How this guide compares to other ferry coverage
Across recent editorial coverage of the Phuket to Koh Phi Phi route, three sources track the same operator landscape. Ferryhopper aggregates 10 operators running up to 38 daily trips; Ferry Advice tracks pricing and schedule changes monthly. Confirm same-day departures via the operator or aggregator booking page before arriving at Rassada Pier.
The ferry from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi takes 90 minutes (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, April 2026) and leaves from one pier, Rassada Pier in Phuket Town. It costs $13 to $15. There are faster speedboat options, and there are timings that don’t work in the wet season. This guide gives you the pier address, the schedule, what the trip actually costs including the national park fee, and what to expect on arrival. No guesswork, no vague advice.
Why every ferry leaves from Rassada Pier in Phuket Town
Every ferry and speedboat to Koh Phi Phi leaves from Rassada Pier (ท่าเรือรัษฎา). It’s on the east coast of Phuket, not in Patong, Kata, or Karon. If your hotel is on the west coast, add at least 30 to 45 minutes to get there.
Taxi times and fares from common arrival points break down as follows:
- Phuket International Airport to Rassada Pier: 50 minutes, around $23 by metered taxi (Google Maps, April 2026)
- Patong Beach to Rassada Pier: 30 minutes, $11 to $14
- Kata or Karon to Rassada Pier: 45 minutes, $14 to $17
- Phuket Old Town to Rassada Pier: 10 to 15 minutes, $5 to $8
If you’re flying in on the same day, plan for three hours between landing and the pier. Customs, bags, taxi in traffic, it all adds up. The pier itself has ticket counters for all main operators, a luggage storage area, and a small food court. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Compare ferry times and book your crossing →
Ferry schedule and operators
Ferries run from approximately 08:30 to 15:00 daily (operator schedule, 2026). Typical departures are 08:30, 11:00, 13:00, 13:30, and 15:00. The last boat leaves at around 15:00 to 15:30 depending on the operator. No evening service runs to Koh Phi Phi.
- Standard ferry: Duration: 1.5 to 2 hrs (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, April 2026); Fare (USD): $13 to $15; Best for: Most travelers, heavy luggage
- Speedboat: Duration: 45 to 60 min; Fare (USD): $22 to $33; Best for: Short on time, high season only
Main operators are Bundhaya Speed Boat, Phi Phi Cruiser, and Andaman Wave Master (operator schedule, 2026). You can buy at the pier on the day or book ahead online. In peak season (December through February), book 2 to 3 days ahead. Morning departures sell out first.
In high season (November to April) you’ll find 8 to 10 operators covering the same slot (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, April 2026). In low season (May to October) that drops to 3 or 4, and the 13:00 to 15:00 departures often cancel entirely on rough days.
How to choose between standard ferry and speedboat. If you have heavy luggage, want the cheapest seat, or you’re traveling in May to October, take the standard ferry. The lower hull pitches less in swell and the operator does not cancel routinely. If you’re inside a tight day-trip window, traveling in calm season, and the extra $10 to $20 doesn’t sting, the speedboat saves an hour each way. Both end at the same Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi Don.
Why the national park fee is collected on arrival
When you step off the boat at Tonsai Pier, park staff collect a $11 national park entry fee (Tourism Authority of Thailand, 2026). This is not included in any ticket price. Bring cash. The fee covers access to both Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh, including Maya Bay. Rangers sometimes check your receipt at Maya Bay, so hold onto it.
The receipt is valid for the duration of your stay, not just a single day. If you’re staying overnight on Phi Phi Don and taking a separate boat tour to Phi Phi Leh the next morning, the same receipt covers you. Lose it and the rangers can charge you again. Photograph it on your phone the moment you receive it as a backup.
What the crossing is like by season
November to April delivers flat water and a comfortable crossing on any vessel. May to October the Andaman Sea builds swells and the crossing gets rough. Speedboat cancellations are frequent. Standard ferries run through it but pitch significantly. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication before boarding and choose a window seat mid-boat, not the bow. Mornings are calmer than afternoons regardless of season.
