How to go to Koh Phi Phi Thailand

The island of Phi Phi used to be quite difficult to get to with just a few ferry services out of Phuket. Those days are gone and as Phi Phi has developed and grown so have the access points to this wonderful location.

By Air

The choice is to fly to either Krabi or to Phuket. There is then a sea journey from either of these landing points. There is a third option which the more adventurous may like t try, but more of that later.

From Bangkok to Phuket

Flying from either the older airport of Don Muang or from the almost new international terminal at Suvunarbhumi, Phuket is well serviced by the following domestic airlines

Thai international, Air Asia, and Bangkok Airways have services from the international airport code BKK, and One2Go and Nok leave from Don Muang, code DMK. On the domestic routes there are direct connections with Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Utapoa, near Pattaya.

On the international front the airport has direct services to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Taipei , Sydney and Hong Kong. There are also chartered services direct from Munich and Stockholm.

From Bangkok to Krabi

This is a smaller airport with a lower number of flights from Bangkok. The connection to the capital is the main route, although there are international connections to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

From Krabi and Phuket to Phi Phi

Phi Phi lies almost between Krabi and Phuket, at about 50 Kilometres from either location. The ferry services are more extensive from Phuket but the obvious choice is to go on from one place to another using the various ferries. During the rainy, monsoon season some of these series may be suspended so its worth checking with the companies operating just which one are seasonal.

Speed boat to Phi Phi Island

The ferries leave Phuket pier at 8.30am and 1.30pm takes just an hour and a half at a cost of 600 Baht one way. For a round trip the cost is 800 Baht

From Krabi the ferry service is 10.30am and 3.00pm, with a cost of 500 Baht one way. The services from Krabi are more susceptible to cancellations during the low season, April to November.

By SeaPlane from Phuket to Phi Phi

Who hasn’t looked at the travels of the 1920’s and thought how brilliant it would be to fly in a seaplane. Well here’s your chance. A small company called Destination Air have a service from Phuket to Phi Phi using a high winged seaplane. The schedule is changeable especially during the low season and the rainy period. But to arrive in Phi Phi on board this unique transport is something to remember. The flight is around 5,000 Baht one way, but also guarantees there will be plenty of great photo opportunities as the aircraft flies over Phang Nga Bay. Contact www.destinationair.com for further information.

SeaPlane to Koh Phi Phi. More info at http://www.destinationair.com/

By Bus

The buses from Bangkok and Surrathani offer the opportunity to travel using a cheaper option, and the chance of seeing something of the rich scenery in the south of Thailand. Air travel is all very well, and it’s quick. Nowadays it’s also quite cheap, but still something like two to three times the cost of a bus ticket from Bangkok. The buses are very comfortable with air conditioning and in some cases very big seats. Finding out which are the best buses to travel on is maybe a little difficult for the foreign traveler since most operators will only speak Thai, making an advance phone call less than useful. So bearing in mind the bus services leave late afternoon or evening for the journey to Phuket it is well worth arriving at the Southern Bus Terminal well in advance and having a look at what is on offer. Take your time to find the best balance of cost against comfort . It will be an eleven or twelve hour journey so you may as well make it a comfy one. According to the quality of the bus and the number of seats, the cost varies from 600 Baht to 900 Baht. An air ticket starts off at a low price but after the taxes are added, plus fuel surcharges and fares to the airport, it will not be less than 2,000 Baht each way

Coming from Surrathani is most likely if the traveler is linking up Koh Samui with Phi Phi. The choice then is either a bus to Phuket and then onto the ferry, or going south to Krabi and then the ferry to Phi Phi.