A beautiful view from within central Krabi-mobile

How to get from
Koh Phi Phi to Krabi

Koh Phi Phi to Krabi Trip Overview

Distance37 km (23.1 miles)
Price range$11-$41
Ride Duration Range40m-4h
Earliest Departure01:45
Latest Departure10:00

You will want to take a ferry to get from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi. There are different ferry companies that transport passengers, so you should never have to worry about missing a departure. Krabi has exquisite beaches and islands to visit and is perfect for sightseeing and exploring. It also has a great nightlife so you can relax and have fun after hours. To enjoy the best weather, look to book your trip between November and March.

Travel Schedule Options from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi

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Taking a ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi

Fastest ferry: 40m

Cheapest ferry: $11

The fastest: 40m

The cheapest: $11

Pros

Direct journey

Departure times throughout the day

Ample luggage allowance

Fast travel time

Free cancellations often offered

Cons

Possible sea sickness

No other transport options

Makes no personal pick ups

High demand: quick to overbook

Crowded, unorganized queue for check-in

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

TV

WC

Food

The fastest: 1h 15m

The cheapest: $13

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

WC

The fastest: 2h

The cheapest: $12

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

WC

A/C

A beautiful view from within central Krabi

About the ride from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi

Although there's just one way to get to Krabi from Koh Phi Phi, there are eight different ferry providers making the 37-kilometer (22-mile) route across the Andaman each day. This means you can take your pick of ten daily departure times to get you from the island to the mainland.

The high-speed ferry and speedboat operators are Songserm, Andaman Wave, Chao Koh Group, Tigerline, Chureang Travel & Tour, Kanichta Speedboat, and Phi Phi Logistic & Tour. All boats are well-equipped with safety equipment including buoyancy aids and lifebelts.

The speedboat ferry run by Phi Phi Logistics & Tour is the most popular ride for travelers looking to get from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi. Prices start from US$30 per person and boats leave twice a day. Once around 8:00 am in the morning and the other mid-way through the afternoon at 3:00 pm.

Phi Phi Logistics & Tour's speedboat is also the fastest ride across the Andaman. Crossing times usually take just an hour. This is good news for travelers who need to get back to the mainland in a hurry.Ā 

The cheapest ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi is the standard ferry which is operated by Andaman Wave. Prices per person start from as little as US$13. This vessel is actually quite large and includes an air-conditioned seating area, washroom, and somewhere to buy food and drink.

The standard ferry takes approximately two hours to cross from Phi Phi to Krabi. It's a comfortable ride and also gives you one last chance to soak up those southwest Thailand rays onboard the open-top deck. Don't forget to pack your sunscreen.

All of the speedboats and larger ferries operating in this area of the Andaman are well used to ferrying passengers back and forth from the island to the mainland. Just remember, smaller vessels will go faster but they will also bump up and down a bit more. Sea sickness tablets are recommended before you leave.Ā 

High season is from November to April which is when boats get busier and tickets tend to be in much higher demand. Outside of this busy period, from March to October, it's much easier to get a seat, but the weather is a little bit more unpredictable. Some ferries won't run in low season.Ā 

Make sure you arrive at Ao Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi at least 30 minutes to an hour before a designated departure time. This alleviates a mad dash down the pier in front of the other passengers. Getting there earlier also gives you a chance to buy some snacks for the crossing.

Ā 

What to see when traveling from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi

There are plenty of interesting things to see on the ferry crossing from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi. Especially if you're into deep blue Andaman hues and far-off white fringed islands. Definitely some photo opportunities as you look back to the island, although you'll be back on the mainland before you know it.

There's not much to do on the smaller, high-speed ferries. The best advice is to bring a good book or a pack of playing cards to pass the time. Sometimes smaller vessels' outboard motors can be really noisy. This doesn't make conversations very easy so bring something that doesn't require a chat.

Larger ferries are a lot better for wandering around and chatting with other passengers. You'll also be able to see more from up on the sun deck, or alternatively, you can grab some rest in the air-conditioned seating area below the deck.

The size of the vessel also determines how choppy the ride will be. Basically, the larger the ferry the less bumpy the ride. Smaller boats won't run at certain times of the year when the weather's really unpredictable. There's just not as high demand and the sea is way too rough.

The opposite can be said for high season. Seats are at a premium. You're advised to book your tickets as soon as possible and arrive at Koh Phi Phi Pier at least 30 minutes early to bag the best window seat or spot on the sun deck.

Ā 

How to get to Krabi from Koh Phi Phi

Taking a ferry

There are ten departures leaving Koh Phi Phi for Krabi every day. These are run by eight different service providers:Ā  Songserm, Andaman Wave, Chao Koh Group, Tigerline, Chureang Travel &Tour, Kanichta Speedboat, and Phi Phi Logistic & Tour.

