The ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi runs 30 minutes on speedboat or 45 minutes on Andaman Wave Master. Four operators cover the 38 km Andaman crossing with sailings between 08:00 and 13:00, a 5-hour morning-loaded window that connects cleanly to onward Phi Phi Leh tour boats and Phuket transit.
This guide tests the operator choice on speed versus cost, the morning-departure advantage over the reverse direction, and the combined Lanta-Phi Phi-Phuket ticket logic.
Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi at a glance
- Tigerline Ferry duration: 30 minutes (fastest)
- Bundhaya Speed Boat duration: 30 minutes
- Satun Pakbara Speed Boat duration: 30 minutes
- Andaman Wave Master duration: 45 minutes
- Andaman Wave Master fare: $13 to $26 one way foot-passenger
- Satun Pakbara fare: $20 to $35 one way
- Tigerline fare: $25 to $45 one way
- Bundhaya fare: $30 to $60 one way
- Daily sailings combined: 5 to 7 across all operators
- First sailing: 08:00 from Saladan Pier (multi-operator)
- Last sailing: 13:00 from Saladan Pier
- Daily window: 08:00 to 13:00 (morning-loaded)
- Distance: 38 km across the Andaman Sea
- Origin pier: Saladan Pier on the north tip of Koh Lanta Yai
- Destination pier: Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi Don
Four operators on the route and the morning departure advantage
Four companies run direct service on the Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi route. The reverse direction wins on schedule depth against the Phi Phi-to-Lanta side. Five sailings in the 08:00 to 13:00 window beat the 11:00 to 15:00 midday-only window from Phi Phi.
Tigerline Ferry, the premium speedboat option
Tigerline runs the 08:00 and 13:00 sailings (with the 13:00 high-season only). Crossing time is 30 minutes. Foot-passenger fare runs $25 to $45 one way. The 08:00 sailing arrives Phi Phi Don by 08:30, the right window for connecting to the 09:00 Phi Phi Leh tour boats.
Bundhaya Speed Boat, the schedule-depth option
Bundhaya runs three daily sailings at 08:00, 10:30, and 13:00. Crossing time is 30 minutes. Foot-passenger fare runs $30 to $60 one way. The 10:30 sailing is the sweet spot for travelers who want morning hotel checkout time without rushing to the 08:00 boats.
Andaman Wave Master, the scheduled ferry cheapest option
Andaman Wave Master runs 08:00 and 13:00 sailings on a 45-minute scheduled ferry. Foot-passenger fare runs $13 to $26 one way, the cheapest of the four operators.
The 15-minute speed loss against speedboats matters less than the fare gap for budget travelers. AWM wins for any cost-first crossing where the extra 15 minutes is acceptable.
Satun Pakbara Speed Boat, the Phuket-onward transit option
Satun Pakbara runs the 10:30 sailing as a transit from Lanta through Phi Phi onward to Phuket Rassada Pier. Crossing time Lanta to Phi Phi is 30 minutes. Foot-passenger fare Lanta to Phi Phi runs $20 to $35 one way. The combined Lanta-Phi Phi-Phuket through-ticket saves 20 percent over booking the legs separately and the Phi Phi transfer is automatic.
The morning window and the Phi Phi day-trip math
The Lanta-to-Phi Phi schedule shape is the inverse of the return direction. All sailings run between 08:00 and 13:00. There is no afternoon ferry. There is no evening ferry. The 13:00 Tigerline or Bundhaya is the last call of the day.
This schedule favors two trip patterns. The first is day-trippers from Lanta visiting Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. Take the 08:00 Bundhaya or AWM sailing and arrive Phi Phi by 08:30 or 08:45. Catch a 09:00 Maya Bay tour boat or explore Tonsai Village. Return on the 15:00 or 15:30 Phi Phi-to-Lanta sailing for a 9-hour day.
The second pattern is travelers ending a Lanta stay and continuing onward. The 10:30 Bundhaya hits the sweet spot for hotel checkout at 11:00.
Connecting from Lanta hotels and the transfer math
Hotel transfer time to Saladan Pier varies by Lanta beach. Long Beach hotels run 15 minutes north. Klong Khong hotels run 20 minutes. Klong Nin hotels run 25 to 30 minutes. Kantiang Bay hotels at the far south run 45 minutes.
- Long Beach to Saladan: 15 minutes$0 200 to 300 taxi
- Klong Khong to Saladan: 20 minutes$0 300 to 400
- Klong Nin to Saladan: 30 minutes$0 400 to 500
- Kantiang Bay to Saladan: 45 minutes$0 600 to 800
For the 08:00 sailings, schedule the transfer by 07:15 from Long Beach or 07:00 from Klong Khong. Hotel-arranged transfers run on time more reliably than walk-up taxis at 06:30.
Best booking window and the multi-leg combo strategy
The route prices on lead time. Tigerline and Bundhaya 08:00 sailings sell out 2 to 3 days ahead in high season. AWM has walk-up capacity year round.
For travelers combining Lanta and Phi Phi with onward Phuket transit, the Satun Pakbara through-ticket is the cleanest option. The single ticket covers Lanta departure, Phi Phi transit stop, and Phuket Rassada arrival in one booking. Compare against the reverse direction Phi Phi to Lanta ferry for return-trip planning.
For travelers ending the trip on the mainland, the alternate Lanta to Krabi ferry connects to Krabi Town and onward bus to Bangkok or other destinations.
For the most current 2026 schedules, check current Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi ferry schedules across all four operators.
Frequently asked questions about Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi
How long does the Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi ferry take?
How much does the Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi ferry cost?
When is the first Lanta to Phi Phi ferry?
When is the last Lanta to Phi Phi ferry?
Can I do a day trip from Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi?
Which operator should I choose, Tigerline or Bundhaya?
How do I get from Long Beach hotels to Saladan Pier?
Can I book a combined Lanta to Phi Phi to Phuket ticket?
Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi after the ferry
Three SHA-certified picks on Koh Phi Phi Don across Tonsai Village, Long Beach, and Loh Dalum to anchor the first night on the island.
For all 27 Thailand ferry routes plus operator reliability, seasonal cancellation patterns, and booking strategy, see our complete Thailand ferry guide.
