Krabi is the shortest, most straightforward crossing to the Phi Phi Islands, and one of the busiest ferry routes in southern Thailand. This guide covers the departure piers, journey times, operators, and prices for the Krabi to Koh Phi Phi ferry from Klong Jilad Pier, Ao Nang and Railay, plus the boats from Koh Lanta, so you can book the crossing with confidence.
Quick answers
- Cheapest: 450 THB on the Andaman Wave Master ferry from Klong Jilad Pier, 2 hours to Tonsai Pier.
- Fastest: speedboats from Railay (30 to 45 minutes) and Ao Nang (50 minutes to 1 hour), 849 to 1,000 THB.
- From Ao Nang: boats leave straight from Nopparat Thara Pier, so you do not need to go to Klong Jilad. The Ao Nang Princess ferry costs 650 THB and includes a free shared minivan.
- Children: 350 to 450 THB on the ferries and 700 THB on most speedboats.
Krabi to Phi Phi Ferries at a Glance
| Starting point | Operators | Crossing | Adult fare (THB) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klong Jilad Pier (Krabi Town) | Andaman Wave Master | 1 h to 2 h 30 | 450 ferry, 750 to 800 speedboat | Cheapest crossing. |
| Ao Nang | Ao Nang Princess, Bundhaya, Koh Yao Sun Smile, Wangsai | 50 min to 2 h | 650 ferry, 849–1,000 speedboat | Boats leave from Ao Nang itself. |
| Railay | Ao Nang Princess, Bundhaya, Koh Yao Sun Smile, Wangsai | 30 min to 1 h 45 | 650 ferry, 849–1,000 speedboat | Shortest speedboat crossing. |
| Koh Lanta | Bundhaya, Chaokoh Ferry, Andaman Wave Master | 30 min to 1 h 30 | 400–800 | Boats leave from Saladan Pier. |
See the sailings and fares for your date.
Where Ferries to Koh Phi Phi Depart From
Boats to Phi Phi leave from three places on the Krabi side. Klong Jilad Pier (also called Krabi Passenger Pier), about 4 km from Krabi Town, is where Andaman Wave Master sails from. Boats from Ao Nang leave from Nopparat Thara Pier, although Wangsai uses its own private pier in the same area. Boats from Railay leave from the Railay East pier. All of them land at Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don.
Journey Time and Frequency
Ferries take 1 h 45 to 2 h 30 depending on the pier, and speedboats take 30 minutes to 1 hour. Boats run in both directions through the day, and the last boats back to the mainland leave Phi Phi between 14:30 and 16:15, so check the return time before you plan a day trip. In the green season (May-October), rough seas occasionally cause delays or cancellations, and Ao Nang Princess warns that its schedule is irregular in the low season, so it’s worth checking conditions a day ahead if you’re traveling outside the dry months.
Ferry Operators and Booking
Six operators serve these routes: Andaman Wave Master from Klong Jilad Pier, Ao Nang Princess, Bundhaya, Koh Yao Sun Smile and Wangsai from Ao Nang and Railay, and Chaokoh Ferry, Bundhaya and Andaman Wave Master from Koh Lanta. Tickets can be booked online in advance, through a hotel tour desk, or at the pier itself, though booking ahead is worth it in high season when the earlier, more convenient departures can sell out first.
Typical Prices
A one-way ticket on the ferry costs 450 THB from Klong Jilad Pier and 650 THB from Ao Nang or Railay. Speedboats cost 849 to 1,000 THB from Ao Nang and Railay, and the Andaman Wave Master speedboat from Phi Phi to Klong Jilad costs 800 THB. Children pay 350 to 450 THB on the ferries and 700 THB on most speedboats. Prices vary by operator, boat and time of day.
