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Last updated: April 2026
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.
Departure pier: Rassada Pier, 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.
From Phuket International Airport, a metered taxi takes 50 minutes and costs around $23 (Google Maps, April 2026). If you’re flying in on the same day, plan for three hours between landing and the pier. Customs, bags, taxi in traffic. It adds up. From Patong Beach: 30 minutes, $11 to $14. From Kata or Karon: 45 minutes, $14 to $17.
The pier 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: 08:30, 11:00, 13:00, 13:30, 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.
| Type | Duration | Fare (USD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard ferry | 1.5 to 2 hrs (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, April 2026) | $13 to $15 | Most travellers, heavy luggage |
| Speedboat | 45 to 60 min | $22 to $33 | Short on time, high season only |
Main operators: 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.
The national park fee: $11 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.
What the crossing is like
November to April: flat water, 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.
Koh Phi Phi Don vs 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 is. 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.
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.
Day trip from Phuket: can you do it?
Yes. 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.
Low season travel: May to October
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 travelling this period. Morning crossings are far safer than afternoon. The compensation: prices are 30 to 50% lower (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, April 2026), the beaches have far fewer people, and the island is noticeably quieter.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Phuket to Koh Phi Phi ferry take?
Standard ferries take 1.5 to 2 hours. Speedboats take 45 to 60 minutes in good conditions. In rough weather (May to October), both take longer and speedboats often cancel.
Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi
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.
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.
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.
