How to Get to Phi Phi Island: 4 Routes from Krabi, Phuket, and Beyond

Traveloka Team
8 min read

Phi Phi Island is one of Thailand's most arresting destinations, a cluster of six islands rising from the Andaman Sea with sheer limestone cliffs, powder-white beaches, and water so clear you can watch reef fish from the surface. The two main islands — Phi Phi Don, where most visitors stay, and Phi Phi Leh, home to the famous Maya Bay — sit between Phuket and Krabi, making them reachable from either direction. Knowing which route suits your itinerary before you arrive saves time and lets you make the most of every day on the water.

Whether you are flying into Phuket International Airport, connecting through Krabi, or travelling overland from Bangkok, there is a straightforward path to Phi Phi. This guide breaks down every viable route with journey times, approximate costs, and practical details so you can plan with confidence. Book your flights early, particularly during the peak November-to-April season, when seats and ferry berths fill quickly.

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1. Getting to Phi Phi Island from Krabi Airport

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Krabi Airport is the closest airport to Phi Phi Island, and travellers who fly into Krabi can reach the pier and be on a ferry the same morning. From the arrivals hall, shared minivans and private taxis run directly to Klong Jirad Pier (also spelled Klong Jilad), a journey of approximately 30 minutes. If you land on an early flight, you have a very realistic chance of catching the 9 AM ferry departure and arriving on Phi Phi by mid-morning.

The ferry crossing from Klong Jirad Pier to Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don takes between 90 minutes and two hours, depending on sea conditions. Tickets cost around THB 350 to 450 per person each way, and the boats are spacious enough to stow luggage comfortably. The first sailing of the day leaves at 9 AM, and the last departs at 4 PM on most days — though on Fridays the final ferry runs at 3 PM, so arriving late on a Friday requires planning ahead.

Travellers coming from Krabi Town rather than the airport have an equally simple journey. The pier is just 15 minutes from the town centre by taxi, costing well under SGD 15. Those who enjoy walking can reach it on foot from the Crab Monument in about 45 minutes, passing riverside restaurants and local market stalls along the way. The route is flat and well-marked, making it a pleasant option if you have time to spare.

2. Getting to Phi Phi Island from Ao Nang

Ao Nang is Krabi's most popular beach resort area, and many visitors who base themselves there choose to day trip or relocate to Phi Phi. The departure point here is Noppharat Thara Pier, located about 15 minutes from the main Ao Nang beachfront. A local songthaew shared taxi gets you there for a few baht, while a private cab costs only slightly more and drops you right at the ticket booth.

The daily ferry from Noppharat Thara Pier to Phi Phi departs at 9:30 AM and runs a slightly shorter crossing than the Klong Jirad route, with a one-way fare of approximately THB 250 to 300 per person. Because there is typically only one morning departure in each direction, timing matters — plan to arrive at the pier at least 20 minutes before sailing time to purchase tickets and find a good seat on the upper deck for the views.

The combination of Ao Nang and Phi Phi suits travellers who want to experience both Krabi's beach scene and the more dramatic scenery of the Phi Phi archipelago within a single trip. You can spend two or three nights in Ao Nang, hop over to Phi Phi for a few more nights, and return to Krabi Airport for your onward flight without backtracking at all.

3. Getting to Phi Phi Island from Phuket

Phuket is the most common starting point for travellers flying in from Singapore, and the island has excellent ferry connections to Phi Phi. All boats depart from Rassada Pier on the east coast of Phuket, which is easily reached from anywhere on the island. From Phuket International Airport, an airport transfer or shared shuttle reaches Rassada Pier in 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic, while travellers already staying in Phuket Town can grab a taxi for a short, affordable ride.

Ferries from Rassada Pier to Phi Phi take approximately two hours and run multiple times daily, with the first departure typically at 8:30 AM. Speedboat charters cut the crossing to around 45 minutes and suit those who want to maximise time on the islands rather than at sea. The speedboat option also gives you the flexibility to stop at snorkelling sites along the way, turning the transfer itself into part of the experience.

For travellers with a flexible schedule, a car rental in Phuket gives you the freedom to explore the island's beaches and viewpoints before driving to Rassada Pier for your ferry departure. This works particularly well on a multi-destination itinerary where you plan to spend a night or two in Phuket before continuing to Phi Phi. Returning via the same route, the last evening ferry from Phi Phi back to Phuket typically departs around 3 PM.

Phuket-based activities are plentiful for travellers who arrive a day early or spend time there on the way back from Phi Phi. Book them alongside your hotels to keep everything in one place.

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4. Getting to Phi Phi Island from Bangkok or Chiang Mai

Travellers originating in Bangkok or Chiang Mai have two practical options: fly directly to Phuket or Krabi and follow the ferry routes described above, or take a scenic overland journey south. The direct flight is by far the fastest approach, with Phuket International Airport just two hours from Bangkok and a similar distance from Chiang Mai. Budget carriers operate this route with multiple daily departures at competitive fares, making the flight the obvious choice for most travellers.

The overland alternative appeals to those who prefer a slower, more immersive journey south. An overnight train from Bangkok to Surat Thani takes around 11 to 13 hours and is a comfortable, scenic way to travel — the sleeper cabins are well-maintained and arrive in the morning, connecting smoothly to bus or minivan services onward to Krabi. From Krabi, the ferry to Phi Phi completes the journey as described in Route 1 above.

Whichever origin city you depart from, arriving a day before you intend to take the ferry gives you a comfortable buffer and means a delayed domestic flight or traffic on the way to the pier will not disrupt your plans. Book accommodation for that first night in Phuket or Krabi at the same time as your ferry to lock in the best rates.

