With its crystal clear waters, stunning limestone cliffs and vibrant nightlife, Koh Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s most exciting and memorable travel destinations.
There is no direct route from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi as the island does not have its own airport, so you’ll need to combine transportation methods to make the trip which includes a compulsory ferry journey.
Bangkok and Koh Phi Phi are located around 700 km apart as the crow flies, but your journey will be a little longer as you can’t fly direct. Continue below to discover the best ways to travel from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi.
Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi by Flight and Ferry (via Phuket)
Time – Under 8 hours
Cost – Flight tickets for as little as $40 and around $20 for bus and ferry
Comfort – 5/5
The quickest and easiest way of reaching Koh Phi Phi is to catch a flight out of Bangkok before hopping on a ferry to cross the Andaman Sea. One of the two possible flight options is arriving at Phuket International Airport before continuing by ferry.
From Bangkok direct flights to Phuket are available out of both airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK), provided by several airlines including low-cost favorites AirAsia, Thai Smile and Thai VietJet Air. There are multiple flights per day and tickets can easily be snagged at just $25 each way. Flights to Phuket will take just over 1 hour.
From Phuket International Airport you’ll need to take a taxi to reach Rassada Pier on the outskirts of Phuket Town. The pier is less than 1 hour from the airport and will cost approximately $20 to reach by taxi. Alternatively, hop on the airport bus going to central Phuket Town before catching a taxi to the pier to save a little cash.
The ferry trip to Koh Phi Phi takes around 2 hours and affords spectacular views of the iconic limestone cliffs of the island
There are four ferries sailing each day to Koh Phi Phi, the first departing at 08.30 and the last ferry leaving at 15.00. Book your ferry tickets in advance with 12Go.asia or book your flight and ferry together with many great bundle deals available. You can get ferry tickets as cheap as $15 if you book early enough. The ferry trip to Koh Phi Phi takes around 2 hours and affords spectacular views of the iconic limestone cliffs of the island.
The main company handling crossings is Andaman Wave Master, while other operators include Chao Koh and Phi Phi Cruiser. The ferries are nice and comfortable with indoor air-conditioned cabins and a rooftop viewing deck. Snacks and refreshments can also be purchased on board. Be aware that crossings can be cancelled due to bad weather.
Alternatively, a faster private speedboat option is available. Although pricier (around $50), it can drop you off closer to your resort rather than at the Koh Phi Phi ferry terminal (Tonsai Pier) and can take as little as 1 hour from Phuket.
Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi by Flight and Ferry (via Krabi)
Time – Under 8 hours
Price – Starting at $40 for flight and $20 for bus + ferry
Comfort – 5/5
The second option is to fly into Krabi Airport from Bangkok. As with Phuket, popular low-cost carriers like AirAsia and VietJet offer several flights a day from Bangkok to Krabi. Flights are available at as little as $25 each way from both Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport.
From Krabi Airport it is only a 30-minute trip down to the ferry terminal, Klong Jirad Pier. There’s an airport bus running into central Krabi Town for just $3, or you can arrange an airport taxi to take you direct to the pier for around $15. If taking the airport bus you’ll still need a taxi to continue to the pier but it can work out cheaper.
Ferries are well-maintained and come with all the essentials needed for a pleasant journey.
At Klong Jiad Pier there are two main ferry providers running to Koh Phi Phi: Andaman Wave Master and Chao Koh Ferry. Tickets will cost $15-20 and the trip usually takes less than 2 hours. Ferries are well-maintained and come with all the essentials including refreshments, air-conditioning and comfortable seating. The first ferry leaves at 09.00 and the final sailing is at 16.00.
You should book your tickets online as early as possible to get the cheapest prices. At 12Go you can compare prices between ferries or book packages that include your flight and van/bus transfer to the pier from the airport.
Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi by Bus and Ferry (via Phuket)
Time – 16 hours+
Price – As cheap as $50 for bus + ferry + taxi
Comfort – 3/5
If you don’t fancy flying you can always catch a bus down to Phuket before making the ferry journey to Koh Phi Phi. The price of going by bus can be slightly cheaper than flying but will take a whopping 14 hours. This option is best suited to those who have problems with flying or enjoy the scenic window-gazing of a road trip.
Most buses to Phuket depart out of the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). The bus station is quite far from central Bangkok and isn’t linked to the BTS train or MRT subway networks. With regular traffic it will be about a 30-minute taxi trip and shouldn’t cost more than $10.
This option is best suited to those who have problems with flying or enjoy the scenic window-gazing of a road trip.
The three main bus providers out of Southern Bus Terminal are Bus Express, Phuket Travel and Transport Co. Regular tickets tend to be around $20, while VIP tickets start at $30. Another company, Sombat Tour, also provide buses to Phuket out of their offices at Sombat Tour Viphawadee 13 near Chatuchak Park. Buy combined bus + ferry tickets through 12Go and you can pay as little as $40 overall.
All buses are fitted with air-conditioning, toilets and even Wi-Fi, stopping halfway through the journey for a much-needed 30-minute break. If you love comfort it’s worth shelling out extra for a VIP seat which comes with extra legroom, reclining seats and single-row seating for added privacy.
