Is there a direct flight from Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi?

No - there's no airport on Koh Phi Phi. You fly to Krabi (KBV, recommended) or Phuket (HKT), then take a ferry. Chiang Mai has direct flights to both Krabi and Phuket with AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Thai VietJet.

Is it better to go via Krabi or Phuket?

Via Krabi: smaller airport, the pier (Klong Jilad) is 30 min away, ferries at 9:30 and 14:30 - the least tiring option. Via Phuket: more flights and often cheaper, but the airport is 1h from Rassada Pier and the ferry takes 2h. Check the Chiang Mai to Krabi fare first; if it's reasonable, take Krabi.

How long does Chiang Mai to Phi Phi take?

6-7h door to door via Krabi: ~2h flight, 1h airport-to-pier transfer, 1h30 ferry, plus waiting. Via Phuket allow 7-8h as the ferry and transfer are longer.

What time should I leave Chiang Mai to catch the ferry?

The last ferry to Phi Phi leaves around 14:30. Aim for a flight landing in Krabi before 12:30 (departing Chiang Mai before 10:00). If you land in the afternoon, spend a night in Krabi or Phuket and take the morning ferry.

How do I do the return trip Koh Phi Phi to Chiang Mai?

Exact reverse: ferry Phi Phi to Krabi (departures ~9:00 and 15:00), transfer to Krabi airport, then fly Krabi to Chiang Mai. Take the morning ferry so you don't miss the last northbound flight (often late afternoon).

How much does the whole Chiang Mai to Phi Phi trip cost?

Budget 2,200-4,500 THB per person: Chiang Mai to Krabi flight 1,500-3,500 THB + airport-to-pier transfer 150-700 THB + ferry 400-500 THB. Booking the flight 1-2 months ahead can halve the cost.

Chiang Mai to Koh Phi Phi 2026: Flight + Ferry, Times & Cost

Short answer

Chiang Mai is in Thailand's far north, Koh Phi Phi in the far south: there is no direct link, and there's no airport on the island. You fly to Krabi (recommended) or Phuket, then take a ferry.

Option	Total time	Cost	Best for
Flight Chiang Mai-Krabi + ferry	6-7h	2,200-4,500 THB	Most travelers
Flight Chiang Mai-Phuket + ferry	7-8h	2,200-4,500 THB	If the flight is cheaper
Flight + express speedboat	5-6h	4,000-6,500 THB	In a hurry, light luggage
Via Bangkok (layover) + ferry	8-10h	2,500-5,000 THB	If no direct flight fits
Train/bus + ferry	24-30h	1,800-3,000 THB	Avoid (too far from the north)

Our default: fly Chiang Mai-Krabi, then ferry. Krabi Airport is small, you're out in 15 min, the pier is 30 min away and the Phi Phi ferry leaves at 9:30 or 14:30. It's the least tiring route from the north. - The team

Option 1: Flight Chiang Mai to Krabi + ferry (recommended)

Step 1 - The flight

Airlines: Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai VietJet (direct CNX-KBV depending on season); otherwise a Bangkok layover
Duration: ~1h55 direct
Fare: 1,500-3,500 THB depending on season and how early you book
Frequency: 1-3 direct flights/day (more in high season)
Booking: Skyscanner or 12Go.asia to compare direct vs layover. Book 1-2 months ahead.

Step 2 - Krabi Airport to Klong Jilad Pier

Taxi / Grab: 600-700 THB, 30 min
Shared minibus: 150-200 THB, 45 min
Pre-booked transfer: 800-1,200 THB, 30 min, less stressful in high season

Step 3 - Ferry Klong Jilad to Tonsai Pier

Operators: Tigerline, PhiPhiCruiser, Chaokoh, Ao Nang Princess
Duration: 1h30
Fare: 400-500 THB
Times: 9:30 and 14:30 (sometimes 10:30 in high season)
Tickets: at the pier on the day, or ahead via 12Go.asia / Bookaway

A stress-free sample schedule

Flight Chiang Mai 9:00 -> Krabi 10:55. Taxi 11:15 -> Klong Jilad 11:45. Ferry 14:30 -> Tonsai 16:00. You're at your hotel for sunset. To gain the afternoon, take the earliest flight and the 9:30 ferry.

Option 2: Flight Chiang Mai to Phuket + ferry

Choose this when the direct Chiang Mai-Phuket flight is clearly cheaper (often the case - Phuket has more frequencies), when you want a night in Phuket first, or when you fly out internationally from Phuket.

Flight: AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai VietJet, Nok Air - 30+ flights/day, ~2h05, 1,400-3,200 THB
Phuket Airport to Rassada Pier: taxi/Grab 800-1,200 THB (1h), or minibus 250-350 THB
Ferry Rassada to Tonsai: 2h, 450-650 THB, departures 8:30 / 13:30 / 14:30

Total: 7-8h door to door - a bit longer than via Krabi because the airport is far from the pier.

Option 3: Flight + express speedboat

For those in a hurry or on a tight schedule. Land at Krabi or Phuket, then an express speedboat (35 min from Krabi, 50 min from Phuket), 1,200-1,800 THB. Less comfortable (more spray and bumps - not ideal if you get seasick), ~10 kg luggage. Total Chiang Mai to Phi Phi: 5-6h, 4,000-6,500 THB.

Option 4: via Bangkok (layover)

If no direct Chiang Mai to Krabi/Phuket flight fits your timing, route through Bangkok: Chiang Mai to Bangkok (1h10, hourly), then Bangkok to Krabi (1h20). Total 8-10h with the layover and ferry. See our Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi guide for the rest of the trip.

Train / bus: avoid from the north

Technically possible but figure 24-30h: overnight train Chiang Mai to Bangkok (11-13h), then Bangkok to Surat Thani or Krabi (10-12h), then bus + ferry. You might save 1,500 THB over flying but you lose two full days. Book the flight.

Once you arrive

You land at Tonsai Pier, in the heart of Koh Phi Phi Don. No cars on the island: it's all on foot or by longtail. To enjoy Maya Bay at its calmest the next morning, book a sunrise tour - we leave before the day-trip crowds from Phuket and Krabi.

Need a hand lining up flights, ferry and excursions? Message us - we know every schedule by heart. - Olivia & the team