Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang by Ao Nang Princess Ferry

The best part of this Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang ferry is the journey itself. Instead of squeezing into a speedboat, you get a slower, steadier ride past the Andaman Sea’s limestone cliffs, with a short stop at Railay Beach before reaching the mainland. The trip takes about two hours in real-world conditions, including the hotel transfer at the end.

I like the air-conditioned seating, especially if you have luggage or want a nap, and I like having hotel drop-off included after arriving at Nopparat Thara Pier. The top deck also gives you fine views near Railay and the Phi Phi coastline. The main catch is timing: a trip advertised as roughly 3 to 5 may reach your hotel closer to 6, and the boat’s older seats and occasional transfer confusion can test your patience.

Key points to know before you book

• Ton Sai Pier departure: Arrive at least 30 minutes early for the paper ticket and boarding process.
• About 1.5 hours on the water: The full journey is closer to two hours once the Railay stop and hotel transfer are included.
• Railay Beach stop: The ferry pauses to pick up or drop off passengers, giving you a fine view of the cliffs from the boat.
• Air conditioning and water: Covered lower decks offer protection from sun and weather, with water provided onboard.
• Hotel drop-off included: Transfers continue from Nopparat Thara Pier to hotels in several Ao Nang and Krabi areas.
• Daily service: High season, from November to May, offers two departure times. Low season has one afternoon sailing.

Why this ferry makes sense after Koh Phi Phi

Leaving Koh Phi Phi is not just a matter of stepping onto a boat and arriving at a mainland pier. You still need to deal with luggage, sea conditions, and transport from the pier to your hotel. This service packages the main pieces together: ferry passage, basic travel insurance, and a hotel drop-off in the Ao Nang and Krabi area.

At $22.59 per person, the price is attractive for a one-way island transfer. It is far cheaper than flying, though flying is not a direct comparison here since the ferry also gives you views and carries you straight across the water. If you are trying to keep your Thailand trip affordable, this is a sensible use of a travel day.

The service is also useful if you do not want to negotiate for a taxi after reaching Ao Nang. A driver waits at Nopparat Thara Pier and takes you to your stated hotel. That last leg matters more than it may sound, since arriving with bags at a busy pier is not the moment when you want to compare fares or figure out where your hotel sits.

Still, you should book this as a ferry transfer, not as a fast point-to-point boat ride. The boat is described as high speed, but the full process includes boarding, the Railay stop, arrival procedures, and a vehicle transfer. If getting to Ao Nang as quickly as possible is your priority, a speedboat may suit you better.

Reaching Ton Sai Pier on Koh Phi Phi Don

The departure point is Ao Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don, at Moo 7. You need to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. That early arrival is important because you receive a paper ticket and must be ready for the boarding process at the pier.

Give yourself time to reach the pier with your luggage. The information provided does not include hotel pickup on Phi Phi, so you are responsible for getting to Ton Sai Pier. That is the one major gap in the door-to-door promise: the mainland end is covered, but the island starting point is not.

Once you arrive, keep your ticket handy and confirm that you are in the right boarding area. The ferry operates daily throughout the year, but the schedule changes by season. From November through May, high season brings two departure times. During the low season, there is one afternoon departure.

That difference can shape your whole day. In high season, you have more choice if you want to leave early or keep a final morning on Phi Phi. In low season, the afternoon sailing may leave less room for plans after arrival in Ao Nang. Check the exact departure time when you book, rather than relying on a general schedule.

Inside the Ao Nang Princess ferry

The Ao Nang Princess is a sizable passenger ferry with covered lower decks and an open top deck. The indoor seating is air-conditioned, and water is provided for everyone. Those simple features make a big difference on a warm Thai afternoon.

The seating has received mixed impressions. You might find it comfortable enough to nap, and some seats resemble old airplane seats with decent padding. You might also notice stains, rips, or a generally worn appearance. In other words, this is practical transport rather than a polished luxury cruise.

I would head inside first if the sun is strong or the sea is rough. The air conditioning gives you a cool place to settle with your luggage. If the ride is smooth and the weather is good, make your way upstairs for part of the crossing.

The top deck is the best place for scenery. You can look back toward Phi Phi, watch the rock formations slip past, and get an especially good view while leaving Railay. One particularly useful tip is to go upstairs when the ferry passes the limestone cliffs near Railay, since the open view is much less blocked than from the lower cabin.

The top deck may also suit you if you want fresh air. Smoking is allowed outside, according to the supplied information, so smokers do not need to remain in the enclosed cabin. Keep in mind that open-air seating offers less protection from sun, wind, and rain.

The cruise from Phi Phi toward Railay

The water portion of the trip takes around 1.5 hours, though the full transfer is listed at about two hours. The route gives you a different view of the Andaman Sea than a speedboat does. A ferry sits higher and moves at a steadier pace, so you have more time to watch the coastline and the offshore rock formations.

That slower pace is useful for several kinds of passengers. You can rest, look out from the upper deck, or simply let the island part of your trip wind down. The boat has enough covered seating for a large number of people, with a listed maximum of 400 passengers, so you should not expect a small, quiet vessel.

The tradeoff is that a large ferry can feel less personal and less nimble than a speedboat. It does not dart directly to Ao Nang. The route includes a short stop at Railay Beach, where passengers are picked up or dropped off. You stay with the ferry during this stop, but it breaks up the crossing and adds to the total time.

Railay is one of the most recognizable coastal areas near Ao Nang, with tall limestone cliffs rising around the water. You do not get a land visit here on this transfer. The appeal is the view from the boat and the chance to watch the ferry’s short operating stop against that dramatic setting.

