Phuket Old Town
Phuket, Thailand
Phi Phi Islands — a trip from Phuket
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- park fee ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- A day trip; Maya Bay closed in August–September
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 4 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- National park fee
- About 400 baht for foreign adults, 200 for children; paid on landing
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Maya Bay
- No swimming; boats can't enter the bay; closed 1 August – 30 September
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - From Phuket
- Speedboat ≈ 1 hour, ferry ≈ 2 hours — from Rassada or Chalong pier
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Islands
- Phi Phi Don — inhabited, with a village; Phi Phi Leh — cliffs, lagoons and Maya Bay
- Best time
- November–April: calm sea
- Where
- Krabi province, ≈ 45 km east-south-east of Phuket
Key facts
Krabithe islands belong to Krabi province, not Phuket
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English Wikipedia2 main islandsPhi Phi Don (the largest and inhabited) and Phi Phi Leh
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English Wikipedia2000The Beach was filmed on Phi Phi Leh, making Maya Bay famous
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English Wikipedia2,000–3,000people live on Phi Phi Don permanently
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English Wikipedia1940sfishermen first settled Phi Phi Don; it later became a coconut plantation
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English Wikipedia≈ 400 bahtthe national park fee per foreign adult on landing
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2026 travel guidesAugust–SeptemberMaya Bay closes for nature recovery; in 2026, 1 August to 30 September
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2026 guides and local pressBamboo Islandis also in the park — the fee applies when landing there too
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travel guidesWhat are the Phi Phi Islands?
Phi Phi is a group of islands in Krabi province, between Phuket and the mainland, about 45 km from Phuket. The largest and only inhabited one is Phi Phi Don, with a village, hotels and cafés. The second is Phi Phi Leh: limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons and the famous Maya Bay. The rest are small rocky islets.
The islands became world-famous in 2000, when The Beach was filmed on Phi Phi Leh. Crowds followed, and the national park brought in rules: a landing fee, visitor caps and an annual closure of Maya Bay.
Fees, season and choosing a trip
The islands are part of a national park, so a fee is charged on landing at Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh or Bamboo Island — according to 2026 guides, about 400 baht per foreign adult and 200 per child. Tours often don't include it, so check in advance.
The best time is November to April, when the sea is calm. From May to October it can be choppy and some trips are cancelled for weather. A speedboat takes about an hour and fits in more stops; a ferry takes about two hours, costs less and is gentler if you get seasick.
What to see on Phi Phi
- Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh — white sand between cliffs (look, don't swim).
- Pileh Lagoon — turquoise water ringed by cliffs, where boats can enter.
- Viking Cave on Phi Phi Leh — seen from the water.
- Tonsai village on Phi Phi Don — the pier, cafés and a viewpoint over two bays.
- Snorkelling on the reefs around the islands.
- Bamboo Island — a white-sand beach on many tour routes.
How to get to Phi Phi from Phuket
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- On a speedboat tour — hotel pick-up, departure from Chalong or Rassada pier, about an hour each way, several islands in a day.
- By ferry from Rassada pier (about 10 minutes from Phuket Old Town) to Tonsai on Phi Phi Don — about two hours.
- By longtail from Phi Phi Don to Phi Phi Leh — if you're staying overnight on the island.
- Pay the national park fee on landing, in cash.
- Return ferries leave in the afternoon — check the time of the last one.
How long do you need?
A Phi Phi trip from Phuket takes a full day: hotel pick-up around 7:00–8:00, back by 17:00–18:00. To see the islands without the crowds, stay overnight on Phi Phi Don and head to Phi Phi Leh early in the morning.
Bring sunscreen, a change of clothes, a waterproof phone pouch and seasickness tablets.
Are the Phi Phi Islands worth it?
Yes: they're among Thailand's most beautiful islands — cliffs, lagoons and water of an incredible colour. It's worth doing at least once.
The YesGo take: in high season it's very crowded, you can't swim in Maya Bay, and the speedboat ride can be bumpy. Pick an early departure, or the ferry if you get seasick. From May to October, check the forecast — tours may be cancelled.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Phuket's sea and islands: compare and choose
Beaches, islands and bays rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Phi Phi Islandsyou are here | 29 | 4 h | park fee ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200 | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karon Beach | 25 | 3 h | Free | 53.7 km |
| Bang Tao Beach | 24 | 3 h | Free | 60.5 km |
| Kamala Beach | 24 | 3 h | Free | 58.8 km |
| James Bond Island | 24 | 4 h | park fee ≈ 300 baht | 66.4 km |
Islands from Phuket in two days
Day one: the Phi Phi Islands. Day two: James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay, then Phuket Old Town in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Phi Phi Islandsyou are here4 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200
- 1151 min walk from the previous stopJames Bond Island4 h · park fee ≈ 300 baht
- 780 min walk from the previous stopPhuket Old Town2 h · free
3 places · about 42 h 11 min with walks · 1931 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- The calmest hours are before 10:00.
- Sit towards the back of the speedboat — it's less bumpy.
- Swim in Pileh Lagoon — Maya Bay is off-limits for swimming.
- You'll need cash for the fee even on a prepaid tour.
- A second sea day: James Bond Island.
Questions
How much is the Phi Phi national park fee?
About 400 baht for foreign adults and 200 for children (according to 2026 guides).
Can you swim in Maya Bay?
No, swimming is banned; you can walk on the beach.
When is Maya Bay closed?
Every August–September; in 2026, from 1 August to 30 September.
How long does it take to get to Phi Phi from Phuket?
About an hour by speedboat, about two hours by ferry.
Is Phi Phi in Phuket or Krabi?
The islands belong to Krabi province.
Ferry or speedboat?
The speedboat is faster and covers more islands; the ferry is cheaper and smoother.
When is the best time to visit Phi Phi?
November to April.
How long do you need?
A full day — or better, an overnight stay on Phi Phi Don.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Phi Phi Islands: province, islands, population, history, The Beach
- 2026 travel guides (Thai Holiday Guide, T-Island) — national park fee, Maya Bay closure 1 August – 30 September 2026, rules (unofficial)
- Thai local press — Maya Bay visitor caps
- Wikidata Q511957 — coordinates
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