Water transport in Thailand is represented by ferries, speedboats, boats and water cabs. It is the most convenient way to reach the islands of Samui, Phuket, Phangan, Phi Phi, Ko Chang and others. The country’s largest ports are in Phuket, Pattaya and Laem Chabang as well as Songkhla and Ranong provinces.
Ferries run between the islands and coastal resorts of Thailand. You can buy tickets at the piers, travel agencies and hotels – with a small surcharge. The fare depends on the season, time of day and the comfort of the ship. The ticket price may include a minibus transfer from the hotel to the pier. Time of its arrival at the hotel is worth checking additionally, it may be different from that indicated in the ticket. The exceptions are islands, where the movement of cars is prohibited. For example, Phi Phi.
When buying tickets be sure to clarify from which pier your ferry departs: the same transportation company may use several piers. A round-trip ticket will usually be cheaper. But keep in mind that once you arrive at your destination, you may find the return ferry option more convenient in terms of time and cost.
When planning a ferry trip in Thailand, be prepared for late departures and arrivals. Therefore, include half-hour delays in your itinerary. Be prepared for the fact that in the case of ferries, the transfer may be right at sea: ships are docked board to board – and the passengers go over the bridge with their belongings.
Depending on the popularity of the destination, ferries in Thailand can depart once or twice a day or every two or three hours. Ferries run from 6:00 to 17:00-19:00. On long routes the price of the ticket may include breakfast, lunch or dinner – it is worth checking additionally.
Ferries in Thailand are operated by many private carriers. Ferry timetables departing from Phuket berths to Krabi resort, as well as to the islands of Phi Phi, Ko Lanta and back, can be found on the portals of transport companies Phuket Ferry (www.phuketferry.com) and Amazing Lanta (www.amazinglanta.com/buy-thailand-ferry-tickets). Raja Ferry Port (www.rajaferryport.com), Lomprayah (www.lomprayah.com) and Seatran Discovery (www.seatrandiscovery.com) operate between Samui, Phangan and other islands. Online ticketing is available on the websites of the shipping companies.
Tour boats and launches
Boats (“long-tails”) are another popular mode of transportation in Thailand. They can accommodate up to 20 passengers. The boats have benches and a canopy to protect them from rain and sun. The boats are convenient to travel to nearby beaches. It is often cheaper and faster than going by land. Also, boats can be hired for the day – for water rides along the coast, as well as trips to neighboring islands. There are no fixed prices for rentals, so be sure to haggle: the initial price is usually inflated several times over.
Water cabs are convenient for traveling short distances. For crossing between the islands is best to hire motorboats (“speed-boats”). The cost depends on the number of passengers and time of day. On average – 100-200 baht per trip.
Water transport in Bangkok
Water transport in Bangkok includes river buses, boats, ferries and private boats on the Chao Phraya River.