Thailand is home to countless beautiful islands, but only two of them have airports: Phuket and Koh Samui. That means for most other islands, you'll need to rely on one of the many ferry services.
At Ferrygogo, we’ve gathered quite a bit of experience traveling by ferry in Thailand, and based on that, we’ve put together ten practical tips.
1. Always book your ferry in advance
Every time we took a ferry in Thailand, the boats were completely full. There was literally no room left. Just showing up at the harbor and hoping to get a ticket isn’t always realistic. So make sure to book online in advance through platforms that sell ferry tickets in Asia, such as Direct Ferries ↗ or 12go.asia ↗.
2. Board early
Since ferries are often filled to capacity, the best seats are quickly taken. If you're traveling with a family or in a group, it's smart to get in line early to avoid being split up once onboard.
3. Expect delays
Ferries in Thailand aren’t known for running on time. We had significant delays in several trips, even in good weather conditions. You’ll even see warning signs from ferry companies advising you to book your ferry at least 24 hours before your flight to allow for possible delays.
4. Keep some small cash on hand
At many harbors, you’ll be asked to pay additional fees upon arrival, such as port fees or contributions to a national park. These payments often need to be made in cash, so carry some small change.
5. Consider bringing earplugs
Speedboats and traditional Thai longtail boats can be very noisy. In these situations, earplugs or noise-cancelling earbuds are more of a necessity than a luxury. Especially if you're traveling with young children, it’s wise to bring well-fitting earplugs to protect their ears, just in case.
6. Wear flip-flops or sandals
On some islands, there’s no proper dock, and you’ll need to board the boat directly from the beach or walk across a floating pier. Flip-flops or sandals are ideal in these situations. They can get wet, and you can easily slip them off and on.
We once wore closed shoes, had to take them off, and walked barefoot across a burning-hot pier. We were practically dancing from the pain, and ended up with a blistered sole. Lesson learned.
7. Book your ferry and transfer in one go
Thailand has many small travel agencies that arrange minivan transfers from popular tourist spots to the harbor. Booking both your transfer and ferry together usually ensures a smoother journey, even if there are delays. Local platforms like 12Go.asia ↗ make this easy to arrange.
8. Bring something to pass the time
Ferry rides may initially seem exciting, but they can be pretty long. Especially on speedboats, you might sit in tight rows with little room to move. A good book, an e-reader, or a movie on your phone can help the time pass more comfortably.
9. Consider motion sickness tablets
The boats are often relatively small and more sensitive to waves. If you're prone to seasickness, it’s a good idea to bring motion sickness tablets just in case.
10. Don’t forget sunscreen
You don’t always get to pick the best seats. Sometimes, the only available spots are on the upper deck in full sun. The Thai sun can be intense, so having sunscreen in your bag is a smart move.
Meet Jelle, the creative mind behind FerryGoGo, all the way from the Netherlands. His journey started when he was planning a big trip around the world. But there was a problem – he couldn't easily find information about ferry crossings. So, Jelle decided to take matters into his own hands and create FerryGoGo. Now, he's making it simple for tourists like you to find ferry routes and explore the world's waterways. Join Jelle on his mission to make ferry travel a breeze with FerryGoGo! 🌍
