Flight + ferry (via Phuket/Krabi)
Best balance of speed, price, smooth connections
Flight + speedboat
Fastest option, shortest travel time, higher total cost
Bus/train + ferry
Cheapest option, very long journey, multiple transfers needed
Direct transport
No direct route, always requires flight or land transfers
Quick answer: The best way to travel from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi is by flight to Krabi or Phuket, followed by a ferry. Budget travelers can also travel by train or bus via Bangkok and southern Thailand, but the journey is much longer.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. 1,200 km via Krabi or Phuket.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Flight + Ferry ~6–10 hours | Train + Ferry ~24–30 hours | Bus + Ferry ~24–28 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Flight + Ferry US$60–150 | Train + Ferry US$35–120 | Bus + Ferry US$40–80.
- ✈️ Flight + Ferry: Fastest and most convenient option.
- 🚆 Train + Ferry: Comfortable budget option via Bangkok and Surat Thani.
- 🚌 Bus + Ferry: Cheapest land option, but the longest journey.
Last updated in April 2026
From Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi you can travel by plane, train, bus + ferry.
The journey from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi covers about 1,520 km via Krabi or Phuket. The fastest and most convenient option is a flight to Krabi or Phuket, followed by a ferry to the island. This transfer takes about 7–9 hours and costs around $65–120 per person.
Budget travelers can also travel by train or bus via Bangkok and Surat Thani, followed by a bus to Krabi and a ferry to Koh Phi Phi. This option takes about 30–40 hours but can be cheaper. As Koh Phi Phi has no airport, the final part of every journey is always by ferry or speedboat.
Koh Phi Phi is one of Thailand’s most famous island destinations, known for its turquoise sea, white-sand beaches and dramatic limestone cliffs. Before your trip, check the weather in Koh Phi Phi. From the island, you can also continue by ferry to Phuket.
| Transfer modes from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train + Bus + Ferry (via Bangkok) | 30–40 hours | $40–200 per person |
| Plane + Bus + Ferry (via Krabi Airport) | 7–9 hours | $65–120 per person |
| Plane + Ferry (via Phuket Airport) | 6–8 hours | $70–140 per person |
| Bus + Ferry (via Bangkok, Krabi) | 27–32 hours | $60–100 per person |
How do I get from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi?
1. TRAIN + BUS + FERRY from Chiang Mai to Phi Phi
👉 Train + bus + ferry is a budget-friendly but long overland way to travel from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi.
- ✔️ Best for: budget travelers who enjoy scenic journeys and don’t mind multiple transfers
- ✔️ Travel time: ~27–37 hours (via Bangkok, Surat Thani, and Krabi)
- ✔️ Cost: $35–150 per person (depends on train class and transfer types)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (sleepers offer better comfort, multiple transfers required)
- ✅ Best Option: Sleeper train to Surat Thani + minivan to Krabi + ferry to Koh Phi Phi
- 💡 Tip: Book all tickets online in advance and allow enough time between transfers.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Choose overnight sleeper trains to save time and avoid extra accommodation costs.
A) Train from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani (via Bangkok)
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- from Chiang Mai you can travel by train to Surat Thani via Bankgok
- Surat Thani is the closest railway station to Krabi town, about 240 km north-east of Krabi
- modern seat or sleeper trains, you can buy drinks and snacks, toilet in the train
- transfer by train to Surat Thani from Chiang Mai costs about $16-100/pp (1st, 2nd, 3rd class trains)
- transfer by train to Surat Thani from Chiang Mai with stopover in Bangkok takes about 22-30 hours
- read this article: How to reach Surat Thani from Chiang Mai?
- you can check current Thailand Railway Map
B) Bus or Taxi from Surat Thani to Krabi
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- from Surat Thani to Krabi town you can travel by bus, minivan or taxi
- transfer by bus/minivan from Surat Thani to Krabi costs about $8-20/pp
- private car/taxi from Surat Thani to Krabi costs about $70-125/car
- travel by bus/minivan or taxi from Surat Thani to Krabi takes about 4 hours
- you can also book the whole minivan or private car for 9-12 pax.
- read this article: How to reach Krabi from Surat Thani?
C) Ferry or Speedboat from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi
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- from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi you have to travel by ferry or speedboat
- there are various modern speedboats or ferries
- transfer by ferry/boat to Phi Phi from Krabi costs about $13-33/pp
- travel by ferry/boat from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi takes about 1.5-3 hours
- ferry by Andaman Wave Master, Chaokoh Travel Center, Songserm, Chaokoh Travel Center…
- read this article: How to reach Koh Phi Phi from Krabi?
2. FLIGHT + BUS + FERRY from Chiang Mai to Phi Phi
👉 Flight + bus + ferry is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi.
- ✔️ Best for: travelers who want to save time and prefer fewer long transfers
- ✔️ Travel time: ~5–8 hours (including transfer via Krabi)
- ✔️ Cost: $50–130 per person (flight + transfer + ferry)
- ✔️ Comfort: high (short flight + easy ground and boat transfers)
- ✅ Best Option: Direct flight to Krabi + transfer to pier + ferry to Koh Phi Phi
- 💡 Tip: Book flights and ferry tickets online in advance for best schedules and prices.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Choose Ao Nang or Krabi Town transfers with good ferry connections to minimize waiting time.
A) Direct Flight from Chiang Mai to Krabi
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- from Chiang Mai to Krabi you can travel by plane – there are direct flights
- flight from Chiang Mai to Krabi takes about 2 hours
- airlines to Krabi Airport: Bangkok Air, Thai Air Asia, Nok Air…
- travel by plane from Chiang Mai to Krabi costs about $30-80/pp
- read this article: How to reach Krabi from Chiang Mai?
