Phuket sits at the centre of southern Thailand’s ferry network and is the primary departure point for island-hopping throughout the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.
Rassada Pier (also written Ratsada Pier) is located in Phuket Town on the eastern side of the island – approximately 30 minutes from Patong, 40 minutes from Kata and Karon, and 15 minutes from Phuket Town itself. All major ferry routes depart from here.
TIP offers a comfortable minibus pickup from hotels across Phuket to Rassada Pier. For most ferry packages, this transfer is already included – no early-morning taxi hunting, no negotiating fares, no stress. Pickup timing is coordinated with your ferry departure so you arrive with time to spare. Hotel pickup is available from Patong, Kata, Karon, Phuket Town, Siray Bay and Chalong. Hotels outside these areas: please enquire at booking.
Recommendation: Use the ferry when changing islands with luggage or travelling with children. Use the speedboat for day trips where arrival time matters.
The Phi Phi Islands are the most popular ferry destination from Phuket – and for good reason. Crystal-clear water, dramatic limestone cliffs, white sandy beaches and the world-famous Maya Bay attract visitors from every corner of the world. The ferry from Rassada Pier reaches Phi Phi Don (Tonsai Village Pier) in approximately 1.5–2 hours, crossing the Andaman Sea with views of the coastline and island clusters along the way.
Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island in the group and the hub for day trips to Maya Bay, Viking Cave and Pileh Lagoon on Phi Phi Leh. The ferry is the ideal choice for travellers spending one or more nights on the islands.
Koh Lanta is the quieter, more relaxed alternative to Phuket – long beaches with gentle surf, a laid-back atmosphere, excellent diving access and an authentic local character that more commercial islands have largely lost. The ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta avoids the long road transfer via Krabi and delivers travellers directly to Saladan Pier at the island’s northern tip.
Koh Lanta is a favourite with families, long-stay travellers and divers – its proximity to Koh Rok and Koh Haa makes it an excellent base for seasonal snorkeling and diving expeditions.
Ao Nang is the main tourist hub of Krabi Province – ringed by towering limestone cliffs, turquoise water and a string of small islands reachable in minutes by longtail boat. The ferry from Phuket to Ao Nang bypasses the mountain road transfer entirely and delivers you directly onto Krabi’s coastline – where Railay Beach, the Four Islands and Tiger Cave Temple are all within easy reach.
Railay Beach is one of Thailand’s most extraordinary destinations – and one of its few that can only be reached by water. Enclosed on all sides by sheer limestone cliffs that cut it off from the mainland road network, Railay exists in a kind of enforced tranquillity. No roads, no traffic, no motorbikes – just beaches, cliffs, rock climbing routes and longtail boats. The ferry from Phuket to Railay connects through Ao Nang, from where a short longtail transfers you the final leg into the beach.
Railay highlights: Phra Nang Cave Beach (one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches), Diamond Cave, climbing routes at all difficulty levels, and the Sunset Song Bay viewpoint.
The journey from Phuket to Koh Samui combines a comfortable bus transfer and a scenic ferry crossing – and is far simpler in practice than the distance suggests. A coach departs Phuket, crosses to Surat Thani Province, and connects at Donsak Pier for the ferry crossing to Koh Samui’s Nathon Pier. The combined journey takes approximately 5–6 hours – and the ferry leg itself, crossing the Gulf of Thailand with views of the distant islands, is one of the more scenic routes in southern Thailand.
Koh Samui is Thailand’s third-largest island and known for its luxury resorts, Big Buddha Temple, Fisherman’s Village and easy access to Ang Thong Marine Park. Day trips to Koh Phangan are easily arranged from Koh Samui.
Koh Phangan is globally known for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin Beach – one of the world’s largest monthly beach parties with up to 30,000 attendees. But Koh Phangan has a quieter side too: untouched jungle beaches like Bottle Beach and Than Sadet, mountain viewpoints, waterfalls and a laid-back north-coast atmosphere that bears no resemblance to the party zone. The ferry from Phuket to Koh Phangan follows the same bus-and-ferry route as Koh Samui, with an additional ferry connection at the end.
Getting to Rassada Pier early in the morning from your hotel shouldn’t be a source of stress. TIP’s private transfer service covers all the main hotel areas in Phuket – from Patong to Kata, Karon to Bang Tao – with punctual, air-conditioned vehicles and drivers who know the ferry schedule. Transfer is included in most ferry packages; for hotels outside the standard areas or for airport pickups, it’s bookable separately.
Journey times from Rassada Pier: Phi Phi Islands approx. 1.5–2 hrs · Koh Lanta approx. 2–2.5 hrs · Ao Nang/Krabi approx. 1.5–2 hrs · Railay approx. 2 hrs + 15 min longtail · Koh Samui approx. 5–6 hrs (bus+ferry) · Koh Phangan approx. 6–7 hrs.
Yes – all ferries run fixed schedules with 1–3 departures daily depending on the route. Typical slots: morning 07:30–09:00 and midday 11:00–13:00. Exact times vary by season – current schedules visible at booking.
Yes – especially in high season (December to March). Ferries to Phi Phi and Koh Samui fill fastest. Online booking through TIP is available anytime and guarantees your seat and hotel transfer.
All main ferries depart from Rassada Pier, Phuket Town (east side of the island). Hotel pickup from Patong, Kata, Karon, Phuket Town, Siray Bay and Chalong is included in most TIP ferry packages.
Ferry: slower, more comfortable, better for luggage, families and rough sea days. Speedboat: faster (Phi Phi in 45 min), better for day trips, less luggage space. For overnight travel, the ferry wins every time.
For a day trip rather than an overnight stay: speedboat to Phi Phi with Maya Bay, Monkey Beach and Pileh Lagoon. Back in Phuket by evening.
Day trip to Phang Nga Bay: the iconic Ko Tapu rock, sea caves, mangroves and the floating village of Koh Panyee.
For a slower, more authentic alternative to the ferry: private longtail charter from Rawai Beach to nearby islands, hidden bays and sunset routes.
Private transfers across Phuket: airport to hotel, hotel to ferry pier, or any combination. Punctual, air-conditioned, stress-free.
Select your route, choose your date and book online – or send a WhatsApp message for a personal recommendation on the best route and timing for your itinerary.
Hotel transfer included · Fixed schedules · All routes from Rassada Pier · Personal advice available