How to Get from Koh Samui to Koh Phi Phi

Planning your route from Koh Samui to Koh Phi Phi

Ok, now it is real! You have realized that there is no way of leaving this country without visiting Koh Phi Phi. So; it’s time to choose! You need to analyze every option in order to make your trip something easy to carry. Luckily for you; this pathway is often done by many other travelers and it means that ways of transportation are many and varied.

Several factors have to be taken into account in order to take the most accurate decision. Details like time, baggage, commodities and, of course, budget are some of them. Given the fact that Phi Phi islands are located in Phang Nga Bay, halfway between Phuket and Krabi; getting there from the Gulf will require a combined trip. However, the combination is up to you. Just be sure that you will find the most suitable for you and your desires.

Flying to Koh Phi Phi

This option will take you to your destination way faster than any other transportation however, it will increase your travel expenses as well.

Keep in mind that Phi Phi islands don’t have an airport, so you will need to travel to a neighbor airport and continue your trip by fast boat or ferry. However; if buying airplane tickets is something you can afford loosely don’t discard this idea out of your plans!

If this is what you’re planning to do, then buying a plane ticket from Koh Samui Airport to Krabi Airport is your best option.

• » Bangkok Airways offer this route daily, it departs every day at 12:20 from Koh Samui and it arrives at Krabi Airport at 13:15. This trip will not take longer than one hour. Be sure to schedule your ferry trip at least 2 hours after the arrival time, and keep in mind that it would take extra time to get from the airport to the Ferry Pier. Booking taxi or minivan services would be very helpful.
• » On the other hand, Thai Airways also does this trip regularly. Different from the first option, this route includes a stop in Bangkok so it will take longer: from 3 to 5 hours in total. Thus, it has many departure options: the first one is at 6:00 am; the next one is at 9:45 am followed by a third option at 10:25 am. In the afternoon, 12:00, 13:50 and 14:15 are also available departures. Night routes are rarely offered, the latest one is often at 17:00.

All these flights by Thai Airways have stopovers in Bangkok however, the length of the trip varies. Make sure to choose a flight that suits the amount of time you are willing to spend at Bangkok Airport.

Is train an option?

Unfortunately, it isn’t. Currently, there is no way to travel from the east to the west coast by a train, as this service is not available yet. Maybe in the future, this option can help travelers avoid spending time and money changing from one bus to another.

Since using fast boats is absolutely necessary, remember that you are going from an island to an archipelago! What you can do to cross the land in between, is to use bus services. Once you arrive at the mainland from Koh Samui, you can get a bus route to drive you straight to the west coast in which you will be able to take a ferry directly to your destination.

Getting there by bus and ferry

Can you picture a better way to get to these paradisiac islands than through a fancy ferry? We cannot! Bus and ferry are the ideal combination to travel from Koh Samui to Koh Phi Phi, taking into account prices, time, and comfort.

In both ways of transportation, you will find extra commodities such as Wi-Fi connection, meals, and restrooms. These features depend on the enterprise you choose, and they may affect the final prices of the tickets.

In addition, offers and discounts are never bad news! You can get cheaper prices by buying bus and ferry joint tickets; online booking is a perfect way to take advantage of the variety of the available options. And Ferry Samui is the best possible option!

By booking through our website, you will get the chance to catch lower ferry prices for routes that fit perfectly in your traveling schedule. Booking with us is too simple, and you are the one who chooses everything! We work hard to have many different options available each day and for every destination; so you can enjoy an unforgettable trip without worrying about things we will be more than glad to solve.

Keep in mind that we don’t only provide ferries and fast boats; in our web page, we also arrange tickets for shuttle services including taxis and minivans.

Here are your options:

• » The first available option includes taking a bus or minivan ride offered by Phantip travel, it departs at 07:30 from Koh Samui Bus Terminal; 30 minutes later, you will arrive in Nathon Pier. From there, you will board a ferry straight to Donsak Pier in 1:30 hours. Once you arrive in Donsak Pier, a bus or minivan would take you to Krabi Town in 3 hours where you will take a fancy ferry to Koh Phi Phi Don. The average time of the whole trip is about 8 hours. Book this trip now and get a 15% instant discount!

“Please note that in Krabi Pier you may have to pay additional entry fees that are not included in your ferry ticket.”

• » Another option is departing at 8:00 am from Nathon Pier, Koh Samui to Donsak Pier by a ferry, which will take 2:30 hours approx. Once you are in Donsak Pier, catch a bus straight to Krabi, you will get there in 3 hours, to finally get in the Ferry to Phi Phi in less than 2 hours. This route may take a little bit more than 7 hours in total.
• » The third option is a bit more expensive than the previous ones, it includes a ferry ticket from Koh Samui to Donsak Pier, where you take a minivan heading to Krabi, then finally a ferry trip to Phi Phi. It all takes 7:30 hours, departing at 08:00 am from Lipa Noi Pier and arriving at 15:30 at Tonsai Pier.
• » The fourth one is taking a fast ferry at 08:00 from Nathon Pier that will take you to Donsak Pier in 45 minutes approximately. Afterwards, you will cross the land by a bus until reaching Krabi in more or less than 3 hours. In Krabi, you will need to take another ferry to take you to Tonsai Pier, Phi Phi in 1:30 hours.
• » Last but not least, you may choose traveling in a high-speed brand new ferry from Bangrak Pier, Koh Samui at 9:00 that will take you to Donsak Pier where the bus will be waiting. Then you will continue your trip to Krabi Town in 3:30 hours, including the waiting time at the pier. At last, hop on a ferry to Tonsai Pier, Phi Phi for about 2 hours.

