Phuket ferries guide: Rassada Pier, routes, and operators (2026)

Phuket sits at the northern end of an island chain that extends southeast through Phi Phi, past Koh Lanta, and towards the Malay Peninsula. To the northeast, Phang Nga Bay opens into one of Asia’s most dramatic seascapes. The island’s ferry network connects you to nearly all of it — but understanding which routes run when, from which pier, on which type of vessel, and for what price, takes a bit of upfront work.

This guide covers the full picture.

Rassada Pier: Phuket’s main ferry terminal

Rassada Pier (sometimes written Rasada or Rassada) is located on the east coast of Phuket, about 3 km southeast of Phuket Old Town. Most inter-island and inter-province passenger ferry services in Phuket depart from here.

Getting to Rassada Pier from beach areas:

Allow extra time in the morning — traffic around Phuket Town is heavier from 7 am onwards, and ferries don’t wait.

At the pier: There are ticket offices for each major operator, a small café, toilets, and luggage storage. Tuk-tuks and taxis wait outside the entrance for arrivals. It’s not a large or complicated terminal — orientation takes five minutes.

Other departure points:

• Chalong Pier (south coast): Some day-tour operators depart from here for Phi Phi, Coral Island, and Racha Island. More common for organised speedboat day trips than for independent ferry travel.
• Bang Rong Pier (northeast Phuket, near Tha Rua): Serves Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai. A completely different terminal for a specific route. If you’re heading to Koh Yao Noi, you don’t go to Rassada Pier.

Seasonality: the most important factor

The Andaman Sea operates on a clear seasonal cycle that directly affects ferry availability.

Dry season (November–March): All routes fully operational. This is when the Phuket ferry network is at full capacity — multiple daily departures to Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Lanta, and beyond. Speedboats run frequently. The sea is calm, visibility is excellent, and most vessels maintain their schedules reliably.

Shoulder season (April, October): Main routes still operating but with reduced frequency. The sea is transitional. Longer routes begin to scale back or add weather-cancellation clauses. Check schedules carefully and book with operators that offer refunds or rescheduling in weather events.

Wet season (May–September): The Andaman Sea in full monsoon is rough. The longer routes — Phuket to Krabi, Phuket to Koh Lanta, Phuket to Similan Islands (already closed March–October for reef protection) — are suspended. Phi Phi ferry continues year-round but with weather delays. Speedboat day trips to Phi Phi are weather-dependent.

If you’re travelling in wet season and planning island-hopping as part of your itinerary, the honest advice is: base yourself on one island and do local day trips, rather than planning multi-stop ferry routes that may be cancelled. The best time to visit tool helps you assess your travel window.

Phi Phi Islands: the most popular destination

Phi Phi Islands are the most popular ferry destination from Phuket — approximately 45 km southeast, reachable in 45–90 minutes by speedboat or about 2 hours by standard ferry.

Standard ferry vs speedboat

Standard ferry (catamaran/motorised passenger vessel):

• Journey time: approximately 2 hours
• Capacity: 100–300 passengers
• Facilities: seating, small cafe or snack bar, outdoor decks, luggage storage
• Motion sickness risk: lower (larger vessel, more stable)
• Cost: 350–600 THB / $11–18 per person one-way
• Departures: typically 1–2 daily from Rassada Pier (morning and early afternoon)

Speedboat:

• Journey time: 45–90 minutes
• Capacity: 10–30 passengers
• Facilities: minimal — outdoor seating, life jackets
• Motion sickness risk: higher (the boats bounce in any chop)
• Cost: 800–1,500 THB / $25–46 per person one-way, or included in day-tour packages
• Flexibility: often serves multiple stops (Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach) as part of a day tour

For a day trip that combines transfer and island activities, a speedboat tour is usually the better value — the boat is both your transport and your activity platform. For travellers staying overnight on Phi Phi or moving through as part of a longer route to Krabi, the standard ferry may be preferable.

What to expect at Tonsai Pier, Phi Phi Don

The main pier on Phi Phi Don (the inhabited island) is at Tonsai Village, which is flanked by beaches on both sides — Tonsai Bay to the west and Loh Dalam Bay to the east. The village is small, walkable, and packed with guesthouses, restaurants, and diving operators. The famous Maya Bay (immortalised in the film “The Beach”) is on the smaller, uninhabited Phi Phi Leh — accessible only by boat from Tonsai, not on foot.

Krabi and Ao Nang (dry season only)

The direct Phuket–Krabi ferry is one of the Andaman’s more scenic crossings, passing through Phang Nga Bay’s limestone karsts before arriving at either Krabi Town pier or Ao Nang.

