How to Get to Koh Phi Phi From Malaysia: Flight, Ferry & Travel Guide
Fly to Krabi or Phuket, then cross by ferry
There are no direct flights to Koh Phi Phi, since the island has no airport. From Malaysia, you fly into Krabi or Phuket, then take a ferry or speedboat across. Here's a real guide to both routes, with flight times, listed fares and how to time your connection.
An honest note on timing, time zones and fares
KLIA, Kuala Lumpur: book a morning flight to reach Phi Phi the same day
Malaysians can visit Thailand visa-free for short stays, but check the latest entry requirements, including the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, before you fly.
Route comparison
Krabi International Airport: the cheaper gateway from KL
| Factor | Via Krabi | Via Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Flight time from KL | About 1 hour 15 to 25 minutes | About 1 hour 25 to 30 minutes |
| Direct airlines | AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly | AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines |
| Lowest listed one-way fare | From RM129 (Traveloka) or MYR 199 (AirAsia) | From RM208 (Skyscanner Malaysia) or MYR 212 (AirAsia) |
| Ferry pier | Klong Jilad Pier, Krabi Town | Rassada Pier, near Phuket Town |
| Ferry time to Phi Phi | About 1 hour (speedboat) or 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours (ferry) | About 1 hour (fast boat) or 2 hours (standard ferry) |
| Ferry fares | Listed from ฿300 to ฿1,250 depending on boat and discount | Listed from ฿550 for a standard ferry |
| Best for | Lower airfares and a slightly shorter flight | More flight choices, with 214 flights a week as of June 2026 |
Sample flight times
Phuket International Airport: more daily flights from KL
| Route | Flight | Departs KL | Arrives (local time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| KL to Krabi | AirAsia AK866 | 10:55am | 11:15am |
| KL to Krabi | AirAsia AK860 | 4:00pm | 4:20pm |
| KL to Phuket | Batik Air Malaysia | 12:00pm | 12:30pm |
| KL to Phuket | Batik Air Malaysia | 5:50pm | 6:20pm |
Schedules change by season, so check your airline before booking.
Option 1: Fly to Krabi, then ferry from Klong Jilad Pier
Klong Jilad Pier, Krabi Town: boats to Phi Phi from about 9am to 3pm
- Fly from KL to Krabi International Airport, about 1 hour 15 to 25 minutes.
- Transfer to Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi Town. Many ferry tickets include a pickup, so check when booking.
- Take a ferry or speedboat to Tonsai Pier. Boats run from about 9:00am to 3:00pm.
- Pay the small arrival fee in cash at Tonsai Pier.
Option 2: Fly to Phuket, then ferry from Rassada Pier
Rassada Pier, Phuket: boats to Phi Phi from about 8:30am to 3pm
- Fly from KL to Phuket International Airport, about 1 hour 25 to 30 minutes.
- Transfer to Rassada Pier near Phuket Town. One hotel listing puts the full airport-to-island trip at about 2.5 hours by car and ferry.
- Take a ferry or fast boat to Tonsai Pier, or to Laem Tong if you're staying in the north. Boats run from about 8:30am to 3:00pm.
- Pay the small arrival fee in cash at Tonsai Pier.
Which route should you choose?
Choose Krabi if you want the cheapest airfare and a morning flight that connects easily with the ferry. Choose Phuket if you want more flight options or plan to spend time in Phuket too. Either way, book a morning flight if you want to reach Phi Phi the same day.
Sourced from skyscanner.com.my's cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket, kiwi.com's cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to Krabi, traveloka.com's Kuala Lumpur to Krabi flights, airasia.com's flights from Kuala Lumpur to Krabi, airasia.com's flights from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket, flightroutes.com's Kuala Lumpur to Phuket flights, kayak.com's best hotels in Ko Phi Phi, rassadapier.net's Phuket ferry schedule 2026, phuketferry.com's Krabi to Phi Phi Island and ferryscanner.com's Klong Jilad Pier to Ton Sai Pier ferry.
Practical tips
Book a morning flight. It gives you time to catch an early afternoon ferry.
Look for combined tickets that include the airport or hotel transfer and the ferry. They save hassle at the pier.
Remember the one-hour time difference. Thailand is an hour behind Malaysia.
Keep some Thai baht in cash for the pier fee and longtail rides on the island.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking an afternoon flight and expecting to reach Phi Phi the same day. The last ferries leave around 3pm.
- Looking for a flight straight to Phi Phi. The island has no airport.
- Going to the wrong pier. Krabi ferries mostly leave from Klong Jilad, not Ao Nang.
- Forgetting entry requirements. Check the latest rules before you fly.