Travel Guide: Bangkok To Phi Phi Island

Planning a trip to Phi Phi Island? Here's how to get there from Bangkok.

There are several ways to get from Bangkok to the tropical paradise of Phi Phi Island, also known as Koh Phi Phi, which is made up of six islands situated between Phuket and the Straits of Malacca. You can opt for a combination of buses, vans, ferries, trains, and flights, depending on your budget and time constraints.

One of the fastest options is to fly from Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi and then take a ferry to Phi Phi Island. Alternatively, you can take a bus and ferry, or a bus, van, and ferry combination, which is more affordable but can take up to 17 hours.

When planning your trip, consider the time of year, as the weather is most favourable from November to April, with less rainfall. It is recommended to spend at least four days on the island to enjoy activities such as snorkelling, hiking, boat tours, and relaxing on the beautiful beaches.

Travel by plane, ferry, bus, train, or night bus

There are several ways to get from Bangkok to Phi Phi Island, with the fastest option being a combination of flying and taking a ferry.

By Plane and Ferry

The first option is to fly from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok to Phuket International Airport (HKT). From Phuket, you can take a van or taxi to Rassada Pier, which takes about an hour, and then take a speedboat or ferry to Phi Phi Island.

The flight from Bangkok to Phuket takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 35 minutes, and prices range from $178 to $310 per person. Ferries from Phuket to Phi Phi Island depart as early as 8:30 am and run until 3:30 pm, with tickets costing between $16 and $74 per person.

Alternatively, you can fly from Bangkok to Krabi International Airport (KBV). Flights depart as early as 7:05 am and run until 7:15 pm, with prices starting at $126 and going up to $276 per person. From Krabi Airport, you can take a minibus to Klong Jilard Pier in Ao Nang, and then a ferry to Phi Phi Island. Ferries from Krabi to Phi Phi Island start at $19 per person and take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of ferry you choose.

By Bus, Ferry, and Speedboat

If you're looking for a more affordable option, you can take a bus and ferry from Bangkok to Phi Phi Island. This option takes around 17 hours and 30 minutes and costs between $56 and $74 per person. The bus departs from Khao San Montanatip in Bangkok at 7 pm and arrives at Ton Sai Pier in Phi Phi Island the next day at 12:30 pm.

Another similar option is to take a bus, van, and ferry, which involves two transfers but still costs between $56 and $61 per person. This journey also departs from Khao San in Bangkok at 7 pm and arrives at Ton Sai Pier in Phi Phi Island at either 12 pm or 12:30 pm the next day.

By Train, Bus, and Ferry

You can also take a train from Hua Lamphong to Surat Thani Train Station, and then a bus ferry from Surat Thani Train Station to Phi Phi Ferry Terminal.

By Night Bus and Ferry

If you prefer to travel by night bus, you can take one from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok to the Krabi Bus Terminal. From there, you can take a ferry from Kong Ka Pier in Krabi to Phi Phi Ferry Terminal.

By Bus

Finally, there is a direct bus option from Bangkok Khao San Road to Phi Phi Ferry Terminal, which takes approximately 17 hours and 30 minutes.

Fly from Don Mueang International Airport to Phuket or Krabi

Flying from Don Mueang International Airport to either Phuket or Krabi is one of three ways to get from Bangkok to Phi Phi Island. The other two options are by bus and ferry, or bus, van, and ferry.

If you choose to fly, you will need to book separate flights and ferries. Flights depart from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) to Phuket International Airport (HKT) or Krabi Airport (KBV). The flight time is between one hour and 20 minutes and one hour and 35 minutes.

From Phuket, you can take a ferry to Phi Phi Island. Ferries depart from Rassada Pier in Phuket and arrive at either Ton Sai Pier or Laem Tong Beach in Koh Phi Phi. The ferry takes between one and three hours.

From Krabi, you can also take a ferry to Phi Phi Island. Ferries depart from Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi and arrive at either Ton Sai Pier or Laem Tong Beach in Koh Phi Phi. The ferry from Krabi takes between 30 minutes and two hours.

When booking your flights and ferry trips, it is important to consider the time between connections. While flying is the fastest way to get from Bangkok to Phi Phi Island, the time spent waiting between the flight and ferry should be accounted for.

Additionally, when travelling by ferry, it is recommended to arrive at the departure station at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time to ensure a smooth boarding process.

Take a bus and ferry from Khao San Montanatip in Bangkok to Ton Sai Pier in Koh Phi Phi

One option for travelling from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi is to take a bus and ferry from Khao San Montanatip in Bangkok to Ton Sai Pier in Koh Phi Phi. This journey takes around 17 hours and 30 minutes, and there is one option available for this trip. The bus departs from Bangkok at 7 pm and arrives at Koh Phi Phi the following day at 12:30 pm lunchtime. This option costs between $56 and $74 per person, depending on the type of ticket. It is also possible to book this trip online through 12Go.