Vessels vary in size and price. The cheapest option is Andaman Wave's standard ferry where ticket prices start at US$13. One of the most popular ferry crossings is Phi Phi Logistic & Tour's speedboat ferry. Prices start from US$30 and it only takes an hour to reach Krabi from Phi Phi.

All ferries operating between Koh Phi Phi and Krabi are well-established and have very good safety records. All are fully equipped with buoyancy aids and life-saving apparatus. Seats are fairly comfortable but you won't be in them too long so no need to worry too much about getting cozy.

Sometimes the weather can be quite unpredictable so it's worth bringing a waterproof jacket if only to protect yourself from sea spray when traveling by speedboat. Sun protection is definitely recommended if you're lucky enough to get a good spot on a ferry with an open-top deck.

One last thing to remember is that smaller boats can get overbooked quickly. Even if you have a ticket you still might not get on if you're late turning up to the designated departure time. Queues are disorganized and disorderly. Don't be shy. Make sure you're on time and ready to board.


ā€‹A Traveler Review from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi

LeavingĀ Koh Phi Phi, you canā€™t help glancing at the towering limestone rocks that are bunched together shoulder to shoulder. The sight of those giants at Ton Sai Bay is simply too mesmerizing to ignore.

View from Koh Phi Phi's pier
The view from the pier in Koh Phi Phi

Just below is a sea of moored longtail boats that looks so visually Thai, it makes you dream of old Thailand.

Staring at it, I was lost in thought and imagined what this island was like 20 years ago before the movieĀ The BeachĀ was released. Envisioning Thailand without mass tourism, I traipsed along Koh Phi Phiā€™s teeming pier absent-mindedly, but not very long.

ā€œFWEEEET!ā€ The ear-deafening sound of a whistle broke my reverie with a jolt. As if that hadnā€™t been enough of an alarm, the small Thai man clad in tattered jeans and some uniform shouted at the top of his voice, ā€œKRABI THIS WAY!ā€Ā 

Blowing his whistle time and again, the conscientious guy evidently loved his job.Ā 

While I appreciated this buddyā€™s valuable efforts to point in the direction where all ships were, I was in need of somebody who could give me my ticket toĀ Krabi.Ā 

I booked my Standard Ferry by Chureang TravelĀ fromĀ Koh Phi Phi to KrabiĀ online, which was hassle-free and cost me only $11.77. Now I was hoping that check-in would go just as smoothly because I was thrilled to go on a boat trip across a fairytale archipelago.

Finding my ferry

The Krabi region is historic ā€“ and for good reason. With its maze of sea caves and coves, the group of islands in the Andaman Sea was the perfect shelter for pirates who used to skulk hereĀ thousands of years ago.Ā 

Ferry to Krabi from Koh Phi Phi

Today was another time. Standing in the shade under a parasol was a contemporary who looked at my voucher suspiciously. I was about to fidget, but he took a picture of my voucher eventually, passed me a brightly colored sticker I had to stick on my tee, and issued a ticket by hand.

Ticket for ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi

Holding that ticket in my hand, I walked those 50 meters to the two ships that were about to shove off, and was grateful there had been some dude shouting, ā€œKRABI THIS WAY!ā€ As there were two piers ā€“ one each for the arriving and leaving boats ā€“ Iā€™d never have been able to figure out which way to go without that dutiful guyā€™s help.Ā 

The conspicuous blue coat of paint disguised the boatā€™s age, but the faded color of the life preserver rings gave it away. Besides, I spotted a missing part at the gunwales that had chipped off, and rust at the railing that mustā€™ve formed over time.Ā 

By all means, Iā€™m not moaning; most boats in Thailand have probably been in their heydays already, and who wants to shell out for a luxurious yacht trip anyway?Ā Go with the flow, I thought to myself, and boarded the ferry.

To get on the ship, I had to walk across a proper gangplank that had a railing. Donā€™t take that for granted in Thailand; on many previous trips, there werenā€™t even gangways.

People boarding the ferry to Krabi from Koh Phi Phi
People boarding the ferry to Krabi from Koh Phi Phi

I was glad Iā€™dĀ made my reservation online. Quite obviously, tickets were in high demand. Suitcases were piled up at the back of the vessel like a heap of car tires, which indicated that the ferry was jam-packed. I wasnā€™t surprised; January was a month in Thailandā€™s high season after all.

Peeping inside the room on the upper deck that was crammed full, I decided it was a better idea to look for a seat on the lower deck. From my previous ferry rides across the Andaman Sea, I knew that this would be a better place to linger anyway because thatā€™s where the air conditioning had usually been reliable.

