Phi Phi Island is probably one of the busiest and most touristy islands in Thailand, and for good reason! From the clear blue waters of Maya Bay to the cute foot traffic-only vibes of the island to the crazy beach parties- Phi Phi Island is super fun for those backpacking. It honestly has a little bit of everything. It’s also just a really nice place to chill out if you’ve been travelling at a fast pace.
How many days to spend on Phi Phi Island
So technically, you can do Phi Phi Island as a day trip or on a tour from Phuket or Krabi. However, this is probably the worst way to experience the island. If you are not much of a partyer or drinker, you could manage two full days on Phi Phi Island and have ticked everything off the backpacking bucket list. If you want to chill, experience the nightlife or scuba dive, make sure you allow 3-4 days (or even more). I met many people who spent a week on Phi Phi because they enjoyed the vibes and just wanted to slow down and enjoy the island.
How to get to Phi Phi Island
Phi Phi Island is a very small series of islands, just off the coast, nestled between Krabi and Phuket. Regardless of where you are coming from, you will need to get a ferry to get there. Ferries can be booked through hostels or online through 12GOAsia.
How to get to Phi Phi Island from Phuket
One of the most popular backpacking routes to Phi Phi Island is via Phuket, either via ferry or speedboat. All boats depart from Rassada Pier, which is in Phuket Old Town, so make sure you allow time to get here. Most boats will arrive at Ton Sai Pier, which is the main pier on Phi Phi Island and within walking distance of most accommodations. A few arrive at Laem Tong Beach, which is the northern tip of the island, where a few high-end resorts are. Ferries depart daily at 8:30 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm and 3 pm. The ferry is a large boat and takes around 2-3 hours. Expect to pay around 300-475 THB Thai Baht ($8.50-$13 USD).
Speedboats depart daily at 8:30 am, 9 am, 10 am, 10:30 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 12:30 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm. The journey takes between 1-2 hours, and you can expect to pay about 405-570 THB Thai Baht ($12-$16.50 USD).
Whether you go with a speedboat or a ferry will depend on availability, your budget and how short of time you are. One important factor that may sway your decision between a ferry and a speedboat is whether you suffer from seasickness. Speedboats get there faster, but you feel a lot more of the bumps and waves. This may be worse for you if you suffer from seasickness. While you may still get sick on the ferry, as it is a bigger vessel and moving slower, you will not feel the movement as much.
How to get to Phi Phi Island from Krabi, Ao Nang and Railay Beach
There are direct boat transfers from Krabi, Ao Nang and Railay Beach to Phi Phi Island, either via speedboat or a larger ferry. The majority of boats arrive at the main pier on Phi Phi Island (Ton Sai Pier), which is within walking distance of 99% of accommodations. The other 1% will have to get a boat to Laem Tong Beach to get to their resort. Ferries depart daily at 9 am, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3 pm. The pickup locations for the ferry are Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi and Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang, as the ferry cannot pull into smaller piers like Railay Beach. The ferry takes between 2-3 hours, and you can expect to pay between 300-476 THB Thai Baht ($8.50-$14 USD).
With the speedboat, the boats depart from Krabi and pick up at Ao Nang and Railay Beach. The pickup locations for the speedboat are Ao Nam Mao Pier in Krabi, Krabi River Marina in Krabi Town, and the Floating Pier in Railay Beach. Make sure you select the option closest to wherever you are staying. The speedboats take 30-60 minutes and cost 620 THB Thai Baht ($17 USD). Speedboats depart Krabi daily at 9:15 am, 10 am, 10:30 am, 12 pm and 3 pm (times are a little later for Ao Nang and Railay Beach). For Railay Beach, a smaller longtail boat will take you out from the pier to the speedboat if the tide is too low for the speedboat to enter the bay.