The meeting point for the bus in Bangkok is Khao San Montanatip, which is located on Khao San Road. This bus service is provided by Montanatip Tour & Travel, which is based in Bangkok and provides bus and ferry services to other destinations in Thailand, such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. The bus will make a stop at midnight for a food break and toilet break.

The bus and ferry option is a very affordable and convenient choice for travelling from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi, as it only involves one transfer between the bus and ferry. It is also a good option for those who want to travel at night and save on accommodation costs.

Take a bus, van, and ferry from Khao San Nara Travel or Sapthaweephol Khao San Office in Bangkok to Ton Sai Pier in Koh Phi Phi

If you're looking to travel from Bangkok to Phi Phi Island, also known as Koh Phi Phi, and want to take a bus, van, and ferry, you can book with either Khao San Nara Travel or Sapthaweephol Khao San Office, with the journey concluding at Ton Sai Pier in Koh Phi Phi. This route involves two transfers, but don't worry—when you book your ticket, you're guaranteed not to miss them.

The journey will take either 17 hours or 17 hours and 30 minutes, with tickets costing from $56 to $61 per person. There are two options for departure and arrival times:

• Departing from Bangkok at 7 pm and arriving at Koh Phi Phi for 12 pm the next day
• Departing from Bangkok at 7 pm and arriving at Koh Phi Phi for 12.30 pm the next day

You can book this trip online through 12Go.

It's worth noting that this is one of the more affordable options for travelling from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi, with the bus and ferry option being the absolute cheapest at $56 per person.

When you arrive at Koh Phi Phi, you'll need to pay an island tax of 20 baht. Make sure you have this amount in cash so you don't have to wait in line!

Take a flight and ferry via Phuket or Krabi

If you're looking for a quick way to get from Bangkok to Phi Phi Island, one option is to take a flight to either Phuket or Krabi, and then a ferry to the island. Here's a detailed guide on how to make this journey:

Option 1: Via Phuket

Step 1: Book your flights

The first step is to book your flights from Bangkok to Phuket. You can fly from either Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok to Phuket International Airport (HKT). Flights are available from as early as 5:35 am to as late as 7:40 pm, with a journey time of around 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes. Prices for these flights can range from $178 to $310 per person, depending on the airline and the time of booking.

Step 2: Travel from the airport to the pier

Once you arrive in Phuket, you'll need to make your way to the pier to catch the ferry to Phi Phi Island. The main pier is called Rassada Pier, and it takes about an hour to get there from the airport. You can take a taxi, but they can be quite expensive. Alternatively, some boat operators offer shared transfers from the airport to the pier for an additional fee.

Step 3: Take the ferry to Phi Phi Island

From Rassada Pier, you can take a ferry or speedboat to Phi Phi Island. Ferries depart as early as 8:30 am and run until 3:30 pm. The journey takes around 2 to 3 hours, depending on whether you're going to the main pier (Ton Sai Pier) or Laemtong Beach. Ticket prices can range from $16 to $74 per person, and you can usually book online in advance.

Option 2: Via Krabi

Step 1: Book your flights to Krabi

You can also fly from Bangkok to Krabi as an alternative route to Phi Phi Island. Flights depart from either Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and arrive at Krabi International Airport (KBV). The earliest flights are around 7:05 am, and the latest are around 7:15 pm. The flight time is similar to the Phuket route, ranging from 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes. Ticket prices start at $126 and can go up to $276 per person.

Step 2: Travel from the airport to the pier

Once you arrive in Krabi, you'll need to get to Klong Jilard Pier in Ao Nang to catch the ferry to Phi Phi Island. You can take a minibus or taxi to the pier, which should take around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and your starting point.

Step 3: Take the ferry to Phi Phi Island

From Klong Jilard Pier, you can take a ferry or speedboat to Phi Phi Island. Ferries typically depart in the morning, around 9 am, and the journey takes about 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of boat and your destination on the island (either Ton Sai Pier or Laem Tong Beach). Ticket prices start at $19 per person, making this a more affordable option compared to the Phuket route.

Additional Information:

• When booking your flights and ferry, keep in mind that you'll need to book them separately, as there are currently no companies offering a combined flight and ferry package.
• If you plan to travel from Phuket or Krabi to Phi Phi Island on the same day, make sure you allow enough time to catch the last ferry.
• If you miss the last ferry or prefer to spend the night in Phuket or Krabi, there are plenty of accommodation options available.
• When taking the ferry, be prepared for possible crowds and waves, especially when disembarking. If you're travelling with older individuals, you may consider choosing accommodation that doesn't require a boat transfer.
• Phi Phi Island is a group of six islands with limited transportation options. The most common ways to get around are by foot, bicycle, scooter, or tailboat (a local version of a taxi).

Frequently asked questions