Krabi to Phi Phi to Railay: How to Connect All Three in One Trip
Railay EcoKrabi, Phi Phi, and Railay are all linked by boat. No road reaches Railay or Phi Phi. The main route is simple. From Krabi you go to Phi Phi by ferry or speedboat from Ao Nam Mao Pier, which takes 45 minutes to 2 hours. Railay is a short 15 to 20 minute longtail ride from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao. You can do Phi Phi and Railay in one trip, but you have to plan it right. There is no direct boat between those two. This guide covers every route, the piers, the times, the prices, and the order to ride the boats so you see all three without wasting a day.
Where Are Krabi, Phi Phi, and Railay? How Do They Link Up?
Krabi town is the hub on the mainland. It has the airport, the bus station, and the main piers. Railay is a small peninsula south of Ao Nang. Tall limestone cliffs block any road, so you can only reach it by boat. Phi Phi sits out in the Andaman Sea, about 40 kilometers from the Krabi coast.
Think of the three as a triangle. Krabi town and Railay are close to shore and quick to reach. Phi Phi is far out at sea. To see all three, you need to plan which pier you start from. That way you don't double back.
Check where you're staying first. If you fly in or stay in town, start at Ao Nam Mao Pier. If you stay near Ao Nang, start at Ao Nang Pier.
Krabi to Phi Phi: Which Pier, and How Long Does It Take?
The main pier for Phi Phi is Ao Nam Mao. It's 18 kilometers from the airport and 12 from town. The passenger ferry runs 2 to 3 trips a day. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours and costs 350 to 450 baht per person. A speedboat is faster, at 45 minutes to 1 hour, but costs more, from 700 to 1,200 baht.
In rainy season, from May to October, ferries may drop to 1 or 2 trips a day. They also stop running when waves get higher than 2 meters. Check the weather and book at least a day ahead. Look at the Ao Nam Mao pier boat schedule to pick a trip that fits your plan.
Want to see every way to reach Phi Phi, including from Phuket and Phang Nga? Read our guide on how to travel to Phi Phi.
Phi Phi to Railay: Can You Go Direct, or Do You Transfer?
This is the part that confuses most people. There is no direct passenger boat between Phi Phi and Railay. You have to transfer through the Krabi coast first. There are two ways.
The first way is the cheap way. Take the ferry from Phi Phi back to Ao Nam Mao Pier. Then take a longtail or shuttle boat to Railay, about 15 to 20 minutes. The total is around 500 to 600 baht. This saves money but takes almost half a day.
The second way is to charter a private speedboat from Phi Phi straight to Railay. That costs 4,500 to 7,000 baht per boat. It's best for groups or families who don't want to transfer. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you want to see Phi Phi and then sleep in Railay, leave Phi Phi before noon. The last shuttle to Railay runs around 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Miss it and you'll spend a night on the Krabi coast.
Railay Back to Krabi Town and the Airport
Railay has no road, so going home always starts with a boat. From Railay West Beach, take a longtail to Ao Nang in 15 minutes for 100 to 150 baht. From Railay East Beach, take a shuttle to Ao Nam Mao Pier in 15 minutes for 150 baht. Then take a car to the airport or town.
Give yourself extra time on your flight day. Longtails from Railay wait for 8 to 10 people before they leave. On quiet days you may wait 20 to 30 minutes. Add 40 to 50 minutes by car to the airport. Leave Railay at least 3 hours before your flight.
See the boat options both ways in our Ao Nam Mao to Railay shuttle guide. And if you're not sure what Railay is or why people go, read what is Railay before you plan.
Boat Times and Prices for the Three Main Routes
| Route | Boat | Time | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Nam Mao to Phi Phi | Ferry / Speedboat | 45 min - 2 hr | 350-1,200 baht |
| Ao Nang to Railay | Longtail | 15 min | 100-150 baht |
| Ao Nam Mao to Railay | Shuttle | 15 min | 150 baht |
| Phi Phi to Railay (transfer) | Ferry + shuttle | Half a day | 500-600 baht |
| Phi Phi to Railay (charter) | Private speedboat | 1 hr 15 min | 4,500-7,000 baht/boat |
Prices are rough ranges. They change with the season and fuel cost. In rainy season some trips don't run when waves are high. Always confirm the boat times with the operator a day before.
Plan the Three-Stop Trip in 5 Steps
- Pick your base from where you stay. Coming from the airport? Start at Ao Nam Mao Pier.
- Go to Phi Phi first, on the day with the best weather. It's the farthest route and the most affected by waves.
- Come back and sleep one night on the Krabi coast, or transfer to Railay before the last boat.
- See Railay and nearby beaches like Phra Nang the next day.
- On your last day, take a boat back to Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao, then a car to the airport. Leave 3 hours early.