How to get to Phi Phi Island from Bangkok
The majority of travellers backpacking going to Bangkok will fly or take a bus into Krabi or Phuket, stay at least one night and then get on a boat the next day bound for Phi Phi Island. There is no more direct way to get to Phi Phi Island. Buses from Bangkok to Krabi and Phuket cost around 520-1050 THB Thai Baht ($15-$30 USD), depending on whether you use a VIP bus or a standard bus. The journey takes about 15 hours on the bus. Alternatively, you can get direct flights with Air Asia from Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi for only 150 THB Thai Baht ($13 USD). The flight time is only around 90 minutes.
How to get to Phi Phi Island from Koh Samui, Koh Tao or Koh Phangan
The majority of travellers backpacking coming from the islands to the east (Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan) will stop at either Krabi or Phuket before jumping on a ferry to Phi Phi Island. However, it is possible to get from these islands to Phi Phi Island all in one day, but it is a very long travel day. You can book a combined ticket on 12GOAsia involving a ferry, a bus/van transfer, and another ferry. The first ferry departs at around 5-8 am in the morning, and you will arrive at Phi Phi Island 9 hours later at around 5 pm. Expect to pay around 1050-1572 THB Thai Baht ($30-$45 USD) for all connections.
There is also a night ferry option from Koh Tao if you don’t want to lose a whole travel day. But be warned, the night ferry is extremely basic, so it will not be a good night’s sleep for you. The ferry does not have aircon and is thin mattresses on the floor so close together that you’re basically sharing a bed with your neighbour. It is certainly an experience! The ferry departs Koh Tao at 9 pm and arrives at Phi Phi Island at around midday the next day. It involves an overnight slow ferry, a van/bus transfer and then another ferry to Phi Phi Island, taking around 15 hours total. Expect to pay around 1120 THB Thai Baht ($32 USD) for all connections when booked on 12GOAsia.
How to get around Phi Phi Island
One of the best parts of Phi Phi Island is there are no cars and very few scooters! You can easily walk around the whole island (barefoot if you like!). Walking around the island by yourself is extremely safe, even as a solo female, at night. There are some stray cats and dogs around, but they are super used to tourists, given how popular the island is, so dog attacks are fairly uncommon.
Where to stay on Phi Phi Island
Even though Phi Phi Island is tiny, there are a bunch of quality hostels for those backpacking. In terms of location, in my opinion, it makes no difference where you stay on the island. I’ve stayed both on the beach at hostels like Blancos and inland at hostels like Dormsin. Regardless of whether you stay on the beach or inland on the island, you’re still no more than a 4-minute walk from the main spots. You can book all accommodation online here.
Dormsin– best social hostel
This is one of my favourite hostels in South East Asia, and it is perfect for solo travellers! Dormsin is a small and innocuous hostel with a lot of personality. Its location is down a random street (not on the beach), but still walking distance to everything. The beds are super comfy as they are pod-style with curtains. When I stayed there, there was only one big dorm room, but they were in the process of expanding and adding a separate dorm. Everyone that stayed there became like one big family going to family dinners every night, doing hikes together and partying every night. The owner Jason and the volunteers help introduce solo travellers to everyone and ensure everyone is included in family activities!
Blancos– best party hostel
Ahh Blancos, this is a must-stay hostel if you’re partying your way through South East Asia. They’re famous for their loud late-night beach parties and their boat parties. They have a prime location right on the main beach where they are parties every single night. The dorms are basic and pretty sandy (it would be impossible for them not to be given their location). Pre-warning, only stay here if you are prepared to party day and night and don’t care about missing out on sleep. It’s a really fun place to stay, particularly on their boat party days, but it is not possible to sleep before 3-4 am.
Rehab hostel– best budget hostel
Rehab Hostel is a great hostel if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to stay but are also budget conscious. The dorms and bathroom facilities are basic but clean. They have a cute little patio area which is nice to chill out or meet people. They are located inland but close enough to the party beach where Blancos is that you can easily walk there if you want to party.
