Self-Launched Andaman Islands Sailing: Ko Phi Phi to Phuket
4 days · Andaman Coast Islands, Thailand
G Adventures charges £690
No-markup version: ~£210 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 4-day island-hop along Thailand's Andaman coast, following the same route as G Adventures' ATSH sailing trip: Ko Phi Phi Le, remote Ko Racha Noi, laid-back Ko Yao Yai and finishing in Phuket. Instead of a 54ft crewed catamaran, you'll use the local ferry/speedboat network, book day trips to the snorkelling and kayaking spots that the catamaran reaches, and stay in bungalows and guesthouses — most of the same beaches, water and food, for around a quarter of the tour price. This is a slower, more independent version: you choose which longtail boat to join, where to eat and how long to linger. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget rates in GBP per person, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Ko Phi Phi Doand sail to hidden bays around Ko Phi Phi Le
Ko Phi Phi Don / Ko Phi Phi Le
Take the ferry or speedboat from Phuket (Rassada Pier, roughly 2 hrs, £9-13) or Krabi (45 min, £6-8) to Ton Sai Pier on Ko Phi Phi Don, and check into a guesthouse in the Ton Sai/Loh Dalum area (dorms £8-12, private twin rooms £18-28 shared between two). In the afternoon, walk down to the beach bars at the base of the main pier (the same spot where the G Adventures group meets at the 'Beach Bar' by Burger King) and simply book onto an afternoon longtail boat trip around Ko Phi Phi Le — you can join a shared boat at the beach for around £15-20 per person, which takes in Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and some swimming stops. Book your spot directly on the beach rather than through a hotel desk to keep it cheap. Eat at one of the cheap restaurants off the main walking street (£3-5 a dish) and take in the sunset from the viewpoint if you still have energy.
🚌Ferry from Phuket Rassada Pier (~£9-13, 2 hrs) or from Krabi (~£6-8, 45 min) to Ton Sai Pier
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Ton Sai / Loh Dalum, Ko Phi Phi Don (dorm £8-12, private £18-28)
- →Ferry to Ko Phi Phi Don
- →Afternoon longtail boat trip to Ko Phi Phi Le, Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon (~£15-20 shared)
- →Sunset at Phi Phi viewpoint
Longtail boat to Ko Racha Noi for snorkelling and kayaking
Ko Racha Noi
Ko Racha Noi is the remote southern island the catamaran sails to on day 2, and the best way to reach it independently is a joined day trip or a chartered longtail from Ko Phi Phi, Ko Racha Yai or Phuket. Ask at the boat stands on Loh Dalum beach the day before — a shared longtail to the Racha islands runs roughly £25-35 per person for a full day including snorkelling stops, or a boat trip with snorkel gear included booked via Klook/GetYourGuide runs £30-45. Morning is calmer and clearer for snorkelling; the reefs around Ko Racha Noi are the highlight. Bring your own mask if you have one (rental £3-5), plus a dry bag and reef-safe sunscreen. Lunch is a beach-side Thai meal or a packed lunch from a Phi Phi bakery (£3-6). Kayak rental on the beach is around £5-8 per hour if you want to paddle. In the late afternoon, either return to Phi Phi or, to stay closer to the next day's route, catch a longtail/speedboat transfer across to Ko Yao Yai area or overnight on Ko Phi Phi and reorganise in the morning — booking a Phi Phi guesthouse for a second night is the simplest, cheapest option.
🚌Shared longtail boat or joined speedboat day trip to Ko Racha Noi (~£25-35), local songthaew/longtail transfers
🛏Second night in Ko Phi Phi Don guesthouse or basic bungalow (dorm £8-12, private £18-28)
- →Snorkelling the reefs of Ko Racha Noi
- →Sea kayak rental (~£5-8/hr)
- →Beach lunch and swimming
Cross to Ko Yao Yai and slow down
Ko Yao Yai
Take a morning boat from Ko Phi Phi (or via Phuket/Bang Rong Pier) toward Ko Yao Yai — the combination of a longtail to Bang Rong or a Phi Phi-to-Yao Noi/Yao Yai speedboat costs roughly £12-20 per person, and local ferries from Bang Rong Pier to Ko Yao Yai are about £3-5. Ko Yao Yai is the quiet, Muslim-majority island the G Adventures boat anchors off, and it's much cheaper than Phi Phi: beach bungalows and homestays from £15-25 a night (or £10-15 in a basic fan room), and great seafood and roti for £3-6 a dish. Spend the afternoon on the west-coast beaches (Loh Jak, Had Klong Bon), rent a scooter for £5-7 a day to explore the rubber plantations and fishing villages, or book a short mangrove/sea-kayak outing with a local operator (£15-20). Book your onward ferry or speedboat to Phuket at the pier or guesthouse the night before.
🚌Boat from Ko Phi Phi via Bang Rong Pier to Ko Yao Yai (~£12-20 total), scooter rental (~£5-7/day)
🛏Beach bungalow or homestay on Ko Yao Yai (£10-25)
- →Explore west-coast beaches
- →Scooter ride around the island
- →Optional sea-kayaking or mangrove trip (~£15-20)
- →Seafood dinner at a local restaurant
Ferry into Phuket and finish
Ko Yao Yai to Phuket
Take the morning ferry or speedboat from Ko Yao Yai's Manoh Pier to Bang Rong Pier in Phuket (about 30-45 minutes, £5-8), then a local songthaew or bus to Phuket Town or the airport (£2-4) — or straight to Phuket Airport by shared minivan for around £6-8 if you're flying out. If your flight is later in the day, drop your bag at a café or hostel in Phuket Old Town and wander the Sino-Portuguese streets and Sunday/night market, which is a great cheap feed (Thai dishes £2-4). The route ends on arrival in Phuket, exactly as the group tour does.
🚌Ferry/speedboat Ko Yao Yai to Bang Rong Pier, Phuket (~£5-8, 30-45 min), plus local songthaew or shared minivan to Phuket Town/airport (£2-8)
- →Morning ferry to Phuket
- →Explore Phuket Old Town and street food market (optional, if time before flight)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£210 | £690 |
| Duration | 4 days | 4 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £480 per person (70%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£210
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Andaman Islands Sailing: Ko Phi Phi to Phuket cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £210 per person for 4 days in Andaman Coast Islands, Thailand. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £690 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £210 — a saving of roughly £480 (70%) per person.
How long is the Andaman Coast Islands, Thailand trip?+
This itinerary runs 4 days, covering 4 day-by-day stops through Andaman Coast Islands, Thailand.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, beaches, backpacker trip through Andaman Coast Islands, Thailand, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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