Field Guide No. 01
Longtail vs speedboat in Thailand: which boat should you book?
Short answer: Book a longtail for shallow lagoons, beach landings, short hops and a traditional experience. Book a speedboat for long crossings (like Phuket to Phi Phi), open or rough seas, and groups who want more time on the islands. Shared-tour prices actually overlap - roughly $22-37 by longtail versus $27-36 by speedboat for the same Krabi 4-island day trip - so the decision is about the experience and the sea, not the fare.
Almost every Andaman island tour - Krabi 4 Islands, Phi Phi, Hong Islands, James Bond Island - is sold in both a longtail and a speedboat version. Tourists assume the longtail is the cheap option and the speedboat the premium one. On the booking platforms that is not what the prices show. Here is how the two boats actually differ, with real numbers.
| Wooden longtail | Speedboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruising speed | 25-30 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Passengers | 8-10 passengers | 15-30 passengers |
| Shared day tour | ~$22-37 per person | ~$27-36 per person |
| Private charter (half day) | 2,500-3,500 THB per boat | Considerably more |
| Reaches shallow lagoons / beaches | Yes - shaft lifts over coral and sand | No - deeper hull |
| Best for | shallow water, limestone hongs, beach landings, short hops, calmer seas, authentic experience, cheaper private charter | long distances, rougher open sea, larger groups, more island time, shade and seating |
| Rough / open sea | Poor - low, open, wet | Good - higher fiberglass hull |
| Comfort | Open bench seats, engine noise, spray | Roof, cushioned seats, but pounds in chop |
Why the prices overlap
Shared longtail ($22-37) and speedboat ($27-36) day-tour prices OVERLAP. Speedboat is NOT categorically pricier on the booking platforms - the vessel choice is about experience, not cost. On a shared, seat-by-seat basis the operator is filling the same number of paid seats either way, and the speedboat simply does more trips per day. The real cost gap only appears when you charter the whole boat privately - there a longtail is dramatically cheaper, from about 2,500-3,500 THB for a half day versus a much higher private-speedboat rate.
The one thing only a longtail can do
The name is literal: the "long tail" is the propeller shaft, mounted on a swivel behind a repurposed car engine. The captain lifts the whole shaft to clear coral heads and glide onto sand in ankle-deep water. That is how longtails reach the hidden hongs (collapsed limestone lagoons) around Krabi and Phang Nga, and nose directly onto beaches like Railay and Phra Nang. A speedboat has to anchor off and shuttle you in. If your trip is about those lagoons and beaches, the wooden boat is not the budget compromise - it is the better tool.
Pick by route
- Ao Nang to Railay: longtail. It is the only scheduled service and the crossing is 10-15 minutes. See the fare and schedule.
- Krabi 4 Islands: either works. Longtail for atmosphere and lagoon access, speedboat if you are short on time. Full 4-island guide.
- Phuket to Phi Phi: speedboat. It is open water and a long way - a longtail is the wrong boat for that crossing.
- Hong Islands / James Bond Island lagoons: longtail, for the shallow entrances.
Common questions
Is a longtail or speedboat cheaper in Thailand?+
On booking platforms they overlap. A shared Krabi 4-island longtail day tour runs about $22-37 per person; the same tour by speedboat runs about $27-36. Speedboat is not categorically pricier. For a private charter the longtail is clearly cheaper: roughly 2,500-3,500 THB per boat for a half day versus far more for a private speedboat. Choose on experience and sea conditions, not headline price.
Which is faster, a longtail or a speedboat?+
A speedboat cruises at 50-70 km/h; a wooden longtail cruises at 25-30 km/h. On a long route like Phuket to Phi Phi the speedboat saves an hour or more each way and gives you more time on the islands. On a short route like Ao Nang to Railay (10-15 minutes) the speed difference does not matter.
Can a speedboat reach the same beaches as a longtail?+
No. A longtail's propeller sits on a long swivelling shaft that lifts to clear coral and shallow sand, so it can nose onto beaches and into limestone hongs (lagoons) that a deeper-hulled speedboat cannot enter. If your priority is hidden lagoons and beach landings, book the longtail.
Which boat is better in rough weather?+
The speedboat. Longtails sit low and open, so they are wet and uncomfortable in chop and are often kept in shore on stormy days or during the May-October monsoon swell. A speedboat's higher fiberglass hull handles open-sea crossings better. For long open-water routes in shoulder season, favour the speedboat.
Which should a family with young kids book?+
For short, calm trips a longtail is fine and memorable. For longer crossings or open sea, a speedboat gives shade, cushioned seats and life jackets on a more stable platform. Either way confirm the operator provides child life jackets before you board.