Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Halfway between Krabi and Phuket in the Andaman Sea, the gorgeous Phi Phi Islands offer towering limestone walls, vibrant blue water, idyllic beaches, and abundant sea life. Visiting these islands during your stay in Krabi is a must. There are several ways to get from both Phuket and Krabi to Phi Phi Islands, either via a guided tour or by taking a ferry.
We researched the options extensively before deciding to book a day tour from Krabi to the Phi Phi Islands. We also considered doing a day trip via the ferry as well as spending a few nights on the Phi Phi Islands. Doing a day trip tour to the Phi Phi Islands from Krabi was the perfect option for our family and we enjoyed every minute of our day on the water.
In this article you can find the best tours to the Phi Phi islands as well as general information to help you plan your visit from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands.
See more of our 2 Week Thailand Itinerary.
Should you Make the Trip from Krabi to Phi Phi Islands?
With so many things to do in Krabi, it’s hard to decide whether a trip to the Phi Phi Islands is worth it and whether there are enough activities on the Phi Phi Islands that are different from the closer islands around Krabi. We did a tour to some of the closer islands and visited Railay Beach and are still glad we decided to go out to the Phi Phi Islands.
In our opinion, the Phi Phi Islands are worth it and different than the mainland and closer islands.
Since the islands are set so far out in the Andaman Sea, you really feel like you are visiting a different place. Also, the islands are inhabited, unlike some of the islands near Krabi. We also found the snorkeling on the Phi Phi Islands to be much better than the snorkeling we did around Krabi.
Are the Islands of Krabi or Phi Phi Islands Better? If you only have time to visit one of these areas I would recommend staying in Krabi and visiting these islands. While we loved the Phi Phi Islands, with several days Krabi offers more options and the local islands are beautiful.
How to Get to Phi Phi Islands from Krabi
There are really just a few ways to get to the Phi Phi Islands from Krabi.
First, you can book a tour – I will go into more detail below, but this is the tour we took. If you are booking a tour, pay attention to the length of the trip, the size of the boat, and whether they offer lunch.
If you are looking to find a cheaper option to get to Krabi or just don’t fancy being on a tour all day, you can also take a ferry out to the Phi Phi Islands. This gives you the flexibility to stay for either a day or do one or more nights on the island.
The ferry ride from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi takes between 1.5-2 hours. The ferry used to leave from right in town in Ao Nang, but there is a new ferry terminal about 3 km south of town. Most tickets will include a free taxi transfer to the ferry terminal – check this when you are purchasing your ferry ticket. Double-check the information when you book as some of the ‘ferries’ you can book are actually large speed boats.
The ferry arrives at the largest of the Phi Phi Islands. From here, you can walk, eat, and explore the island, or book a separate boat tour to see some of the other islands (if you are already on Koh Phi Phi, you can book a longtail boat tour like this one).
There are a couple of ways to book your ferry tickets. One option is to book through Viator for the high-speed ferry. You can also search for and book ferry tickets below. Note that ferries run several times a day.
Where to Stay on the Phi Phi Islands
If you are taking the ferry and booking a separate tour on the islands, you will likely want to spend the night. Here are a few great options we considered for our overnight on Phi Phi:
Viking Nature Resort – Great location and excellent food
Voyagers Hostel – A less expensive option close to the beach
Phi Phi Relax Beach Resort – located across the island you will need to take a boat to get to the resort.
Best Day Tours from Krabi to the Phi Phi Islands
After looking extensively into taking a ferry to the islands and spending the night. We decided that by the time you added up the cost of the ferry, a boat tour on the islands, and the hassle of changing lodging, it was better to visit the islands on a day trip via a speed boat. While we missed the chance to spend the night on the islands, for our family it worked out great.
Speed Boat Tour of Phi Phi Islands Via Sea Eagle – this is the tour we took on a medium-sized speed boat. There were probably about 25 other people on the tour with us. During the tour, we went to all the highlights of the Phi Phi Islands, had lunch, snorkeled, and never felt rushed. We were surprised by how good the snorkeling was when we were there.
Phi Phi Island By Speed Boat from Krabi – This is another tour we considered. The price is higher, but the boat is smaller with fewer people aboard. It includes many of the same stops as the tour we took with Sea Eagle.
You can search for other tours online. We found the best options on Viator and you can see some below. Make sure to read the reviews before booking.
Other Island Hopping Tours from Krabi
If you’ve gotten this far in the post and have decided that this tour isn’t for you, or you’re looking for more information about all the island tours from Krabi, make sure to check out the post: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Stunning Islands of Krabi.
Unless you are really rushed on time you should avoid the tours that try to visit the Phi Phi Islands AND some of the other islands in the same day. This means you will need to rush through some of the best stops and you will be exhausted. We were wiped out after our day trip to the Phi Phi Islands and I can’t imagine if we had crammed in more stops.
What to Pack for You Phi Phi Island Tour
Once you’ve decided how to get to the Phi Phi Islands, you will want to make sure you have everything you need for the perfect day. You will be spending lots of time getting in and out of the water, so make sure you wear your bathing suit and bring layers you can put on top. Since you will be eating in a restaurant, you will want to have clothes and shoes you can easily put on without changing.
Here is a list of the items to bring along
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Swim Suit
- Camera/phone (in waterproof covering)
- Layers
- Shoes (we just brought sandals with us)
- Water (most tours also have beverages)
- Snacks (some may be provided)
- Snorkel Gear (optional – most tours provide this, but we prefer at least our own masks and snorkel)
If you want to see more on our trip out to the Phi Phi Islands from Krabi, check out the video here of see:
15 Best Things to do in Krabi, Thailand
Common Questions About Krabi to Phi Phi Islands
What are the must-visit attractions in Phi Phi Islands?
Don’t miss out on Maya Bay, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and the viewpoint at Phi Phi Don for breathtaking views of the islands.
What is the best time of year to visit Phi Phi Islands from Krabi?
The best time to visit Phi Phi Islands from Krabi is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. This period offers sunny weather and calm seas, perfect for island hopping and water activities.
How long should I plan to spend in Phi Phi Islands from Krabi?
The ideal duration for a visit to Phi Phi Islands from Krabi depends on your preferences and interests. A typical stay ranges from one to three days, allowing enough time to explore the main attractions and enjoy some leisurely beach time.
Are there any transportation options available for getting around Phi Phi Islands?
Yes, Phi Phi Don, the main island, is small and can be easily explored on foot. Alternatively, you can rent bicycles or take longtail boats for shorter trips between beaches and viewpoints.
Can I go on a snorkeling or diving excursion from Phi Phi Islands?
Yes, there are plenty of snorkeling and diving excursions available from Phi Phi Islands. You can join a tour that takes you to nearby snorkeling spots or arrange for a dive trip to explore the underwater beauty of the Andaman Sea.
