Phi Phi day trip plans come down to one choice: a guided boat tour that covers the islands, or a public ferry that gets you to Tonsai Pier and leaves the rest to you. Both fit into one day. The difference is what you see, because the last boats back leave in mid-afternoon and the sights around Phi Phi Leh need a boat of their own.
This guide compares the two ways to do a Phi Phi day trip from Phuket and from Krabi. It draws on Trevallog, Greta’s Travels, The Abroad Guide, Phuket 101, Thai National Parks, the ferry timetables from our Phuket to Phi Phi and Krabi to Phi Phi guides, and two GetYourGuide listings we checked on 30 October 2026. Sources disagree on fees and some times, and we say where.
- Phi Phi day trip
- 6 to 10 hours
- Tour price
- From €32 per person
- Ferry only
- From ฿270 one way
- Maya Bay
- Open, no swimming
- Park fee
- ฿200 to ฿400
- Maya Bay closed
- Aug and Sep
Is a Phi Phi day trip worth it?
Yes, if you have one day and want the main sights. A guided Phi Phi day trip covers Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and a snorkel stop in 6 to 10 hours, from about €32 per person on GetYourGuide. A ferry-only day leaves roughly five to six hours on Phi Phi Don and no boat tour. Two sources say a night on the island is better, but one day works.
Is a Phi Phi Day Trip Enough? What One Day Gets You
One day is enough to see the highlights of the Phi Phi islands, but not to relax on them. Trevallog says a single day is not enough but is workable if you plan tightly, and Greta’s Travels recommends at least one night, ideally after the day-trippers leave. Greta also calls the islands very busy, because most Phi Phi day trip boats arrive in the same few hours. The islands are quieter early and late.
The timetable shows why the clock matters. In our Phuket guide, the 07:35 speedboat arrives at 09:20 and the return boats listed by Phuket 101 leave Tonsai Pier at 15:30. In our Krabi guide, the 08:15 standard ferry reaches Tonsai at 10:15 and the last return boat on 12Go leaves at 15:30. Greta's Travels reports a Phuket ferry at about 10 am and a last return at about 3 pm. By our arithmetic that leaves five to six hours on Phi Phi Don at best, with no boat tour of Phi Phi Leh.
Day trip or overnight stay
- Choose a Phi Phi day trip if you have one spare day, want Maya Bay and snorkeling, and sleep in Phuket or Krabi.
- Add a night if you want the viewpoint at dawn, a quiet beach once the boats leave, or a relaxed pace. Our guides to where to stay in Phi Phi and Phi Phi hotels compare the areas.
- Read our Koh Phi Phi guide first if you are still deciding whether the islands fit your trip.
Phi Phi Day Trip Options: Guided Tour or Ferry on Your Own
A guided tour bundles the boat, guide, lunch and snorkel gear. A public ferry gets you to Tonsai Pier and back, and you add anything else yourself. The table sets the two side by side, using the two tours we checked and the fares from our ferry guides.
| Guided tour | Public ferry | |
|---|---|---|
| Time on the islands | Most of the day, much of it on the boat | About five to six hours at Tonsai (our arithmetic) |
| Price | From €32 from Phuket, from €42 from Krabi | Ferry from ฿270 (Phuket) or ฿346 (Krabi) one way, plus the return |
| Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon | Named on both listings | Not included, needs a separate boat tour |
| Lunch and snorkel gear | Buffet lunch and gear included | You buy and carry your own |
| Hotel pickup | Available from Phuket; included from Krabi areas | You get yourself to the pier |
| Flexibility | Fixed itinerary and meeting point | Your own pace, but boat times are fixed |
| Best for | First visit, snorkeling, easy logistics | Walking, the viewpoint, beach time |
A third format sits between the two. The Abroad Guide reviews a ferry tour from Phuket with pickup at about 7:00 to 7:15, a ferry ride of about 1.5 hours, a snorkel stop of about one hour, a seafood buffet and a few hours of free time on Phi Phi Don. It puts the price at about $50 and says the park fee is not included. It also notes that the tour can carry up to 100 travelers, so expect a crowd.
Trevallog describes a hybrid: take the budget boat from Phuket, reach Tonsai at about 11:30 and book a half-day snorkel tour in the village, where the author's tour left at about 2 pm. That plan suited an overnight stay. On a single day it clashes with the return boats that leave at about 15:00 to 15:30, so book a morning departure in advance or choose a tour that handles the transfers. Our Phi Phi island tours guide compares the tour formats in more detail.
