Phuket to Koh Yao

The fastest way and the easiest way

Our van to Bang Rong pier, then the speedboat, is the fastest and the easiest. The van meets you at the airport or the villa, the crew loads the bags, and half an hour later you're on the island.

Want your own boat? A private speedboat leaves whenever you're ready; the price depends on the boat, with the party on board. See Phuket yachts, and ask Tanner to quote it.

From Phuket airport

Bang Rong pier is about 12 to 14 km from Phuket airport, a 20 to 25 minute drive, Thailand Boat Tickets says in its 2026 guide. There's no boat from the airport itself.

Land by early afternoon and you're on the island before sunset. Land late and you'll need a private speedboat or a night in Phuket.

See our Phuket airport transfer, and ask Tanner to time the van to your flight.

Speedboat or longtail?

The speedboat is covered and takes about 30 minutes to Koh Yao Noi, from about ฿200 to ฿400 a seat. The longtail takes 60 to 75 minutes, open to the sea air, from about ฿100 to ฿200, the same guide lists.

Insider tip: on a choppy day take the speedboat, and save the longtail for a calm morning.

Ask Tanner which boat suits the weather on your day.

The boats to Koh Yao Yai

The Phuket to Koh Yao Yai speedboats take about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the pier, with 4 to 6 a day, Thailand Boat Tickets lists. Koh Yao Sun Smile runs speedboats to both islands, and Green Planet runs a combined boat on to Krabi and Railay via Koh Yao Noi.

Ask Tanner which pier is closest to your villa.

Between the islands, and on to Krabi

The two islands sit side by side, so stay on one and visit the other for a day. The Green Planet boat carries on from Koh Yao Noi to Railay and Ao Nang, so you can go on to Krabi without going back through Phuket.

See Railay Beach and Phuket to Krabi, and ask Tanner to plan the hop to Krabi.

How far it is

The Phuket to Koh Yao Noi distance is about 25 km by sea, out in Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi.

There's no bridge. See every route on Getting around Thailand, and ask Tanner to fit the islands into the trip.

Boat times and fares

The Phuket to Koh Yao Noi ferry is a speedboat, and in high season, November to April, one leaves Bang Rong about every 1 to 1.5 hours from 7:30am to 5:30pm, Thailand Boat Tickets says. From May to October it's about every 2 hours, and afternoon boats can be cancelled in rough weather.

Boats run from about 9:30am to about 5pm (checked October 2026), so plan on the last boat leaving around 5pm.

Insider tip: high-season boats can sell out, so book the seats with the van. Ask Tanner to hold them.

Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai?

Koh Yao Noi, "little Yao", is the smaller island, with the easier boat. Koh Yao Yai, "big Yao", is the bigger one.

Tanner's pick for a group: stay on Koh Yao Noi, and take a boat over to Yao Yai for a day. Ask Tanner for the villa.

Coming back to Phuket

Going back is the same trip the other way: the speedboat to Bang Rong, then the van waiting at the pier.

Flying out the same day? Take a morning boat. The airport is only 20 to 25 minutes from Bang Rong, and that leaves time for the check-in queue. Ask Tanner to have the van at the pier.

No bus, no train, no bridge

There's no bus, train or road to Koh Yao Noi. Every way in ends on a boat, from Bang Rong on Phuket or from the Krabi side.

The group goes easiest in its own van to the pier, with the bags loaded once. Ask Tanner to book both.

Taking a car across

Bang Rong is for foot passengers. The Yao Yai Express car ferry uses Ao Po pier, about 10 km north of Bang Rong, Thailand Boat Tickets says.

Most groups don't need a car on the islands. Ask Tanner what's waiting on the other side.

Phuket to Koh Yao Noi in short

• Speedboat from Bang Rong pier: about 30 minutes to Koh Yao Noi, 30 to 45 to Koh Yao Yai.

• Bang Rong pier is about 20 to 25 minutes by road from Phuket airport.
• High season boats run about every 1 to 1.5 hours; the last leaves around 5pm.
• The longtail takes 60 to 75 minutes, cheaper and best on a calm day.
• Koh Yao Noi is about 25 km from Phuket by sea, with no bridge.
• Cars go across from Ao Po pier, not Bang Rong.

Checked October 2026.

Is Koh Yao Noi worth it?

Yes, for a quiet day or two between the parties: quiet beaches, pool villas and views of Phang Nga Bay, with dinner by the sea rather than clubs.

Or do it as a day on a private boat around the bay, then back to Patong for the night. See our Phuket nightlife guide, then plan it with Tanner.