Navigate Thai islands easily with my ultimate ferry & transport guide. Compare speedboats, check routes to Phi Phi & Samui, and book smart.
Getting to the Islands
Island Access Overview
Airport:
- ✈️ Phuket - Major international + domestic airport
- ✈️ Koh Samui - Domestic only (Bangkok Airways monopoly)
No Airport (ferry required):
- ⛴️ Koh Phi Phi - Ferry from Phuket (2hr) or Krabi (1.5hr)
- ⛴️ Koh Lanta - Ferry from Krabi (2hr)
- ⛴️ Koh Tao - Ferry from Chumphon (2hr) or Koh Samui (2hr, Airport))
- ⛴️ Koh Phangan - Ferry from Surat Thani (3hr) or Koh Samui (30min, Airport)
- ⛴️ Koh Chang - Ferry from Trat (30min/airport)
- ⛴️ Railay Beach - Longtail boat from Krabi (15min) - no road access! (airport nearby. Krabi)
Booking Ferries
When:
High Season (Nov-March, July-Aug):
- Book 5-7 days ahead minimum
- Popular routes sell out (especially speedboats)
- Prices increase slightly
Low Season (April-June, Sept-Oct):
- Book 1-3 days ahead is fine
- Some routes have reduced service
- Weather cancellations possible
Peak Periods (Book 2+ weeks ahead):
- Christmas/New Year (Dec 25-Jan 5)
- Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb, varies)
- Songkran (April 13-15)
- Full Moon Party dates (Koh Phangan)
Where:
- 12Go.asia (best, compares all operators)
- Direct from pier (same price but risk being full)
- Hotel/hostel (usually adds ฿50-100 commission)
Boat Types:
Large Car/Passenger Ferry
- Capacity: 300-500 people + vehicles
- Cost: ฿350-600
- Speed: Slow (2-4 hours)
- Comfort: Most comfortable, least seasickness
- Facilities: AC cabin, outdoor deck, snack bar, toilets
- Best for: Budget travelers, families, those prone to seasickness
Standard Ferry
- Capacity: 100-200 people
- Cost: ฿400-700
- Speed: Medium (1.5-3 hours)
- Comfort: Decent, some bouncing
- Facilities: Basic seating, toilets
- Best for: Most travelers - good balance
Speedboat
- Capacity: 30-50 people
- Cost: ฿900-1,800
- Speed: Fast (45min-1.5 hours)
- Comfort: Bumpy, can get wet, loud
- Facilities: Life jackets, basic
- Best for: Time-savers, strong stomachs
Private Speedboat
- Capacity: 6-15 people
- Cost: ฿8,000-20,000 (total, split among group)
- Speed: Fast, custom schedule
- Best for: Groups, luxury travelers, custom timing
Ferry Routes & Pricing (can always change)
Phuket → Koh Phi Phi:
- Large Ferry: 2 hours, ฿400-500
- Speedboat: 45 mins, ฿1,200-1,500
- Departures: 8:30am, 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm
- Return last ferry: 3:30pm (don't miss it!)
- Pier: Rassada Pier (Phuket)
- Book online
Krabi → Koh Phi Phi:
- Large Ferry: 1.5 hours, ฿350-450
- Speedboat: 35 mins, ฿1,000-1,300
- Departures: 9:00am, 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3:00pm
- Pier: Klong Jilad Pier (Krabi Town) or Ao Nang Beach
- Book online
Surat Thani → Koh Samui:
- Large Ferry: 2-3 hours, ฿300-400
- High-Speed Catamaran: 1.5 hours, ฿500-650
- Departures: Every 1-2 hours, 6am-7pm
- Includes: Bus from Surat Thani Airport/Town to pier
- Pier: Donsak Pier (Surat Thani)
- Book online
Koh Samui → Koh Phangan:
- Ferry: 30-45 mins, ฿200-300
- Speedboat: 20 mins, ฿500-700
- Departures: Every 1-2 hours
- Peak: Full Moon Party period (book ahead!)
- Book online
Koh Samui / Koh Phangan → Koh Tao:
- Ferry: 1.5-2 hours, ฿350-500
- Speedboat: 45 mins, ฿800-1,000
- Departures: 8:30am, 12:30pm (main times)
- Book online
Chumphon → Koh Tao (Alternative Route):
- Ferry: 2 hours, ฿400-550
- High Speed Catamaran: 1 hour, ฿650-800
- Departures: 7:00am, 12:00pm
- Good for: Coming from Bangkok by train/bus
- Book online
Trat → Koh Chang:
- Ferry: 30-45 mins, ฿80-120 (cheapest island ferry!)
- Departures: Every 30-60 mins, 6am-7pm
- Pier: Ao Thammachat Pier or Center Point Pier
- Book online
Ferry Survival Tips
✅ Do:
- Take motion sickness pills 30 mins before (Dramamine at any 7-Eleven, ฿30)
- Sit toward back or middle (less bouncy than front)
- Sit outside on deck if prone to seasickness (fresh air helps)
- Bring light jacket (indoor AC can be freezing)
- Arrive pier 30 minutes early
- Keep valuables with you (don't put in checked luggage hold)
- Bring snacks/water (limited options on boat)
- Have hotel address written down (pier touts will offer transport)
- Take photo of your luggage tag number (proves it's yours)
❌ Don't:
- Eat heavy meal before (increases nausea)
- Sit in closed cabin if seasick (go outside)
- Forget sunscreen (deck gets hot)
- Drink alcohol before (dehydration + seasickness = bad)
- Arrive late (ferries leave on time, no refunds)
- Book the absolute cheapest unknown operator (safety matters)
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