Phuket to Krabi Ferry: Times, Fares and Season Tips

The Phuket to Krabi ferry is the scheduled Andaman crossing from Rassada Pier, near Phuket Town, to Klong Jilad Pier beside Krabi Town. In November 2026 the fastest boats take about two hours, while some slower services stop at other islands and can take four to seven hours. Knowing which pier, which boat and which ticket you hold will save a wasted morning.

High season means more boats than in the wet months, and more traffic on the road to the pier. Pair this crossing with our notes on the Phuket to Phi Phi ferry if you hop onward, and check Phuket weather in November before you lock in a same-day connection.

Where do the boats leave from and arrive?

Almost every public service uses Rassada Pier on Phuket's east coast, in Rassada sub-district close to Phuket Town. West-coast beaches such as Patong, Kata, Karon and Bang Tao sit on the opposite side of the island. Direct Ferries' pier guide puts a taxi from Patong at around 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic; from Phuket International Airport the same source estimates about 45 to 60 minutes. Build in more time in the late afternoon, when west-coast hills clog up, as our Phuket airport transfer guide explains.

Many tickets include a shared minivan pickup from your hotel. If yours does not, use a licensed taxi or a ride-hailing app such as Grab or Bolt and aim to reach the pier 30 to 45 minutes before departure so you can check in, exchange a voucher for a boarding pass and load bags.

Boats arrive at Klong Jilad Pier, also spelled Khlong Chilat, a short ride from Krabi Town. Taxis and minibuses wait there for Krabi Town and Ao Nang. Railay has no road; you continue by long-tail boat from Ao Nang or from Krabi's shoreline piers. Krabi International Airport is a short drive from the town side, not from the beach strip.

What time does the Phuket to Krabi ferry leave?

According to the Direct Ferries timetable covering 2 to 15 November 2026, three operators run the Rassada to Klong Jilad route: Andaman Wave Master, Phi Phi Cruiser and Chureang Travel And Tour. The listing shows about 33 sailings a week. The first boats leave around 08:30 and the last direct departure is listed at 12:00, so this is a morning and midday route, not an evening hop.

• Andaman Wave Master: morning boats around 08:30 to 08:45 and a midday boat at 12:00, taking about two hours. Thai Ferry Online listed the same operator at 08:45 and 12:00, arriving at 10:45 and 14:00.
• Phi Phi Cruiser: a daily 08:30 departure that Direct Ferries times at seven hours, arriving about 15:30. That longer clock usually means a stop at Phi Phi, so do not book it if you need to be in Krabi by lunch.
• Chureang Travel And Tour: an 11:00 departure timed at about four hours, arriving around 15:00.

Times change with demand and weather, so confirm the live schedule for your date. Direct Ferries last updated its route summary on 6 November 2026.

How much do tickets cost?

Fares move with the boat, the class and whether a hotel transfer is bundled in. Thai Ferry Online listed Andaman Wave Master speedboat seats from 1,400 baht per adult on the two-hour crossings, before checkout fees. Direct Ferries, quoting in US dollars, put recent searches between about 31 and 204 dollars, with an average near 75 dollars over the previous 30 days. Those figures exclude service fees and are not today's guaranteed price.

Option	Typical time	What to expect
Andaman Wave Master direct boat	About 2 hours	Fastest regular crossing; adult fares from about 1,400 baht on recent listings
Chureang Travel And Tour	About 4 hours	Slower daytime service; check whether the ticket names extra stops
Phi Phi Cruiser via other islands	About 7 hours	Useful only if you want the long scenic hop, not a quick transfer
Road: bus, minivan or private car	About 2.5 to 3.5 hours	No sea sickness; subject to traffic over the Sarasin Bridge and Route 4

Compare like with like. A quote that includes a west-coast hotel pickup will cost more than a pier-only seat. There is no cabin on this crossing, and current operators do not take cars.

Is the boat better than going by road?

The Phuket to Krabi ferry wins if you want Andaman views and a break from highway traffic. The fastest boats often match or beat a slow van on winding coastal roads. The road wins if you have bulky luggage, feel seasick, or need to leave after midday, because the last listed boat departs at noon. Guides generally put a private car at about two and a half to three hours and a bus or shared minivan at about two and a half to three and a half hours. The crossing is about 29 nautical miles, or roughly 55 kilometres.

A same-day connection after landing at Phuket Airport is tight. Immigration, the Thailand TDAC arrival card check and the drive to Rassada can eat the buffer before an 08:30 boat. Staying one night on Phuket, or booking the 12:00 departure after a very early arrival, is the calmer plan.

What should you know before you board?

• Confirm the exact pier on your ticket. Some tour packages pick you up at a hotel and only then drive to Rassada.
• Luggage allowances differ. Direct Ferries reports one bag up to 18 kilograms plus a handbag on Andaman Wave Master, one bag up to 20 kilograms on Phi Phi Cruiser, and one hand-carry plus one suitcase of up to 25 kilograms each on Chureang Travel And Tour. Extra weight is often paid in cash at the pier.
• Take seasickness tablets 30 to 60 minutes before boarding if you are prone to motion sickness, and pack a light layer for the cabin plus a dry bag for phones.
• Keep your passport and booking voucher with you, not in the hold. Operators may delay or cancel when waves run high, so leave a spare day before a flight out of Krabi.

Once you reach Krabi, our Krabi travel guide covers Ao Nang, Railay and the nearby islands. A Coral Island day trip from Phuket is the shorter option if you stay put another day.

For the current operator list and weekly sailing count, see the Direct Ferries Phuket to Krabi timetable, which was updated on 6 November 2026. Always re-check your chosen company's own schedule the day before you travel.

How long does the Phuket to Krabi ferry take?

The fastest Andaman Wave Master boats take about two hours from Rassada Pier to Klong Jilad Pier. Other listed services take about four hours or, if they stop at Phi Phi, about seven hours.

Does the crossing run every day in November?

Direct Ferries lists daily sailings for the operators above in the first half of November 2026, with about 33 weekly departures in total. Boats can still be delayed or cancelled in rough weather, especially early in the month.

Can you do Krabi as a day trip from Phuket by public boat?

It is a poor fit for most visitors. The last listed departure from Phuket is around noon, and slower boats reach Krabi only in mid-afternoon. Plan at least one night there.

Do you need to book in advance?

Yes, on weekends and in late November and December. Booking a few days ahead also helps you secure a direct two-hour boat instead of a slower multi-stop service.

Photo: Nopparat Thara Beach at Ao Nang, Krabi, by Stefan Fussan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.