Introduction
Koh Phi Phi is a beautiful island located in Thailand’s Andaman Sea, known for its crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches, and picturesque limestone karsts. It’s a popular destination among backpackers and tourists from around the world. In this blog post, we will guide you through the various ways to reach Koh Phi Phi in 2023.
I.GO TO KOH PHI PHI BY BUS:
- The most common way to reach Koh Phi Phi is by bus from Bangkok or other major cities in Thailand.
- The journey from Bangkok to Krabi takes around 12-14 hours, depending on the traffic.
- The bus from Bangkok to Krabi can be found at the Southern bus terminal in Bangkok located on Ratchadamnoen Road.
- From Krabi, you can take a minibus or a taxi to reach the ferry pier, which takes around 30-45 minutes.
- The bus fare ranges from 700 to 1000 THB, depending on the type of bus you choose.
You can book your bus to Koh Phi Phi on the following websites:
12go Asia – Find their website here.
Klook – Find their website here.
Bookaway – Find their website here.
Red Bus – Find their website here.
PROS
- Most of these buses will be semi-sleepers, which means you can recline your seat and get a little bit more comfortable on your long ride. Buses are the cheapest and most convenient way to travel within Thailand.
- Another perk of traveling by night is that you save your daylight hours for activities and exploration. Also, you save on the cost of booking a hotel or hostel for the nighttime.
CONS
- Buses will stop once during the night for a quick break to get snacks and visit the facilities, but if you’re the kind of person who needs to pee every hour (like me) it might be a bit difficult to get through the night. Make sure you don’t carry a large water bottle on board!
- The reclining chairs, while more comfy than regular ones, can get a bit tiresome through the night – especially when you have a crazy driver! We recommend planning an easy and laid-back day for when you arrive at your destination, because the travel itself can be a bit draining.
II. GO TO KOH PHI PHI BY AIR:
- If you want to save time, you can take a flight from Bangkok to Krabi or Phuket.
- The flight takes around 1.5 hours, and there are several airlines that operate daily flights.
- From Krabi or Phuket, you can take a taxi to reach the ferry pier. You can either pick up a taxi at the airport or you can order one on mobile applications like Grab and Bolt.
- You will also be able to find a shuttle from the airport to the pier for less than 100 THB. The shuttle will take up to 45 minutes to reach the pier.
- The flight fare ranges from 2000 to 4000 THB, depending on the season and the airline.
Here are the best websites to book flights in Thailand:
Agoda – Find their website here.
Skyscanner – Find their website here.
Traveloka – Find their website here.
Trip.com – Find their website here.
PROS
- Flights are quick, efficient and comfortable. You will save a minimum of 6 hours if you take a flight, so if you’re in a time crunch, flights are definitely the best way to go.
CONS
- Flights are expensive, unless you buy them well in advance. You will pay 2x to 4x for the same trip if you book it last minute.
- The last-mile cost is usually higher when taking a flight. So even if the flight itself is cheap, you may spend the equivalent of the airfare on taxis to and from the airport. Remember to consider this when you’re budgeting for your trip.
- A huge carbon footprint, when compared to bus or rail. If you’re a conscious traveler looking for slow methods of transportation, we recommend avoiding air travel as much as possible.
III. GO TO KOH PHI PHI BY TRAINS
- There is no direct train that goes all the way from Bangkok to Krabi, so you will have to get a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then a bus to Krabi or Ao Nang.
- The train station in Bangkok is called Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station.
Here are some useful websites to check train schedules and book your tickets:
Thailand trains: Find their website here.
12go Asia – Find their website here.
Klook – Find their website here.
PROS
- Train rides are beautiful and romantic! It’s a wonderful way to see the magical landscape, and finally pick up that book you’ve been putting off.
- You can travel with pets if you book the right compartment so your furry friends can join you on your vacation.
- Train tickets can be super cheap, starting at 200 THB. If you’re on a shoestring budget for fun or necessity, trains are a good way to go.
CONS
- The lack of a direct route between Bangkok and Krabi is inconvenient, because it adds another stopover to your journey.
IV. GO TO KOH PHI PHI BY FERRY & SPEEDBOAT:
- The only way to reach Koh Phi Phi is by ferry or speedboat from Ao Nang, Krabi or Phuket.
- There are several ferry companies that operate daily ferries from both Krabi and Phuket. You can pre-book your ticket online or buy it at the pier, or at a travel agency in Ao Nang or Phuket, depending on where you are departing from.
- The ferry ride takes around 2 hours, depending on the weather and the sea conditions, from Ao Nang or Phuket. The ferry fare ranges from 400 to 600 THB, depending on the type of ferry and the season.
- The speedboat costs between 700 to 800 THB, depending on the season. It takes about 45 minutes from Ao Nang or Phuket.
- An important thing to remember is that sometimes the tide is too rough to travel, or too low for boats to dock. To be on the safe side, stay updated on the weather and give your plans a 45 minute buffer. Most of the time, boats will depart and arrive on time.
You can pre-book your ferry tickets on these websites:
12go Asia – Find their website here.
Thailand Ferry Booking – Find their website here.
PROS & CONS
This last trip to the island is non-optional so just enjoy the ride and take in the view!
Conclusion:
There are several ways to reach Koh Phi Phi, and you can choose the one that suits your budget and time constraints. Weigh out the pros and cons and take your pick! We hope this guide has been helpful, and makes you feel more prepared for your next adventure!
