Water transport in Thailand – ferries and longtails

Passenger ferries, speedboats, longtail boats (longtails) and water cabs are the constituent units of all water transport in Thailand, which allow access to most Thai islands with missing airports, such as Ko Chang, Ko Lan, Pangan and others. And the country’s most popular resorts (Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok, etc.) have the largest ports due to the large amount of passenger traffic.

How to buy ferry tickets in Thailand

Thailand ferries ply between the coastal resorts of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Many factors – tourist season in Thailand, time of day and comfort of the ferry – influence the price of the ticket. They can be purchased in three ways:

    1. directly at the ticket offices on the piers;
    2. in travel agencies and hotels (there is a surcharge)
    3. at 12 Go Asia (read FAQ on how to use the service).

The 12 Go Asia service allows you to book tickets online a week or month before departure and frees you from driving to the coastal ticket offices. Just have a digital device with Internet access at hand. Try the search widget by entering departure and destination points, select a date, and click “Find”.

If you choose to buy your tickets through a travel agent or hotel, keep in mind that the total price may include a shuttle service that will pick you up at the hotel’s main entrance and take you directly to the pier. It is worth checking with the hotel reception for the time of your departure, as it may not coincide with the time indicated on the ticket.

Ferries in Thailand

When buying tickets for steams in Thailand directly from the pier ticket offices (it will be cheaper both ways), it is worth considering the possibility of their absence due to the rapid sell-out, which is typical in high season. Therefore, in order not to wait for the next scheduled ferry, which will be only an hour, it is advisable to come for them in advance.

Also, don’t forget to check the name of the pier, from which you will depart, because the firm-transporter sometimes uses more than one pier. Cabs from the hotel to the pier and back can be booked separately, read here.

Pattaya Central Beach Pier

Peculiarities of traveling on ferries in Thailand

Thailand ferries often have late departures or late arrivals. You should count on this – arrive at the pier at least half an hour before departure and be prepared to sail longer than usual. You should also be prepared for possible transfers from ferry to ferry, which are made directly at sea. In this case the ships are moored to each other and the passengers cross over a drawbridge (feel like pirates boarding a ship!).

Ferries in Thailand

The frequency of ferry departures in Thailand can be as once or twice a day as well as every 2-3 hours – it all depends on the busyness of the piers. The first departures begin at 6 am and end at 7 pm. When purchasing a ticket, be sure to check the availability of tomorrow, lunch or dinner on the ships that make multi-hour voyages.

The sea voyages are operated by the same company.

Maritime transportation of passengers in Thailand is provided by many transport operators in competition with each other. Because of this, ticket prices are kept at a reasonable level. A list of the most popular Thai carriers where you can see the ferry schedules:

Longtails in Thailand

Longtail boats, called longtails, are considered the most popular form of water transport in Thailand. These boats are equipped with benches under a shady cloth canopy that protects the passengers from the weather. These benches can accommodate up to 15 passengers. Longtails are great for getting to the neighboring beaches (like the beach at Railly Peninsula), and you can enjoy great water rides all day long for a very nominal fee (bargaining is required)! Read more about the peculiarities of watercraft rental in Thailand.

Longtails in Thailand

Longtails in Thailand

Longtails in Thailand

Longtails in Thailand differ from ordinary boats by the brightly colored ribbons decorating the bow of the vessel, which are more than just decoration. It’s all about the Asian belief in spirits, with these ribbons Thais dispose them to themselves for enrichment and good luck. Do not think that this is an outdated form of water transport in Thailand, longtails are very modern and in demand among tourists. The boat is not powered by oars, but by a jet engine.

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