undated September 2023 by Eli
Koh Phi Phi is a small tropical island and one of the most famous and most visited islands in Thailand. So the general assumption is that going to the island for a holiday can be quite expensive.
The island is famous for its beauty, stunning limestone rocks and great scuba diving and snorkeling. The popularity of the Koh Phi Phi skyrocketed after the year 2000 when the movie “The Beach” was filmed here.
But even though Phi Phi Island is one of the most popular islands in Thailand, you can spend your holiday here on a relatively small budget.
I have been coming to the island since 2005 and have been living here permanently since 2012. Living in a tourist area on a small island is not an inexpensive matter, but if you can compromise, everything is possible.
Despite its popularity, Koh Phi Phi is a small village and I do not think that one needs any luxury to live here. You spend most of the day on the beach, in the sea or by the pool. I can confirm from my own experience that I spend minimum time in my room and therefore a basic place to sleep and shower is all you need, if you are backpacking.
In this post, I will share with you some useful tips that will come handy to all travelers, students and backpackers. You will find out where to find accommodation on a minimal budget, where to eat cheaply and what to do in Koh Phi Phi.
There are no roads, cars or motorbikes on the island. In addition to clean air, this also means that you won’t spend any cash on taxis and tuk-tuks. You can walk anywhere around the island on foot.
Why is Koh Phi Phi more expensive than other places in Thailand?
Phi Phi Island is a two-hour boat ride from the mainland. Which means that all goods and electric supply with water have to get here somehow.
So expect a little more expensive prices in the supermarket than onshore. This also applies to accommodation. Electricity and water on Koh Phi Phi are extremely expensive, which means that hotels and hostels are a bit more expensive than onshore or inland because they have to cover their larger costs or running the accommodation.
When is the best to come to Phi Phi Island?
Another important fact I must mention is the timing of your vacation. If you’re on a limited budget, come to Phi Phi Island in low season. And this, of course, applies to all of Thailand. The weather is generally good even off-season, there are not as many tourists and prices of accommodation on the island are on its lowest. Low season, in reality, means from 1st May to 31st October, which is when hotels have the cheapest rates.
The most expensive period, when hotel prices peak the highest, are the two weeks around Christmas and New Year holidays and a week in mid-February when the Chinese New Year is celebrated. In these two terms, almost all hotels on the island are sold out and prices per night can be up to five times the off seasonal rates.
WHERE TO FIND CHEAP ROOMS IN KOH PHI PHI?
As I mentioned, if you can plan your break off-season (from May to the end of October), your accommodation budget will be significantly smaller.
Uphill Cottage is a very good choice of cheap hotels. The resort is a 12-minute walk from the main port, in a quiet part of town. There are restaurants and shops within 5 minutes from the bungalows and you can walk to all the bars and beaches. Low season prices are around 800THB per room.
- If you want even cheaper budget room, you can find basic rooms at Harmony House, P P Garden Home Bungalows and Tropical Garden Bungalows. Prices for rooms with fan off-season are around 400-500THB per night for two persons (13-16USD).
If you are traveling long term, you can stay in Phi Phi island longer and rent a room for a month. Monthly rental of a basic room in low season is around 8.000-10.000THB (260-320USD).
CHEAP HOTELS & ROOMS IN PHI PHI ISLAND
BEST HOSTELS & DORMS IN PHI PHI ISLAND
WHERE TO FIND A GOOD AND CHEAP FOOD IN PHI PHI ISLAND?
Food in Phi Phi Island is not very expensive and if you enjoy Thai food, you will find a lot of cheap restaurants.
The best choice for cheap food is the local market, located near the main port. There are several stalls and restaurants where you can eat some tasty and cheap meals.
- I recommend eating in the local market near the main pier. You can find some classic cheap Thai food for good prices. The price of meals such as rice and pad thai is from 60-70THB per serving (2USD). Try PA NOI restaurant.
- Another good and cheap options besides the market are the ONLY NOODLES resto, where they cook cheap Pad thai and yellow noodle dishes. The stand is tucked behind the Irish Bar.
- If you want European food, some pasta or pizza, you can try the TOM YAM restaurant near the ONLY NOODLES. It serves European and Thai dishes.
If you want to save money on drinking water and also want to be eco-friendly, invest in Trash Hero flask. It costs 200THB and there are several places on the island where you can get free water refill (such as Adventure Club dive shops). Trash Hero bottle can also be used on other islands such as Koh Lipe and Koh Tao.
WHAT TO DO ON THE ISLAND WITHOUT SPENDING TOO MUCH?
