Are you planning your first trip to Koh Yao Noi from Phuket? If so, then you’re in for a treat!
This beautiful Thai island is located just off the coast of Phuket and offers an amazing experience.
Along with Koh Yao Yai, nearby Koh Yao Noi (or Little Long Island) is one of the most well-known out of the archipelago’s 44-strong collection of islands.
Best Way To Get From Phuket to Koh Yao Noi
Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best option is to grab a combo speedboat and taxi ticket.
Book your ferry + taxi ticket here.
It’s a sanctuary of natural wonders, a snorkeling dream off the spectacular Koh Yao Noi beaches, and the perfect place to relax and enjoy a taste of Thailand.
Getting there is fairly easy but can be somewhat confusing if it’s your first time traveling to this destination.
In this guide, we will explain how to get from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi and provide some helpful tips along the way.
How Long Is The Boat Ride From Phuket To Koh Yao Noi?
Phuket is approximately 24 km away from Koh Yao Noi.
This means that a journey to the island can take anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your mode of transport.
Since Koh Yao Noi doesn’t have an airport of its own, you cannot get there by air.
Fortunately, this amazing island is not too far away from Phuket and it is easily reachable by other means of transport.
To make your choices easier, we have compiled this little guide.
How to get from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi
Here are the best options for how to get from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi:
Option 1: Phuket to Koh Yao Noi Speedboat Ferry + Taxi From Your Hotel
Taking the Phuket to Koh Yao Noi Speedboat Ferry is a convenient and affordable way to get from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi.
The ferry departs at 9:30, 11:00, or 15:00 every day and will take approximately 30 minutes to arrive at Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi.
The cost for the Phuket to Koh Yao Noi ferry is USD $11, making this an affordable option for those traveling on a budget.
This is how we prefer to travel to Koh Yao Noi.
As we travel from Australia, our flight typically lands late at night in Phuket (we prefer to just stay close to the airport to make it easy), so we have to book accommodation for a night before traveling by speedboat the next day.
This is one of the cheapest and most simple ways to reach the island.
- Departure Time: 9:30, 11:00, or 15:00
- Journey Time: 30 Minutes
- Perfect For: A quick and easy way to get from your Phuket hotel to Koh Yao Noi
- The cost involved: $11 USD (ferry-only ticket) or $15 USD (ferry + taxi combo ticket)
Option 2: Taxi from Airport + Ferry From Phuket to Koh Yao Noi
If you choose to organize your own transport from Phuket International Airport to Bang Rong Pier, booking a taxi ride is one of the most efficient ways to do so.
Taxis are abundant in Phuket and can easily be arranged outside the airport. Make sure you check the taxi rate before getting into the cab to avoid any unexpected charges at the end of your journey.
If you prefer you can also pre-book your taxi here (especially helpful if your transfer time between your flight arrival and the ferry departure is close).
Bang Rong Pier is about a 20-25 minutes drive from Phuket International Airport.
Once you arrive at Bang Rong Pier, head inside to check in any luggage and show them your online ticket for the Phuket to Koh Yao Noi Ferry.
Click here to book your online ticket and secure your seat.
Speedboat Ferry Tips:
Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the departure time.
Children from 3 to 11 years of age can purchase discounted tickets and infants under 3 years old can travel for free.
Some of these tickets have a no refund policy, whilst others have a 50% refund up to 48 hours prior, so make sure you double-check your booking before confirming.
Once you have boarded the boat and settled in your seat, you can sit back and enjoy the ride! The boat will take approximately 30 minutes to arrive at Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi.
And from there one of the Koh Yao Noi hotels that you have chosen to stay with will organize to collect you.
Option 2 – DIY Longtail Boat Transfer From Bang Rong Pier To Koh Yao Noi
Taking a longtail boat from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi can be a great way to experience the beauty of Thailand.
Longtail boats are small, open-air wooden boats that are traditionally used in Thai coastal waters and rivers.
The cost of taking a SHARED longtail boat from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi is usually around USD $7 for a one-way journey.
If you wish to use a PRIVATE longtail boat this cost will go up a lot, but make sure to negotiate a price.
It’s important to note that longtail boat rides can be unpredictable and weather dependent, so make sure you plan ahead and allow plenty of time for the journey.
You should also bring along some snacks and drinks in case of delays or if you get hungry during the boat ride.
A longtail boat ride from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi can be a great way to experience the beauty of Thailand and give you some time to relax along the way.
The boat journey is a bit noisy (the engine is really loud) and sometimes will be in the full sun as few longtail boats have a roof section for all passengers.
Tip: Bring a hat and a long sleeve shirt with you to protect yourself from the sun (in case your longtail boat doesn’t have a roof).
We have also used an umbrella on these boats before too which worked great!
- Journey Time: Approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour
- Perfect For: Travellers who are on a tight budget or for those after a more authentic experience
- Cost involved: Around USD $7 per person
You will need to purchase your tickets at the pier, so make sure to arrive early so you can secure a spot. These boats leave when they are full, so be prepared to hang around for a bit.
FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.
The only way to there from Phuket is via a boat. You can choose between either a speedboat or a longtail boat.
The speedboat takes 30 minutes whilst the longtail boat will take around 45 minutes.
A longtail boat ticket will cost around $7 USD, whilst a speedboat ticket will cost around $11 USD.
Indeed, Koh Yao Noi is an island worth visiting. As one of the most beautiful Thai islands off the coast of Phuket, it offers a diverse range of attractions and activities that are sure to please any traveler.
The island itself is quite small, measuring just 12 square miles, but it packs a lot of charm into its size.
Visitors can enjoy stunning beaches, lush forests, and crystal-clear waters that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Koh Yao Noi is also home to many quaint villages full of friendly locals who will be happy to show visitors around and help them discover the best spots on the island.
Conclusion
Overall, there are only two ways to get from Phuket to Koh Yao Noi in Thailand.
Taking the speedboat ferry is an easy and quick option for those who simply want to get there as fast as possible while taking a longtail boat is cheaper but takes longer.
The longtail boat gives you the opportunity to experience Thailand’s beautiful coastlines.
Best Way To Get From Phuket to Koh Yao Noi
Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best option is to grab a combo speedboat and taxi ticket.
Book your ferry + taxi ticket here.
Whichever mode of transportation you choose, make sure that you plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your journey as delays or weather conditions may occur.
We hope this guide has given you enough information so that you have a safe and enjoyable trip!
Let us know which one of the above options was your favorite way to travel to this amazing island!
More about Koh Yao Noi
- Check out the best hotels in Koh Yao Noi here.
- Find out more about Koh Yao Noi’s Treehouse Villas here.
