Phi Phi Islands are two very picturesque islands, Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh, which became famous for being the set of the 1999 film The Beach starring Leonardo di Caprio.
Capable of attracting a large number of visitors each year, they are one of the most popular destinations in southern Thailand, where spectacular cliffs overlooking an emerald green sea, a colourful coral reef, and white beaches made of soft, fine sand, together create a picture to be admired.
Travel information: useful info
Inhabitants: 2,500
Languages: Thai is the official language. English in tourist areas and Thailand's capital, Bangkok
Local currency: Baht (THB) / Exchange rate: €1.00 = 38.02 baht - 1 baht = €0.03
Climate: tropical, hot all year round, with a rainy season from May to October and a dry season from December to March. Temperatures never fall below 30 degrees during the day and 20 at night, lows are around 23-24.
Vaccinations: no vaccinations required
Entry requirements: original passport with residual validity of at least 6 months at the time of arrival and at least two free pages remaining for visa application
Distance from Italy: 8,890 km from Milan (11 - 13 hours flight time)
Where to find us
The Phi Phi Islands are located in Thailand, Asia, in the Andaman Sea and belong to the Thai province of Krabi, in the south of the country.
They are a small archipelago of six islands, but only two are known because they are the only ones open to tourism: Phi Phi Don, the largest, and Phi Phi Leh.
Incidentally, Phi Phi are completely pedestrianised, there are no roads but only footpaths and travel is by sea.
How to get there
Most intercontinental flights to Thailand arrive in Bangkok and, from there, you'll need to reach Phuket or Krabi by ferry or internal flight. To get to the Phi Phi Islands, the journey is 1 h 30 m from Phuket and 2 hours from Krabi (€20.00 return).
From Milan: a direct flight to Bangkok takes about 11 hours with Air Italy, while with Etihad, you have a stopover in Abu Dhabi and arrive from there in 6 h 30 m.
Compare flights from Milan - from €310.44From Rome Fiumicino: the flight to Bangkok has a stopover in Delhi (DEL) and from there it takes 4 hours to arrive in Bangkok. The companies are Alitalia + Thai Airways International. Or there is the approximately 11-hour direct flight with Thai.
Despite the fact that international flights land in Phuket or Krabi, it is worth flying to Bangkok as you can find a direct flight (albeit more expensive), otherwise you are forced to make at least two stopovers.
Compare flights from Rome - from €375.22Frommajor European capitals: from Paris there is a direct flight with both Thai and Air France that lasts 11 hours. From London the direct flight takes 11 - 12 hours to Bangkok, you can choose between three companies: British Airways, Thai and Eva Air. From Berlin, on the other hand, there is a stopover in Vienna and from there you arrive in 10 hours with British Airways, or a stopover in Helsinki and then you arrive in Bangkok in about 10 hours with Finnair.
Airlines flying to Thailand include Air France, Finnair, Emirates, Air Italy, KLM, British Airways.
Compare flights to Phi Phi Islands - from €372.47
When to go? Info on climate and best time
Month | Average temperatures (min/max) | Rainfall (days/mm) |
|---|---|---|
January | 22 / 31° | 6 days / 50 mm |
February | 22 / 33° | 4 days / 25 mm |
March | 23 / 33° | 6 days / 50 mm |
April | 24 / 33° | 10 days / 130 mm |
May | 24 / 33° | 18 days / 210 mm |
June | 24 / 32° | 18 days / 260 mm |
July | 24 / 31° | 18 days / 275 mm |
August | 24 / 31° | 18 days / 260 mm |
September | 24 / 31° | 20 days / 375 mm |
October | 23 / 31° | 20 days / 330 mm |
November | 23 / 30° | 17 days / 230 mm |
December | 23 / 31° | 12 days / 90 mm |
Climate: tropical, warm all year round, with a rainy season from May to October, due to the southwest monsoon, and a dry season from December to March. Temperatures are always high (24 min / 30 max). March, April and May are the hottest months of the year.
The rainy period has two peaks where rainfall is very heavy: May and September-October. In some years, there can also be torrential rain in July and August.
The sea is warm every month (29-30 degrees), but in the summer period it can be rough due to the monsoon.Best period: the best period is from January to March, when it does not rain, the weather is dry and not too hot. In August, the weather is variable, rainy with breaks of sunshine or vice versa.
Period to avoid: from June to November Phi Phi is hit by the monsoon, between September and October there is usually more rain. Tropical cyclones may occur from time to time, between April and December, but it is still a fairly protected area. Typhoons may arrive from the east, especially between October and December.
Tips: in the rainy season the humidity is very high, so bring clothes with light, breathable fabrics, preferably natural fibres; long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to protect you from mosquitoes; always carry a waterproof jacket or a small umbrella in any season.
In the dry season pack a sweatshirt or a slightly heavier jacket for the evening. Avoid too heavy clothes that you will not use. Do not forget insect repellent, sunscreen, snorkelling equipment and first-aid medicines.
