How to Book a Speedboat From Phuket Rassada Pier to Koh Phi Phi
45 to 60 minutes, with genuinely cheaper fares if you book ahead
A speedboat from Rassada Pier to Koh Phi Phi's Tonsai Pier takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs ฿700 to ฿1,150 (RM89–146) one-way, with genuinely cheaper early bird fares requiring advance online booking. Here's exactly how to book it and what to expect.
The real schedule
Speedboats depart frequently from roughly 8:30am to 3:30–4:00pm daily in both directions. A representative timetable:
| Rassada Pier departs | Tonsai Pier arrives | Adult price |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | 09:30 | ฿1,050 (RM133) |
| 09:30 | 10:30 | ฿1,050 (RM133) |
| 11:00 | 12:00 | ฿1,050 (RM133) |
| 12:30 | 13:30 | ฿1,050 (RM133) |
| 14:00 | 15:00 | ฿1,050 (RM133) |
| 15:30 | 16:30 | ฿1,050 (RM133) |
Sourced from rassadapier.org's 2026 timetable. Exact times and prices shift slightly by operator and season, confirm current schedules directly before booking.
Understanding the price tiers, honestly
Book online in advance if the lowest fare matters to you
Prices genuinely vary depending on how and when you book:
- Early bird fares: as low as ฿450–700 one-way, but only for specific departure times, and advance online booking is required, on-site payment isn't accepted for this tier
- Standard advance-booked fares: ฿700–1,150 one-way depending on operator and time slot
- On-site round-trip tickets: often ฿1,100–1,800, noticeably pricier than booking ahead
This is a genuinely consistent pattern across multiple booking platforms, book online in advance if the lowest fare matters to you.
Ferry versus speedboat versus private charter versus tour
Four genuinely different ways to make the same crossing
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled ferry | ฿400–500 (RM51–64) one-way | 1.5–2 hours | Cheapest, most stable in choppy water |
| Speedboat (transport only) | ฿700–1,150 (RM89–146) one-way | 45–60 minutes | Fastest direct option |
| Speedboat tour (with snorkeling/Maya Bay) | ฿1,800–2,800 (RM229–356) return | 45–60 minutes each way | Sightseeing combined with transport |
| Private speedboat charter | ฿15,000–22,000 (RM1,908–2,798) per boat | 45 minutes | Groups of 8+, full flexibility |
Sourced from phuketexpatguide.com's 2026 Phuket to Phi Phi ferry guide. RM figures are approximate conversions and will shift with the exchange rate.
Getting to Rassada Pier
A separate leg worth budgeting time for
Rassada Pier sits in Phuket Town, roughly 4km south of the town centre. Real Grab fare estimates from common areas: Rawai, 40–50 minutes, ฿150–200 (RM19–25); Bang Tao, 50–60 minutes, ฿200–280 (RM25–36); Patong, roughly 35–45 minutes.
Practical tips
Book online in advance specifically if you want the early bird fare, on-site payment is not accepted for these discounted rates, and walking up on the day will cost meaningfully more.
Choose the scheduled ferry over the speedboat if budget matters more than speed, and you don't mind the additional 45 minutes to an hour of travel time, it's also genuinely more stable in choppy conditions.
Book a speedboat tour rather than plain transport if you want snorkeling stops and Maya Bay included, rather than just getting from A to B.
Consider a private charter only if travelling in a group of 8 or more, the per-boat cost only becomes reasonable at that scale.
Build in extra travel time to reach Rassada Pier from wherever you're staying, Grab fares and durations vary meaningfully depending on your specific area.
A seasonal note
May to October brings rougher, less predictable conditions
Speedboats and ferries run year-round, but expect rougher conditions during the May to October monsoon season, this can affect comfort and occasionally cause delays or cancellations on both speedboat and ferry routes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming you can pay on-site for the early bird discounted fare. This tier specifically requires advance online booking, on-site payment isn't accepted for it
- Comparing only the cheapest advertised price without checking which specific departure times it applies to, early bird fares are often limited to select time slots, not every departure
- Choosing the plain speedboat when you actually want snorkeling and Maya Bay included, confirm whether you're booking transport-only or a full tour package before paying
- Not building in extra time to reach Rassada Pier itself, this is a separate leg from your accommodation, and Grab fares and travel times genuinely vary by area
- Booking a private charter for a small group. The ฿15,000–22,000 per-boat cost only makes sense once split across 8 or more people, smaller groups are better served by the shared speedboat