Key facts:

• Runs November–March only
• Departure: Rassada Pier
• Duration: 2–4 hours (depends on operator, vessel, and stops)
• Cost: 1,000–2,000 THB / $31–61 per person
• Main operators: Tigerline Ferry, Andaman Wave Master

The full Phuket–Krabi transport picture including the road and bus options is covered in the Phuket to Krabi transport guide.

Koh Lanta (dry season only)

Koh Lanta is a larger island about 70 km southeast of Phuket, popular for a quieter, less commercialised alternative to Phi Phi. The direct ferry from Rassada Pier takes approximately 3–4 hours (some ferries stop at Phi Phi en route, adding time).

• Season: November–April (some operators extend slightly into May)
• Cost: 600–1,000 THB / $18–31 per person
• Operators: Tigerline, Andaman Wave Master

In wet season, travel to Koh Lanta goes overland via Krabi — not a direct ferry option.

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai

The Koh Yao islands sit in Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi — much closer and more sheltered than the open Andaman routes. They’re a popular escape for visitors who want a dramatically quieter experience than the main Phuket beaches.

Departure point: Bang Rong Pier (northeast Phuket, near Tha Rua — a 25–35 minute Grab ride from Phuket Town)

Duration: 30–45 minutes to Koh Yao Noi

Cost: 100–150 THB / $3–5 per person (regular longtail or small passenger ferry)

Season: Year-round — the crossing is sheltered by Phang Nga Bay’s limestone islands

Getting to Bang Rong Pier from the main beach areas requires some effort — it’s on the opposite (east) coast and about 40 km north of Patong. Budget 400–600 THB / $12–18 for a Grab. The journey to Koh Yao Noi from Phuket is an exercise in decompression — by the time you arrive, the difference from Patong is total.

Similan Islands and Surin Islands

The Similan Islands and Surin Islands are Thailand’s premier diving and snorkelling destinations — but they don’t operate a regular passenger ferry from Phuket. Access is via:

• Khao Lak (the closest mainland point, 90 km north of Phuket)
• Organised liveaboard boats from Phuket’s dive operators
• Day trips from Khao Lak by speedboat

Critically: the Similan and Surin Islands National Parks are closed every year from approximately mid-May to late October for reef recovery. No boats, no access. Plan accordingly if you’re visiting for diving.

If diving the Similans is a priority, stay a night or two in Khao Lak rather than trying to day-trip from Phuket — the transfer time is significant. A private transfer from Phuket airport to Khao Lak is the standard way to get there.

Racha Island and Coral Island (near Phuket)

Two smaller islands are accessible on shorter crossings from Phuket:

Racha Island (Raya Island): About 20 km south of Chalong. Day trips depart from Chalong Pier — 45–60 minutes each way by speedboat. Popular for snorkelling and diving.

Coral Island (Koh Hae): Even closer to Chalong — about 20 minutes by speedboat. Day trips include snorkelling, beach time, and lunch. More developed and touristy than Racha.

Both run year-round, though wet-season weather can affect departures.

Understanding the operators

Tigerline Ferry

One of the larger and more established operators on the southern Thailand ferry network. Operates on the Phuket–Phi Phi–Koh Lanta–Krabi corridor. Uses larger catamaran-style vessels with cabin seating. Schedules and prices are published on their website and through most accommodation and tour desks.

Andaman Wave Master

Another major operator on similar routes. Air-conditioned vessels, scheduled departures from Rassada Pier.

Raja Ferry

Primarily operates between Surat Thani and Koh Samui / Koh Pha-ngan on the Gulf side, but also has services relevant to the southern Andaman region. Less relevant for typical Phuket island-hopping but important for overland routes continuing east.

Longtail boats

Not ferries in the scheduled sense — longtail boats are on-demand, village-to-beach style water transport. They’re the primary way to reach Railay Beach from Ao Nang, and they supplement the main services for short island-to-island crossings. Not suitable for longer open-water routes.

Buying ferry tickets

At the pier: Ticket offices at Rassada Pier sell seats for same-day and advance departures for all major operators. This is fine for most times of year.

Online: All major operators sell through their own websites and through aggregators (Tigerline, 12Go Asia, Bookaway). Online booking is recommended during peak season (December–February) for popular morning departures. Print your confirmation or download it to your phone.

Through accommodation: Hotels, guesthouses, and tour desks can often arrange ferry tickets with transfer to the pier included — a convenient option if you have luggage to manage.