What to do on Phi Phi Island
Given how small the island is, there is not a whole lot to do in terms of activities on the island. It is just a really nice place to chill out or to party for a few days. It’s also popular with divers, so if you’re into diving, you may spend a few extra days on dives here. Whether you are a diver or a partier or neither, there are still things to do to fill a few days!
Boat trip
You cannot come to Phi Phi Island without going on a boat trip to some of the beautiful spots surrounding the island! Pretty much every boat trip will cover the major sights such as Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, snorkelling at Phi Leh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, Maya Bay and catching the sunset at Sunset Point. You can jump on a boat trip run by one of the hostels, book with a tour agency or even barter with one of the locals at the pier to run a private tour for you and your friends.
Expect to pay around 470 THB Thai Baht per person ($13 USD) for the boat rental for the day and the use of snorkels (not including food and drinks). You will also have to pay the National Park Fee for Maya Bay, which is 190 THB Thai Baht per person ($5.30 USD). You can bring your own food and alcoholic drinks onto the boat if you want to emulate the Blanco Boat Party but for a cheaper price!
Hike to Phi Phi Viewpoint
A must-do when backpacking Phi Phi Island! There are actually three viewpoints on the Island, but they are all within walking distance of each other. Be warned, it is an uphill hike, and it can be extremely sweaty, given the tropical climate of the area. Make sure you have plenty of water, sun protection and that you start as early in the day as possible! It is a 30 THB Thai Baht entry to all three viewpoints (85 cents USD). It is definitely worth going to all three viewpoints as well.
There are two ways you can get to the viewpoints. The first and the most popular is by climbing the steep stairway all the way up from the middle of Phi Phi Town. There is a location on Google Maps called “stairway to the viewpoint”, which is where you commence the climb. It’s about a 10-minute walk up to the first viewpoint, using stairs the whole way. After you’ve explored the first viewpoint, it’s another 5-10 minutes up to viewpoints 2 and 3. These are definitely worth seeing! There’s even a small cafe up there where you can get a cold or hot drink and relax after the hike.
The second way to get to the viewpoints (which is far less known) but worth it, in my opinion, involves trekking through the jungle. From Phi Phi Town, you will head to Long Beach first (along the pathway). From there, you will head inland along the trail towards “PP Mountain Beach Resort”. You’ll pass the abandoned resort and waterpark (which is a little creepy but interesting).
Next, you will head to a small shop and eatery run by a local woman called “สายฝน” on Google Maps. From here, the local woman will point in the right direction on the jungle path. It’s hard to get lost from here as you are heading along a well-trodden trail straight up. It is more of a gradual hike than the staircase that most people take, but it does take longer. You’ll arrive at Viewpoint 3 first before making your way down to Viewpoint 2 and then Viewpoint 1. Afterwards, you can head down the stairs that most people climb up to get back to the town. It takes around 1.5-2 hours if you are taking this scenic route!
Blanco Boat Party
If you want to do a boat trip to Maya Bay but also want to party, the Blancos Boat Party may be a good choice for you! They run it every day from 1:30-7 pm. You can book directly with Blancos Hostel, online or through any travel agency on the island. It covers all the major sights such as Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, snorkelling at Phi Leh Lagoon, Loh Samah Bay, may bay and catching the sunset at Sunset Point.
The boat is pretty sick! It’s a double-decker boat with a DJ and bar on board, and they play many drinking games. They include the national parks fee and snorkels and do have a jumping platform off the boat. They also include lunch and snacks on board. But you need to purchase all of your own drinks from the bar on board at your own expense. The price is 1300 THB Thai Baht per person ($37 USD). The boat departs and returns to Blancos Hostel.
Sunset Kayak at Loh Dalum Beach
On Loh Dalum Beach, there are a couple of local guys renting out kayaks to tourists during the day. If you head there around 30 minutes before sunset, you can pay only a few dollars to rent a kayak and head out. If you kayak towards the left of the bay, this is the best place to watch the sunset and the least rough sea conditions. You can bring a couple of beers or snacks with you if you fancy. You may also want to bring your phone in a waterproof case or a small speaker.
