Ko Phi Phi – Getting there and around

The Phi Phi islands (or Ko Phi Phi) are located around 160km southwest of Phuket on the west coast of Thailand, roughly 814km south of Bangkok.

Getting there
The most convenient route is by air from Phuket (or Krabi) to Koh Phi Phi on Destination Air, which operates a regular service using amphibious Cessnas.

Alternatively, a ferry service operates three-times daily from the Ratchada (Rasada) Pier near Phuket Town for the two-hour trip; boats from the pier in central Krabi Town operate three-times daily; and a twice-daily service operates from Ko Lanta taking one hour 30 minutes.

Thai Airways, Thai Air Asia and Bangkok Airways offer daily flights from Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) International Airport to Phuket. Nok Air and Orient Thai offer daily flights from Don Muang Airport.

From Australia: Most convenient flights include: Virgin Blue with direct flights to Phuket from Perth, Melbourne and Sydney; Strategic Air with direct flights from Brisbane and Melbourne; and Jetstar with a direct flight to Phuket from Sydney. Both Thai Airways and Qantas offer daily connecting flights via Bangkok.

From New Zealand: The most convenient flights are via Kuala Lumpur on Malaysian Airlines or via Singapore on Singapore Airlines.

From the UK: Several airlines offer connecting flights to Phuket via Bangkok from London and other major UK airports, but the most convenient is Thai Airways with twice daily flights from London Heathrow.

British Airways, Qantas and Thai fly non-stop between London and Bangkok.

From the USA: Numerous airlines offer connecting flights to Phuket via Bangkok from New York, but the most convenient flight is Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong connecting with Thai Airways to Bangkok and Phuket, with twice daily flights from New York Kennedy.

From Los Angeles, the most convenient is the daily Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong connecting with either Dragon Air or Thai Airways to Bangkok and Phuket.

Flight time to Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
From Phuket to Ko Phi Phi is 25 minutes, direct flight
From Bangkok to Phuket is 1 hour 20 minutes, direct flight

From Brisbane to Phuket is 9 hours, direct flight
From Sydney to Phuket is 9 hours 30 minutes, direct flight
From Melbourne to Phuket is 9 hours 10 minutes, direct flight
From Perth to Phuket is 6 hours 15 minutes, direct flight

From Auckland to Phuket is 14 hours 20 minutes, with connecting flight
From London to Phuket is 14 hours 20 minutes, with connecting flight
From New York to Phuket is 23 hours, with connecting flight
From Los Angeles to Phuket is 19 hours 45 minutes, with connecting flight

Flying in – On amphibious Cessnas to a floating jetty. Most resorts can meet guests if prearranged.

Phuket International Airport is 32km northwest of Phuket Town. Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok International Airport) has replaced the former Don Muang Airport for most domestic and all international flights. The airport is located at Samat Prakan, around 30km east of Bangkok and 60km east of Pattaya.

Entry requirements 
A passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay, a return/onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds. No visa is required for a stay of up to 30 days.

Getting around
On foot – there are no roads on Phi Phi Don. If you wish to visit a remote beach, long-tails and speedboats can be chartered at Ao Ton Sa or via your resort.