I had a great time on Koh Yao Yai, exploring the island on my motorbike. In this article, I will give you some recommendations of how to get to Koh Yao Yai from Phi Phi island, Phuket, Krabi/ Ao Nang, and Bangkok. I’ll also share the best ways to get around the island with and without a scooter.
Koh Yao Yai is a beautiful island located in Phang Nga Bay, close to the famous Phuket and Krabi. The island offers a quiet and laid-back atmosphere, making it an ideal location for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat and exploring the local culture.
Koh Yao Yai is easily reachable from nearby islands and mainland such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Ao Nang, and Krabi Town. Koh Yao Yai does not have an airport. The closest airport to the island is Phuket airport.
If you travel from central and northern Thailand, such as Bangkok or Chiang Mai, you can reach Koh Yao Yai by flying to Phuket first, then transfer to the pier by boat to Koh Yao Yai.
Here are the main content:
How to Get to Yao Yai from Koh Phi Phi
It is a 1.5 hour boat ride from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai. The boat departs from Ton Sai Pier on Koh Phi Phi and arrives at Chong Lard Pier on Koh Yao Yai.
I booked my ferry ticket at a tour agency at Ton Sai pier for the ferry on the same day. The salesman told me that the boat was full and he had to call the boat operator if he could put me in. And I was the last person who bought the ticket for the boat departing at 11 am.
I was with Koh Yao Sun Smile, the ferry journey from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Yao Yai is around 2 hours. They stopped at several locations on the way such as Railay, Ao Nang, Koh Yao Noi, and finally Koh Yao Yai.
You can book tickets at your hotel, at local travel agencies, or online at 12go.asia. I highly recommend booking your ticket in advance either in person or online at least one day before your departure, especially in the high season.
How to Get to Koh Yao Yai from Phuket
It is around 30 minutes to 1 hours boat ride from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai depending on starting and ending piers on each island. You can choose to depart from the pier that is close to your hotel.
Here are some ferry routes between Phuket and Koh Yao Yai:
- Bang Rong Pier on Phuket (near airport) to Chong Lard Pier Koh Yao Yai
- Bang Rong Pier on Phuket to Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai
- Thiensin Pier on Phuket to Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai
- Laem Hin Pier near Phuket Town to Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai
Some companies running this route include Koh Yao Sun Smile, Green Beach Travel, Suwimol Speedboat, Call Me Taxi. There are many trips running during the day. You can book tickets at local travel agencies, at the pier, or online here.
Taxi in from your location to the pier in Phuket and taxi from the pier on Koh Yao Yai to your hotel can be expensive. I recommend booking a ferry that includes a local transfer on each island before and after the ferry. Koh Yao Sun Smile provides this service.
How to Get to Koh Yao Yai from Yao Noi
It is a 10 minute long tail boat ride from Chong Lard Pier on Koh Yao Yai to Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi. You just go to the pier and ask the boat driver there to take you to Koh Yao Noi. If you use the shared boat, you need to wait until enough passengers are onboard and the ticket is 50 baht.
I have a motorbike and pay around 200 baht (as I remember) for a private boat. I didn’t bargain the price. The boat drivers helped me to bring the motorbike down to the boat and up to the pier.
The last boat to come back to Koh Yao Yai is 5.30pm. Be sure to check the last boat time with the boat drivers there, so you won’t miss the last ferry to get back to your hotel.
How to Get to Koh Yao Yai from Krabi and Ao Nang
It is a 1 hour boat ride from Krabi to Koh Yao Yai. The boat departs from either Tha Len Pier or Ao Nam Mao Pier in Krabi and arrives at either Klong Hia Pier or Chong Lard Pier on Koh Yao Yai.
I recommend booking a combo ticket that includes the transfer from your hotel in Krabi (either Krabi Town, Krabi Airport, or Ao Nang) to the pier and ferry to Koh Yao Yai.
Some tour companies serving transport from Krabi/Ao Nang to Koh Yao Yai include Koh Yao Sun Smile, Green Planet, Lanta Super Concord Tour, and Black Tiger Tour.
How to get to Koh Yao Yai from Bangkok
Bangkok to Koh Yao Yai by airplane + ferry
The easiest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Yao Yai is to fly to Phuket first, then head to Bang Rong Pier for the boat to Koh Yao Yai. It is around a 1,5 hour flight, 20 minute drive from the airport to the pier, and a 30 minute ferry ride.
From Phuket airport, you can book combo tickets which include a transfer to the pier and ferry to Koh Yao Yai. There are lots of trips during the day from companies like Koh Yao Sun Smile, and Call Me Taxi.
If you prefer to do it yourself, from the airport, you can catch a taxi tp Bang Rong pier, which is the closest pier to the airport that has a ferry to Koh Yao Yai. You can buy a boat ticket at the pier. This is easy to do during day time as there are lots of taxi and ferry options at this time.
Bangkok to Koh Yao Yai by bus + ferry
If you are on a budget and you have lots of time, you can consider taking a combo bus and ferry ticket to reach Koh Yao Yai from Bangkok. Bangkok Travel Plus offers this tour. They have night buses departing from Khao San Road and the Bangkok Old Town area. Check the bus + ferry from Bangkok to Yao Yai here.
Best ways to get around Koh Yao Yai
Walking
Koh Yao Yai is quite a big island, you can’t explore the whole island on foot, but you can explore the beaches and some amenities near your hotel. I stayed in Chong lard Pier area. I can walk to the pier, Laem Had Beach, 7-11, and several restaurants and motorbike rentals.
Renting a motorbike
Renting a motorbike is by far the best way to explore Koh Yao Yai. It will give you freedom to explore all corners of the island at your own pace.
Lots of hotels and hostels on the island have their own bike rental services. I stayed in Chong Lard Pier area, and there are few good bike rental shops there.
I visited during the high tourist season, most bikes were rented. I was lucky to have lunch at Dang Paradise Food, and the owner still has one available bike for rent, so I immediately took that one.
The process of renting was easy; and no deposit was needed. I paid 250 per day. The bike is not in its best condition, but it does the job. The road is also flat and easy to use, but there are also many dirt roads.
Taking a guided tour
There are few popular tours from Koh Yao Yai such as day tours to Hong island or Jame Bond island. If you haven’t visited these islands and you have spare time in Koh yao yai, you can consider taking these tours. You can book these tours with your hotels easily.
Using songthaew
When arriving at Chong Lard Pier, I saw a few songthaew pick up trucks at the port. You can order it to get to your hotel. But, I recommend arranging the pick up transport with your hotel or with a boat operator to make it easy to travel.
Without a scooter, you can get around the island by hiring a private driver, or ask your hotel for songthaew.
See more:
- Where to stay in Koh Yao Yai
- Stay in Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai?
- 3-4 Days In Koh Yao Yai & Noi Itinerary
- 15 Best Things to Do in Koh Yao Yai
These are my suggestions of how to reach Koh Yao Yai from Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Ao Nang, and Bangkok. I’ve also shared the best ways to explore the island. I hope you have a wonderful trip on Koh Yao Yai like me.