Phi Phi Day Trip From Phuket: Guided Tour or Ferry Plan
Phuket is the most common starting point for a Phi Phi day trip. Our Phuket to Phi Phi guide has the full Rassada Pier timetable, and the options below cover the tour and the do-it-yourself route.
Phuket: Phi Phi Islands & Maya Bay Day Trip with Lunch
A guided speedboat day trip from Phuket with a snorkel stop at Green Island, Maya Bay and Loh Samah Bay by boat, a swim at Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, a buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don and a stop at Monkey Beach.
Check on the listing before you book
- Price and date for your trip
- Buffet lunch and snorkel gear included
- Pickup available
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
The Phuket listing was rated 4.4 out of 5 from 3,594 reviews and showed a price from €32 per person, reduced from €36, when we checked on 30 October 2026. It gives a meeting point at the operator's office at AA marina before 09:00, says pickup is available, and lists the guide, snorkel gear, buffet lunch and water as included. The national park fee is included only if you pick that option. Otherwise 400 baht is paid at the pier, and a longtail ride in Pileh Lagoon costs 300 baht extra, according to the listing.
The listing is not for everyone. It excludes pregnant women, people with reduced mobility and people prone to seasickness. It describes Maya Bay as a stop seen by boat, so ask the operator whether your date includes landing on the beach.
A Phi Phi day trip from Phuket by public ferry
This plan uses the earliest speedboat and the last return boats from our timetable. The times are for planning, and the clock times come from the sources named, so confirm them before you go.
07:35 · Speedboat from Rassada Pier
The Bundhaya speedboat listed on 12Go costs ฿437 to ฿460 and arrives at 09:20. Big ferries such as the 11:00 Chaokoh at ฿270 arrive at 13:00, which leaves about two and a half hours before the 15:30 return boat.
09:20 · Land at Tonsai Pier
Pay the ฿20 pier fee in cash, which Trevallog calls a landing fee and our Krabi guide calls a clean-up fee.
09:45 · Climb to the viewpoint
The climb takes about 30 minutes, and tickets cost ฿50 for viewpoints 1 and 2. Our Phi Phi viewpoint guide says the best light is before 8 am or at sunset, which a day trip rarely allows, so start soon after landing, because the hill has little shade.
11:30 · Beach and lunch
Swim at Loh Dalum Bay beach near the pier, which Trevallog calls crowded. Our Long Beach guide covers the other main beach and how to reach it.
15:00 · Be at the pier
The last return boats listed by Phuket 101 leave at 15:30. Being at the pier by 15:00 is our suggestion, so you are not left on the island.
15:30 · Last boat back
By our arithmetic you reach Rassada Pier between about 16:30 and 17:30, depending on whether you take a speedboat or a big ferry.
Phi Phi Day Trip From Krabi and Ao Nang: Tour or Ferry Plan
Krabi is closer to Phi Phi than Phuket, and 12Go lists the distance at about 34 km against about 40 km from Phuket. Our Krabi to Phi Phi guide covers the piers and fares, and our Ao Nang to Phi Phi guide covers the beach-side crossing. Greta's Travels says the public ferry from Krabi takes about 90 minutes, while our timetable shows about two hours for a standard ferry and about an hour for a speedboat.
Krabi: Phi Phi Islands & Maya Bay Speedboat Tour with Lunch
A speedboat tour from the Wang Sai pier with a stop at Loh Samah Bay and 50 minutes at Maya Bay, snorkeling at Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, a Thai buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don and a stop at Bamboo Island.
Check on the listing before you book
- Hotel pickup included
- Lunch, snorkel gear and park entry included
- Small group or private option
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
The Krabi listing was rated 4.4 out of 5 from 430 reviews and showed a price from €42 per person when we checked on 30 October 2026. It includes hotel transfers from Nong Thale, Ao Nang, Krabi and Sai Thai, a light breakfast, fruit, water, a life vest and the national park entry of 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children. The boat returns to the Wang Sai pier, and you can ask to get off at Railay instead.
Two cautions apply. The listing excludes children under two, pregnant women and people with back or heart problems. Its text is also inconsistent about Monkey Beach, because the description names it while the good-to-know notes say the tour does not stop there. If that stop matters to you, ask the operator before you book.
A Phi Phi day trip from Krabi by public ferry
08:15 · Ferry from Klong Jilad Pier
The Pornpaisan standard ferry costs ฿346 on 12Go and reaches Tonsai Pier at 10:15. The 09:00 Andaman Wave Master at ฿350 lands at 11:00, which cuts the island time by an hour.
