Phuket to Koh Phi Phi

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

Koh Phi Phi Don is roughly 42 km southeast of Phuket, and the crossing is one of the most popular ferry legs in southern Thailand. Big passenger ferries run daily from Rassada Pier on the east coast of Phuket, reaching Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi in around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Speedboats cut that to about 45 minutes but cost more and are rougher in any swell. Outside the Andaman high season — roughly November to April — services thin out and can be suspended in heavy monsoon weather.

Rassada Pier: Phuket's main ferry terminal

Rassada Pier (also written Ratsada Pier, or sometimes called Phuket Main Pier) is on the east side of Phuket, about 3 km southeast of Phuket Town centre. It is the main departure point for scheduled passenger ferries to Phi Phi Don, Koh Lanta and other Andaman destinations. To get there from Phuket Town, take a tuk-tuk, taxi or songthaew heading east — it's a short and inexpensive ride. From the beach resorts on Phuket's west coast (Patong, Karon, Kata), allow more time: these are 30–50 minutes from Rassada in normal traffic. If you are spending time in Phuket before or after the crossing, Visit Thailand's guide to Phuket covers the beaches, the Old Town and where to stay.

Tickets can be bought at the pier on the day; travel agencies throughout Phuket also sell them, sometimes as part of a combined resort-transfer-and-ferry package. The ticket counter at Rassada is straightforward — arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to allow time for boarding.

The big ferries

The main scheduled services from Phuket to Phi Phi are run by operators including PP Ferry (also known as Chao Koh Ferry) and Pha-Ngan Ferry, with additional services from smaller local companies in high season. These are large, twin-decked passenger vessels with air-conditioned lower cabins and open upper decks — comfortable enough for the roughly 2-hour crossing, with space for luggage, a small snack counter and usually life jacket lockers under the seats.

In high season (November to April), services typically depart Rassada in the morning and early afternoon, with some operators running a third departure in peak months. Return sailings from Phi Phi to Phuket run on similar schedules. Fares are low compared to any equivalent European ferry crossing.

In low season (May to October), some operators suspend services during the monsoon, particularly July and August. Other operators continue with morning-only departures but will cancel on bad-weather days. Check at the pier or with your accommodation the evening before if you are travelling in the shoulder months.

Speedboats

Shared speedboats run from Rassada Pier and from various hotels and beach areas around Phuket, reaching Phi Phi in around 45 minutes. They carry 10–15 passengers and move fast — too fast for comfort in any chop. The advantages are obvious if you have a tight schedule; the disadvantages are the higher fare, the rough ride, and the fact that wet spray on deck is inevitable in anything but glassy conditions.

Private speedboat charters are also available for those with the budget: these can be organised through any Phuket travel agency and offer flexibility on timing and stops, including a visit to the Maya Bay area of Phi Phi Leh.

Arriving at Phi Phi: Tonsai Pier and the national park fee

All ferries and speedboats from Phuket arrive at Tonsai Pier on the southern side of Phi Phi Don, which opens directly onto the main village. This compact strip of restaurants, dive shops and guesthouses sits on a narrow isthmus between two bays and gets busy in high season — your guesthouse may have a porter meeting the ferry, or longtail boats can transfer you to quieter parts of the island.

A national park entrance fee is collected at Tonsai Pier from arriving foreign visitors. Koh Phi Phi lies within the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park administered by the Thai Department of National Parks; the current fee is separate from your ferry ticket and is payable on arrival. Keep the receipt — you may be asked to show it elsewhere on the island or when visiting Phi Phi Leh.

Combining with Phuket International Airport

Phuket International Airport is on the northern tip of the island, about 35–40 km from Rassada Pier. If you are arriving by air and heading straight to Phi Phi, the logistics require some planning:

• A taxi or private transfer from the airport to Rassada takes roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour in good traffic, longer if it's a peak-season afternoon. Budget at least 90 minutes from landing to allow for immigration, bags and road traffic.
• The first ferry of the day typically departs in the morning (exact times vary by operator and season), so travellers on early-morning arrivals may just catch it. Afternoon arrivals will usually spend a night in Phuket and catch the morning ferry.
• Several travel agencies in Phuket Town and at the airport sell airport-transfer-plus-ferry packages, which can simplify the connection — but check the ferry departure time is realistic given your flight's arrival.

For travellers arriving on a Bangkok–Phuket connection, see our guide on Bangkok to Phuket for the main options into Phuket.

Monsoon season

The Andaman Sea monsoon runs roughly from May to October. The Phuket–Phi Phi crossing is across open sea and can be rough in the wet season, particularly from June to August. Ferries reduce in frequency and can be cancelled at short notice. If you are set on visiting Phi Phi in low season, keep your schedule flexible, allow a buffer day, and check forecasts the night before. Travel insurance is advisable. The Gulf of Thailand islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) have an opposite monsoon pattern and may be a better option in the Andaman wet season — see our overview of ferries to the Thai islands.

For onward travel from Phi Phi, see our guides on Krabi to Koh Phi Phi (useful for return or onward journeys to Krabi), Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta, and the ferry network overview at booking ferries explained.

Frequently asked questions

Which pier in Phuket do ferries to Phi Phi leave from?

All scheduled passenger ferries to Koh Phi Phi depart from Rassada Pier (also called Phuket Main Pier) on the east side of Phuket, about 3 km from Phuket Town. It is not on Phuket's tourist beach strip — allow travel time from the west coast resorts.

How long does the ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi take?

The big passenger ferries take around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Speedboats can do the crossing in about 45 minutes but cost more and provide a rougher ride.

Is there a national park fee at Koh Phi Phi?

Yes. A national park entrance fee is charged to foreign visitors on arrival at Tonsai Pier. It is paid separately from your ferry ticket and is set by the Thai Department of National Parks — check the current rate when buying your ticket.

Can I get from Phuket airport directly to Phi Phi on the same day?

Yes, if your flight arrives in the morning and you can reach Rassada Pier in time for a morning ferry. Allow at least 90 minutes from landing. Travellers on afternoon flights usually spend a night in Phuket and take the morning ferry. Combined airport-transfer-and-ferry packages are available through travel agencies.