When you have arrived at Phuket Bus Terminal 2, it’s a further 20-minute drive down to Rassada Pier. You may be lucky to find a shared minivan at the bus station which will be cheaper compared to a private taxi. Remember that the last ferry is at 15.00 each day, so factor this in to your arrival time.
Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi by Bus and Ferry (via Krabi)
Time – 16 hours+
Price – Overall expect to pay around the $50-60 mark
Comfort – 3/5
There are also buses going to Krabi from Bangkok which are slightly quicker than those going to Phuket at around 12 hours. The majority of buses leave from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), while you can also go from Hua Lamphong and Khao San Songserm with a company called Songserm.
Prices are also similar to Phuket at $20 for economy class and $30 for VIP. The two main providers from Southern Bus Terminal are Transport Co and Lignite. Both companies have excellent reviews and are reliable with their punctuality and comfort. Buses are pleasant and come with all essentials including on-board toilets, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi access.
Hua Lamphong may be more convenient to depart from as it is linked to the local MRT network for ease of access
Hua Lamphong may be more convenient to depart from as it is linked to the local MRT network for ease of access, while Khao San Songserm is located in the heart of the backpacking district. Getting to Southern Bus Terminal will require a 30-minute taxi ($10 from central Bangkok) to factor in to your budgeting.
Klong Jirad Pier is a 20-minute drive from Krabi Bus Terminal, which you can do by taxi or pre-arranged transfer upon arrival. Shared minibuses and local songthaew taxis are often available from the bus terminal. Compare prices with multiple bus and ferry operators with 12Go and make big savings by booking all your tickets together as a package.
Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi by Train, Bus and Ferry
Time – 18 hours+
Price – Similar to other options at around $50-60 overall
Comfort – 4/5
Rather than journeying by bus you can embark on a scenic train odyssey. There are several trains from Bangkok which can help you on your way to Koh Phi Phi operated by Thai Railways day and evening. Whether you catch your ferry via Krabi or Phuket, trains will stop at Surat Thani.
The overnight sleeper trains are the most comfortable, especially if you manage to snag a 1st Class ticket (usually priced at $45). These come with private cabins and comfortable bunk beds fit for two people. Alternatively, a 2nd Class ticket will be cheaper at $30 and still offers reasonable sleeping arrangements.
Tickets are very much in demand on sleeper trains so book as early as you can
Tickets are very much in demand on sleeper trains so book as early as you can. Check out 12Go where you can compare all options and even book your entire trip (train + bus + ferry) together for added convenience and savings. This option can save you a lot with all-in-one packages available for as little as $50.
Trains to Surat Thani depart from Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok. After alighting at Surat Thani it’s a further 2-hour bus journey into Krabi Town before continuing to Klong Jirad Pier. If you’re going via Phuket, the bus journey is a fair bit longer at 4-5 hours from Surat Thani.
No matter how you choose to get there, the incredible sights of Koh Phi Phi make the journey well worth it!
Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi FAQ
Bus, train and flight tickets are very similarly priced so it’s more a matter of taste and travel time. When choosing your ferry, the cheapest are regular ferry services. Speedboat tickets can cost a lot more but get you to Koh Phi Phi in half the time. You can save a lot of money by booking all-in-one tickets which find the best flights, buses and ferries for you with 12Go.asia.
The fastest route is to catch a plane to either Phuket or Krabi before continuing onwards by ferry/speedboat (book combined plane + ferry tickets with 12Go). Private speedboat transfers from Phuket and Krabi are quicker than the regular ferry service but are also pricier. They can also drop you off a lot closer to your hotel/resort compared to the ferry which drops you at Tonsai Pier in the center, where you may then need an additional long-tail boat to continue onward to your accommodation.
There isn’t a direct route to reach Koh Phi Phi from Bangkok, so you’ll need to catch a flight, bus or train before hopping on a ferry to cross the Andaman Sea. Ferries are available out of both Phuket and Krabi and there are a wide range of transportation options to reach both provinces from Bangkok, all of which you can book through 12Go. The amount of traveling time is almost identical whether it’s Phuket or Krabi.
Krabi Airport (KBV) is the closest airport to Koh Phi Phi at around 45 km, closely followed by Phuket International Airport (HKT) which is 66 km away. In terms of traveling time, it’s slightly quicker to reach Koh Phi Phi from Krabi Airport as the airport is closer to the pier and the ferry service is a bit faster compared to Phuket. However, there isn’t too much in it so either option is perfectly fine. Weigh up your options and find the best value with 12Go when booking your trip.
The Phi Phi Islands have pretty much everything imaginable for a memorable holiday. Stunning beaches, secluded coves, vibrant marine life and fun watersports will keep you occupied by day, while Koh Phi Phi is a popular nightlife hotspot with beachfront bars and delicious seafood restaurants. There are a range of accommodation options across the islands including private 5-star resorts and affordable hostels for travelers of all budgets.
Thankfully there aren’t any dangerous sharks in the waters around Koh Phi Phi, but you can still find sharks in certain parts. The most common are blacktip reef sharks that famously congregate around Shark Point. This is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in Koh Phi Phi best visited at dawn or dusk if you want to maximize your chance of seeing reef sharks up close. Leopard sharks also live amongst the reefs and larger whale sharks have been spotted at the Hin Daeng diving spot 45 minutes off the coast.
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