Upper deck of the ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi
The upper deck of the ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi

I was right. The ac was working well in the lower deck and the guys hadnā€™t taken it to the extreme; I didnā€™t need a hoodie. Most seats had already been taken, so I asked some 14-year-old Thai youngster in the last row, ā€œExcuse me, can I sit here?ā€Ā 

There were four seats in each row, and I intended to sit in the middle between theĀ farangĀ whoā€™d managed to get hold of a window seat and the Thai boy lounging on the aisle seat.

Playing on his cell phone, captured also by the accompanying jingle of some life-changing game, that Thai teenager didnā€™t bother to look up. Well, knowing a few words in Thai does wonders. AskingĀ ā€œNang tee nee, dai mai kap?ā€Ā (Can I sit here, is it okay?) broke the spell of that simple little ditty.

The boy stood up, and a sheepish smile passed fleetingly across his face. I took a seat minutes before 1:30 pm, the ferryā€™s scheduled departure time, and waited for the boat to leave.

On the trail of the Krabi pirates ā€“ or at least Leonardo DiCaprio

There were hardly any kids on the ship; most travelers were young people. Thatā€™s not to say there wasnā€™t life on the boat, on the contrary. Instead of yelling babies, there were hungover millennials in their mid-twenties. They were coughing, sneezing, and laughing, and some of them were just sleeping and snoring. Quite a few of them had the stringy thing on their heads ā€“ the dreadlocks that some backpackers are into ā€“ while others preferred to sport Leonardoā€™s wavy hairstyle.

I caught the scent of decent girlie perfume that was mixed with the smell of three-day-old sweat. This was the youth, an exuberant bunch of hedonists. Nothing wrong with that; I used to be one myself.

The creature comforts were acceptable; the seats were comfy on the lower deck and there was a restroom and a small snack bar on board.Ā 

At 2:15 pm, the ferry still hadnā€™t left, which is why I went upstairs to get some snacks.Ā 

Stuffing my face, I noticed that the sight of pier poles didnā€™t enrapture my seatmate. Understandably, he looked rather bored; the boat was delayed more than an hour.

ā€œDo you want some?ā€ I said to my seatmate at the window, offering him some crisps.

He smiled and struck up a conversation with me, talking about Ao Nang, a lively seaside strip in the Krabi region. He also mentioned the famous Railay Beach with its distinctive limestone rock in the shape of a giant stalagmite. Showing me a map on his mobile, pointing to an area just south of Railay Beach, he said to me, ā€œAround here, snorkeling and kayaking are really nice.ā€

At 2:36 pm, the boat put out from Koh Phi Phiā€™s main port, producing sounds not much different from that of a truck. The engines were revving up, billowing black clouds of diesel exhaust that looked even darker under the patchy blanket of grey-black clouds.Ā 

The skies had turned gloomy within an hour, but both of us didnā€™t mind. We enjoyed talking about our experiences in Thailand, and I told him I also have that three-lined tattoo from the movie The Beach. He was on the edge of his seat when I explained to him, ā€œTo me, this tattoo doesnā€™t only represent the love for Koh Phi Phi, but also the paths Iā€™ve taken in my life.ā€

Chatting for too long, Iā€™d totally forgotten about the labyrinthine archipelago we were about to reach. Rather than keep shooting the breeze, I was desperate to shoot a few photographs. I told him I had to dash and repaired outside to feel the wind in my hair and smell the salty scent of the invigorating sea.

Approaching Krabi - the view from the boat
Approaching Krabi ā€“ the view from the boat

One of the joys of traveling is that you get to meet cool peeps, so itā€™s easy to forget the time, more so when the ride is as smooth as this one had been.

While the ship was putting in at Krabiā€™s port at 3:35 pm, I admired the view of the limestone range on the horizon, safe in the knowledge that this trip had been something fabulous to write home about.

View from Krabi's Khlong Jirad Pier
The view from Krabiā€™s Khlong Jirad Pier



Companies Operating from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi

Average time

50m

Average price

$23

(14)

Average time

1h

Average price

$38

(60)

Average time

1h - 3h

Average price

$12 - $26

(624)

Average time

2h - 3h

Average price

$20 - $38

(22)

Average time

40m - 1h

Average price

$21

(131)

Popular stations and stops in Koh Phi Phi and Krabi

Departure stations in Koh Phi Phi

Ao Ton Sai Pier

Ton Sai Pier

Laem Tong Beach pier

Ton Sai Pier Koh Phi Phi

Tonsai Pier (Phiphi Cabana Office)

Arrival stations in Krabi

Klong Jilad Pier

Kong Ka Pier

Krabi River Marina pier

Ao Nang Beach - Any hotel

Krabi Airport (KBV)

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