Ultimate Phi Phi Islands Guide: Are They Worth Visiting? (2026)
Wondering whether to include the Phi Phi islands in your Thailand itinerary? You’ve come to the right place.
The Phi Phi islands are an archipelago of six beautiful islands in southern Thailand, situated between Phuket and Krabi. When you see the idyllic turquoise blue beaches fringed by limestone cliffs, however, that is not always the Phi Phi islands! In fact, there’s several other islands offshore that are insanely gorgeous, and may fit your itinerary better.
This article will cover who the Phi Phi islands are for, how to get to them, and the best alternatives. By the end, you’ll know what and where to book with more confidence.
Here is everything you should know before visiting the Phi Phi Islands.
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Overview of the Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi islands are an archipelago of six islands sitting in the turquoise blue waters of the Andaman sea.
They are part of Hat Noppharat Thara National Park, and consist primarily of Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Phi Phi Leh (Maya Bay), Bamboo Island, and a few tiny islands. Since it’s a national park, there’s a 400 baht fee (~$13)/adult to visit for the day.
These islands have become incredibly popular as a destination, thanks to the 2000’s Hollywood film “The Beach” featuring Leonardo Dicaprio.
The movie had a few scenes filmed on Maya Bay (Koh Phi Phi Leh), which you can get to by tour, or longtail boat from the main island (Koh Phi Phi Don).
The only downside to visiting this iconic location is that it’s extremely crowded, and you can’t swim on the beach.
If you’re arriving by ferry, you’ll land on Koh Phi Phi Don. This is the main, large developed islands with chain restaurants, bustling bars, backpacker hostels, and hotels.
Where To Stay On The Phi Phi Islands
By ferry, you’ll land on Tonsai Pier, the main city center of Koh Phi Phi Don. Here there’s chain restaurants, busy streets lined with restaurants, and dozens of longtail boats arriving in the pier all day.
There are hotels dotted around the island, but it’s best to stay in a more secluded area outside of the center.
Here are the nicest places to stay outside of the busy downtown area:
- Top pick – Phi Phi The Beach Resort: Villa-style hotel with free transfers to Tonsai pier, pools, and free buffet breakfast next to the best beach on the island
- Most luxurious – SAii Phi Phi Island Village Resort: 5-star spa resort with large outdoor pools and free breakfast on a private beach
- Best budget option – Phi Phi Natural Resort: Budget cottage style beach hotel with pools and free breakfast overlooking the beach
How To Get To The Phi Phi Islands
You can get to the Phi Phi Islands by tour, or ferry from Phuket or Krabi. If you plan on staying overnight, you’ll buy a ferry ticket to Koh Phi Phi Don.
The one way ferry from Phuket or Krabi costs 450 baht (~$14), and takes around 2 hours from Phuket, or 1.5 hours from Krabi. Once you arrive at Koh Phi Phi Don, prepare to pay the 400 baht entrance fee, as it’s a part of the national park.
The ferries are the cheapest way to get to Koh Phi Phi Don, but the last ferries back to Krabi/Phuket depart at 3-4pm, so it’s not ideal for a day trip.
Tip: If you want to go on a day trip, take the longtail boat to Railay Beach. It only costs 100 baht roundtrip (no national park fee), and departs every 15 minutes from 8am-6pm.
The most popular way to visit the islands is on a tour from either Krabi or Phuket. These tours focus on snorkeling and swimming in picturesque bays by the cliffs, and only spend a couple hours on Koh Phi Phi Don for lunch.
You’ll have plenty of time to swim in the emerald lagoons, and take pictures with a backdrop of the picturesque limestone cliffs.
The best way to see these highlights is to book an island-hopping tour from Krabi or Phuket.
The cheapest tours are on longtail boats, followed by speedboats, and private tours.
I booked the cheapest tour I could find on GetyourGuide last minute (~$40 USD) from Krabi. Our group stopped at Maya Bay, offshore bays to snorkel, in Koh Phi Phi Don for lunch, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island.
We got there by longtail boat which significantly added to the travel time, but I still had a great experience!
However, I would highly recommend booking a speedboat tour so you can spend more time enjoying the islands. Additionally, you’ll get to avoid the insane crowds at Maya Bay by booking an early morning, or evening sunset tour.
Tips for visiting the Phi Phi islands
- Only use the ferry if you’re staying on Koh Phi Phi Don (the last ferries depart back to Krabi/Phuket early at 3-4pm)
- Book an early morning or sunset speedboat tour to avoid crowds at Maya Bay
- Visit the Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, and Long Beach
- Bring cash for the 400 baht entrance fee, and restaurants on the island
- Pack sunscreen and water shoes for snorkeling
Best Alternatives To The Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi islands may be the most popular thanks to Hollywood, but there’s a few equally beautiful islands you may want to opt for instead.
If you’re staying in Krabi, one of the best alternatives is Railay Beach. This is not an island, but a beach on a peninsula that’s only accessible by boat. It’s a short 20 minute longtail boat ride from Aonang Beach (Krabi) that costs 100 baht.
The beaches are fringed by the limestone cliffs, and it has a laid back atmosphere, with a main street lined with cafes, restaurants and bars.
It also has a beautiful hike to a scenic overlook and hidden lagoon.
If you’re going on an island-hopping tour, some of the best alternatives are Hong Island, the 4 islands, or James Bond Island.
Hong Island is a small island with bright turquoise blue waters and dramatic scenery. It has a hidden lagoon you can reach by kayak, and a spectacular overlook you can hike to.
The 4 islands are four small islands (Poda, Chicken, Tup, Phranang Cave) that are great if you prefer a shorter tour. James Bond Island is a picturesque tiny islet that makes for great photos, and is closer to Phuket.
Phi Phi Islands Map
Summary
The Phi Phi islands are worth visiting if you want to spend the day relaxing on some of the world’s most idyllic beaches. I recommend booking an early morning speedboat or sunset tour for the best experience.
This will allow you to see the lagoons without as many crowds of longtail boats, and get to the islands quicker. And if you’re staying in Krabi, make sure to check out our 3 day Krabi itinerary for more fun ideas on what to do in the region!
Phi Phi Islands FAQs
How do you get to Koh Phi Phi Don from Krabi/Phuket?
The best way to get to Koh Phi Phi Don from Krabi and Phuket is by ferry which costs around 450 baht for a one way ride. It’s a 2 hour ride from Phuket, or a 1.5 hour ride from Krabi.
What is there to do on the Phi Phi islands?
The main draw to the Phi Phi islands is the stunning scenery, and it’s an incredible place to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. If you’re staying overnight on Koh Phi Phi Don, you can access the nearby islands by kayaking or boat tour.
On our tour, we visited Bamboo Island (~15 min boat ride) after Koh Phi Phi Don, and it had the clearest water I’ve seen in my life.
Koh Phi Phi Don is also especially popular among backpackers, and the downtown is dotted with cafes, restaurants, and bustling bars that host Muay Thai fights!
Is Koh Phi Phi Don or Railay Beach a better place to stay?
If you prefer a lively backpacker atmosphere, Koh Phi Phi Don is the place to stay. It has a developed downtown dotted with lively bars and restaurants, where you can watch a muay thai fight, or enjoy drinks by the beach.
If you’re looking for somewhere nice and relaxed to stay, Railay Beach is a great alternative. It has a variety of top-notch hotels nestled in the jungle, a beautiful hiking trail, and white sand beaches fringed by the limestone cliffs.
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