonsai to Rassada | 11:00, 14:30 | 13:00, 16:30 |
| Andaman Wave Master ferry, Laem Tong to Rassada | 10:00, 13:30 | About 3 hours later |
| Andaman Wave Master speedboat, Tonsai to Rassada | 09:00, 11:00, 14:30, 15:45 | About 1 hour later |
| Phi Phi Cruisers ferry, Tonsai to Rassada | 14:30 | About 2 hours later |
| Andaman Wave Master ferry, Tonsai to Klong Jilad | 10:30, 15:30 | 12:30, 17:30 |
Laem Tong guests confirm the return with their hotel at least 1 day before. Take a morning boat for an evening flight, or stay a night near the airport. If you must fly the same day, Andaman Wave Master suggests a pre-booked private car from the pier to the airport; ask Smile Taxi Service for a quote.
Overland, Sombat Tour buses leave Phuket for Bangkok at 15:40, 16:10 and 18:30; after an afternoon boat, only the 18:30 bus is realistic. As of September 2026, Phantip minivans leave Krabi (09:00–16:30) and Phuket (every hour, 07:00–15:00) for Surat Thani, where Seat61 lists overnight trains to Krung Thep Aphiwat such as train 86 (19:31, arriving 06:10).
Back in Bangkok, the Smile driver meets you at Suvarnabhumi on Level 4 (Departures) near Gate 4, or at Don Mueang on Level 3 (Departures). Message on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags.
Smile fares back (sedan / SUV / van): Patong Beach to Phuket airport 1,000 / 1,100 / 1,400 THB; Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok 600 / 800 / 1,100 THB; Don Mueang to Bangkok 600 / 800 / 1,000 THB. Return trips can get a discount; ask by message.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly directly to Koh Phi Phi? No. There is no airport. Fly to Phuket or Krabi, then take a boat.
Is Phuket or Krabi better? Phuket has more flights and sailings. Andaman Wave Master's two daily ferries from Krabi are cheaper: 450 THB against 700 THB in Standard class from Phuket.
How much is the ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi? About 700 THB one way for an adult in Standard class, 1,000–1,300 THB in higher classes, and about 850–950 THB by speedboat.
Can I get from Bangkok to Phi Phi in one day? Yes: take a morning flight and an early-afternoon boat.
What time is the last boat from Phi Phi to Phuket? Andaman Wave Master's last ferry leaves Tonsai at 14:30 and its last speedboat at 15:45.
Can a taxi take me from Bangkok to the pier? A private car can. Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare for this, so ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
To book your ride to the Bangkok airport, or to ask for a quote to the pier, message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE.