Categories > Guides and Tips
Travel to Ko Phi Phi in Thailand: A Guide
- Time Zone
- Best Time to Go
- Things to Know
- What to Expect
- How to Get to Ko Phi Phi
- How To Get Around Phi Phi Islands
- Phi Phi Island Day Tour Packages
- What to Do on Phi Phi Island
- Where to Eat in Ko Phi Phi
- Where to Stay in Ko Phi Phi
- What to Expect from Ko Phi Phi Weather
- Apps to Download When Visiting Ko Phi Phi
Ko Phi Phi, also referred to as Phi Phi Island is one of the most popular tourist spots here in Thailand. And it’s no wonder why! It’s a tropical paradise that captures the heart, thanks to its beautiful beaches, turquoise lagoons, and limestone hills.
To help you know where to start your vacation and how to make the most of it, we crafted this guide where we’ll talk about our favourite things about Ko Phi Phi. Read on.
Time Zone
Indochina Time (UTC+7:00)
Best Time to Go
You’ll enjoy your stay on Ko Phi Phi if you visit during the months of November and April. During this period, the rains are less frequent and the weather is much more temperate, allowing you to move around the island comfortably.
During the off-peak season, you can expect some discounted rates on hotels but if you visit during the peak season (like New Year and Christmas), it’s best to book your hotel room in advance.
Things to Know
Currency: Baht (THB)
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Thai
Calling Code: +66
What to Expect
Ko Phi Phi is made up of two main islands, Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don. You can visit both but you can only really stay at Phi Phi Don since this is the island with the establishments such as hotels and restaurants.
If you visit Ko Phi Phi, you’ll be greeted by some of the most beautiful beaches here in Thailand. These include the crystal blue waters and fine white sands of Tonsai Beach, Long Beach, Maya Bay, Nui Beach, and Bamboo Island, among others.
A visit to the islands will also allow you (along with family and friends) to enjoy some amazing leisurely activities. These include hiking, diving, snorkelling, and visiting Phi Phi Island’s many restaurants and bars for some lively nightlife partying!
Bring cash: Not all establishments in Phi Phi Island accept credit cards. We recommend that you use your credit card for big-ticket purchases such as eating in restaurants and paying for your hotel room.
You can use cash when buying street food or when buying fresh produce.
High ATM fees: Phi Phi Don has a number of ATMs around the island. However, each ATM transaction you do will be charged an ATM fee of around 220.00 THB.
Cellular reception: Cell service is good when you’re in Phi Phi Don but cell signal may not be very good when you travel around Phi Phi Leh.
WiFi accessibility: WiFi here is okay. It’s not as good as that in Phuket but it’s more than enough if you plan on streaming, browsing, and sending emails.
Convenience stores: There are a lot of small stores or convenience stores in Phi Phi Don. However, don’t expect the items to be as varied as that in Phuket.
Learn some basic Thai phrases: Most locals don’t speak English but it’s easy to ask around if you will just be talking about tours, restaurants, and hotels.
How to Get to Ko Phi Phi
Ko Phi Phi is located in the southern part of Thailand as part of the Krabi province. You can reach the island either through Phuket or Krabi. Here are several ways to get to Ko Phi Phi:
Plane: Ko Phi Phi doesn’t have its own airport and the closest you can fly in is through either Krabi (KBV) or Phuket (HKT) airport. Both airports have available flights from Bangkok and they’re relatively cheap!
Ferry: The ferry going to Phi Phi Don from Phuket will take you two hours while the speedboat (fast ferry) will only take around an hour. On the other hand, if you’re coming from Krabi, both boat trips (regular and fast ferry) will be around 30 minutes shorter.
Day Tour: There’s also the option of booking a day tour with a tour company from Krabi or Phuket to bring you to Phi Phi Island via speedboat. You can go for a private or shared tour with both tours visiting most of the tourist sites around the island in one day.
This option is perfect for you if you want to skip the hassle of booking a trip to Phi Phi Island or if you’re on a tight schedule.
How To Get Around Phi Phi Islands
On Foot: Once on Phi Phi Islands, you won’t be able to hire any motorbikes or cars to get around the islands—and you won’t have to. On Phi Phi Don, you can walk around the entire area of the island with establishments since the site is not that large.
By Longtail Boat: From Phi Phi Don, you can also rent a longtail boat if you want to visit Bamboo Island and Phi Phi Leh. You can do this at the Tonsai Harbor once you get to Phi Phi Don or you can also go for the more convenient route and book online.
These longtail boats are smaller but they can accommodate up to eight (8) guests. To get the most value out of your money, you can share a boat with other travellers or just rent the boat with friends or family.
Phi Phi Island Day Tour Packages
Most of the day tour packages offered on Ko Phi Phi involve island hopping tours. We highly recommend these kinds of tours as they allow you to see different tourist sites and areas that are perfect for diving and snorkelling along with some excellent views!
We gathered and listed down some of the best island hopping day tours that we think are great value for money in terms of offering you the best experience possible. Most of them involve snorkelling, swimming, and sightseeing on a speedboat.
| Tour Type | Cost |
| Phi Phi Islands Sunrise or Day Tour | Around 3,600.00 THB |
| Racha Yai, Racha Noi, Coral, or Maiton Island Day Tour from Phuket by Speedboat or Catamaran | Price available upon request |
| 3 Khai or Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay Day Tour from Phuket | Around 700.00 THB |
| James Bond and Phang Nga Bay Tour from Phuket | Around 1,600.00 THB |
| Phi Phi, Maya Area, Khai & Bamboo Island Day Trip from Phuket | Around 1,500.00 THB |
The tours listed above will have you share the trip with other travellers. If on the other hand, you prefer a more private (but pricier) tour, then you can also try out these private boat tours we listed below:
| Tour Type | Cost |
| Phi Phi Island Private Tour from Krabi | Around 20,500.00 THB |
| Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour from Phuket | Around 3,600.00 THB |
What to Do on Phi Phi Island
Enjoy the stunning views from Ko Phi Phi Viewpoint
Address: หมู่ที่ 7 163 Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Contact details: +66 88 385 6628
Hours of operation: 5:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Sunday
To get the perfect aerial view of Ko Phi Phi Don, we recommend that you take in the Island’s stunning views from the Ko Phi Phi Viewpoint.
Depending on your fitness level, walking the stairs to the top of the viewpoint can take you around 20 to 40 minutes. Once you reach the viewpoint’s summit, you’ll get a stunning view of Tonsai Village, Loh Dalam, and Tonsai Bay!
Go on an adventure boat tour around Maya Bay and Koh Phi Phi Leh
Going on a boat tour around Koh Phi Phi is one of the top things you should do when you’re here and you can easily find tour companies, like V. Marine and One Asia, offering whole-day or half-day tours around the island.
Most of these tours will take you to the important tourist spots around Phi Phi Island including the spot where Leonardo Di Caprio shot his film, “The Beach”. In addition, these tours will also take you to the best cliff-jumping and snorkelling sites on the island.
Experience the nightlife of Koh Phi Phi
Address: PQQF+4FJ, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Contact details: +66 85 509 8938
Hours of operation: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Monday to Sunday
Experiencing what Ko Phi Phi’s nightlife has to offer is the way to go if you’re looking to do something light such as drinking, eating, or socialising.
You can watch a sports game while drinking a cold beer (or two) by visiting the Indie Sports Bar or Jordan’s Irish Pub. If you’re down for some dancing, you should drop by Stockholm Syndrome for a loud and vibrant clubbing scene.
Carlito’s Beach Bar is a beloved party stop you should definitely try out as well. And if live music is what you’re after, we suggest checking out Kong Siam Bar with its chill vibe and friendly atmosphere.
Buy some produce from the Tonsai Village Market
Address: Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi 81000, Thailand
Contact details: N/A
Hours of operation: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Monday to Sunday
Tonsai Village Market isn’t really a touristy spot – but if you’re staying in an AirBnb and you’re out for some ingredients like produce and seafood, this is the place to be!
Be sure to visit early in the day to score the freshest food items and produce! You can even grab some smoothies, skewers, and desserts while you’re there.
Where to Eat in Ko Phi Phi
Phi Phi Don might not be the largest island in the world but it certainly has some of the best restaurants in Thailand. Below are some of our recommendations:
ACQUA
Website: https://acquarestaurantphiphi.business.site/
Address: 125/18, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand
Contact details: +66 83 181 6915
Business Hours: 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM, Monday to Sunday
It’s a bit on the pricey side but Acqua is one of the best restaurants here in Ko Phi Phi. They have outdoor and indoor seating and they serve some European and local dishes for guests.
Mango Garden
Website: https://www.instagram.com/themangogarden/
Address: Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Contact details: +66 64 928 9465
Business Hours: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday to Sunday
If you’re craving anything mango, then the aptly named Mango Garden is a must-visit. While they have everything from Buddha Bowls and waffles to smoothies, its mango sticky rice creations are simply delightful – they have an entire portion dedicated to this Thai staple!
Jaja Cafe and Spice
Website: https://www.facebook.com/JaJaCafeandSpicePhiphiIsland/
Address: 125/48 Moo.7 Koh Phi Phi Don 7.73934,98.77265, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Contact details: +66 95 257 5452
Business Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Sunday
Looking to eat something healthy with your pancakes? Visit Jaja Cafe and Spice to get some of the best pancakes in Ko Phi Phi and down some healthy smoothie bowls made with acai fruit!
Where to Stay in Ko Phi Phi
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort
Website: https://www.saiiresorts.com/phiphiisland/village/
Address: 49 หมู่ 8, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Contact details: +66 75 628 900
Price: $$$
Koh Phi Phi has the Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort if you want to stay on the island in elegance and luxury. It offers superb amenities such as a spa (offering massages), a restaurant, a fitness centre, an infinity pool, and excellent rooms.
It’s located in the centre of the island but it’s never too noisy or crowded, giving you and other guests a certain level of privacy and calm.
P.P. Erawan Palms Resort
Website: https://www.pperawanpalms.com/
Address: 45/9 Moo 8 Laem Tong Beach, Phi Phi Island, Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Contact details: +66 82 645 8549
Price: $$
If you want something classy without breaking the bank, check out P.P. Erawan Palms Resort. It’s only 40 metres from Laem Tong Beach and it offers some excellent rooms with a classy and modern feel.
You can also enjoy this resort’s amenities during your stay here. These include a pool, spa, and a restaurant.
Voyager’s Hotel
Website: N/A
Address: 102/6moo7 aonang muang krabi Ao Nang, Muang Krabi 81000, Thailand
Contact details: +66 81 797 7177
Price: $
If you’re interested in budget-friendly accommodations, we recommend that you look at Voyager’s Hotel. It is an affordable but fun hotel to stay in thanks to the amenities it can provide its guests.
Rooms have air-conditioning, safety boxes for valuables, free wifi, and accommodating hotel staff. Plus, we liked that the hotel is just 10 minutes away from the pier!
What to Expect from Ko Phi Phi Weather
Rainy Season: Ko Phi Phi’s rainy season starts around the month of May and ends around October. During these months, you should expect intense and frequent rains which may make travelling to and around the island challenging.
September is the rainiest month for Ko Phi Phi so a trip to the islands during this month can literally dampen your experience.
Dry Season: From December to March, Ko Phi Phi transitions to its dry season. During this period, instances of rain are reduced drastically and as such, is typically the best time to travel to and around the island.
The driest months on Ko Phi Phi are January and February so we recommend visiting during these months to get the most out of your trip.
Apps to Download When Visiting Ko Phi Phi
Grab: Ride-hailing, food, grocery, and delivery services
Line: Call and messaging, file sharing
Klook: Book tours, attractions, tickets, restaurants, hotels, and other activities
Agoda: Book hotels, flights, and other activities