10:15 · Land and walk to the viewpoint
Pay the ฿20 pier fee in cash. Go up to the viewpoints early, because the hill has little shade, using our viewpoint guide for tickets and timing.
12:00 · Lunch and the beach
Eat in the village, then swim at Loh Dalum Bay or head to Long Beach. Our Phi Phi Don guide describes the main island.
15:30 · Last boat back
The last return boat on 12Go leaves at 15:30, which gives about five hours on the island. The Phi Phi to Krabi route showed about six departures a day, so book the way back before you need it.
If you stay at Ao Nang, the Aonang Princess ferry leaves Noppharat Thara Pier at 09:30 and arrives at 11:30 for ฿520, according to our Krabi guide. That arrives later than the Klong Jilad boats, so a tour with hotel pickup is usually the easier Phi Phi day trip from the beach side.
What to See on a Phi Phi Day Trip: Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don
Phi Phi Leh is the small uninhabited island with the famous bays, and a boat is the only way to see it. Phi Phi Don is the larger island with the pier, the village and the viewpoint. A tour spends most of its time around Phi Phi Leh and the nearby islands, while a ferry day is spent on Phi Phi Don.
| Stop | What to expect | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Maya Bay | Wade knee deep for photos, no swimming, about an hour on the beach | Phi Phi Leh |
| Pileh Lagoon | Swim or snorkel below steep limestone cliffs | Phi Phi Leh |
| Viking Cave | Boats slow so you can watch, but you cannot go in | Phi Phi Leh |
| Monkey Beach | Macaques on the sand, so keep bags with you | West side of Phi Phi Don |
| Bamboo Island | Snorkeling and a small beach eatery | About 5 km north of Phi Phi Don |
| Viewpoint | About 30 minutes up from Tonsai Village, ฿50 for viewpoints 1 and 2 | Phi Phi Don |
The Phi Phi Leh stops on a boat tour
Time Out Bangkok reported that Maya Bay reopened on 1 October 2026 after its annual August and September closure, and stressed that reopening is not for swimming. Phuket 101 says boats can no longer anchor on the beach, visitors may only wade knee deep and operators allow about one hour. Our Maya Bay guide has the rules and fees, and our Phi Phi Leh guide covers the rest of the island.
Pileh Lagoon is the swim stop. Greta's Travels rates its snorkeling highly beneath the cliffs, and Phuket 101 warns that boats come and go all day. Viking Cave is known for swiftlet nest harvesting, and you watch it from the boat. Our snorkeling guide lists the best reef spots if you want more time in the water.
Monkey Beach, Bamboo Island and the lunch stop
Monkey Beach has wild macaques, and Greta's Travels warns visitors not to leave bags unattended. Our Monkey Beach guide explains the stop. Bamboo Island is the add-on that some tours include for snorkeling and a small beach eatery, and our Bamboo Island guide has the details. Most tours also stop for a buffet lunch on Phi Phi Don. The Phuket listing allows about an hour of free time there, enough for a quick walk around Tonsai.
Phi Phi Day Trip Costs: Tour Prices, Ferry Fares and Fees
Tour prices are per person and shown in euros, because that is how GetYourGuide displayed them when we checked. Ferry fares and local fees are in baht. We have not converted between them, because exchange rates move.
| Item | Cost | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket tour with lunch | From €32 per person | GetYourGuide, 30 Oct 2026, reduced from €36; park fee only if selected |
| Krabi speedboat tour with lunch | From €42 per person | GetYourGuide, 30 Oct 2026; park entry included |
| Phuket ferry tour (review) | About $50 | The Abroad Guide; park fee not included |
| Ferry from Phuket | From ฿270 one way | 12Go, October 2026; speedboat from ฿437 |
| Ferry from Krabi | From ฿346 one way | 12Go, October 2026; speedboat from ฿600 |
| National park fee | ฿200 to ฿400 adult, ฿100 to ฿200 child | Thai National Parks lists ฿200 and ฿100; Phuket 101 and others quote ฿400 and ฿200 |
| Tonsai Pier fee | ฿20, cash | Trevallog and our Krabi guide |
| Viewpoint | ฿50, plus ฿20 for viewpoint 3 | Our viewpoint guide; older sources quote ฿30 |
| Longtail at Pileh Lagoon | ฿300 extra | Phuket tour listing |
The park fee is the item most likely to surprise you. The Krabi listing includes it, the Phuket listing includes it only if you pick the option, and The Abroad Guide says its tour does not include it and that it must be paid in cash. Greta’s Travels adds that many Krabi tours leave it out and collect it at the park on Phi Phi Leh. Ask what is included before you pay, and carry cash for the rest.
