Getting from Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang and Vice Versa (2023)

Speed Boat

Knowing its name, you might already know that your trip will be a quick one. Speedboats are a great option for those who want to save time and spend money as the trip takes from 30 to 45 minutes as opposed to the Longtail boats which rarely go there and take about 2 and a half hours to 3 hours. The speedboat trip, however, is a bumpy one, so brace yourself for impact when you are on the boat.

You can even get yourself a private speedboat ride for you and your travel companions, it is expensive but if you split it with a group it is going to be less than you think.

The speed boat can be a great way to travel when you have company and it’s a quick one too. The private speedboat can be rented with an expense range from 10,000 to 15,000 THB.

Here are the steps for traveling by ferry

First of all, you need to purchase a ferry ticket from one of the many travel agencies located both in Koh Phi Phi and Ao Nang. The price range changes from one place to the other, but the usual range is from 350 Baht to 400 Baht.

Secondly, you should continue on your way to the pier, but make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes early.When the ferry is waiting and already docked the ferry’s staff will allow you to get on board of the ferry and pick your seating place.

Third, when going to Ao Nang, near the end of the ferry trip which takes about 2 hours, you will find that the ferry will stop at Railay Beach right before Ao Nang to drop some passengers off. So when the ferry stops and the long boats approach these passengers you should stay on the ferry if your desired destination is Ao Nang.

Then, the ferry will go and pass over Ao Nang beach and reach a pier which is set 15 minutes away from the actual town. Once you arrive at the pier, get off and continue to one of the buses that will be waiting around in the area. Sometimes the ferry and bus staff will ask you about your accommodation that is because they will do their best to drop you off at or near your accommodation.

From Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang

The ferry takes off from Tonsai Pier in Koh Phi Phi to Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang, and the whole ferry trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

From Ao Nang to Phi Phi

The ferry will take off from Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang heading to Tonsai Pier located in Phi Phi, and this trip takes about 2 hours.

Important Information for Ferry Passengers

1. Photo identification will be required for all passengers in order to check in
2. Your printed E-ticket should be carried with you
3. Your luggage is subject to search for security purposes

To check out the full schedule, kindly visit this website for further booking

However, note that the ticket prices do not include the entrance fee which is about 20 THB (price is subject to change).

When to visit Ao Nang and Phi Phi?

The climate in both Koh Phi Phi and Ao Nang is exotic and tropical. The ideal time to visit is in the peak season which is between November and April. The weather is cooler than usual with frequent light but sometimes there will be heavy showers. The weather reaches the real peak in the summer season which is between January and April. We will give you the climate break down for each season.

From November to February: it is the coolest of the seasons, it gets colder when the rain stops, this is obviously the best weather and the best time to visit, therefore it is the busiest time for tourists visiting as most people plan their journey around this time. The temperature ranges from 30 Celsius to 23 Celsius. The coolest month is December and the driest is February and it is the ideal time to spend the whole day doing water sports and relaxing on one of the breathtaking beaches or even partying till your feet wear out.

From March to the middle of May: this season is considered to be the hottest season. Temperatures rise to the mid-thirties with very high humidity levels.

From the middle of May to October: this is called the monsoon season, the temperature spans from 28 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius during this season. The prices during this season are very low because the humidity reaches its peak. You will see rainfalls in October, September, and May but you won’t see daily rain.

Places to visit in Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi Island is the superstar of all of Thailand’s islands. It has been in films, it is the talk of the town. Even with the huge hype around the island, it never fails to impress every traveler that sets foot on its majestic prowess. When you approach the island by boat you will notice it rising from the waters like a beautiful fortress, then you will see the great towering cliffs and the jungle in front of the beach.

The thing that is most endearing about this place is its attitude, you will never find a place on earth with the same vibe as this island. This chill, laid-back ambiance can’t be described, but only experienced. There are no crowds or the hustle and bustle of other tourist attractions; it is utter heaven.

Maya Bay

A stunning beautiful bay surrounded by 100-meter cliffs.

There are a lot of small beaches inside the bay, the main beach is 200-meters long with golden smooth sand and exotic coral fish and graciously clear water, Maya Bay has become one of the main touristic attractions since it appeared prominently in the movie “The Beach”.

You could say the bay was an important character in the film, which was filmed there in 1999.

Viking Cave

This cave is a big highlight showcasing Thailand’s culture and nature in Koh Phi Phi. Its location on the northeastern side is in the bottom of a high cliff made of limestone.

The trip takes about thirty minutes to reach there by a longtail boat from the Tonsai Bay, and the cave is also known as Tham Phaya Nak, which got its name from the paintings which are found on the south east walls in the cave that represent many types of boats.

Those paintings were first discovered by sailors seeking shelter in the cave in the midst of a storm.

Places to visit near Ao Nang

Ao Nang is a resort town in the south of Thailand, located in the Krabi Province. It is known for the big Andaman beachfront coast and also known for being a favorite place for divers as it has many dive spots all around it. It is also the center of attention for many long tail boat tours going to its beaches of limestone islands like Ko Gai known as Chicken Island, Ko Poda, and Ko Hong. Other trips go to Railay Beach, which is very well known for being a rock climbing destination.

Railay Beaches

Railay beach, also known as Rai Leh, is a small beach located right between the 2 cities of Ao Nang and Krabi. You can only visit this place by boat because it contains very high limestone cliffs that cut off the mainland access.

It is also the most famous destination for rock climbers in all of southern Thailand and is very rich in beautiful rock formations.

It is one of the best places for doing an activity alongside enjoying the breathtaking view all around and relaxing to the calm sounds of the waves.

Ko Poda

Ko Poda is a very sumptuous island located in the Krabi Province off the west coast of Thailand. It is about 8 kilometers near Ao Nang, Ko Poda is one of the best parts of the Poda Group Islands or the Mu Ko Poda, which is a collection of breathtaking islands that are perfect for a lovers’ getaway.

Ko Poda is a very famous site for snorkeling, and it has water that is shallow but still maintains a level of deepness that many islands lack.

It is definitely a must visit.

In Conclusion

With all the different options, we find in the end that the ferry is the best choice you can have when getting from Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi and back from Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang. It is cheap and comfortable and there are many dates available. Also, the ferry services run almost every day except during the low season because of the weather conditions.