Phuket to Krabi by Boat: Ferry, Speedboat and Day Trip Options

Krabi lies east of Phuket across Phang Nga Bay. By road it is around 3 hours. By boat the trip can be more scenic, and in the high season you can even stop at Phi Phi on the way. But boat options change with the season, and for some travelers the road is simply easier.

First decide what you actually need. If you are moving hotels to Krabi, you need a transfer. If you only want to see Krabi's islands, you can do that on a day trip and sleep in Phuket again that night. This guide covers both. We do not sell ferry tickets, so the transfer information here is general, and timetables and fares should be checked with the ferry companies before you travel.

Option 1: Ferry from Rassada Pier

Rassada Pier, next to Phuket Town on the east coast, is Phuket's main ferry port. In the high season, ferries run from here toward Krabi, usually to Ao Nang (via Nopparat Thara Pier) and sometimes to Krabi Town (via Klong Jilad Pier). Many services stop at Phi Phi on the way, so the journey often takes several hours.

• Good for: travelers with luggage who want a relaxed, scenic crossing.
• Watch for: fewer departures in the low season, and on some routes none at all.
• Tip: many tickets include a minibus from your hotel to the pier. Check what yours includes.

Our Rassada Pier guide explains how the ferry terminal works.

Option 2: Via Phi Phi, With a Stopover

Instead of going straight through, you can take a ferry to Phi Phi Don, stay a night or more, and then continue on a separate ferry to Ao Nang or Krabi Town. It turns a transfer into part of your holiday. Our Phi Phi Islands guide helps you decide whether a stopover suits you.

• Good for: anyone who wants time on Phi Phi Don beyond a day trip.
• Watch for: connections between ferries, carrying luggage on and off at Tonsai Pier, and a small arrival fee that is usually collected on Phi Phi.

See Phuket to Phi Phi: ferry vs speedboat for the first leg.

Option 3: Speedboat Transfer

Some operators run shared speedboat transfers in the high season to Ao Nang, Railay or Koh Lanta. They are faster than the ferry but bumpier, with less space for luggage. Railay can only be reached by boat, because its beaches are cut off by cliffs, so if your transfer does not go there directly you will finish the journey by longtail boat from Ao Nang or the Krabi Town area.

Option 4: See Krabi's Islands on a Day Trip

If you do not need to move hotels, the simplest way to see Krabi's famous islands is a day trip from Phuket. We sell two private speedboat routes to Krabi's waters, priced per boat for your whole group. The prices below are standard rates at the time of writing and can vary by date:

• 4 Islands private speedboat (20,000 THB per boat): Poda Island, Chicken Island, the Tup Island sandbar and Phra Nang Beach at Railay.
• Hong Islands private speedboat (25,000 THB per boat): the enclosed lagoon of Koh Hong, Lao Lading and Pakbia.

Both include a captain and crew, snorkel gear, life jackets, fuel, insurance, soft drinks and water and hotel pickup, with up to 6 hours on the water. National park fees, lunch and alcohol are not included. The crossing from Phuket is on more open water and can be choppy. These are day trips that bring you back to Phuket, not one-way transfers. Compare all routes on the private speedboat page, and read our 4 Islands day trip guide.

Option 5: By Road

For comparison, the road route crosses the Sarasin Bridge and runs around the top of Phang Nga Bay, taking around 3 hours to Krabi Town or Ao Nang depending on traffic. You can choose a shared minivan, a bus from Phuket's bus terminal, a private car or a taxi. The road runs in all weather, it is often the most practical choice with heavy luggage or small children, and it is the reliable backup in the low season.

Seasons Matter

• Roughly November to April: the most boat services and the calmest seas. This is when boat transfers make most sense.
• Roughly May to October: the southwest monsoon brings rougher seas on the Andaman side. Some ferry routes run less often or stop, and crossings can be cancelled at short notice. Many days are still fine, but keep the road as a backup.

Which Option Should You Choose?

• Moving to Ao Nang with luggage in the high season: the ferry, or the road if the timings do not suit.
• Want time on Phi Phi: the ferry via Phi Phi with a night or two there.
• Staying at Railay: a boat or road transfer to Ao Nang and then a longtail, or a direct speedboat transfer if one is running.
• Just want to see Krabi's islands: a day trip from Phuket, such as a private charter.
• Traveling in the monsoon: the road, unless you are flexible with dates.

Practical Tips

• Buy ferry tickets a day ahead in the peak season, from the pier or a licensed agent, and keep the ticket on your phone or printed.
• Take seasickness tablets before you board if you are prone to it.
• Pack electronics and documents in a waterproof bag.
• Label your luggage, and keep valuables with you rather than in the luggage pile.
• Do not plan a tight boat connection on the day of an international flight. Leave a buffer.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from Phuket to Krabi by boat?

Usually several hours, depending on the route and the number of stops. Services that stop at Phi Phi take longer than direct ones.

Do ferries from Phuket to Krabi run all year?

Service is fullest in the high season, roughly November to April. In the low season some routes run less often or pause, so check before you plan.

Can I get to Railay by boat from Phuket?

Railay is only reachable by boat. Most people take a ferry or road transfer to Ao Nang and then a longtail boat. Some speedboat transfers go direct in the high season.

Can I visit Krabi's islands without leaving Phuket?

Yes. Our private 4 Islands and Hong Islands speedboat charters are day trips from Phuket with hotel pickup.