Phuket to Phi Phi Ferry: Times, Fares and Tips

The Phuket to Phi Phi ferry leaves from Rassada Pier on Phuket's east coast, near Phuket Town, and arrives at Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi Don. In November 2026 boats sail every day from about 08:30 to 15:00. Big ferries take around two hours and speedboats about one hour. Expect to pay roughly 550 to 1,300 baht one way, plus a 20-baht island fee paid in cash when you step off at Tonsai.

The high season has already started. TAT Newsroom reported that Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le reopened on 1 October after its yearly closure, and that the Andaman dry season normally settles in by December. That means more departures, but also fuller boats, so it pays to know how the route works before you go.

Where does the Phuket to Phi Phi ferry leave from?

Almost every scheduled boat uses Rassada Pier in Mueang Phuket district. This catches out many visitors, because the popular beaches of Patong, Kata, Karon and Bang Tao are on the opposite, west side of the island. Many tickets include a shared minivan pickup from your hotel; if yours does not, book a taxi or ride-hailing car and allow for traffic through Phuket Town.

Booking platforms advise arriving 30 to 60 minutes before departure to check in, swap your voucher for a boarding ticket and load luggage. Large bags usually go in a hold or on deck, so keep your passport, phone and seasickness tablets in a small day bag.

Phuket to Phi Phi ferry times for November 2026

According to the Direct Ferries timetable for 2 to 15 November, seven companies run the Rassada to Tonsai route with about 143 sailings a week. They include Andaman Wave Master, Chaokoh Ferry, Phi Phi Cruiser, Bundhaya Speed Boat and Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club.

• Morning: the first ferries and speedboats leave at 08:30, with further speedboats through the late morning.
• Midday: further ferry and speedboat departures run through the middle of the day.
• Afternoon: the last boats leave Phuket at about 15:00.
• Return: the last large ferry from Tonsai back to Rassada is listed at about 15:30, with some speedboats a little later.

Times change with demand and weather, so check your own operator's schedule the day before you travel.

How much does the ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi cost?

Fares depend on the boat, the class and whether a hotel transfer is included. The table below shows typical adult one-way prices listed for this month.

Option	Time	Adult one way	Notes
Large ferry, standard seat	About 2 hours	THB 550 to 700	Andaman Wave Master lists THB 700 (child THB 600)
Large ferry, upper class	About 2 hours	THB 1,000 to 1,300	Andaman Wave Master first and premium class
Speedboat to Tonsai	About 1 hour	THB 800 to 1,100	Several daily departures
Boat to Laem Tong, north Phi Phi Don	1.5 to 3 hours	THB 1,050 to 1,300	For resorts at the island's northern tip

Andaman Wave Master's own fare table also offers return tickets from THB 1,200 in standard class. Prices quoted by travel desks may be higher if they include a minivan transfer, so compare like with like.

What extra fees should you budget for?

The ticket only covers the boat. Every passenger landing at Tonsai pays a 20-baht island fee at a gate at the end of the pier, a charge that ferry agents and island hotels say is not included in the fare. Carry small notes.

If you visit Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon or Bamboo Island, you also enter Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Foreign visitors pay 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child. TAT notes that six Andaman marine parks, including Phi Phi, have used electronic tickets since October 2025, so have your passport details ready. At Maya Bay, boats land at Loh Samah Bay on the far side and visitors walk in on a boardwalk; swimming in the bay itself is not allowed.

Ferry or speedboat: which is better?

The large ferry is the cheaper and steadier choice. It has an indoor cabin, an open deck for views and space for luggage, which suits anyone moving hotels. The speedboat halves the journey time but rides harder over the swell, and seats fill quickly at peak times.

If your hotel is near Laem Tong, make sure your ticket names Laem Tong, not Tonsai. There is no road between the two, so landing at the wrong pier means paying for an extra long-tail boat.

Tips before you travel

• Book a few days ahead for December and January; TAT advises early booking for ferries and island rooms in peak months.
• Leave a spare day in your plan. TAT warns that October and early November can still bring rain, and operators may hold boats when waves run high.
• Take seasickness tablets 30 minutes before boarding if you are prone to motion sickness.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and do not touch coral on snorkelling stops.
• Keep the return time in mind on day trips: missing the last boat means a night on the island.

For the island itself, read our Koh Phi Phi travel guide, our look at the best time to visit Phi Phi and our advice on staying safe on Phi Phi. Continuing to the mainland? See our tips for travelling between Krabi and Phuket.

FAQ

How long does the Phuket to Phi Phi ferry take?

A large ferry takes about two hours from Rassada Pier to Tonsai Pier. A speedboat takes about one hour. Boats to Laem Tong take longer because they continue up the coast.

Does the ferry run every day?

Yes. Scheduled ferries and speedboats run daily all year, with the most departures from November to April. Services can be delayed or cancelled in rough weather.

Can you visit Phi Phi as a day trip by public ferry?

Yes. Taking an 08:30 boat out and the last afternoon boat back gives you several hours on Phi Phi Don. To see Maya Bay as well, an organised tour is usually easier.

Is the 20-baht fee included in the ticket?

No. The island fee is collected in cash from each passenger at Tonsai Pier, separate from the ferry fare and any national park fee.

Photo: Long-tail boats at Tonsai Pier, Ko Phi Phi Don, by Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.