Ferry / speedboat
Direct fastest option taking 1.5–3 hours no transfers
Private car + boat
Door-to-door transfer via Ao Nang with flexible timing
Van / bus + boat
Cheap option via Krabi with transfer, longer travel time
Train
No railway access, requires transfers and detours
Quick answer: Travelling from Phuket to Railay Beach offers solid options including direct ferry/speedboat, bus/van + boat, or private car/taxi + boat. The ferry is the fastest; the bus/van + boat is budget‑friendly; private car gives door‑to‑door flexibility. You can book tickets from Phuket to Railay Beach easily online in advance.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. 75 km by sea | ~175 km by van + boat.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Ferry/Speedboat ~1.5–3 hours | Bus/Van + Boat ~5–6 hours | Taxi/Car + Boat ~3.5–4.5 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Ferry/Speedboat US$ 20–49 pp | Bus/Van + Boat US$ 10–15 pp | Taxi/Car + Boat US$ 70–250.
- 🚢 Ferry / Speedboat: Direct from Phuket (e.g., Rassada Pier, Bang Rong Pier) arriving at Railay East.
- 🚍 Bus/Van + Boat: Minivan or bus from Phuket to Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao, then long‑tail boat to Railay.
Last updated in April 2026
From Phuket to Railay Beach you can travel by ferry, van + boat or private taxi.
Travel distance from Phuket to Railay Beach is about 75 km by ferry or around 175 km via Ao Nang. The best option is a direct speedboat or ferry from Bang Rong Pier or Rassada Pier to Railay East. You can also travel via Ao Nang by van and continue by longtail boat. Another option is to travel to Khao Sok National Park.
Van + longtail boat takes about 5-6 hours and is the cheapest option. A private taxi + longtail boat is faster, taking about 3.5-4.5 hours.
There are no direct flights to Railay Beach. From Ao Nang you can continue to Koh Phi Phi, or from Krabi travel to Koh Yao Yai.
| Transfer Mode – Phuket to Railay: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry / Speed Boat | 1.5–3 hours | $20–49 per person |
| Bus/Van + Boat | 5–6 hours | $10–15 per person |
| Taxi/Car + Boat | 3.5–4.5 hours | $70–250 per car |
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Krabi ➜
How do I get from Phuket to Railay Beach?
1. FERRY / BOAT from Phuket to Railay Beach
👉 Ferry or speedboat is the fastest and most popular way to travel from Phuket to Railay Beach.
- ✔️ Best for: direct and scenic travel
- ✔️ Travel time: about 1.5-3 hours
- ✔️ Cost: about $20-49 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: modern ferries and speedboats
- ✅ Best Option: Direct speedboat to Railay
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Some tickets include hotel transfer to the pier.
Traveling by ferry or speedboat is the fastest way to reach Railay Beach from Phuket. Operators include Koh Yao Sun Smile, Green Planet, Ao Nang Travel and Tour, Seatran Phuket, Phi Phi Cruiser and Supaporn Speedboat.
Boats usually depart from Rassada Pier, Laem Hin Pier or Bang Rong Pier and arrive at Floating Pier East Railay.
Boat transfers take about 1.5-3 hours and cost around $20-49 per person. Some tickets also include a transfer from your hotel in Phuket to the departure pier.
| Ferry Company | Departs in Phuket | Arrival in Ao Nang | Ferry Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seatran Phuket | 08:30 | 10:30 | From $21.00 |
| Seatran Phuket | 13:30 | 14:45 | From $26.00 |
| Bundhaya | 09:00 | 10:30 | From $26.00 |
| Bundhaya | 13:30 | 15:00 | From $26.00 |
| Green Planet | 13:00 | 14:50 | From $31.00 |
| Green Planet | 15:00 | 16:35 | From $33.00 |
| Koh Yao Sun Smile | 09:30 | 12:00 | From $31.00 |
| Koh Yao Sun Smile | 11:00 | 14:00 | From $31.00 |
| Supaporn | 11:00 | 12:30 | From $31.00 |
| Ao Nang Travel and Tour | 08:30 | 11:45 | From $26.00 |
| Ao Nang Travel and Tour | 13:30 | 16:45 | From $26.00 |
