Patong to Phi Phi Island: Best Ways to Travel
Are you wondering how to get from Patong to Phi Phi Island? You’re in the right place.
The Phi Phi Islands, located in Krabi Province, are among Thailand’s most iconic destinations, known for their towering limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, and lively beach scene.
Just a short boat ride from Phuket, they’re a must-visit for anyone exploring southern Thailand.
The main island, Phi Phi Don, is the gateway to the archipelago and a hotspot for beach lovers, island-hopping tours, scuba diving, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear Andaman Sea.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the ways to travel from Patong to Phi Phi Island, whether you choose a ferry, speedboat, or a combination of hotel transfers and boat rides.
You’ll also find tips on travel times, ticket prices, and how to make the most of your trip. And if you’re staying in other parts of Phuket, like Kamala, Bang Tao, Kata, or Karon, you can follow the same steps to plan a perfect day trip or overnight stay in Phi Phi.
Patong to Phi Phi Island: What to Know
Before heading out to the Phi Phi Islands, it’s worth knowing a few tips to make your trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible, starting with timing.
The best time to visit Phuket and Phi Phi is during the dry season (November to April), when the seas are calmer, skies are sunny, and boat rides are more pleasant.
If you’re prone to seasickness, I recommend taking the ferry and staying on Phi Phi Don rather than joining a speedboat tour.
The waters in the Andaman Sea can get choppy, especially during the rainy season. Rassada Pier offers free motion sickness tablets; take them about 30 minutes before departure.
When you arrive on Phi Phi Don, you’ll need to pay a 20 THB environmental fee in cash. This small fee supports island upkeep, including waste management.
If you’re planning a day trip, aim for an early morning departure to avoid the largest crowds. The same tip applies if you’re staying overnight; start your adventures early for the most peaceful experience.
Patong to Phi Phi Island Tour
The fastest and most convenient way to get from Patong to Phi Phi Islands is by joining a speedboat tour. Speedboats make the crossing in roughly one hour, giving you more time to explore and less time in transit.
Multiple-day tours operate daily from Patong and other parts of Phuket, offering a hassle-free experience that typically lasts around 8 hours. These tours include round-trip hotel transfers, so you won’t need to worry about getting to the pier.
A typical Phi Phi speedboat tour covers the most famous attractions, such as Maya Bay Beach, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island.
You’ll have the chance to walk along the iconic white sands of Maya Bay, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and enjoy a lunch buffet onboard.
Here are some of the highest-rated tours from Patong and Phuket to Phi Phi Islands:
While most tours follow a similar itinerary, differences may include departure times or one or two alternate stops.
Patong to Phi Phi Island via Hotel Transfer & Ferry
If you’re staying in Patong and want a hassle-free way to get to Phi Phi Island for an overnight stay (or longer), the easiest option is to book a combined hotel transfer and ferry ticket.
This service includes a minibus pick-up from your hotel in Patong to Rassada Pier, where your driver will hand you your ferry ticket before you board. No extra logistics, no last-minute scrambling.
The cost for this all-in-one transfer is around ฿700 per person one way, making it both convenient and cost-effective.
If you’d rather arrange your ride to Rassada Pier, via taxi, Grab, or Bolt, you can purchase just the ferry ticket for about ฿450 one way or ฿900 round trip when booked online in advance. Then you can buy your Phi Phi ferry ticket there from Rassada Pier.
From Other Areas in Phuket to Phi Phi Island
If you’re staying in other popular areas of Phuket, such as Bang Tao, Kamala, Karon, or Kata, and want to visit and stay overnight on the Phi Phi Islands, the process is simple.
For those only planning a day trip to Phi Phi Island, you can simply book a Phi Phi Islands tour instead, as it will include all transport and activities in one package.
If you’re traveling independently, your first step is to get from your hotel to Rassada Pier in Phuket Town. The pier is roughly 30–40 minutes from most areas in Phuket. From there, you have two main options: ferry or speedboat.
Ferry to Phi Phi Islands
The ferry from Rassada Pier to Phi Phi Don takes about 2 hours and costs ฿350–฿500 per person one way. The ride is usually smooth, but the Andaman Sea can get choppy at times. Ferries have air conditioning, a washroom, and a small snack bar on board, Book your ferry to Phi Phi here.