Arrival is at Tonsai Pier (ท่าเรือต้นไทร) on Koh Phi Phi Don. There are no roads on the island. Porters meet every incoming boat with hand carts. Tell them your hotel name when you disembark and they’ll get your bags there while you walk. Tips of $1 to $2 per bag are standard.
Koh Phi Phi Don versus Koh Phi Phi Leh
Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island. It has hotels, restaurants, and the main pier. Phi Phi Leh is the uninhabited island where Maya Bay sits. Day trips from Tonsai Pier to Phi Phi Leh depart daily from 08:00 to 09:00 and cost $11 to $22 on top of the entry fee. If visiting Maya Bay is the main reason you’re going, confirm that tours are running before you book your ferry. Maya Bay has been closed for restoration before, and access rules change year to year.
Most Maya Bay tours include a snorkeling stop at Pileh Lagoon, a brief landing at Viking Cave, and a visit to Monkey Beach on the way back. The total tour runs four to five hours. If you’re already short on time as a day-tripper from Phuket, you cannot fit a Phi Phi Leh tour into the same day comfortably. Plan one night on Phi Phi Don.
If you want to plan the full island stay, read the Phuket hotel guide for where to base yourself before crossing, and check the Thailand ferries hub for all routes connecting Phuket to the southern islands.
Whether a day trip from Phuket actually works
Yes, but the window is tight. Take the 08:30 ferry from Rassada Pier. You arrive on Phi Phi around 10:00 to 10:30. The return boat from Tonsai Pier to Phuket leaves at 14:30 or 15:00 (operator schedule, 2026). That gives you roughly four to five hours on the island, which is enough to see Maya Bay via a day tour, eat lunch, and swim at Nui Beach. It’s a full day, not a relaxed one.
A speedboat day tour with hotel pickup and lunch sold from Phuket costs $50 to $90 and removes the logistics. The trade-off is you spend more time at sea on a tour itinerary and less time wandering the village. For a first visit, the packaged tour is the easier choice. For a second visit, the self-organised ferry gives you a quieter half-day at your own pace.
Low season travel from May to October on Phi Phi
Phi Phi stays open year-round. But from May to October you’ll find reduced ferry frequency, frequent speedboat cancellations, and some beach bars and smaller resorts closed entirely. Standard ferries run but they’re rough. Book refundable tickets if you’re traveling this period. Morning crossings are far safer than afternoon. The compensation is that prices drop 30 to 50% lower (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, April 2026), the beaches have far fewer people, and the island is noticeably quieter.
If you can stay flexible, build a buffer day. Booking your Phi Phi crossing on day two of a Phuket trip rather than day one means a weather cancellation on the planned crossing day doesn’t tank the rest of your itinerary. The same applies to the return. Don’t schedule a flight from Phuket on the same day as your return ferry from Phi Phi in low season.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Phuket to Koh Phi Phi ferry take?
How much does the ferry from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi cost?
Which pier do ferries to Koh Phi Phi leave from in Phuket?
Do ferries run in the rainy season?
Can I do a day trip from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi?
Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi
STAY
Phi Phi at Pier
Three minutes from Tonsai Pier on foot, which makes early departures and late arrivals painless. Rooms are clean and air-conditioned. The pier location means you're in the thick of the village noise until well after midnight. Not for light sleepers, but for ferry logistics it's unbeatable.
STAY
SAii Phi Phi Island Village
The largest resort on the island, set on the quieter Loh Dalum Bay side away from the ferry crowd. Bungalows face a private beach. The trade-off is a 15-minute walk from the village and a restaurant menu that becomes your default when you don't feel like trekking out at night.
STAY
Summer Sea Phi Phi Island
Air-conditioned rooms a short walk from the beach, at a price that makes sense if you're spending most of your time in the water anyway. No pool, limited on-site facilities. Works as a clean, practical base if you're not paying for amenities you won't use.