- VIEWPOINT
Phi Phi viewpoint is a must-do activity for anyone coming to Phi Phi Island. The entrance is only 30THB and the walk is fairly easy. Right after the stairs, you are at Viewpoint #1, after a 20-minute uphill walk, you will reach Viewpoint # 2, where you will find the Viewpoint restaurant and a wooden platform to enjoy the view.
- KAYAKING
Kayaking in Loh Dalum Bay is one of the favorite activities in Phi Phi Island. Three-hour kayak rental for two people is approximately 500THB, or 250THB per person (8 USD per person). If you want to rent the kayak for the whole day you can negotiate a better price.
- SNORKELING
If you like to snorkel, you can also try snorkeling off the beach. Long Beach or Loh Moodee Beach are good beaches for snorkeling. You can reach both beaches on foot and rent mask and snorkel for 100THB in the town. Long Beach is good for swimming all day, even at low tide, and you can snorkel at the end of the beach at the place called Shark Point. With a little luck, you can spot some black-tip sharks. Loh Modee beach is also good for snorkeling, just make sure you come during high tide. Loh Modee beach has a more gradual slope, so during low tide, there is pretty shallow water. You can check tide times on the Internet or application Global Tide.
- BEACH AND JUNGLE TREKKING
If you like walking then you can spend a day trekking to the northern part of the island and relax on beautiful beaches like Leam Tong and Loh Ba Kao Bay.
READ HERE HOW TO GET TO THE NORT PART OF THE ISLAND ON FOOT
- SWIMMING POOLS
There are some great swimming pools in Phi Phi Island you can use for free, once you buy drinks or food in the pool bar or restaurant.
During the day there is a good rooftop pool at Phi Phi Don Chukit Resort, overlooking the port and Tonsai Bay. In the afternoon there are great sunset views from the infinity pools in Phuppaya Seaview Resort or Cobble Beach Resort.
There is also free entry to the Ibiza and Princess swimming pools on days when there is a pool party (mostly Fridays and Sundays).
- MASSAGE
You won’t find any spas or health centers in Phi Phi island. You can have a massage in basic massage parlors, which you can find all over the town. Have a massage in the town instead of the beach, you will get the same service, only pay extra for the location. Good massage in the town is 300THB per hour for a thai style massage and 400THB (10-13USD) per hour for oil massage.
I recommend a place called Baan Sabai massage or Anita Massage.
NIGHTLIFE AND BARS IN PHI PHI ISLAND
All beach bars are open and free to wander. It is quite polite to buy at least one beer at the bar, but it is not a must. You can buy alcohol at the supermarket or on the street and sit down on the beach to watch the fire show. The fire show starts every night around 9 pm in Stones Bar and Slinky Bar.
Reggae Bar has free entry, once you buy a drink at the bar. From around 9.30 pm, you can watch here the Thai boxing matches and even take a part in a quest to win a free whiskey bucket.
Paddy Shack is right in the centre of the town, next to Cappulate Cafe. Paddy has great drinks for a decent price and the best cocktails buckets in Phi Phi.
BUDGET BOAT TRIP IN PHI PHI ISLAND
Phi Phi Island offers a large number of tours and excursions and you will find good tours even with a limited budget. If you are looking for a cheaper option of the trip, it will be a trip on a traditional long-tail boat.
But be careful not to be tempted by extremely cheap trips. If a half-day trip with lunch costs 350-400THB, it almost always means you will end up on a crowded boat. If someone sells such cheap trips, they must logically fill the boat to the max to earn some profit. I recommend paying a little more and enjoy a good quality trip and make some good memories.
Good price for a half-day trip is around 650THB (20USD) or 850THB for full day.
SUM UP
How much money should I bring to enjoy Phi Phi Island?
Here is a rough budget for one person, three full days in Phi Phi Island
(4 nights).
- Accommodation in Tropical garden Bungalow in low season (500THB per night, double room for two people). Each day there is an activity, including a boat trip, kayak rental and a massage. If you are careful with your money then 4,000 THB should be enough. If you are a smoker or like to have a drink, add extra money for cigarettes and alcohol.
Afternoon arrival to the island:
• Accommodation 250THB
• Beverages (water/ shake) 100THB
• Viewpoint 30THB
• Dinner + beer 150THB
Day #1:
• Accommodation 250THB
• Beverages (water/ shake) 100THB
• 3 Thai meals 250THB
• Mask& snorkel rental 100THB
• Massage 350THB
Day # 2:
• Accommodation 250THB
• Beverages (water/ shake) 100THB
• 2 Thai meals 180THB
• Boat trip 650THB (+400thb national park fee)
Day # 3:
• Accommodation 250THB
• Beverages (water/ shake) 100THB
• 3 Thai meals 250THB
• Kayak rental 250THB
Morning departure
• Breakfast 150THB
Total: 4.160THB (117USD)
