How to Visit Maya Bay and Phi Phi Islands from Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, Railay & Koh Lanta
- Discover Phi Phi
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
Are you dreaming of seeing the legendary turquoise waters and towering limestone cliffs of the Andaman Sea? When planning your itinerary, it is important to know that you have two main options to visit Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay.
Option 1: The Overnight Stay
You can book your own speedboat or ferry transfers and book a hotel on Phi Phi Island. By staying overnight on the island, you can easily take a tour starting and ending in Phi Phi, allowing you to explore the marine park during the quieter morning or late afternoon hours. You can check our Group Tours or Private Tours starting from Phi Phi if you plan to stay overnight on Phi Phi Don Island. Booking speedboat or ferry transfers can be done cheaply here.
Option 2: The Day Tour Option
Staying at Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, Railay, Koh Lanta or Koh Yao Yai/Noi? When you are not staying at a hotel in Phi Phi, and staying somewhere else instead, it will be hard to take a tour starting from Phi Phi due to limited morning transfer schedules. Fortunately, you don't have to miss out on the magic. We have day tours to Phi Phi designed specifically for travelers staying on the mainland or neighboring islands.
To help you choose the best route for your holiday, you can explore our full selection of Day tours to Phi Phi or opt for an elevated experience with our Semi-Private day tours to Phi Phi.
How to Visit Maya Bay and Phi Phi Islands From Your Hotel
Depending on your current vacation base, transportation and transit options vary. If you want to visit Maya Bay and Phi Phi Islands using our day trip packages, here is a quick overview of what is available from each location:
Departure Location | Group Speedboat Tours | Semi-Private Tours (Private Longtail) | Hotel Transfers Included? |
Phuket | Yes (Early Bird, Bamboo, or Khai) | Yes (Shared Speedboat + Private Longtail) | Yes (Private or Shared, depends on tour) |
Khao Lak | Yes (Early Bird, Bamboo, or Khai) | Yes (Shared Speedboat + Private Longtail) | Yes (Private or Shared, depends on tour) |
Krabi | No | Yes (Shared Speedboat + Private Longtail) | Yes (Private) |
Railay | No | Yes (Shared Speedboat + Private Longtail) | No (No vehicles on Railay) |
Koh Lanta | Yes (Phi Phi + Bamboo) | Yes (Shared Ferry + Private Longtail) | Yes (Shared) |
Koh Yao Yai / Noi | No | No | N/A (Overnight stay required) |
Full Route Breakdown & Tour Options
Phuket
As a major travel hub, Phuket offers excellent connectivity. If you want to book a trip from this area, you can choose from these highly rated options:
Group Speedboat Day Tour (Early Bird): Beats the heavy crowds to Maya Bay and includes hotel transfers.
Group Speedboat Day Tour (Phi Phi + Bamboo): Combines the main highlights with the pristine shores of Bamboo Island, including hotel transfers.
Group Speedboat Day Tour (Phi Phi + Khai): A classic island-hopping itinerary with hotel transfers.
Semi-Private Day Tour: Features shared speedboat transfers from Phuket, a premium 4-hour private longtail boat tour once you arrive in Phi Phi, and private hotel transfers.
Semi-Private Day Tour Phuket to Krabi: Features shared speedboat transfers from Phuket, a premium 4-hour private longtail boat tour once you arrive in Phi Phi, and private hotel transfers. End of this tour is in Krabi. This tour is ideal if you are traveling from Phuket to Krabi with luggage, and also want a tour in Phi Phi, all in one day.
Khao Lak
Even though Khao Lak is located further north, day trips are fully accessible via structured transit:
Group Speedboat Day Tour (Early Bird): Includes early morning hotel transfers to the pier to beat the crowds.
Group Speedboat Day Tour (Phi Phi + Bamboo): Offers a comprehensive island itinerary with full hotel transfers.
Group Speedboat Day Tour (Phi Phi + Khai): Maximizes your snorkeling stops, including hotel transfers.
Semi-Private Day Tour: Includes shared speedboat transfers to the islands, a 4-hour private longtail boat tour in Phi Phi, and private hotel transfers back to your Khao Lak resort.
Krabi/Ao Nang
If you are staying in mainland Krabi (Ao Nang or Krabi Town), the absolute best way to experience the islands intimately is through a semi-private arrangement:
Semi-Private Day Tour: Includes shared speedboat transfers to Phi Phi, a customized 4-hour private longtail boat tour around the highlights, and private hotel transfers.
Semi-Private Day Tour Krabi to Phuket: Features shared speedboat transfers from Krabi or Ao Nang, a premium 4-hour private longtail boat tour once you arrive in Phi Phi, and private hotel transfers. End of this tour is in Phuket. This tour is ideal if you are traveling from Krabi to Phuket with luggage, and also want a tour in Phi Phi, all in one day.
Railay
Because Railay Beach is isolated by towering cliffs, logistics differ slightly due to the absence of motorized road vehicles:
Semi-Private Day Tour: Includes shared speedboat transfers to the islands and a 4-hour private longtail boat tour in Phi Phi. Please note that this option does not include hotel transfers, as there is no vehicle transportation on Railay.
Koh Lanta
Positioned south of Phi Phi, Koh Lanta offers a couple of fantastic, scenic day trip routes:
Group Speedboat Day Tour (Phi Phi + Bamboo): A beautiful day of snorkeling and beach relaxation, including hotel transfers.
Semi-Private Day Tour: Includes shared ferry transfers over to Phi Phi, a signature 4-hour private longtail boat tour around the highlights, and shared hotel transfers on Koh Lanta.
Koh Yao Yai / Koh Yao Noi
No Day Tour Options Available: Due to limited and restrictive maritime transfer schedules, it is currently impossible to visit Phi Phi on a day trip from either Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi. If you are staying on these islands and want to see Maya Bay, you will need to choose Option 1 and plan an overnight stay on Phi Phi.
Plan Your Perfect Phi Phi Island Adventure
Choosing the right way to visit Maya Bay and the Phi Phi Islands depends entirely on your vacation style, timeline, and where you choose to set up your base. Whether you opt for an overnight stay to explore at your own pace or prefer the seamless logistics of a fully organized day tour from the mainland, experiencing these world-class tropical landscapes is an absolute must-do during your time in Thailand.
Ready to lock in your island-hopping experience? We want to make your trip even more unforgettable. Book your day trip directly with us today and receive an exclusive 10% discount on your booking!