A do-it-yourself day is not automatically cheaper. A return big ferry from Phuket costs from ฿540 (two tickets at ฿270, our arithmetic) before food, fees and any boat tour, assuming a similar return fare, while the guided tour includes lunch, gear and the boat circuit. The ferry day wins on flexibility, and the tour wins on what you see.
Best Time for a Phi Phi Day Trip and When Maya Bay Closes
Maya Bay closes every August and September, and it reopened on 1 October 2026 according to Time Out Bangkok. During the closure a Phi Phi day trip still runs, and Phuket 101 says you can see the bay from the water while the other stops stay on the route. If landing at Maya Bay is your main goal, check the dates before you book.
The dry season from November to April is the more reliable window for calm seas and clear skies, and our guide to the best time to visit Phi Phi explains the months. Our Krabi guide notes that ferries usually keep running in the rain while speedboats are more often stopped by rough seas. Early departures also help with the crowds. Greta's Travels recommends them for a quieter visit to Maya Bay.
What to Bring on a Phi Phi Day Trip
- Cash in baht for the park fee, the ฿20 pier fee and any extras. The Abroad Guide says the park fee must be paid in cash.
- Swimwear, a towel and a dry change of clothes, even though you cannot swim at Maya Bay, because the snorkeling stops are wet.
- A compliant sunscreen. Khaosod English reported in October 2025 that Thai marine parks ban four sunscreen ingredients, with fines up to 100,000 baht.
- Travel-sickness tablets taken before you board, and a seat in the middle of the deck. Our Krabi guide recommends both.
- A small waterproof bag you keep on you, especially at Monkey Beach, where Greta's Travels warns about unattended bags.
Wear shoes you can climb in if you plan to do the viewpoint, and see our guide to things to do in Phi Phi if you have a few extra hours.
Phi Phi Day Trip FAQ
Is a Phi Phi day trip worth it?
Yes, for most first-time visitors with one spare day. The tour covers Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and snorkeling. Trevallog and Greta's Travels both say a night on the island is better, but a day works if you plan it.
How long is a Phi Phi day trip?
The Phuket listing runs 6 to 10 hours and the Krabi listing 7 hours. The Abroad Guide describes a Phuket ferry tour of 8 to 9 hours. A ferry-only day leaves about five to six hours on the island.
How much is a Phi Phi day trip from Phuket?
A guided tour showed a price from €32 per person on GetYourGuide on 30 October 2026. Two big-ferry tickets cost from ฿540 by our arithmetic, assuming the return fare matches the ฿270 outbound fare, before food and fees.
Can you do a Phi Phi day trip from Krabi?
Yes. The Krabi speedboat tour showed a price from €42 per person and includes hotel pickup. By public ferry, the 08:15 sailing reaches Tonsai at 10:15 and the last return on 12Go leaves at 15:30.
Can you do a Phi Phi day trip without a tour?
Yes, by public ferry from Phuket or Krabi. You then have about five to six hours on Phi Phi Don, and you would need a separate boat tour to see Maya Bay or Pileh Lagoon.
Does a Phi Phi day trip include Maya Bay?
Both listings name it. The Krabi listing allots 50 minutes there, while the Phuket one describes it as seen by boat. Maya Bay reopened on 1 October 2026, you cannot swim, and it closes every August and September.
Is the national park fee included in a Phi Phi day trip?
It depends on the tour. The Krabi listing includes it, the Phuket listing includes it only if you choose that option, and The Abroad Guide says its tour does not. Sources quote ฿200 to ฿400 for adults.
Should I stay overnight instead of doing a Phi Phi day trip?
Stay a night if you want a relaxed pace, the viewpoint at dawn or a quiet beach after the boats leave. Both Trevallog and Greta's Travels recommend at least one night. If you only have a day, book an early departure.
Ready to book your Phi Phi day trip?
Check dates, start times and the price for the Phuket day trip with lunch, and read the recent reviews before you book. The Krabi speedboat tour is in the section above.
Photo credits: Aerial view of Tonsai and Loh Dalum by Renek78 (CC0, Wikimedia Commons); Tonsai Pier by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Pileh Lagoon by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Macaques at Phi Phi Islands by AramilFeraxa (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons). Tour photos: GetYourGuide.
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This guide is compiled from published park, operator and traveler information, checked on 30 October 2026. We have not run these trips ourselves for this page. Prices, schedules, fees and rules around Koh Phi Phi change often, so confirm with your operator before you travel. Tour bookings are handled by GetYourGuide. Prices, fees and tour details change often, so check before you go.