Island transport in Southeast Asia comes in three main forms: high-speed catamaran ferries, lower-speed car ferries and fibreglass speed boats. Each serves a different purpose at a different price.
The decision depends on three factors: the distance, your available time and your budget. Match these factors to the right boat type and you avoid paying for speed you do not need or wasting hours on a boat when a faster option exists.
| Option | Time | Price | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed ferry | 30 to 45 minutes | THB 250 to 350 | Lomprayah, Seatran |
| Raja Ferry (car ferry) | 1 hour | THB 150 to 200 | Raja Ferry |
Verdict: The time difference is 15 to 30 minutes. The price difference is THB 100 to 150. The car ferry makes sense if you carry a motorbike. Otherwise the high-speed ferry at THB 250 is the better trade-off.
| Option | Time | Price | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed catamaran | 1 hour | THB 450 to 600 | Lomprayah, Songserm |
| Speed boat | 1 hour 15 minutes | THB 500 to 650 | Charter |
| Slow ferry | 2 to 3 hours | THB 300 to 400 | Songserm night ferry |
Verdict: The high-speed catamaran is the right choice for most travellers. Speed boats on this route offer no meaningful time advantage over catamarans and cost more. The overnight slow ferry (departs 11pm, arrives 6am) saves one night's accommodation cost.
The Raja car ferry covers this route in 1.5 to 2 hours for THB 160 to 200 (foot passenger). This is the primary link for vehicles. Foot passengers prefer the faster catamaran or the through-bus-ferry combination that delivers them directly to Surat Thani bus terminal.
Enter your starting island and destination to see all available boat services with current prices, departure times and journey durations. Compare speed boat, catamaran and car ferry options side by side.
Plan Island RouteFind Departure Times| Option | Time | Price | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow car ferry | 4 to 5 hours | IDR 45,000 to 65,000 | Every 1 to 2 hours |
| Fast boat (Gili Islands via Lombok) | 1.5 to 2 hours | IDR 250,000 to 450,000 | Several daily |
Verdict: If your destination is Lombok city or southern Lombok, the slow car ferry at IDR 45,000 saves IDR 200,000 and the extra time is manageable. If your destination is the Gili Islands, take the fast boat directly and skip the car ferry entirely.
| Option | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fast boat direct from Bali | 1.5 to 2 hours | IDR 350,000 to 600,000 |
| Car ferry + public transport + local boat | 5 to 7 hours | IDR 150,000 to 250,000 |
The fast boat is worth every rupiah here. The alternative involves the car ferry, a bemo (minivan) across Lombok and a local wooden boat. The additional four hours and multiple transfers make the cheap option impractical for most travellers.
Book fast boats at: perama.com, gilibookings.com or 12go.asia. Book at least 2 days ahead in July and August when boats fill.
Most travellers fly to Caticlan Airport (35 minutes from Manila) and take a 15-minute pump boat from Caticlan jetty to Boracay (PHP 30 pump boat plus PHP 75 terminal fee plus PHP 150 environmental fee). Total boat cost: PHP 255.
No alternative sea route from Manila to Boracay is practical for tourists. The ferry from Manila's North Harbour takes 14 to 18 hours and offers no time advantage over flying at similar total cost.
| Option | Time | Price | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed boat (direct) | 4 to 5 hours | PHP 1,500 to 2,500 | Low (rough sea exposure) |
| Liveaboard (2 nights) | 2 days | PHP 5,000 to 12,000 | High (includes diving, food) |
| Flights via Puerto Princesa | 2 to 3 hours total | PHP 1,500 to 4,000 | High |
The direct speed boat between Coron and El Nido covers 240km of open sea. Conditions are rough from June to September. Boats have sunk on this route in bad weather. If you need this connection during monsoon season, fly.