Travel from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Tao: Island Adventure & Tips
- Crossing time 7h 45m
- Operators 1
- Departures a day 1
1,850+ THB
Schedules & prices
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From Koh Phi Phi to Koh Tao by Ferry & Bus
Koh Phi Phi to Koh Tao: Route Overview
There is no direct ferry between Koh Phi Phi and Tao Island, so the trip is made up of two or three linked legs: a boat off Koh Phi Phi, an overland transfer on the mainland, and a final sea crossing to Koh Tao. Most itineraries route through Krabi or Phuket first, then down to Surat Thani or Donsak on the Gulf coast, where boats to Koh Tao depart. The whole journey is bookable as a single combined ticket, so you only need to check in once even though you change vehicles along the way.
Transport Modes and Operators
The standard combination is ferry plus coach (or minivan), sometimes called a "boat and bus" or "joint" ticket. A morning ferry leaves Koh Phi Phi's Tonsai Pier for Krabi's Klong Jilad or Ao Nammao pier, or for Phuket, where a coach continues overland to Surat Thani's Tapee pier or the Donsak ferry terminal. From there, a several transport options operated by Lomprayah High Speed Ferries Co., Ltd. sails on to Koh Tao, calling at Koh Samui and Koh Phangan on the way. Onboard, expect onboard facilities to make the crossing more comfortable. Because the route mixes carriers, always confirm connection times when booking rather than assuming a fixed changeover window.
Departure and Arrival Points
Departure is from Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi. After the road transfer via Krabi or Phuket, the sea leg to Koh Tao boards at Donsak or the Surat Thani pier. The ferry docks at Mae Haad Pier, Koh Tao's main port on the island's west side, within walking distance of guesthouses, dive shops, and the village center — so no separate taxi is usually needed to reach your accommodation.
Duration, Frequency and Price
Total journey time for Koh Phi Phi to Tao Island is around the scheduled journey time, and fares start from ฿1,850 per person for the full combined ticket. There are 1 departures a day on this route, and the all year round generally bring the calmest seas for the Gulf crossing to Koh Tao. Because this is a multi-operator journey rather than a single ferry, exact prices and schedules vary by season and by which mainland connection you take — check the live times and fares shown above before booking, rather than assuming a fixed rate.
Planning Your Trip
Given the length of the journey, most travelers set off early and treat it as a full travel day rather than a half-day hop. Booking the ferry and bus as one ticket avoids the risk of missing a connection, and it's worth building in some buffer time at the Surat Thani or Donsak transfer point in case the first ferry runs late. Once you arrive, Koh Tao is best known for its dive schools and calm bays, so many visitors use the crossing as the start of a diving trip rather than a quick day visit.
Book Your Koh Phi Phi to Koh Tao Transfer
Use the search above to compare live departure times, operators, and fares for the Koh Phi Phi to Tao Island route and lock in your combined ferry and bus ticket. If you're planning the return leg, you can also book the ferry and bus from Koh Tao back to Koh Phi Phi for the same journey in reverse.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to print my ferry ticket or is mobile ok?
You don't need to print your ticket. Your boarding voucher is in your account: open Bookings, then View trip details, and click Download PDF. On the day of travel, show the QR code on it — on your phone is fine — to the ferry operator staff at the pier named on your ticket, and they will direct you to your boat.
If you'd prefer paper, print the PDF yourself.
What happens if my ferry is cancelled due to weather?
We are sorry when weather stops a sailing. Ferries usually run in rain; speedboats are more often stopped by rough seas.
If your trip is cancelled because of weather, your booking in Bookings shows a message once our team has confirmed the cancellation. You can then either move to the next available service with Change this booking, or cancel with Cancel & refund for a full refund.
If the sailing is running but you choose not to travel, the normal cancellation policy applies.
Why is my account locked?
We lock an account for a short time after several failed sign-in attempts in a row. It is an automatic safety measure: it stops someone else guessing your password, and it happens whether or not the person typing was you.
You do not need to contact us. The lock lifts on its own — see How long am I locked out for?
What is the difference between a locked and a blocked account?
Locked is automatic and temporary. It happens after repeated failed sign-in attempts and it lifts by itself — within a minute in most cases.
Blocked is a decision made by our team, and it does not lift on its own. If your account is blocked you will need to contact us; waiting will not change it, and neither will resetting your password.
If you are not sure which applies to you, get in touch and we will tell you.
How do I unlock my account now?
Wait, and try again. Every lock lifts on its own — a minute the first time, and never more than an hour however many attempts have failed. There is nothing to click and nobody to contact.
If you have forgotten your password, do not keep guessing: each wrong attempt makes the next wait longer. Use Forgot password instead. Resetting your password gets you straight back in.
My account locked but I never tried to sign in
Then someone else was trying to sign in as you, and the lock did its job — it stopped them.
Your account is safe: a lock means the attempts failed. Nobody got in. You do not have to do anything, and the lock will lift on its own.
We would still recommend two things:
- Change your password, especially if you use the same one on another website.
- Add an authenticator app in your account security settings, so a password alone is never enough to sign in as you.
If you get these repeatedly, contact us and we will look into it.