From Klong Jilad Pier (Krabi Town)
| Operator | To Phi Phi | From Phi Phi | Crossing | Adult / child (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman Wave Master ferry | 09:00, 13:00 | 10:30, 15:30 | 2 h to 2 h 30 | 450 / 350 |
| Andaman Wave Master speedboat | 13:30 on 12 Nov, 12:30 on 13 Nov | 10:30, 12:00 | 1 h | 750 to 800 / 650 to 700, by date |
The ferry has no included transfer, so Ao Nang visitors who want the cheapest boat need to get to the pier themselves, or can skip it and sail from Nopparat Thara.
The booking form showed the speedboat at 750 THB for an adult and 650 THB for a child on Thursday 12 November, and at 800 and 700 THB on Friday 13 November, so the fare changes by date. For the Phi Phi to Krabi speedboat the form offers 10:30 and 12:00 sailings, and one ticket seller lists 850 THB for an adult and 750 THB for a child. The ferry on this route also has First seats at 900 THB and Premium seats at 1,200 THB for an adult, with no child fares published for those classes.
From Ao Nang
| Operator | To Phi Phi | From Phi Phi | Crossing | Adult / child (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Nang Princess ferry | 09:30, 15:30 | 09:30, 14:30 | 2 h | 650 / 450 |
| Bundhaya speedboat | 10:10, 14:40 | 10:30, 13:30, 16:15 | 50 min to 1 h | 1,000 / 700 |
| Koh Yao Sun Smile speedboat | 09:40, 11:40, 13:40 | 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 | 50 min to 1 h | 849 or 1,000 / 700 |
| Wangsai speedboat | 11:00, 14:30 | 12:45, 16:00 | 1 h | 1,000 (950 back) / 700 |
Ao Nang Princess includes a free shared minivan from Ao Nang, Klong Muang, Tubkaek and Krabi Town, though pickup is not guaranteed if you book late for the next day. Wangsai includes hotel pickup in the Ao Nang area and calls at Railay on the way, and it uses its own private pier near Nopparat Thara.
From Railay
| Operator | To Phi Phi | From Phi Phi | Crossing | Adult / child (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Nang Princess ferry | 09:45, 15:45 | 09:30, 14:30 | 1 h 45 | 650 / 450 |
| Bundhaya speedboat | 10:30, 15:00 | 10:30, 13:30, 16:15 | 30 to 40 min | 1,000 / 700 |
| Koh Yao Sun Smile speedboat | 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 | 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 | 30 to 40 min | 849 or 1,000 / 700 |
| Wangsai speedboat | 11:15, 14:45 | 12:45, 16:00 | 45 min | 950 / 700 |
| Railay Eco Tour speedboat | 11:00, 15:30 | 12:00, 17:00 | 40 min | 900 |
All Railay boats use the Railay East pier. See our Railay Beach guide for how to get to Railay in the first place.
From Koh Lanta
Many travelers reach Phi Phi from Koh Lanta, and all of these boats leave from Saladan Pier:
| Operator | To Phi Phi | From Phi Phi | Crossing | Adult / child (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundhaya speedboat | 10:00, 13:00, 15:30 | 09:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:30 | 30 to 40 min | 700 / 400 |
| Chaokoh Ferry | 09:00, 12:30 | 11:00, 14:00 | 1 h | 600 / 400 to Phi Phi 400–500 / 300–350 back |
| Andaman Wave Master speedboat | 12:00 | 10:30 | 35 to 40 min | 800 / 600 |
| Andaman Wave Master ferry | 08:00, 13:00 | 11:30, 15:30 from Laemtong Beach | 1 h to 1 h 30 | 450 / 350 |
Andaman Wave Master runs its Koh Lanta ferries from December to March, and those boats leave Phi Phi from Laemtong Beach rather than Tonsai Pier, so check which pier your ticket names.
