Railay Beach to Phuket Ferry: Direct Transfer & Hotel Drop-Off

Summary

Direct Ferry Transfer from Railay Beach to Phuket Hotels

If you want a hassle-free way from Railay Beach straight to your hotel in Phuket—with no confusing transfers or hidden stops—this ferry is honestly one of the easiest options around. You get picked up right on the beach (or pier), cruise direct, and hop into a shuttle at the port. It’s simple and saves you some stress.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air at Railay West feels a bit salty, especially if you’re waiting near the sand in front of Railay Village Resort & Spa. If it’s high season, that’s where we met—just thirty minutes before departure. In low season though, you’ll want to head over to the floating pier on Railay East, right by Sunrise Tropical Resort. The tide can change things fast here; I remember the sound of longtail engines echoing off the cliffs while we waited for our ride out to the big ferry.

Once you climb aboard the Ao Nang Princess ferry, there’s no fuss—just a straight shot across the water to Phuket. No stops along the way, just the steady hum of the engine and a breeze that sometimes smells faintly of diesel mixed with seaweed. We watched limestone islands slip by and tried not to spill our iced coffees from a little stall back on Railay. The crew was friendly but didn’t hover; they mostly let us settle in for the ride.

Landing at Rassada Port in southern Phuket Town felt busy but organized. If your hotel’s in Patong, Kata, Karon, Chalong or right in town, there’s a free shuttle waiting—just make sure you’ve given them your hotel name ahead of time. The whole thing ran pretty smooth for us, though I heard from another traveler that if there aren’t enough people booked, they might switch you onto a speedboat instead. And yeah, weather can mess with timing—one guy said his trip got pushed back an hour because of rough seas last week.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ferry from Railay Beach to Phuket

• Meet at Railay West or East Beach
• Take longtail boat to ferry
• Cruise on Ao Nang Princess ferry to Phuket
• Arrive at Rassada Port, Phuket
• Transfer to hotel in Phuket Town or nearby

Top questions

Where exactly do I meet for departure?

In high season, meet at Railay West Beach by Railay Village Resort & Spa. In low season or if sea conditions are rough, go to the floating pier at Railay East near Sunrise Tropical Resort.

Is hotel drop-off included everywhere in Phuket?

The free drop-off covers hotels in Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon and Chalong only. Other areas aren’t included.

What happens if there’s bad weather?

If sea conditions are unsafe or weather is bad, your transfer might be delayed or cancelled for safety reasons. You’ll get a full refund if it can’t run.

Can infants travel on this ferry?

Yes—infants are welcome but need to sit on an adult’s lap during the journey.

What’s included

Your ticket covers a one-way ferry ride from Railay Beach straight to Rassada Port in Phuket plus basic travel insurance and a free hotel drop-off service (if your hotel’s in Phuket Town, Patong, Kata, Karon or Chalong). Just let them know where you’re staying when you book so they can arrange your transfer.