This choice offers incredible special prices for children; keep that in mind in case you are traveling with the little ones.

What to do in Koh Phi Phi?

This stunning archipelago is full of beautiful getaways, beaches to dive in, landscapes to see, and parties to dance. No matter what you are looking for, you will easily find it in one of these astonishing little islands.

The best way to get to know the entire archipelago is by staying in Koh Phi Phi Don where the hotels and restaurants are located; also, Phi Phi Don hosts the Pier where ferries from Phuket and Krabi arrive, thus, from this island you can easily sail in boat trips to the other islands. Moreover, it is forbidden to spend the night in Koh Pai and Koh Yung, which makes Phi Phi Don the best option.

Here we present our 6 most recommended places you cannot miss during your trip to Phi Phi

Visit Maya Beach: you are maybe already familiar with how beautiful this beach is; as Maya Beach is the awe-inspiring location in which The Beach, Di Caprio’s film has been shot. Maya Beach is fairly one of the most visited beaches of the country, famous for its shiny and powdery sand and its breathtaking turquoise waters.

Viking Cave and Pileh Lagoon: these two are the cause of a great part of the magic this National Park has to offer. The Viking Cave is an interesting spot located at the bottom part of a cliff. It is said that in the internal walls of the cave there are several drawings of boats, pirates, animals, and other interesting shapes. Unfortunately, tourists are not allowed to get inside, however, stopping a few minutes in front of this place on your way to Maya Beach is totally worth it. Pileh Lagoon is a must-see while visiting Koh Phi Phi Leh; located in the middle of the island, this amazing lagoon looks exactly like a swimming pool due to its clear green-blue waters.

Bamboo and Monkey Island: Two beautiful islands that are part of the National Park of Koh Phi Phi, the first one is very calm and with very few tourists, which makes it a perfect spot to relax for a bit, read, and swim. On the other hand, Monkey Island is a place full of monkeys, obviously! They are so used to visitors that they won’t mind to scale through your back, sit on your shoulders, and even try to steal some fruits from your belongings. So, watch out!

Explore the adventures of the sea: there are tons of activities that you can do to have fun in these places, from simply swimming in the warm water, to do some kayak, paddle board, and snorkeling, Moreover, feeding the sharks and diving in coral reefs sound awesome! and they are also possible here.

Hike for awe-inspiring sunsets: There is a viewpoint named Phi Phi View Point that is located at the top of the highest cliff on the island. There, you can get 360º views to the whole island. The ideal times to head there would be early in the morning to watch the sunrise or in the late afternoon to appreciate the sunset, although this place is beautiful at any time.

Bring your party soul with you: Nightlife in Phi Phi is really crazy. As the island is lately visited mostly by young travelers seeking for fun, bars, and are spread all over the island, where the Caribbean vibe is clearly in the air.

Travel the Ferrysamui way!

Here in Ferry Samui, your satisfaction is our main goal, and your safety and comfort are our primary concerns. That’s why we make sure to provide our customers with a float of excellent quality boats, the highest safety standards, and the most friendly customer service team.

Based on this premise, we are ready to answer all the questions you may have in our FAQ's section and if it is not enough; our team is always on the phone waiting to solve all your questions. Feel free to contact us through our request form, email, or live chat!

And, to enjoy your trip to the top

• » Even if ferries’ services are available the entire year, it can be a little bit harder to find tickets during the holidays; this is why we suggest booking all your transportation tickets as early as possible. By doing this, you ensure getting the best prices and services available.
• » Printing your ticket is essential! As it will contain all the important details you need to know about your trip, such as the pier and the boat operator names.
• » Keep in mind that you are going to visit a National Park, which means you will have to pay extra money in order to get to some destinations such as Maya Beach, Mosquito Island, Monkey beach and many others. These fees would make your total expenses higher but they worth every penny.
• » Remember that every place has its own regulations and, as a visitor, you are in the need of being respectful to them. Collaborating with the cleanliness of the beaches is also part of respect!
• » Check the weather information when booking your vacations, rainy days are not common from November to April, it may be the very best time to visit this archipelago. Sun will shine bright a lot so sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are totally recommended, you want to get a suntan, not an insolation!
• » Do your researches about travel insurance, there are some transportation enterprises that may ask you to have it to be able to use their services.
• » Do not forget that in Koh Phi Phi Island there isn’t any motor transportation, you won’t need them anyway! However, you will be able to rent bikes in case you don’t want to walk. Also, as the islands are relatively small, distances are not a big deal. In Koh Phi Phi Don –the biggest one- you can ask locals for a paid ride in their boats from one point of the island to another.
• » If you are looking for relaxation, stay as far as possible from Ton Sai and; when going to beaches nearby, try to get up as early as you can so to get there before crowded tourist groups that fill the beaches.