What to Do on Phi Phi Island

Maya Bay and Koh Phi Phi Leh

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Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh is the island group's most iconic sight, a sheltered cove flanked by towering limestone cliffs with a crescent of white sand and vivid turquoise water. The bay is mostly uninhabited, reached entirely by boat from Ton Sai, and the best time to visit is early morning before day-tour boats arrive from Phuket. Nearby, Viking Cave contains ancient rock paintings shaped like boats, a reminder that these waters have been navigated for centuries.

Phi Phi Viewpoint

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The Phi Phi Viewpoint sits at 186 metres above sea level and rewards the 20 to 30 minute hike from Ton Sai Village with one of the most photographed panoramas in Thailand. On a clear day you can see the full double-spit of Phi Phi Don, the surrounding islands, and the open Andaman Sea extending to the horizon. The climb is moderately steep but well-maintained, and small refreshment stalls near the top sell cold drinks. Sunrise is the most atmospheric time, when the light turns the limestone cliffs golden.

Bamboo Island Day Trip

Bamboo Island (Koh Phai) sits about five kilometres northeast of Phi Phi Don and offers a quieter alternative to the busier beaches on the main island. The shallow reef surrounding it makes for excellent snorkelling, with colourful corals and abundant fish visible from the surface without needing any equipment beyond a mask. Day trips depart from Ton Sai Pier and typically pair a Bamboo Island stop with Maya Bay and a few snorkelling sites. Overnight camping on the island is available for those who want to experience the stars over the Andaman without another boat in sight.

Shark Watching and Diving

Long Beach on Phi Phi Don is famous for reliable sightings of black-tip reef sharks in the shallows, particularly on early morning tours before the day-trip crowd arrives. Professional guide-led excursions depart from Ton Sai and last a few hours, keeping groups small to minimise disturbance to the animals. For those who want to go deeper, the surrounding waters hold world-class dive sites including Shark Point, Anemone Reef, and the King Cruiser Wreck, a large vessel that sank in 1997 and now hosts extraordinary marine biodiversity.

Rock Climbing at Tonsai Tower

Phi Phi's limestone karsts are not just scenic — they are superb for climbing. Tonsai Tower, rising directly above the beach at the western tip of Ton Sai Bay, offers bolted routes for every skill level from beginner to advanced. Rental gear is available through local outfitters in the village, and guided half-day sessions are a great introduction for first-timers. The views from the higher routes, looking out over the bay and the long wooden fishing boats below, are as rewarding as the climb itself.

Thai Cooking Classes

Pum's Thai Cooking School in central Tonsai Village runs sessions of between 30 minutes and three hours, covering classic dishes like pad kra pao (basil stir-fry), tom kha gai (coconut galangal soup), and fresh mango sticky rice. The school sources ingredients from local markets and the instructors are patient with beginners. It is a grounded, hands-on way to engage with Thai food culture and take something tangible home from the trip beyond photographs.

The variety of activities on and around Phi Phi suits every type of traveller, from families after gentle snorkelling and cooking classes to divers and climbers looking for more demanding adventures. Booking in advance through Traveloka secures your spot in the most popular tours without having to negotiate on the pier.

Where to Stay on Phi Phi Island

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Accommodation on Phi Phi ranges from simple beachside guesthouses to full-service resorts with infinity pools overlooking the Andaman. Ton Sai Village is the main hub, convenient for ferries, restaurants, and nightlife, while the east coast bays — including Moo Dee Bay — offer a quieter, more secluded alternative for those who want fewer crowds and more shoreline to themselves. Most resorts on Phi Phi Don are boutique-scale, with open-air design that takes full advantage of the surrounding scenery.

Booking your hotels well ahead of your travel dates is strongly recommended during the high season from November to April, when the most popular resorts on Phi Phi Don sell out weeks in advance. The shoulder months of May and October offer good value with fewer tourists and still largely manageable weather. Browse verified guest reviews on Traveloka to compare properties across all budget levels before committing.

These top-rated Phi Phi Island properties are available to book now, with real-time pricing and instant confirmation.

Book Your Trip with Traveloka

Southeast Asia's largest online travel platform makes planning a Phi Phi Island trip from Singapore straightforward from the first search to the morning of departure. Trusted by over 100 million users across the region, Traveloka brings flights, hotels, and island activities together under one roof, with all prices displayed in SGD and a secure checkout process that takes minutes. For a trip like Phi Phi — where timing between flights, ferry schedules, and accommodation check-ins matters — having everything booked in one app removes a significant amount of coordination stress.

The Traveloka app covers every stage of a Phi Phi Island trip. Fly into Phuket on a competitively priced fare, arrange an airport transfer directly to Rassada Pier, book your beachfront resort on Phi Phi Don, and reserve a Maya Bay snorkelling tour — all without switching between different websites or dealing with multiple booking references. Travel insurance is also available through the app, giving you coverage against delays or unforeseen changes to your itinerary.

For Singapore travellers heading to Phi Phi, the app's eSIM feature is especially useful: purchase a Thai data plan before you leave home and arrive with mobile connectivity active from the moment you land. No queuing at airport SIM kiosks, no roaming surprises on your next phone bill. Combined with the car rental options available for Phuket, you have full flexibility to explore the island before heading to the pier.

Download the Traveloka app today to search live fares, compare hotel rates, and lock in your Phi Phi Island itinerary. Early bookings consistently offer the best prices, and the app's price-alert feature notifies you when fares to Phuket drop — so you can move fast when the right deal appears.

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