One-way vs round-trip: If your onward travel from Phi Phi or Krabi is uncertain, buy one-way. Ferries don’t oversell in a way that strands passengers on the return; same-day purchases at the destination pier are usually fine except in peak weeks.

Practical tips for using Phuket’s ferries

Arrive early. Rassada Pier gets busy before morning departures. Arrive 30–45 minutes before scheduled departure. Check in, stow luggage, and be on board 15 minutes early.

Motion sickness. If you’re at all susceptible, take medication before boarding rather than after you start feeling unwell. The speedboat crossings in particular can be rough — the boats hit waves hard at speed. Ginger tablets or Dramamine taken 30–60 minutes before departure make a significant difference.

What to bring on the boat. Sunscreen (the open deck is exposed), a light layer (the cabin is heavily air-conditioned), water, and seasickness tablets. Bring cash for snacks on the boat if available.

Sun protection. Even overcast days in Thailand deliver significant UV. If you’re spending time on the open deck, sun protection is not optional.

Check the weather. Before a same-day booking in shoulder or wet season, check the forecast. Thai weather apps and Windy.com both give good Andaman Sea conditions. If the forecast shows strong wind and heavy rain, ask the operator about their cancellation policy before paying.

Keep your valuables with you. On the larger ferries, luggage goes in a storage area. Keep passports, electronics, and cash in a bag you carry onto the passenger deck.

Return timing. If you’re doing Phi Phi as a day trip from Phuket, ferries back typically run at 2–3 pm from Tonsai Pier. Check the return schedule before you book the outward trip — missing the last ferry back means paying for an unexpected night on Phi Phi.

Planning island-hopping from Phuket

For multi-island itineraries — Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Krabi — the general approach is:

1. Plan the route end-to-end before booking individual legs
2. Travel in one direction where possible (e.g., south to north or north to south) rather than backtracking
3. Book each leg in sequence once you know your dates
4. Build in one free day at each destination in case of weather delays

The island-hopping week itinerary provides a worked example for the typical Phuket–Phi Phi–Koh Lanta circuit.

For budget planning, the currency converter and daily budget calculator include ferry costs in their estimates.

Ferry vs speedboat vs organised day tour

It’s easy to conflate three different things: a scheduled point-to-point ferry, a speedboat transfer, and an organised day-tour speedboat with a fixed itinerary of stops. If you just need to get from Phuket to Phi Phi or Krabi with your luggage, the scheduled ferry or a private transfer is the right tool — you show up, sit down, arrive.

If you want to see Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, or Monkey Beach in a single day and return to Phuket that evening, a day-tour speedboat is the better fit, since it’s built around stops rather than transport alone. Mixing the two up is the most common planning mistake — travellers book a transfer ferry expecting island-hopping stops, or book a day tour when what they actually needed was simply to get to Phi Phi and check into a hotel.

For onward travel once you’ve reached the southern islands, the ferry vs speedboat comparison guide breaks down the trade-offs by route, and the island hopping in Phuket guide walks through a full multi-stop plan.

Wet-season alternatives when ferries are cancelled

If you arrive in wet season expecting to island-hop and find longer routes suspended, you still have solid options. Phi Phi remains reachable year-round with some weather delays. Racha Island and Coral Island day trips from Chalong Pier run close to Phuket’s own coast and are more sheltered than open-Andaman crossings, so they’re less likely to cancel outright.

Overland routes to Krabi and onward to Koh Lanta remain available by road year-round when the ferry itself is suspended — slower, but reliable. The Phuket in monsoon season guide covers what actually changes month to month and how to plan around it rather than being caught out by a last-minute cancellation.

What to expect on arrival at your destination pier

Piers on Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Koh Yao Noi are generally small and low-key compared to Rassada — no need to arrive with the same buffer you’d give yourself on the Phuket side. That said, the first 10–15 minutes off any of these boats can feel chaotic: touts for accommodation, taxi drivers, and porters converge on arriving ferries. If you’ve already booked accommodation, politely decline unsolicited offers and head directly to your pre-arranged transport or a short walk if your stay is central. On Phi Phi specifically, Tonsai Pier is a short walk from most Tonsai Village guesthouses, so a porter or tuk-tuk usually isn’t necessary unless you’re carrying heavy luggage or staying further along Loh Dalam Bay.

Packing for a ferry crossing

Beyond the standard packing list, a ferry day has its own small checklist: a light layer for aggressively air-conditioned cabins, motion sickness tablets taken well before boarding if you’re prone to it, a printed or downloaded ticket confirmation in case signal is patchy at the pier, and cash in small denominations for any last-minute snacks or porter tips. The Phuket packing list guide covers the fuller list for your whole trip.

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