Phuket to Phi Phi: Ferry or Speedboat Transfer?
6 min read
For most travellers with luggage: the ferry between Phuket and Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong from €14.35. The listing describes a comfortable, spacious ferry with an outdoor sundeck, starts the duration at 2 hours and is rated 4.5 from 1,151 reviews. For the fastest crossing or onward travel to Koh Lanta: the one-way speedboat transfer from €19.93, rated 4.6 from 1,070 reviews and listed at 40–100 minutes.
| Transfer | Duration | From | Rating / reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry to Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong | from 2 hours | €14.35 per person | 4.5 / 1,141 | Luggage, space, lower price |
| One-way speedboat to Phi Phi or Lanta | 40–100 minutes | €19.93 per person | 4.6 / 1,052 | Shorter crossing, onward route |
Ferry: the calmer practical choice
The ferry description promises a comfortable, spacious boat and a view of the bay from the outdoor sundeck. The title names two arrival points on Phi Phi Don, Tonsai and Laem Tong, and they are not interchangeable: Tonsai is the island’s main pier and settlement, Laem Tong lies on the quieter north-east side. A low fare to the wrong pier can leave you needing another boat. The listing’s duration begins at 2 hours, so confirm the crossing time for the option you select.
Check availability and prices for the Phi Phi ferry
Speedboat: time saved, less shelter
The speedboat listing covers Phi Phi Tonsai Pier, Laemtong Beach and Koh Lanta, and it offers optional hotel transfers. The abstract describes an open-air speedboat that reaches Phuket within an hour; the listed 40–100 minutes is a range, not a guaranteed 40-minute crossing. The open-air boat is the poorer choice for travellers who value shelter and space or dislike a bouncy ride.
Check availability and prices for the speedboat transfer
A transfer is not a day trip
The speedboat product is one-way. Neither listing is a guided Maya Bay route or a return day out, so check direction, date, departure pier, arrival pier and whether hotel pickup belongs to the option you choose. Leave a sensible gap between an airport arrival and a fixed departure. Luggage and child rules are set by the operator, so confirm both on the booking page.
Recommendation: the Phi Phi ferry is the sensible default. Pay the small uplift for the speedboat transfer only when the shorter crossing or the Koh Lanta connection genuinely improves your itinerary.