From Krabi Airport
From Krabi Airport you buy one ticket that combines a van to the pier with a ferry or speedboat to Tonsai Pier. The seller lists the fares in US dollars, so we show them that way. The sea pier is not named on most listings, so check it on your booking, and do not use the fares for boats that leave only from Klong Jilad, Kong Ka, Ao Nam Mao or Krabi Town as an airport price.
| Seller | Ticket | Crossing and ride | Departures | Adult from (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Tiger Tour | Van and ferry | 3 h | 4 from 08:00 | 21 |
| Black Tiger Tour | Van and speedboat | 3 h | 8 from 08:00 | 23 |
| RTC Transport | Van and ferry | 3 h | 3 from 08:00 | 25 |
| RTC Transport | Van and speedboat | 2 h | 7 from 08:00 | 47 |
| Koh Yao Sun Smile | Van and speedboat | 2 h | 3 from 08:40 | 28 |
| Ramon Transport | Van and ferry | 3 h | 3 from 09:30 | 28 |
| TransBaanTon | Van and ferry | 3 h 30 | 2 from 10:30 | 32 |
| Krabi Limousine | Van and speedboat | 3 h | 4 on 6 November, from 08:00 | 43 |
Children, Baggage and Check-In
Rules differ by operator, so look at this before you pack:
| Operator | Children | Baggage | Arrive at the pier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman Wave Master | Child fare from 4 to 11; 12 and over pay the adult fare; infants 0 to 3 pay 300 THB on the speedboat | Ferry: one suitcase up to 25 inches plus one hand bag. Speedboat: one bag up to 18 kg and 18 inches plus one hand bag. An extra bag up to 20 inches costs 300 THB | See your ticket |
| Ao Nang Princess | Child fare from 3 to 11 | 20 kg, then 100 THB per extra bag | See your ticket |
| Bundhaya | Under 2 free; child fare from 2 to under 12 | One suitcase up to 30 kg plus a small bag; an extra seat costs 300 THB | 45 minutes before |
| Koh Yao Sun Smile | Child fare 700 THB; passengers over 3 need their own ticket | Up to 2 bags, 15 kg in total | 30 minutes before |
| Wangsai | Child fare from 4 to 11; ages 2 and 3 free; no strollers | Standard luggage; arrange large items in advance | See your ticket |
| Chaokoh Ferry | Child fare shown at booking; the form lists 3 to 12 for children and 0 to 3 for infants, so confirm the age limit at checkout | Ordinary luggage is allowed, but the operator publishes no weight limit | See your ticket |
Day Trip vs. Staying Overnight
Krabi’s short crossing time makes Phi Phi a genuinely easy day trip — many visitors go over, spend several hours on the beaches and viewpoints, and return the same evening, especially if they’ve already settled into accommodation covered in our guide to where to stay in Krabi. Staying overnight on Phi Phi instead means skipping the day-tripper crowds that arrive mid-morning and thin out by late afternoon, though it does mean packing up and moving for just one or two nights.
What to Expect on the Crossing
Standard ferries on this route are stable catamaran-style boats with air-conditioned indoor seating and an open upper deck; the upper deck gets better views but more sun and spray, so pack sunscreen and a hat if you plan to sit there. The water can get choppy in the green season even on days when sailings aren’t cancelled outright, so anyone prone to seasickness should sit toward the middle of the boat and consider motion sickness medication beforehand.
Comparison: Ferry vs. Speedboat vs. Day-Tour Package
| Option | Duration | Typical Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard ferry | 1 h 45 to 2 h 30 | 450-650 THB one-way | Budget travelers, overnight stays |
| Speedboat transfer | 30 minutes to 1 hour | 800-1,000 THB per person | Faster crossing, less time on the water |
| Day-tour package | Full day (incl. stops) | $40-70 per person | Sightseeing without staying overnight |
Practical Tips for the Krabi-Phi Phi Crossing
- Book morning departures when you can — afternoon crossings are more likely to be affected by choppier seas as the day goes on.
- If you’re staying in Ao Nang or Railay, you can skip Klong Jilad Pier, since boats leave straight from Nopparat Thara Pier and the Railay East pier.
