Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi: Flights, Ferries & Costs

By NaJade · DJ in Bangkok · Published November 12, 2026

The easiest way from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi is to fly to Krabi (about 1 hour 30 minutes, often from around 600–1,200 baht), take a 40-minute minivan to Klong Jilad Pier, then a 2-hour ferry to Tonsai Pier for roughly 360–405 baht. Door to door, plan on 4–5 hours. Flying to Phuket works too; the overnight bus is cheapest but takes 12 hours or more.

There’s no airport on Phi Phi and no bridge, so every route ends on a boat. I’ve done this trip a few times for beach gigs and for days off, and the pattern is always the same: the flight is the easy part, and the ferry timetable decides your day. Get the first leg booked to match the boats and the rest takes care of itself.

Fly Bangkok to Krabi, minivan to Klong Jilad Pier, ferry to Tonsai: about 4–5 hours and from roughly 1,100 baht. Via Phuket it’s similar time, a little more money. Bus plus ferry is cheapest but takes 12–19 hours. Book a morning flight so you reach the pier before the last afternoon boat.

Your Options at a Glance

Route	Total time	Typical cost (one way)	Best for
Fly to Krabi + ferry	4–5 hours	from ~1,100 baht	Most travellers
Fly to Phuket + ferry	4–5 hours	from ~2,000 baht	Combining with Phuket
Overnight bus + ferry	12–19 hours	from ~1,200 baht	Tight budgets, no rush
Train + bus + ferry	20+ hours	from ~1,700 baht	Coming from the Gulf islands

Prices are typical low-season fares and move a lot with dates and how early you book. Peak season — mid-December to January — can double flight prices.

Flying via Krabi: the Best Route

Krabi is the closest airport to Phi Phi and has the most boat departures.

Fly to Krabi (KBV). Flights take about 1 hour 30 minutes. AirAsia and Thai Vietjet fly from Don Mueang (DMK) and Bangkok Airways and others from Suvarnabhumi (BKK). Check which airport your ticket uses — they’re an hour apart. Getting to the airports is covered in Don Mueang to Bangkok city and Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok city.
Get to Klong Jilad Pier. Shared minivans from the airport cost around 170 baht and take about 40 minutes. Many ferry tickets include the transfer.
Ferry to Tonsai Pier. The big ferries take about two hours and cost around 360–405 baht, with departures roughly at 09:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:00. Speedboats cut it to about an hour for around 780 baht.

If you’re staying in Ao Nang first, there’s a direct boat from Nopparat Thara pier at about 09:20, around an hour and roughly 750 baht. More on the mainland side in Bangkok to Krabi.

Flying via Phuket

Phuket has more flights, which helps on busy dates. The catch is the transfer: Rassada Pier is on the east side of the island, an hour or more from the airport by taxi, at around 750 baht.

Ferry: about two hours, roughly 460–600 baht. Main departures around 08:30 and then early-to-mid afternoon.
Speedboat: about an hour, from around 610 baht.
Check the drop-off. Some boats land at Laem Tong in the north of the island rather than Tonsai, which matters if your hotel is in the village.

If you want a few days on Phuket first, see Bangkok to Phuket. Leaving Phi Phi afterwards, boats also run on to Koh Lanta — more in Bangkok to Koh Lanta.

Bus or Train If You Are on a Budget

Overnight VIP buses to Krabi leave Bangkok in the evening — many from the Khao San Road area around 7–8pm — and take 11–16 hours, from around 850 baht. Combined bus-and-boat tickets get you all the way to Phi Phi. It saves money, but you’ll lose most of a day and a night’s sleep. The train only makes sense if you’re already heading south through Surat Thani to the Gulf islands; from Bangkok the full trip takes the better part of a day.

Fees, Seasons and Things to Know

Item	What to expect
Pier arrival fee	About 20 baht cash at Tonsai Pier
National park fee	400 baht for foreign adults for Maya Bay and park beaches (200 baht children)
Maya Bay closure	Usually 1 August to 30 September each year for recovery
Best season	November to April — calmer sea, more boats
Monsoon	Roughly May to October on the Andaman side; boats can be reduced or cancelled

Carry cash for fees and small boats, and budget a little more than you think — Phi Phi prices run well above Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Ko Phi Phi page has background on the island, and Thai National Parks covers the marine park and its seasonal closures. For weather timing across the country, read the best time to visit Bangkok and money in Bangkok for cash and cards.

A Note From NaJade

The mistake I see most is people booking the cheapest flight at 3pm and then racing a minivan to catch the last boat. Take a morning flight, even if it costs a little more, and the day becomes relaxing instead of stressful. And sit on the open deck if the sea is calm — that first view of the limestone cliffs coming out of the water is one of the best moments in Thailand, and you’ll miss it inside the air-conditioned cabin. I’ve played a few beach parties in the south and it never gets old. Just keep your phone and passport in a dry bag; the spray finds everything.

More: Bangkok to Krabi, Bangkok to Phuket, Bangkok to Koh Lanta, and day trips from Bangkok.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi?

Fly from Bangkok to Krabi, which takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, then take a minivan to Klong Jilad Pier and a speedboat to Phi Phi in about an hour. With good connections the whole trip takes around 3–4 hours. The standard ferry adds roughly another hour but costs less than half the speedboat fare.

How much does it cost to get from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi?

Flying via Krabi with a standard ferry starts at roughly 1,100 baht one way in low season, including the minivan and boat. Via Phuket it is closer to 2,000 baht because of the longer taxi to the pier. An overnight bus plus ferry starts around 1,200 baht but takes 12 hours or more.

Is it better to go to Phi Phi from Krabi or Phuket?

Krabi is usually better: the airport is closer to the pier, the transfer is cheaper, and there are more ferry departures. Phuket makes sense if you find a much cheaper flight or want to spend time there first. Both ferries take about two hours to Tonsai Pier.

Is there an entry fee for Koh Phi Phi?

Yes. Expect a small arrival fee of about 20 baht in cash at Tonsai Pier. Visiting Maya Bay and other national park beaches costs 400 baht for foreign adults and 200 baht for children, usually collected on tours or at the park entrance.

When is Maya Bay closed?

Maya Bay normally closes from 1 August to 30 September every year so the beach and coral can recover, reopening on 1 October. Dates can be adjusted by the national park authorities, so check before booking a tour in late summer.

Can you do Koh Phi Phi as a day trip from Bangkok?

Not realistically. Even the fastest route takes three to four hours each way, and boat schedules end in the late afternoon. Stay at least one night on Phi Phi, or base yourself in Krabi or Phuket and take a day tour from there instead.

About the Author

NaJade is a Bangkok-based DJ playing progressive house, melodic EDM, pop, and Thai music across clubs, rooftops, and weddings in Thailand — and has lived in the city long enough to have made every one of these mistakes at least once. Find him on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

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