This page is for travelers moving to Phi Phi Don to stay, not for a day trip. Both boats land at Tonsai Pier, the main pier on Phi Phi Don, so the real differences are where you board, how long you sit on the water and what you can bring. Railay Eco Tour’s Ao Nang to Phi Phi Speedboat Transfer is the quicker option from the Ao Nang side: two sailings a day at 10:30 and 15:00, a stop at Railay, 50 to 70 minutes pier to pier, hotel transfer within Ao Nang included, $30 per person for 8 November 2026 and 4.6 from 210 reviews.
Ao Nang to Phi Phi Speedboat Transfer
Ferry and speedboat side by side
| Ferry | Speedboat transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Boards at | Klong Jilad pier, Krabi Town (one ferry from Nopparat Thara, Ao Nang) | The Ao Nang side or Railay East pier |
| Crossing | About 2 hours (1.5 to 3 in rough seas) | 40 to 70 minutes |
| Price, Nov 2026 | $15 from Krabi Town, $28 from Ao Nang | $30 to $49 |
| Sailings | Two a day on the main ferry | Two a day each way |
| Luggage | Luggage room on board | Ask; oversize bags refused on some |
| Ride | Large boat, cabin and deck | Fast and bumpy in a swell |
Where you are staying decides the pier
If you are in Krabi Town, take the ferry: Klong Jilad is in town, and the Ao Nang speedboats would mean a ride out to the coast first. If you are in Ao Nang or Klong Muang, the speedboat leaves near your hotel and the transfer is included in Ao Nang. On Railay, there is no road at all, so a boat from Railay East pier is the only easy option.
Coming straight from the airport, either works; see how to get to Phi Phi from Krabi for the airport route.
Times and timetables
The speedboat transfer’s published times, pier to pier:
| Direction | Departs | Railay | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Nang to Phi Phi | 10:30 | 11:00 | 11:40 |
| Ao Nang to Phi Phi | 15:00 | 15:30 | 16:10 |
| Phi Phi to Ao Nang | 12:00 | 12:40 | 12:50 |
| Phi Phi to Ao Nang | 17:00 | 17:40 | 17:50 |
Hotel pickups come on top: the operator asks Ao Nang guests to wait in the lobby 45 minutes before departure. The boat leaves from Ao Nam Mao Pier, on the Ao Nang side, and spends about 30 minutes reaching Railay before the 40- to 45-minute run to Phi Phi. Railay Eco Tour’s Railay to Phi Phi Speedboat Transfer sells the Railay leg on its own: morning and afternoon departures from Railay East pier, about 40 minutes, $30.
The ferries are slower. Andaman Wave Master’s Krabi to Phi Phi Ferry (Klong Jilad) runs twice a day, and your ticket is good on either sailing. Plan on about 2 hours; the listing allows 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the sea. Seatran Discovery’s Krabi Ferry Transfer to Phi Phi Don also takes about 2 hours and asks you to check in 30 minutes before departure. From Ao Nang, Lanta Tourist Center’s Ao Nang to Phi Phi Ferry collects from hotels between 08:00 and 09:00 and sails from Nopparat Thara pier, about 2 hours across. Other Ao Nang ferry timetables we found list 2.5 hours or more, so allow extra time.
We could not find an official seasonal timetable for the ferries. Check the times on your booking for your date, especially from about May to October, when sailings can be fewer.
Prices and what is included
On the dates we checked (8 and 9 November 2026), per person, one way:
- Klong Jilad ferry: $15 for the ticket, about $19 with hotel pickup, about $24 to Laem Tong beach instead of Tonsai.
- Seatran Discovery ferry: $15, with travel insurance.
- Ao Nang ferry: $28, with Ao Nang hotel pickup.
- Ao Nang speedboat transfer: $30, with hotel transfer in Ao Nang; pickups from the airport, Krabi Town, Klong Muang or Tubkaek cost extra.
- Railay speedboat transfer: $30, pier only.
- The Speedboat Transfer between Ao Nang and Phi Phi: $49 with an Ao Nang van pickup, about 50 minutes, 4.2 from 45 reviews.
Wherever you land at Tonsai, expect a pier charge of about 20 THB per person, paid at a desk at the end of the pier. None of the transfers includes drop-off at your Phi Phi hotel, so plan to walk or arrange it with the hotel.
Luggage
The ferry is the easier choice with a big suitcase. The Klong Jilad ferry lists room for luggage among its inclusions, and the boat is large, with a cabin and a sundeck.
The speedboats are tighter. Railay Eco Tour’s listings do not state a limit, so ask before you book if you have more than one case each. Wangsai’s Speedboat Shuttle between Ao Nang, Railay and Phi Phi refuses oversize luggage, and another Krabi speedboat operator sets 15 kg and one carry-on per person. Surfboards, bikes and golf bags are a problem on almost any small boat.
Whatever you choose, do not try to carry luggage on a day tour to Phi Phi. Day tours list luggage and large bags as not allowed and bring you back to Krabi in the evening.
Sea conditions and seasickness
From November to April the Andaman Sea is usually calmer, and both boats run reliably. From about May to October, in the southwest monsoon, the sea can be rough, crossings take longer, and sailings may be delayed or cancelled. The Ao Nang speedboat warns that its schedule can change in a storm; the ferry warns that weather can affect departure time and duration.
On a speedboat you feel every wave. Railay Eco Tour does not recommend the transfer for pregnant women, elderly people or anyone with back pain or a serious illness. A big ferry rolls more gently, and you can sit inside. If you get seasick, take a tablet before you board and sit low and in the middle of the boat.
A day tour is not a transfer
If you are not staying overnight, neither boat is the best way to see the islands. The transfers stop at Tonsai Pier; Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon are on Phi Phi Leh, and you would need another boat to reach them. A day tour such as the Phi Phi Speedboat Tour with Lunch ($50) covers them and brings you back to your Krabi hotel. The speedboat tour page and the price guide cover those.
Which I would book
From Ao Nang or Railay with a normal suitcase each, I would take the speedboat transfer: it saves the drive to Krabi Town and about an hour on the water, for about twice the price of the ferry. From Krabi Town, or with heavy bags, children or a windy forecast, I would take the Klong Jilad ferry. Our Krabi to Phi Phi ferry page and Ao Nang to Phi Phi page have the booking details. To see the speedboat’s dates, check availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is the speedboat from Krabi to Phi Phi faster than the ferry?
Yes, by about an hour. The speedboat transfer takes about 40 to 70 minutes depending on where you board; the ferry from Klong Jilad takes about 2 hours.
How much is the speedboat from Krabi to Phi Phi?
$30 per person one way from Ao Nang or Railay on the dates we checked in November 2026, or $49 on a transfer with a van pickup. The ferry from Krabi Town was $15.
Can you bring luggage on the Krabi to Phi Phi ferry?
Yes. The Klong Jilad ferry has room for luggage. Speedboats have less space and some refuse oversize bags, so ask first if you have more than one case each.
What time does the speedboat leave for Phi Phi?
From the Ao Nang side at 10:30 and 15:00, calling at Railay at 11:00 and 15:30, arriving at Tonsai at 11:40 and 16:10. Back from Phi Phi at 12:00 and 17:00.
Is the ferry or speedboat better in rough seas?
The ferry. It is larger and steadier, and you can sit inside. Speedboats are bumpy in a swell, and operators advise against them in pregnancy or with back problems.
Pick your Phi Phi day and check the boat
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on the tours we review. The national park fee (400 THB per adult) is usually paid in cash on the day.
Check Availability & Book