👉 Van + longtail boat is the cheapest way to travel from Phuket to Railay Beach. A budget-friendly way to reach Railay Beach is by minivan or bus to Ao Nang, followed by a longtail boat. The total journey takes about 5-6 hours, depending on connections. Minivan services are operated by companies such as 438 Phuket Krabi Transport, Call Me Taxi, Minibus 1996, Good Luck Lanta Tour and Van Shuttle. Travel to Ao Nang takes about 3.5-5 hours. From Ao Nang Beach or Ao Nam Mao, longtail boats reach Railay Beach in about 15-30 minutes. This is a good low-cost option if you plan to visit Ao Nang first. 👉 Private taxi + longtail boat is the most comfortable way to travel from Phuket to Railay Beach. Private taxi + boat is the most comfortable transfer from Phuket to Railay Beach. A private car takes you to Ao Nang, where you continue by longtail boat to Railay, as the beach is accessible only by boat. You can start from Phuket Airport, Patong, Kata, Karon, or your hotel. Private cars to Ao Nang from Phuket are operated by Bangkok Taxi 24, Ramon Transport, Andaman Taxis, Call Me Taxi, KrabiShuttle and other companies. The journey takes about 3.5-4.5 hours and costs around $70-250 per car, depending on the vehicle. SUVs and minivans are available for families and groups. Book your private transfer online in advance, then purchase a separate ticket for the Ao Nang to Railay boat. Travel takes about 1.5-3 hours by ferry, 5-6 hours by van + boat, or 3.5-4.5 hours by private taxi + boat. The distance is about 75 km by boat or around 175 km via Ao Nang. Expect to pay about $20-49 by ferry, $10-15 by van + boat, or $70-250 per private car. No. Railay has no airport or railway. The nearest airport is Krabi Airport, with flights from Bangkok to Krabi. Yes, but only to Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao. The final trip to Railay is by boat. The cheapest option is a shared van to Ao Nang followed by a longtail boat. A direct speedboat or ferry is the fastest and most convenient option. Travel by boat to Koh Phi Phi or by van, taxi or ferry to Koh Lanta. Travel to Koh Yao Yai, to Khao Lak, or take a flight to Bangkok.
2. BUS / VAN + BOAT from Phuket to Railay
Bus Service
Departs in Phuket
Arrives in Ao Nang
Good Luck Lanta Tour
11:00
14:40
468 Phuket Krabi
06:40
10:10
468 Phuket Krabi
08:40
12:10
468 Phuket Krabi
10:00
13:30
468 Phuket Krabi
10:40
14:10
468 Phuket Krabi
12:00
15:30
468 Phuket Krabi
13:20
16:50
468 Phuket Krabi
14:00
17:30
468 Phuket Krabi
15:20
18:50
468 Phuket Krabi
16:00
19:30
468 Phuket Krabi
17:20
20:50
Call Me Taxi
06:30
12:00
Call Me Taxi
08:00
12:30
Call Me Taxi
13:30
19:00
Andaman Shuttle
15:00
18:30
3. TAXI + BOAT from Phuket to Railay Beach
Taxi Service
Travel Time
Price (Car)
King Travel
03:00
From $55.00
Phuket Transfer
03:00
From $70.00
Bangkok Taxi24
02:30
From $60.00
Krabi Shuttle
02:00
From $60.00
Andaman Taxis
03:00
From $80.00
Paradies Sea
03:50
From $80.00
Happy EV Taxi
02:00
From $55.00
Call Me Taxi
03:00
From $80.00
Krabi Limousine
03:15
From $90.00
Kanokwan Travel
02:30
From $85.00
Thailand Travel Taxi
02:50
From $65.00
AEC 168 Transport
03:00
From $75.00
Gosafe Transport
03:00
From $120.00
❓ FAQ – Travel from Phuket to Railay Beach
How to book tickets or a private taxi from Phuket to Railay Beach?
How long does it take to travel from Phuket to Railay Beach?
What is the distance from Phuket to Railay Beach?
How much does transport from Phuket to Railay Beach cost?
Can you travel by train or plane from Phuket to Railay Beach?
Is there a private taxi from Phuket to Railay Beach?
What is the cheapest way to travel from Phuket to Railay Beach?
What is the best way to get from Phuket to Railay Beach?
Where can you travel from Krabi?
Where else can you travel from Phuket?
🧭 Popular travel routes from Phuket:
If you’re planning your next trip from Phuket, here are other popular routes you can take by bus, ferry, taxi or flight:
These are the most popular travel routes from Phuket for visitors exploring Southern or Northern Thailand.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Phuket to Railay Beach
Traveling from Phuket to Railay Beach is easy by ferry, speedboat, or via Ao Nang by minivan and longtail boat. Direct boats are the fastest option.
- Fastest Option: Take a direct ferry or speedboat from Phuket to Railay Beach.
- Budget Travel: Travel by minivan to Ao Nang and continue by longtail boat.
- Boat Schedule: Boats operate mainly during the daytime and may be affected by weather.
- What to Bring: Pack sunscreen, water and a waterproof bag for the boat trip.
- Book Early: Ferry tickets often sell out during the high season.
- Extra Stop: If you have time, explore Ao Nang before taking the boat to Railay.
Tip: Ferry, speedboat and combined transfer tickets from Phuket to Railay Beach can be searched and booked online in advance.