If your sailing runs late in the day, the Railay section can be especially pleasant. One passenger described sitting on the top deck while watching the sunset over Railay. That is not guaranteed, since it depends on your departure time, weather, and delays, but an afternoon sailing can offer a lovely end to the crossing.

Arriving at Nopparat Thara Pier

The ferry arrives at Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang. This is not necessarily the same place as your hotel, so the next step is a vehicle transfer. A driver waits at the pier and takes you onward.

Hotel drop-off is included for properties in:

• Ao Nang
• Krabi Town
• Ao Nam Mao
• Klong Muang
• Tubkaek Beach

You need to provide your hotel name when booking. This is more than a formality, since the drop-off area determines the vehicle arrangements after the ferry arrives. If your hotel is outside the listed areas, do not assume the included transfer will cover it.

The arrival process deserves realistic expectations. The ferry may reach Ao Nang around 5:30 or 5:45 on a sailing advertised as 3 to 5, then you still need to transfer to your hotel. The final arrival time can therefore approach 6 or later, depending on the route and traffic.

There has also been at least one difficult transfer situation involving a change to long-tail boats, not enough boats at first, and passengers waiting as daylight faded. That does not describe every departure, but it is a useful warning: pier transfers can be less orderly than the ferry portion. Keep your bags close, listen for instructions, and allow extra time if you have an evening booking or onward connection.

The hotel transfer is still a real benefit. Without it, you would need to arrange your own transport from Nopparat Thara Pier. For many people, especially those carrying suitcases or arriving after a long island stay, that convenience is worth part of the fare.

Comfort, service, and the small details

The strongest practical feature here is the combination of air conditioning and comfortable enough seating. You can rest during the crossing, and the ride is generally described as smooth. The ferry also operates with indoor and outdoor seating, so you can choose between comfort and views.

The boat’s condition may not impress you. Some seats are old, stained, or torn, and one account described the ferry as quite dirty despite having air conditioning and water. If you expect spotless upholstery, this service may disappoint. If you see the boat as an affordable island bus on water, the condition is easier to accept.

Staff service can vary. Some departures have friendly, helpful staff, while another experience described the crew as less warm. That means I would treat this as a functional transport service rather than a hosted sightseeing cruise. You are paying to get across the water safely and conveniently, not for a personal guide or a narrated tour.

The basic travel insurance included is a modest extra, though the details of its coverage are not provided. Do not treat it as a substitute for your own full travel insurance. The experience is suitable for most people, but the information does not give specific accessibility details, so ask the provider if you need assistance with boarding, stairs, or luggage.

Is $22.59 a good value?

For a one-way transfer that includes the ferry and hotel drop-off, $22.59 is a fair price. You are paying for more than the seat itself. You also get a prepaid booking, basic travel insurance, and a vehicle transfer from the pier to several mainland resort areas.

You may find that buying a ferry ticket directly on the island costs about 450 baht per person. That means booking through this service may not always be the cheapest possible option. The real value depends on the exchange rate, your departure date, and how much you value having the mainland transfer arranged before you leave Phi Phi.

I would pay the extra for convenience if you are carrying bags, arriving in Krabi for the first time, or staying outside the immediate Ao Nang center. I would compare prices directly if you are traveling on a strict budget and feel comfortable arranging your own ride from Nopparat Thara Pier.

The service is also refundable if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and bad weather can delay, postpone, or cancel the ferry. If poor sea conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should choose the ferry?

This transfer suits you if you want a calmer ride than a speedboat and prefer having a cool indoor cabin. It is also a good match if you like coastal views, want a chance to sit outside, and do not mind taking a little longer to reach Ao Nang.

Families may appreciate the covered seating and hotel drop-off, but I would be careful with the timing if you have young children. A delay at Railay or during the pier transfer could make the journey tiring, especially if it gets dark before you reach your hotel.

Couples and solo visitors can use the upper deck for views, then retreat indoors to rest. The ferry also works well for smokers because you can go outside. People with a tight onward schedule should choose a faster option or leave a wide time buffer.

This is not the right pick if you want a private boat, a short crossing, or a polished luxury experience. It is also not fully door-to-door from Phi Phi because hotel pickup on the island is not included.

Should you book the Ao Nang Princess ferry?

Book it if value, air conditioning, scenery, and mainland hotel drop-off matter more to you than speed. The ferry gives you a comfortable enough way to leave Phi Phi, with open-air views near Railay and a useful transfer at the Ao Nang end.

Skip it if you need to arrive at a precise time, dislike large boats, or want the quickest possible crossing. Also compare the direct ferry fare, since buying locally may cost less than the prepaid booking.

For most people moving from Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang, this is a sensible, low-cost connection. Just arrive early at Ton Sai Pier, expect older seating, and plan for the full journey to take closer to two hours than 90 minutes.

FAQ

Where does the ferry leave from on Koh Phi Phi?

The ferry leaves from Ao Ton Sai Pier on Koh Phi Phi Don, at Moo 7, Phi Phi Island, Krabi.

How early should I arrive at Ton Sai Pier?

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

How long does the transfer take?

The ferry ride itself takes around 1.5 hours, while the full transfer is listed at about two hours. The hotel vehicle transfer after arrival can add more time.

Does the ferry stop at Railay Beach?

Yes. The Ao Nang Princess makes a short stop at Railay Beach to pick up or drop off transferring passengers.

Is hotel pickup included on Koh Phi Phi?

No. Hotel pickup is not included on Koh Phi Phi. You must make your own way to Ton Sai Pier.

Which mainland hotels receive drop-off?

Drop-off is provided for hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Ao Nam Mao, Klong Muang, and Tubkaek Beach. You need to provide your hotel name when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the ferry?

The transfer may be delayed, postponed, or canceled because of bad weather, bad sea conditions, or limited availability. If it is canceled for poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.