Make sure you check the weather conditions in advance. Don’t kayak out if there’s a storm or rough seas predicted. Also, make sure you kayak all the way back in and don’t try and get out and walk the kayak back. There are sea urchins and sharp rocks and coral in Loh Dalum Beach.
Where to eat on Phi Phi Island
Phi Phi is pretty small, but given how touristic it is, there are plenty of good places to eat. Many bars and hostels have kitchens and provide food for convenience. However, the below list are some of the best places to eat on Phi Phi Island for a backpacking budget.
Padthai PhiPhi
The best Pad Thai on Phi Phi island! They are a very small and innocuous local restaurant, tucked away down one of the inland streets and easily missed. They specialise in Pad Thai but also make other delicious Thai foods at really reasonable prices.
Papaya restaurant
This is some of the best Indian food you will eat outside of India! Papaya Restaurant has a large menu of Northern and Southern Indian dishes, as well as some Thai dishes. Everything I’ve tried there was delicious (I ate here about three times). It’s a great place to eat with a group from the hostel and share a few dishes. The serving sizes are massive, so be prepared!
Patcharee Bakery
Arguably the busiest and most popular brunch spot on the island! Patcharee Bakery has heaps of city, although sometimes you may still have to wait for a seat, it’s that popular. They do full English breakfast, pancakes, avocado on toast, acai bowls in coconut shells and pretty much any other breakfast food you can think of.
Dow
Dow restaurant is tucked away down one of the small streets in the centre of the island. They do an interesting mix of foods, from Thai foods to European options to Israeli foods. Everything is really good, but the servings are massive, so be prepared to either share or not finish your dish. They also have heaps of vegan and vegetarian options.
Tom Yam
Tom Yam’s is a great local restaurant specialising in both Thai and Western cuisines. They have a vast range of dishes and have really affordable prices.
Nightlife on Phi Phi Island
If there’s one thing Phi Phi Island does extremely well, it is nightlife. There are so many places to party, and it’s a really fun, casual beach party kinda vibe. Most of the bars are next to each other on the main beach, but some are in the centre of the town. Either way, the bars are no more than an 8-minute walk from each other, and shoes and clothing are optional.
Paddys Shack
The best place is the island for a pre-drink (maybe even the best place in the whole of Thailand!). Paddy’s Shack is a little Shack just near Reggae Bar, selling the best buckets. Paddy makes her buckets with real fruits and will make them as strong as you want them for a reasonable price. On top of that, she is just a lovely human being! You can take the bucket with you into most of the beach bars and clubs afterwards, so you don’t have to stand around and drink your bucket on the side of the road.
Cottage Bar
A fun little beach bar with beer pong and other games! This is a great place to go after you’ve gotten your pre-drink from Paddy’s if you’re not ready for a heavy party scene. They have music, but it’s not super loud, and it’s generally not overly crowded.
Reggae Bar
Reggae Bar is known for its amateur Muay Thai fights, where the winner gets a free bucket and medal! If you’re game, you let the staff know, and they’ll gear you up and get you in the ring. They will then call for volunteers to square up against you in a friendly fight. The bar is generally full of backpackers supporting their friends in the ring or just enjoying the spectacle.
Slinkys
An absolute institution for those backpacking on Phi Phi Island! They have nightly fire shows, jump rope (but the rope is on fire) and neon paint parties. What they are probably most known for is their naked bull rides. In the middle of Slinky’s, they have a bull machine you can ride. If you’re a female and you ride it topless, you get a free bucket. If you’re a male and your ride it butt-naked, you also get a free bucket. Slinkys is the place to be every night!
Blancos
Just down the beach from Slinkys is Blancos. They also have neon paint parties, dancing, drinking games and fire shows. You can easily walk between Blancos and Slinkys, depending on which party is kicking off more that night.
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