- Keep valuables in a dry bag or waterproof phone pouch — spray on the open upper deck can catch you off guard.
- If you’re prone to seasickness, sit low and toward the center of the boat and consider taking medication 30-60 minutes before departure.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen, since parts of Phi Phi’s marine areas restrict regular sunscreen to protect the coral.
Combining Phi Phi with Other Krabi-Area Trips
Many day-tour packages from Krabi bundle Phi Phi with a stop at Maya Bay and sometimes Bamboo Island or a snorkeling stop, rather than selling the ferry crossing on its own. If you’re island-hopping through the region, it’s also worth comparing this route against the Phuket to Phi Phi ferry — Krabi’s crossing is generally shorter and cheaper, which makes Krabi the better base if Phi Phi is your main priority rather than a side trip.
Where to Stay Before an Early Departure
If you’ve got an early morning ferry, staying somewhere with easy access to Klong Jilad Pier saves real stress on the day — our Krabi travel guide covers the areas that make pier access simplest. Most hotels across both Krabi Town and Ao Nang can arrange a pier transfer as part of a booked ticket, so this matters less than it might seem — just confirm pickup timing the night before, since early departures can mean a 7:30-8:00 AM hotel pickup.
Settling in on Phi Phi After the Crossing
Once you’re off the ferry at Tonsai Pier, most of the island’s accommodation is a short walk away — see our guide to where to stay in Koh Phi Phi for a breakdown of the island’s areas, or our guide to Koh Phi Phi’s best hotels if you’re still deciding where to book.
Find a Room Near Your Pier
Most boats land at Tonsai Pier, where much of Phi Phi’s accommodation is a short walk away. Move the map to the area you want and set your dates to see current room prices.
For the main boat routes across Thailand in one place, see our Thailand ferries guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the ferry from Krabi to Phi Phi take?
Roughly 2 hours by ferry from Klong Jilad Pier, up to 2 h 30, or 30 minutes to 1 hour by speedboat from Ao Nang, Railay or Klong Jilad.
Which pier do ferries to Phi Phi leave from in Krabi?
From Krabi Town, Andaman Wave Master leaves from Klong Jilad Pier, about 4 km from town. From Ao Nang boats leave from Nopparat Thara Pier, and from Railay they leave from the Railay East pier.
Can I get a ferry to Phi Phi directly from Ao Nang?
Yes, Ao Nang Princess, Bundhaya, Koh Yao Sun Smile and Wangsai all sail from Ao Nang to Tonsai Pier, so there is no need to go to Klong Jilad Pier.
How much does the ferry from Krabi to Phi Phi cost?
A one-way ferry ticket costs 450 THB from Klong Jilad Pier and 650 THB from Ao Nang or Railay. Speedboats cost 849 to 1,000 THB.
Is Krabi or Phuket a better base for visiting Phi Phi?
Krabi’s crossing is shorter and generally cheaper, making it the better base if Phi Phi is your main priority rather than a side trip from a longer Phuket stay.
Do ferries to Phi Phi from Krabi run year-round?
Mostly, though the green season (May-October) has occasional cancellations due to rough seas, and Ao Nang Princess warns that its low-season schedule is irregular.
What Standard vs. VIP Ferry Class Actually Means
Some operators sell a slightly pricier “VIP” or air-conditioned upper-class ticket alongside the standard fare, which usually just means a reserved seat in the enclosed cabin rather than any real difference in boat, crew, or crossing time. Unless you specifically want a guaranteed seat away from the open deck in peak season, the standard ticket covers the same journey for less.
Traveling with Luggage, Snorkel Gear, or a Surfboard
Standard luggage is included in the ticket price and handled by crew at both ends, though it’s worth keeping anything fragile or waterproof-sensitive in your carry-on rather than checked bags, since gear gets stacked on open deck space during loading. Larger items like surfboards or dive equipment bags are usually fine but occasionally incur a small extra fee — it’s worth checking with the operator directly if you’re traveling with anything oversized.