Island Hopping Cost Calculator: Ferry Prices Across Southeast Asia

We compiled route-by-route ferry and boat prices across the three most popular island hopping regions in Southeast Asia. The data covers major tourist corridors, operator names, travel times, and vessel types — everything needed to calculate your total inter-island transport budget for 2026.

All prices are one-way fares in USD, collected from operator websites, ticket counters, and verified traveler reports in Q1 2026. Prices fluctuate 10–15% seasonally; peak season (December–February) sits at the higher end of each range.

Thailand’s island network runs on a well-established ferry system. Two operators — Lomprayah and Seatran Discovery — control most Gulf of Thailand routes. Andaman coast routes are more fragmented.

The Gulf islands (Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Samui) are the cheapest to connect. A full gulf loop — Surat Thani to Koh Phangan to Koh Tao and back — runs about $36 in ferry costs. The Andaman side is slightly pricier, with the Pak Bara to Koh Lipe speedboat commanding a premium due to distance and the lack of a slow ferry option.

Indonesia’s inter-island transport splits into two tiers: cheap, slow public ferries and fast tourist boats at 3–8x the price. Both work. The choice depends on your budget-to-comfort ratio.

The Bali–Lombok route illustrates the split perfectly. The fast boat costs $20–35 and takes two hours. The public ferry from Padang Bai to Lembar is $3–5 and takes four to five hours, but it’s an experience — motorcycles, livestock, and the open deck. For the Gili Islands, the public boat from Lombok’s Bangsal harbor ($3–5) is the budget alternative to fast boats from Bali ($25–40). The catch: Bangsal harbor’s touts are aggressive, and departure times are unreliable. Worth it if you’re already on Lombok. Not worth a special trip.

The Philippines’ 7,641 islands mean boats are not optional. The network is less centralized than Thailand’s, with a mix of large ferry companies (2GO, Oceanjet) and local bangka boats.

The El Nido to Coron ferry is the marquee Philippines island hop — five to seven hours through the Bacuit Archipelago. Rough in monsoon season (June–October) but spectacular in calm weather. The Manila to El Nido connection is a flight, not a ferry, because the overland/sea alternative takes 24+ hours and isn’t worth the savings.

The Indonesia triangle delivers the most islands per dollar. Thailand’s gulf loop is the most reliable and comfortable. The Philippines Palawan run is the most expensive but arguably the most scenic.

For Thailand’s Lomprayah and Seatran ferries, booking online 1–2 days ahead guarantees your seat and usually costs the same as the ticket counter. In Indonesia, fast boats should be booked a day ahead during peak season (July–August, December–January) but walk-ups work fine the rest of the year. Public ferries and bangka boats in the Philippines are always walk-up — no booking needed or possible.

The major operators (Lomprayah, Seatran, Oceanjet) have strong safety records. Smaller fast boat operators in Indonesia have had incidents, particularly on the Bali–Gili route during rough seas. Check conditions before boarding, avoid overnight fast boats, and confirm that life jackets are on board. If the sea looks rough and the operator is still going, consider waiting a day.

Most ferries accommodate large luggage at no extra charge. Surfboards are accepted on Thai and Indonesian ferries but may incur a $5–10 surcharge on fast boats. In the Philippines, bangka boats are small — oversized luggage can be an issue. Confirm with the operator if you’re carrying anything larger than a standard backpack.

Combine Thailand’s gulf islands with the Indonesia triangle for the best value. Fly Bangkok to Surat Thani ($25–40), ferry the gulf loop (~$36), fly to Bali ($80–120 on AirAsia or Lion Air), then do the Bali–Gili–Lombok triangle on public boats (~$15–20 total). Full circuit transport: roughly $160–220 covering six or more islands across two countries.

Build your itinerary: Plan a Thailand island hop or plan an Indonesia island route. For daily costs once you arrive, check the Beach Season Calendar to time your trip for the lowest accommodation rates.