Field Guide No. 02
How much does a longtail boat cost in Thailand?
In short: a shared seat on a longtail island day tour is about $22-37 (roughly 750-1,300 THB) per person. A private charter of the whole boat is 2,500-3,500 THB per half day or 4,500-6,500 THB per full day (up to ~8 people). A short transfer like Ao Nang to Railay is 100 THB per person one-way. National park fees (200-400 THB) are usually extra.
Longtail pricing in Thailand comes in three shapes: a shared seat on a set tour, a private charter of the whole boat, and a point-to-point transfer. Each is priced differently, and the number you see advertised almost never includes the national park fee. Here is the full picture with real figures.
Prices at a glance
| Shared island day tour (seat) Krabi 4-island, incl. lunch + snorkel gear | ~$22-37 / person |
| Private charter - half day whole boat, ~8 pax, 4 hours | 2,500-3,500 THB |
| Private charter - full day whole boat, ~8 pax, 8 hours | 4,500-6,500 THB |
| Private Railay round trip (no island stops) whole boat | 1,800-2,500 THB |
| Ao Nang to Railay transfer one-way shared, 200 THB return | 100 THB / person |
Shared-seat figures from live GetYourGuide listings; charter and transfer figures quoted in THB by Krabi operators. Checked 2026-07-16.
The park fees nobody puts in the headline price
The single most common surprise is the national park entry fee, collected on the day in cash. It depends which side of the park you visit:
| Krabi 4-island area Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Krabi side | 200 THB adult / 100 THB child |
| Phi Phi / Maya Bay Foreigner rate. Thai nationals pay 40/20 THB. | 400 THB adult / 200 THB child |
Shared seat or private charter?
For one or two people, shared seats are the cheapest way to go. For a group of four or more, do the maths on a private charter: a half-day longtail at 2,500-3,500 THB split four ways is roughly 625-875 THB each - similar to a shared seat, but you set the route, skip the crowds, and are not rushed off each beach. Bigger groups almost always win with a charter. Deciding between longtail and speedboat?
Common questions
How much does a longtail boat cost in Thailand?+
A shared seat on a longtail island day tour costs about $22-37 (roughly 750-1,300 THB) per person including lunch and snorkel gear. Chartering the whole boat privately costs about 2,500-3,500 THB for a half day or 4,500-6,500 THB for a full day, holding up to around 8 people. A short point-to-point transfer such as Ao Nang to Railay is 100 THB per person one-way. National park entry fees are usually extra.
How much is it to hire a private longtail boat for a day?+
Around 4,500-6,500 THB for a full day (about 8 hours) or 2,500-3,500 THB for a half day, for the whole boat carrying up to roughly 8 passengers. Split between a group that is often cheaper per person than buying individual seats, and you set your own route and timing.
Are national park fees included in longtail tour prices?+
Often not. In the Krabi 4-island area the national park fee is 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child (4-11). On the Phi Phi and Maya Bay side it is 400 THB per foreign adult and 200 THB per child. Always check whether the fee is bundled before you book - it is the most common surprise charge.
Why is my longtail tour cheaper than the park fee suggests?+
Because many cheap headline prices exclude the national park fee, hotel transfer, and sometimes lunch. Add 200-400 THB in park fees and 100-200 THB for pickup outside the main beach and the real all-in cost is higher than the listed 'from' price. Read the exclusions.
Is a shared seat or private charter better value?+
For 1-2 people, buy shared seats. For a group of 4 or more, a private charter often works out similar or cheaper per head and you avoid the fixed tour route, crowds, and rushed stops. A half-day private longtail at 2,500-3,500 THB split four ways is about 625-875 THB each.