Some of the most famous beaches in Thailand are located in the Andaman Sea, and perhaps the most photographed one in travel guides is Maya Bay, in the Phi Phi Islands. As we mention in our travel guide, this archipelago is much more than just the setting of the film “The Beach“. It’s well worth traveling to this area, so here’s how to get from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi quickly and comfortably.
There are about 700 kilometers between Bangkok and Koh Phi Phi, and since it is a small archipelago, you can’t get there directly by plane or road; you’ll need to rely on a boat. Boats are available from both Krabi and Phuket, and although the latter option is slightly more convenient, there isn’t a significant difference between the two.
The quickest way to reach Koh Phi Phi from Bangkok is by first flying to either Phuket or Krabi, and then taking a boat. The entire trip takes about four hours, and we recommend choosing the airport based on flight prices.
Please note that Bangkok has two airports, both of which are located far from the city and quite far apart from each other. The main airport is Suvarnabhumi (BKK)(map), while many budget flights operate out of Don Mueang (DMK)(map).
If you’re traveling from Suvarnabhumi, you can reach the airport by train, which costs 30 baht from either Phaya Thai or Makasan stations. If you’re flying from Don Mueang, the most convenient way is to go to the Mochit train station and take the A1 bus, which also costs 30 baht.
>If you’re traveling from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi via Krabi Airport, you will need to take a van from the airport to Klong Jilard Pier. This journey costs 170 baht if you share the ride and takes just over half an hour.
From the pier, you can catch a ferry that costs 390 baht and will take you to Koh Phi Phi in about two hours. You can find tickets and schedules on 12GoAsia.
If you’re traveling from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi via Phuket Airport, you’ll need to head to Rassada Pier, which is about an hour from the airport by van. The van ride costs 200 baht.
From Rassada Pier, the ferry to Koh Phi Phi takes around two hours and costs about 380 baht. There are multiple departures throughout the day, and you can purchase tickets from 12GoAsia as well. The travel time from both Krabi and Phuket is quite similar.
Our recommendation is to choose the cheapest airport option because the travel times are roughly the same when flying from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi.
This is undoubtedly the most affordable way to get to Koh Phi Phi from Bangkok and probably the least complicated because, instead of organizing the transfers yourself, you can do it with the help of an operator. However, the bus journey from Bangkok to Phi Phi can take more than 17 hours, so be prepared.
We recommend booking a direct service from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi’s main port, Tonsai, with reliable companies like Montanatip or Paradive. Both companies offer combined tickets available on 12GoAsia.
All you have to do is wait at their office on Khaosan Road, and they will take you to the port, from where their boat will depart, eventually bringing you to Koh Phi Phi. If you don’t mind a long journey and prefer to avoid the hassle of airports and searching for ports, this option is the best.
We love traveling by train; we always say so. But we do not recommend looking for a way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi by train, as the transfers are very complicated and can take nearly 24 hours.
If you’re still determined to go by train, either for the experience or to spend a night in Surat Thani, you’ll first need to travel to Surat Thani (a 13-hour train ride) and then take a bus to Phuket, which will take another six hours. After that, you’ll still have the two-hour ferry ride from Rassada Pier to Koh Phi Phi.
Ultimately, how you get from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi is up to you, but don’t forget that another great option is to spend a night or two in Krabi or Phuket—you won’t regret it.