Avoid tank tops, low-cut or see-through t-shirts, too-short shorts and tops in public places (they may not let you in). Always carry a pair of lightweight long trousers with you, as they are compulsory for some attractions. For men, do not go around shirtless and do not drive any vehicle without a T-shirt: it is illegal! Always remember to put your clothes back on after leaving the beach.
Which island to go to?
The Phi Phi archipelago, as already mentioned, consists of two main islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, plus several smaller islands and islets.
Ko Phi Phi Don
The island has two hills separated by a symmetrical double bay, Ao Ton Sai facing south and opposite Ao Loh Dalum Bay to the north. The land between these two bays is filled with resorts, guesthouses, restaurants, shops, cafés, as well as being the scene of beach parties and nightlife.
Nevertheless, the main bay of Koh Phi Phi Don remains a fascinating natural spectacle with its limestone cliffs covered by lush tropical forest, the thin strip of fine white sand surrounded by palm trees, and the small, beautiful coves.
Beaches worth seeing include Long Beach, where you can snorkel, Laem Thong Beach, Bakao Beach.
The island is connected to Phuket and Krabi by ferries that leave daily, the journey takes about 1 ½ hours for €10 each way. A speedboat can be taken, but the prices are higher (over €200.00).
The island is completely pedestrianised, so you are free to walk everywhere, thinking at most of hiring a bicycle.
It can be said that the presence of hotels and various services have made the island a little chaotic, but it is enough to move to hidden coves and beaches to find a corner of peace.
Ko Phi Phi Leh
The smaller of the two islands that make up Phi Phi Island, it is a protected national marine park and is one of the day trips that are usually made to Phi Phi Island.
Its beauty is extraordinary, full of bright tropical colours that blend with the brilliant blue of the splendid sea.
Its most beautiful beaches are Maya Bay, Lagoon Beach and Bamboo Island.
Unlike Ko Phi Phi Don, this island has no hotels, no services and is not inhabited: it is practically in the wild and can be reached by ferries that dock at the small bays.
It can also be visited by organised tours, which depart either from Ko Phi Phi Don or Phuket, or other larger islands.
7 things to see: beaches and sights
Maya Bay: is located on the island Ko Phi Phi Leh and became famous after the film'The Beach'. White sand, clear waters and rocks jutting out of the sea: it is a real paradise and one of the most beautiful beaches. However, it is very crowded and therefore best to go there early in the morning or at sunset.
LagoonBay: it's practically a lagoon created by the sea, with huge sheer boulders surrounding it, reflecting their deep green in the clear water. A picture!
Monkey beach: the peculiarity of this beach is that it is invaded by so many monkeys! They really are everywhere, as this is their habitat. It is recommended not to pick them up or touch them, the mothers can be very fierce in defending their cubs.
Phi Phi Don Viewpoint: this is a vantage point with an incredible view and is reached by a walk of about 30 minutes from Tonsai. It costs 30 bath (not even €1.00) and I recommend continuing uphill to the second viewpoint.
Bamboo beach: this is an almost untouched island, with very white sand and crystal-clear water. As it is a protected area, entry costs 400 bath per person (€10.00-11.00).
Laem Tong Bay: a very large and quiet beach, far from the chaos and therefore less crowded than many others.
Koh Bida Nok: this beach is rich in coral reefs and perfect for diving and snorkelling. Blacktip sharks, soldier fish, parrot and butterfly fish, giant moray eels, turtles and lion fish are just some of the animals you can spot.
What to do in the Phi Phi Islands: excursions and tours
How much does a holiday in the Phi Phi Islands cost? Prices, offers and tips
As far as airfare is concerned, which, as you know, is always the most expensive, consider spending between €650.00 and €750.00 for flights from Milan or Rome. There are flash offers round-trip around €450.00, but you should always monitor the sites and have the possibility of travelling all year round.
As forhotels, the price/quality ratio is very good: it starts at €10.00 per person per night and goes up to €70.00-80.00 for average accommodation. It is clear that you can spend much more if you choose higher category resorts in the high season.
Good food is not lacking and you will not spend on average more than €6.00-7.00 per day unless, of course, you dine from A to Z in a luxurious restaurant.
Internal flights from Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi usually cost around €50.00 and then you have to add about €20.00 for the ferry to reach Phi Phi.
The attractions you visit usually cost an average of €3.00, while the famous Thai massages (a must try!) have an average price of between 400 and 600 baht (€10.00/12.00) for 2 hours.
Interesting flight + hotel packages for two cost just over €3,000.00 in total for a week, and a trip usually costs between €1,000.00 and €1,500.00 per person. Obviously, you have to add to this the internal flights and everything else you need on a daily basis.
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €22.00 per room - see offers
Cheap flights: from €310.94 - look at the offers