This order means you never double back. It also leaves a spare day in case the Phi Phi boats stop for waves.
Pick the Boat That Fits Your Trip
Railay Eco Tour runs boats on all three routes. You choose. You can take a classic longtail that costs less, or a speedboat that's faster and steadier on rough days. We line up the Krabi, Phi Phi, and Railay route so it connects in one trip, with no guessing whether a boat will show up.
Our guides are Krabi locals. They know which days are too rough for Phi Phi, which piers send boats out early in the morning, and which transfer points work best for families with small kids or older travelers who want a comfy seat.
See our passenger boats and schedules, or pick a classic longtail boat for short trips along the coast. Coming to Krabi for the first time? Message our team for a route that fits your days and the islands you want to see.
Krabi, Phi Phi, and Railay: Don't Miss These Boat Routes
Keep it simple. Krabi town is the hub. Phi Phi is far out at sea, so plan around the waves. Railay is close to shore but reached only by boat. Ao Nam Mao Pier is the safest place to start because it goes to both Phi Phi and Railay.
Go to Phi Phi first on a good-weather day. Then reach Railay through the Krabi coast, since there's no direct boat. And always leave in the morning so you catch the last boats.
Plan ahead with your hotel spot, your days, and the season in mind. For a full trip plan that links all three, read our complete Krabi travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pier do I use to get from Krabi to Phi Phi?
Ao Nam Mao Pier is the main one. It's 18 kilometers from the airport. Ferries cost 350 to 450 baht and take 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. There is no direct boat to Phi Phi from Ao Nang Pier.
How long does Krabi to Phi Phi take?
The ferry takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. A speedboat is faster, at 45 minutes to 1 hour. The time depends on the waves and how many stops the boat makes.
Can I go from Phi Phi to Railay directly?
No. There's no direct passenger boat. You transfer through Ao Nam Mao Pier, which costs around 500 to 600 baht and takes almost half a day. Or charter a private speedboat for 4,500 to 7,000 baht per boat to go straight.
Do I have to take a boat to reach Railay?
Yes. Railay can only be reached by boat because limestone cliffs block any road. Take a longtail from Ao Nang in 15 minutes for 100 to 150 baht, or a shuttle from Ao Nam Mao in 15 minutes for 150 baht.
How many days do I need to see Krabi, Phi Phi, and Railay?
At least 3 days and 2 nights. Day one is Phi Phi. Day two is Railay and nearby beaches. Day three is travel home. Save the best-weather day for Phi Phi to dodge rough seas.
References
Krabi walking street runs in the old-town quarter of Krabi town, on weekend evenings only — not every night. Visitors staying in Ao Nang who drive in without checking the day regularly find an empty street. The draw is freshly cooked food at local prices that Krabi people actually eat: grilled seafood, regional sweets, fresh-pressed juices, plus handicraft stalls from people in the area.
Railay EcoPoda Island is a small island in Krabi province, south of Ao Nang — roughly 20 to 30 minutes by longtail boat or about 15 minutes by speedboat. What stands out is the fine white sand and the water, which stays shallow on a long gentle slope.
Railay EcoPileh Lagoon sits on Phi Phi Leh in Krabi province — a bay almost completely ringed by tall limestone cliffs, with one narrow gap for boats to pass through. No swell reaches inside, so the water sits still, and the white sand floor below reflects the light back as emerald. Every trip to Phi Phi Leh stops here, because it is only minutes from Maya Bay.
Railay EcoKrabi Airport sits roughly 15 kilometres from Krabi town and 30 to 40 minutes by road from Ao Nang. To reach Ao Nang you can take the airport bus, a shared minivan, a taxi, or a private transfer booked in advance. Railay is a different matter: it is a peninsula no road reaches, so you take a vehicle to a pier and then a boat. The mistake people make most often is landing late and finding the last boats into Railay already finished for the day. This guide covers each transport option, journey times, rough costs, and how to handle a late arrival.
Railay EcoNopparat Thara Beach is in Krabi town district, immediately west of Ao Nang — five to ten minutes away on foot or by car. It runs for several kilometres, holds far fewer people than Ao Nang, and has the national park headquarters sitting right on the sand. The detail most visitors miss: at the lowest tides a sandbar emerges and you can walk out to the small island offshore without a boat. It also serves as a departure point for some island routes, so it works both as a place to rest and as a way out to sea. This guide covers how it differs from Ao Nang, how to get there, and when to go.
Railay EcoHong Island belongs to Krabi province and sits inside Than Bok Khorani National Park, north of Ao Nang — roughly 30 to 40 minutes by speedboat, or about an hour by longtail. What makes it different from the other Krabi islands is the lagoon in its middle: a pool of water almost entirely enclosed by tall limestone cliffs, with one narrow opening that small boats can slip through when the tide is high enough.
Railay Eco