What is the time difference when traveling from Phuket's Rassada Pier to Krabi Ao Nang by large ferry versus speedboat?

A large ferry takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. A speedboat takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, arriving approximately 1 hour faster than a large ferry.

How did the author book the large ferry ticket from Phuket to Krabi Ao Nang, and what benefits were gained?

The author booked a package on Klook that combined accommodation pickup and the ferry ticket. Thanks to this package, there was no need to separately figure out how to get from the accommodation to Rassada Pier, which was very convenient.

What was the interior environment and the degree of swaying like on the large ferry taken from Phuket's Rassada Pier?

The large ferry had air conditioning inside and ample seating, allowing me to sit comfortably with my luggage next to me. Since the boat itself was large, there was almost no swaying, so I arrived without needing to take motion sickness medication.

When traveling from Phuket to Krabi Ao Nang, in which situations are a large ferry and a speedboat recommended, respectively?

A speedboat is recommended when you are in a hurry. On the other hand, if you prefer a comfortable journey, it's better to use a large ferry due to its minimal swaying.

Phuket to Krabi Ao Nang Travel Guide 2026: Ferry vs…

Hello, fellow adventurers!

If you're making the exciting journey from Phuket to Krabi's Ao Nang,

you'll need to decide on your mode of transport.

I recently traveled by a large ferry from Phuket's Rassada Pier,

and I'm here to share my experience and tips to help you plan your transfer.

Table of Contents

1. Why I Chose the Ferry & Speedboat Differences

2. My Ferry Ride Review & Booking Tips

3. Quick 3-Line Summary

1. Why I Chose the Ferry & Speedboat Differences

There are several ways to get to Krabi, including large ferries, speedboats, private cars, and shared minivans. Ferries typically depart from Phuket's Rassada Pier.

📍 Rassada Pier/Rassada Harbour
64, 423 Tha Rue Mai road, tambon Rassada, Muang, Chang Wat Phuket 83000 Thailand

I personally ruled out shared minivans from the start because coordinating schedules with other travelers felt like too much of a hassle.

Since there were only two of us, a private car seemed quite expensive, so we decided to travel by sea.

Here's a quick comparison between the large ferry and a speedboat:

Category	Large Ferry	Speedboat
Travel Time	Approx. 2 to 2.5 hours	Approx. 1 to 1.5 hours
Features	Less rocking, air-conditioned indoor seating + outdoor viewing deck	Faster speed, more bouncing on waves, higher chance of motion sickness

If you're torn between the two, I'd recommend a speedboat if you're in a hurry, and a ferry if you prefer a more comfortable, relaxed journey.

2. My Ferry Ride Review & Booking Tips

Upon arriving at the pier, I simply presented my booking voucher and exchanged it directly for a ticket.

I arrived about 10 minutes before departure, so the line wasn't long, and I didn't have to wait much.

Phuket's Rassada Pier serves various destinations, not just Krabi Ao Nang, so it's crucial to pay attention to the directions.

You'll receive a sticker indicating your destination and vessel. Staff members use these stickers to guide you to the correct boarding area.

After exchanging the voucher, I also received this ticket, which was collected when boarding the ferry.

Before boarding, double-check the signs to confirm it's the right ferry for your destination. There's more than one at the pier!

There were so many international travelers heading to Krabi. The large ferry itself was quite spacious, so it didn't feel cramped at all.

Being a large ferry, the interior was air-conditioned. Apart from first-class and premium seats, the seating was generally open.

Because it was such a big ferry, there were even more seats downstairs.

There was plenty of space, so I could comfortably keep my luggage next to me, not just my carry-on.

The size of the boat meant there was hardly any noticeable rocking.

Thanks to that, even though I brought motion sickness medication, I didn't need to take it and arrived without any issues.

Upon arriving at Ao Nang's Nopparat Thara Pier, all I had to do was follow the directions to disembark.

Looking around after arriving, I felt so glad we came to Krabi!

I booked a package on Klook that combined my accommodation pickup and the ferry ticket.

The package included a pickup vehicle that took us from our hotel directly to Rassada Pier,

which made the journey incredibly convenient as I didn't have to figure out transport to the pier myself.

I'll leave the Klook booking link I used here.

🔻🔻

Check Phuket to Krabi Ao Nang Ferry Tickets

3. Quick 3-Line Summary

Since there were two of us traveling, we found the ferry to be a more reasonable option than a private car.

During peak season, pickup slots can fill up fast, so I recommend checking your desired dates well in advance of booking.

If you have a lot of luggage or a larger group, consider a private car. But if you're looking for a practical and comfortable journey like us, the ferry is a great choice.

If you're curious about Krabi itineraries, restaurants, or activities that I couldn't cover in this post,

check out my Krabi Travel Guide collection below.

🔻🔻