Phi Phi Island is just stunning, and it’s a good choice to go there. In fact, thousands of travellers visit this spot each year. It is splendid, of course, to revel in the beauty of white sand beaches, but to combine them with beachfront hotels and palm-tree nestled cocktails bars? It’s wonderful fun at its best!

Most people who go to Phi Phi do their trips from Phuket because it is one of the closest starting points into the archipelago.

What makes Phuket a great jump-off point to Phi Phi Island is that it has its own airport. From this particular location, you’ll find numerous boat connections stretching along the 50 kilometers span from Phang Nga Bay to the various piers of Phi Phi. 

This article will guide you about the different ways of going to Phi Phi Island from Phuket.

Phuket To Koh Phi Phi By Normal Ferry

Time: 2 hours

Price: THB 430 to 1100 (USD 12.98- 33.19)

Comfort when travelling via this transport is rated as 5/5.

Looking at the map of the Andaman Coast in Thailand, you’ll see that a spread of over 50 kilometers of sea separates Phuket from Phi Phi. Both of these areas are actually islands, but Phuket is linked by a bridge to the mainland, while Phi Phi bellies out in the south end of the alluring Phang Nga Bay. 

Journeying from pier to pier off these points is popular in the region, so there are plenty of ferries going by this route.

Most travellers take normal speed ferries to go from Phuket to Phi Phi. It is by far the best choice. For one thing, it allows them to travel with space and comfort. Ferries running this route are actually big, multi-decked and designed with inside and outer areas.

Powerful engines operate these ferries and their seating compartments are air-conditioned. 

Andaman Wave Master is one company that operates ferries from the said locations. Their passenger capacity ranges from 450 and above. Other such corporations are Ao Nang Travel and Tour, Seatran Phuket, Phi Phi Cruiser and Songserm.

Majority of these ferries leave from Rassada pier that juts out from the southwest side of Phuket. It’s easier to get to Rassada pier from Phuket town.

Taking a ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi Island takes somewhere from 2 to 4 hours. But with the lovely views along the way, you’ll hardly get bored.

Phuket To Koh Phi Phi By Speedboat

Time: 1 hour

Price: THB 1500 (USD 45.27) for Adults; THB 1200 (USD 36.22) for Children

Comfort for travelling with this option is 3/5.

Can’t wait to set foot on Phi Phi? Travel fast and furious to it from Phuket by speedboat. These vessels are so nippy they can take you to your island Shangrila in 1 hour.

Aside from being a quick travel option, there are plenty of speedboat departure points in Phuket as well. In the south of the island, there’s Ao Chalong Pier, and up in the north, there’s Bang Rong Pier. These are convenient options if you don’t want to go by the drawn-out transfer to Rassada pier to take the large ferries. In the same way, you get to avoid the crowd of other passengers.

A caveat to note, however, is that speedboats are a wobbly mode of transport. Crossing Phuket to Phi Phi is likely to be like that, although the Andaman Bay doesn’t look so rough. When the ferry heads out in the sea past Rawai Beach, your ride can get bumpy as the waves pick up.

The upshot of travelling by speedboat, though, is that you can get away with it if you’re susceptible to vertigo and sickness.

The arrival point for speedboats to Koh Phi Phi is the same as the main ferries’ and that is the pier in Tonsai. This point is exactly at the border of the main village where you can easily access eateries, cafes and hotels. Likewise, you need to have 20 THB on hand as payment for the conservation fee at the docks.

Phuket To Koh Phi Phi By Bus and Ferry

Time: 7 to 8 hours

Price: THB 700 or USD 21.15

If you have plenty of time to spare and would like to linger when travelling, you can go to Phi Phi by taking the link to Krabi town. Catch the local buses from the Phuket bus terminal for 158.63 THB or 5.00 USD. 

In 3 hours travel by bus, you’ll be taken upward going around the Phang Nga Bay. When you reach Krabi, take a tuktuk or songthaew to head to the port so that you can connect with the local ferries that will get you south beyond the Andaman Sea.

You’re bound to pay for changeovers and transfers, but on the whole, you’re apt to save money via this route. Then again, the cost difference may be minor, but you’ll have tons of adventure!

Along the way, you’ll get a good view of the remote island of Koh Jum, along with many others. You’ll come across the busy fishing port in Krabi on your way to Phi Phi when you travel this way, too.

Conclusion

The cheapest way to travel to Phi Phi Island from Phuket is by taking the bus and ferry. There is a drawback to this, nonetheless because travel time takes up to 8 hours. Optimising time and comfort, on the other hand, it is much better to go by normal ferry. 

As for the fastest and time-saving mode of transport, you can take the speedboat. You’ll cross the sea from Phuket and arrive at Phi Phi in a matter of 1 to 1.30 hours.

Plenty of docks can be accessed all through the east coast of Phuket, and you can save time on transferring to these points. 

Ferries from Phuket to Phi Phi don’t run after dark. Thus, you’ll find that the latest trip from these spots is 3pm.

If you’re a first-timer in Thailand, the Phi Phi archipelago is pretty much a rite of passage. It’s quite easy to organize your trip there until you find yourself enjoying the best that it has to offer.