💡 Tip: If you get seasick, take the free motion sickness tablets available at Rassada Pier and opt for the ferry instead of the speedboat.
Speedboat to Phi Phi Islands
The speedboat gets you from Phuket to Phi Phi in about 1 hour and costs ฿400–฿650 one way. While it’s faster, the ride can be bumpier and less relaxing than the ferry, Book your speedboat to Phi Phi here.
If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, keep in mind that speedboats have less storage space compared to ferries.
Phuket Airport to Phi Phi Island
If you’re landing at Phuket International Airport and want to head directly to Phi Phi Islands without staying in Phuket first, here’s the easiest way to do it.
After landing, exit the arrivals section of the airport, where you’ll meet your assigned white minivan shuttle. Depending on your arrival time, you might have to wait briefly for other passengers to join before departure.
From Phuket Airport, you’ll be driven straight to Rassada Pier in Phuket Town. From there, you’ll board the ferry to Phi Phi Don, which takes about 2 hours.
The total cost for the Phuket Airport transfer + ferry ticket is around ฿950–฿1,050 per person.
Book your Phuket Airport transfer + ferry to Phi Phi Island here — Once you open the booking page, select “Ferries, Vans” to see all available time slots for same-day transfers from the airport to Phi Phi.
Where to Stay on Phi Phi Island
Although Phi Phi Don is a small island in the middle of the Andaman Sea, it offers a surprisingly wide range of hotels, resorts, and hostels for every budget.
Accommodations can fill up quickly during the high season (November–April), so booking in advance is highly recommended.
If you’re looking for a luxurious escape, Zeavola Resort delivers with its chic, bohemian-inspired style and tranquil beachfront setting. It’s the perfect hideaway for unwinding after a day of exploring the Phi Phi Islands.
One thing to note: the resort is not accessible on foot from the main pier. After arriving on Phi Phi Don, you’ll need to take a long-tail boat taxi to reach it. Fortunately, the resort arranges the transfer for you, so the journey is seamless.
Conveniently located only minutes from everything central in town, CoCo Beach Resort is an ideal place to stay on the island.
The resort offers plenty of space for those looking to relax away from the noise of the main town area, making it a perfect balance between convenience and tranquility.
For those on a budget, perhaps backpacking through Thailand, Phi Phi Island also has some excellent hostel options that are clean, social, and conveniently located. Here are the top two hostels on the island, and if you’d like to browse more.
How Many Days Should You Spend on Phi Phi Island?
This depends on your preference, but 2 to 3 days is enough time to visit Phi Phi Island.
Some people visit the Phi Phi Islands for a day trip, and if you’re staying in Phuket or Krabi for a short time, it makes sense to take a day trip.
But if you’re able to spend at least one night in Phi Phi Don, it’s a much better experience!
That way, you can explore Phi Phi Don at a relaxed pace and enjoy activities on the main island that you can’t fit into a day trip.
Afterward, consider heading over to Railay Beach in Krabi, it’s only a short boat ride away and is home to stunning limestone cliffs, clear waters, and a laid-back vibe perfect for unwinding after your Phi Phi adventure.
How long is the ferry from Patong to Phi Phi Island?
If you take a hotel transfer to Rassada Pier and then the ferry, the total journey from Patong to Phi Phi Island takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on transfer time and sea conditions.
Can you do a day trip from Patong to Phi Phi Island?
Yes, many visitors join speedboat day tours from Patong to Phi Phi Islands, which typically last 8–9 hours and include stops at highlights like Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, and Pileh Lagoon.
How much does it cost to go from Patong to Phi Phi Island?
Prices vary by transport type; shared minivan + ferry packages start at around 500–550 THB, while speedboat tours range from 1,500–3,000 THB per person.
What’s the best way to travel from Patong to Phi Phi Island?
For speed, take a speedboat (about 1 hour from Phuket), but for comfort and smoother seas, opt for the ferry from Rassada Pier after a hotel transfer, which takes around 90 minutes.