- there are also various flights with stopover in Bangkok
B) Bus or Taxi from the Krabi Airport to Krabi or Ao Nang
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- from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang or Krabi town you can travel by taxi or shuttle bus
- transfer from Krabi Airport to Krabi town or Ao Nang takes about 0.5-1 hour
- travel by bus or minivan from Krabi Airport to Krabi costs about $8-12/pp
- travel by private car from Krabi Airport to Krabi costs about $17-33/pp
- read this article: How to travel from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang?
C) Ferry/Speedboat to Koh Phi Phi from Krabi
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- Koh Phi Phi is accessible by boat or ferry from variosu piers in Krabi
- transport by ferry or boat to Koh Phi Phi from Krabi costs about $13-33/pp
- travel time by boat from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi is about 1.5-3 hours
- there are various private boat companies to Koh Phi Phi
- read this article: How to reach Koh Phi Phi from Krabi?
3. FLIGHT + FERRY to Koh Phi Phi (via Phuket)
👉 Flight + ferry via Phuket is a fast and scenic alternative to travel from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi.
- ✔️ Best for: travelers who want a smooth journey and prefer Phuket as a transit hub
- ✔️ Travel time: ~5–7 hours (including ferry from Phuket)
- ✔️ Cost: $70–140 per person (flight + ferry transfer)
- ✔️ Comfort: high (direct flight + comfortable ferry or speedboat)
- ✅ Best Option: Direct flight to Phuket + ferry or speedboat to Koh Phi Phi
- 💡 Tip: Book both flights and ferry tickets online in advance for better timing and prices.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Choose speedboat transfer if you want a faster connection from Phuket to Phi Phi.
A) Flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket
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- you can also travel by plane – direct flight to Phuket from Chiang Mai
- direct flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket takes about 2 hours
- airlines to Phuket: Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Air, Thai Smile, Nok Air…
- travel by plane from Chiang Mai to Phuket costs about $50-90/pp
B) Ferry or Speedboat from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi
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- from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi you can also travel by ferry or speedboat
- travel by boat to Phi Phi from Phuket costs about $18-50/pp
- travel by boat or ferry from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi takes about 1.5-3 hours
- ferries and boats by Andaman Wave Master, Phi Phi Cruiser, Chaokoh Travel Center, Phi Phi Cruiser…
- read this article: How to reach Koh Phi Phi from Phuket?
4. BUS + FERRY to Koh Phi Phi (via Krabi)
👉 Bus + ferry via Krabi is a cheaper but long overland option to travel from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi.
- ✔️ Best for: budget travelers who are okay with long bus journeys
- ✔️ Travel time: ~25–30 hours (including transfer in Bangkok and ferry)
- ✔️ Cost: $60–100 per person (bus + ferry transfer)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (long-distance buses + ferry ride)
- ✅ Best Option: Tourist bus to Krabi + ferry to Koh Phi Phi
- 💡 Tip: Book bus and ferry tickets online in advance to secure your schedule.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Choose reputable bus companies for better comfort on long overnight trips.
A) Tourist Bus from Chiang Mai to Krabi (via Bangkok)
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- from Chiang Mai to Krabi you can also travel by tourist bus via Bangkok
- travel by bus to Krabi from Chiang Mai takes about 23-26 hours with stopover in Bangkok
- various bus companies to Krabi: Jolly Travel, Songserm, Paradise Travel, Lignite, Transport Co…
- travel by bus from Chiang Mai to Krabi costs about $48-65/pp
- read this article: How to reach Krabi from Chiang Mai?
B) Travel by ferry or boat from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi
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- the only way how to reach Koh Phi Phi from Krabi is to travel by boat/ferry
- ferry or boat tickets to Koh Phi Phi from Krabi cost about $13-33/pp
- travel by boat or ferry from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi takes totally about 1.5-3 hours
- there are various private ferry and boat companies between Krabi – Phi Phi
- read this article: How do you get to Koh Phi Phi from Krabi?
❓ FAQ – Travel from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi:
How to book tickets or flights from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi?
Book flights, trains, buses and ferries on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜.
How long does it take to get from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi?
Flight + ferry takes about 6–9 hours, while train/bus + ferry takes around 27–40 hours.
What is the travel distance from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi?
The distance is about 1,520 km by land via Bangkok and southern Thailand.
How much does it cost to travel from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi?
Prices range from about $40–200, depending on whether you travel by train, bus or plane.
Is there a direct flight to Koh Phi Phi?
No. Fly to Krabi or Phuket first, then continue by ferry or speedboat to Koh Phi Phi.
What is the best way to get to Koh Phi Phi?
The fastest option is a direct flight to Krabi or Phuket, followed by a ferry to the island.
What is the cheapest way to travel?
The cheapest option is train or bus via Bangkok, followed by a ferry from Krabi.
Where can you travel from Koh Phi Phi?
Ferries operate to Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Yai, Phuket and Koh Lipe.
How can you travel around Thailand?
Thailand offers trains, buses, ferries, domestic flights and private transfers. Read more: Transportation in Thailand.
Which islands are worth visiting in Thailand?
Explore the country’s top islands in this guide: The Best Islands in Thailand.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi
Traveling from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi requires a flight or land transfer to Krabi or Phuket, followed by a ferry. Planning your connections in advance will make the journey much easier.
- Best Option: Fly to Krabi or Phuket, then continue by ferry to Koh Phi Phi.
- Book Early: Flights and ferries often sell out during the high season.
- Morning Flights: Early departures make it easier to catch a same-day ferry.
- Pack Light: A small backpack is more convenient when changing transport.
- Weather: Ferry schedules may be affected during the rainy season.
- No Airport: Koh Phi Phi is accessible only by ferry or speedboat.
Tip: Flight, bus and ferry tickets to Koh Phi Phi can be searched and booked online in advance.