We traveled extensively around Thailand for over 8 months and spent about a month between Krabi and Phi Phi Islands.
After traveling between them and the southern destinations of Krabi and Phuket, we have an excellent idea of how to travel there best.
The only real way to get from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands is a 45-minute speedboat or a 2-hour ferry journey.
The best way to secure tickets is on 12go, our preferred platform for booking buses, trains, ferries, and more in Thailand. Click here to check tickets.
Keep in mind: When booking your tickets, you will see “Ao Nang” as the departure point for most Krabi to Phi Phi journeys. Ao Nang is the main beach town, where most people stay while in Krabi, and the other departure points are Railay Beach and Krabi Town.
IMPORTANT: When arriving in Phi Phi Islands, there is a charge of 20 THB ($0.6) for the maintenance of the pier and Phi Phi Infrastructure. We recommend having exact cash.
The best way to book transport from Krabi to Phi Phi
The easiest and most hassle-free way to get from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands is to book the combo transfer ticket, which includes a pickup from Krabi and then a speedboat or ferry ride to the islands.
You can arrange a pick-up from both Ao Nang and Krabi Town.
This way, in case your hotel is not within walking distance of the departure port, you don’t need to book a taxi yourself. Krabi is big, so that’s more than likely. And from our experience, taxis are actually quite expensive in Krabi.
We last used the transfer to get from our centrally-located Ao Nang hotel to Nopparat Thara pier and then to Phi Phi Don pier. It was super convenient.
No matter the company you choose, getting from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands will involve driving or walking to the departure pier in Krabi (Ao Nang – Noppharat Thara/Railay, Town – Kong Ka/Klong Jilad) and then a ferry or speedboat ride to the islands. How fast you get there depends on the company you book with.
Our recommended ferry company
From Krabi to Phi Phi Islands, we usually travel with the Ao Nang Princess ferry from Nopparat Thara pier. It’s super comfortable and, in our opinion, safer than a speedboat.
You can also book the same ferry from Railay Beach (East Railay), as that’s one of the stops.
Click here to check all their routes, or book the exact Krabi to Phi Phi trip here.
We prefer the ferry over the speedboat also because there’s more space, not only for us but also for our bags. They usually stack the bags and suitcases in front of the seating area inside the ferry so they’re well protected from splashing water from waves or potential rain.
The speedboat from Krabi to Phi Phi is, of course, faster than the ferry, so if you want to have more time in Phi Phi, the speedboat is the better option.
Need a reliable mobile package to stay online in Thailand?
We recommend affordable eSIM packages from Thailandesim, where you also get a local number for ride-hailing and other services.
Tip: Shipped Away readers get 5% off with the code SHIPPEDAWAY
Also read:
Best Thailand SIM Cards
Getting to your hotel in Phi Phi Islands
The main pier in Ton Sai is where you will arrive, and from there, you must walk to your hotel in Phi Phi Islands.
In case your hotel is along one of the other beaches, which are accessible by boat, you will want to arrange for a boat transfer with your hotel. This way, they can have someone waiting for you on arrival.
- Best Phi Phi hotels?
Budget-friendly: Viking Nature Resort and PP Princess Resort
Luxury: Outrigger Resort and SAii Phi Phi Island Village
If you’re staying at Laem Tong Beach, we recommend booking the boat right to Laem Tong Pier. Check options here.
Not sure which is the best place and beach to stay at in Phi Phi?
- Read our Phi Phi Islands Beaches & Hotels Guide to learn all about that.
Not planning to stay overnight? You can take a tour from Krabi to explore the Phi Phi Islands in a day. You can visit places like the famous Maya Bay, among others. We highly recommend the Phi Phi Early Bird Tour – it also visits the 4 “local” Krabi islands (Chicken & Bamboo Island, Poda, and Tup).
Krabi to Phi Phi Islands Travel Tips
- Take a hoodie or long-sleeved shirt for bus and ferry journeys from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands. The air conditioning can be pretty strong.
- We always recommend to book your transport in advance, and we always do it ourselves. It’s essential, especially if you want a specific type of transport that gets booked out in the high season.
- Bring some snacks on board for the ferry ride.
To book transport in Asia, we always use this platform, the top transport booking platform in the region for flights, trains, buses, and taxis. Their user-friendly platform makes booking a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
The speedboat takes 45 minutes and the ferry 2 hours from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands.
Beaches in Phi Phi Islands are absolutely better than in Krabi, as the water color is much more beautiful. Plus, going swimming and snorkeling is easier, with lots more to see underwater.
While it depends on where you are, it’s definitely easier to get to Phi Phi Islands from Krabi than from Phuket. The journey is shorter and more comfortable with less choppy water.
From Krabi Airport, you can get to Phi Phi Islands in about three hours by getting a transfer or first a taxi to the pier, followed by a speedboat/ferry ride to the islands. Book the airport transfer here.
There is no airport in Phi Phi Islands, so the only option to get there from Krabi is by boat (speedboat/ferry).
The closest airport to Phi Phi Islands is Krabi Airport (KBV), and from there it’s about a three-hour journey to the islands. Book the airport transfer here.
The fastest way to get from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands is by speedboat from Railay in just 30 minutes. Check the East Railay departures.
Yes, going on a one-day trip to Phi Phi Islands from Krabi is a great idea, and we have done it ourselves. You can get the earliest boat in and the latest boat out, and get quite a lot of time to hit the beaches, check out the viewpoint, and even have lunch.
We once also extended our day trip and stayed in Phi Phi overnight, and it was perfect. We left most of our stuff in our Ao Nang hotel in Krabi, and only carried a light bag.
We were positively surprised by Phi Phi Islands and can say that they are definitely worth visiting. Phi Phi Islands have mixed reviews from tourists, but their beauty is undeniable. Just make sure to set your expectations before visiting, and don’t stay too long if you’re not a fan of crowds. However, you can completely avoid crowds on a vacation in one of the more remote areas. We personally liked Phi Phi Islands and will happily visit again.
Learn about the best places to stay in Phi Phi to avoid crowds.
Our thoughts on getting to Phi Phi Islands from Krabi
Getting from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands is hassle-free, especially if you book a combo ticket and organize a hotel drop-off in advance. That way, there’s little to go wrong, and door to door, it should be a 3-hour journey at most.
We recommend staying at least 2 or 3 nights in Phi Phi Islands to make the most of your stay. But you can also do a day trip or stay overnight, while leaving your big luggage in your Krabi hotel. This is a great way to not miss out on Phi Phi while maximizing time.
- Best activities in Phi Phi Islands?
1. Private Longtail Boat to Maya Bay (with snorkeling)
2. Maya Bay Sunrise Trip
3. Beat The Crowds Island Hopping
Ready to book your transport? Check the prices and timings below.
Don’t know what to visit in Phi Phi Islands?
Read: Phi Phi Islands Travel Guide
| Taxi Krabi - Koh Phi Phi $ 347.86–417.43 2h | |
|
|
| Ferry Krabi - Koh Phi Phi $ 14.23–45.85 30m – 4h | |
|
|
| Van Krabi - Koh Phi Phi $ 14.43–30.04 2h 30m – 3h 30m | |
|
|
Continue reading
Find a list of over 75 travel guides to Thailand’s South, Central, and North.
Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Pai
Phi Phi Islands – Maya Bay – Koh Hong
Koh Samui – Koh Tao – Koh Phangan
Similan Islands – Surin Islands
