Phu Quoc Ferry Guide (2026): Fast Boats & Schedules

Consulting this comprehensive Phu Quoc ferry guide gives you complete clarity on reaching Vietnam’s largest tropical island by sea. While domestic flights land daily at Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), high-speed passenger catamarans and modern roll-on roll-off ferries provide an affordable, scenic, and luggage-friendly alternative. Two mainland ports in Kien Giang province connect travelers to the island’s eastern harbor at Bai Vong: the closer border city of Ha Tien and the provincial capital of Rach Gia.

Phu Quoc Ferry Route Comparison

Choosing Your Mainland Port: Ha Tien vs Rach Gia

Selecting whether to sail from Ha Tien or Rach Gia depends entirely on your geographic starting point in southern Vietnam:

• Depart from Ha Tien (Shortest Sea Journey): Ha Tien sits just 45 kilometers from Phu Quoc across a sheltered coastal passage. It is the premier departure harbor for travelers crossing overland from southern Cambodia (Kampot, Kep, Phnom Penh) via the Ha Tien / Prek Chak border gate, as well as visitors touring the upper Delta around Chau Doc. Because the crossing lasts only 75 minutes, it is far less prone to motion sickness.
• Depart from Rach Gia (Convenient from Can Tho & Saigon): Rach Gia is situated 120 kilometers southeast of Phu Quoc. Taking a sleeper bus from Saigon or Can Tho directly to Rach Gia avoids the additional 2.5-hour highway bus ride required to reach Ha Tien. However, the open-sea crossing is 2.5 hours long and experiences higher ocean chop during monsoon months.

Vessel Types: Red Catamarans vs Monohulls

Two primary commercial passenger lines operate on these maritime corridors:

1. Phu Quoc Express (European Catamarans): Distinctive red double-hull vessels powered by Rolls-Royce marine engines. The twin-hull catamaran design significantly dampens ocean roll and lateral pitching, creating the smoothest ride on the Gulf of Thailand. Standard economy cabins feature leather airliner seats, air conditioning, and television screens; VIP cabins (350,000 to 540,000 VND / $14.00 – $21.60 USD) offer extra wide recliners, complimentary drinks, and priority boarding.
2. Superdong Fast Boats: The pioneer speed ferry operator in Kien Giang. Their fleet of slender monohull hydrofoils carries 170 to 300 passengers per sailing. Fares are slightly lower (230,000 to 330,000 VND / $9.20 – $13.20 USD), but narrow monohulls tend to roll more noticeably in rough swells.

Transporting Motorbikes & Cars: Thanh Thoi Ferry

If you are embarking on an extended road trip across Vietnam and wish to take your personal motorcycle or rented car onto Phu Quoc, passenger speedboats cannot accommodate four-wheeled vehicles. Instead, book the Thanh Thoi roll-on roll-off ferry departing Ha Tien harbor.

A passenger ticket on Thanh Thoi costs 185,000 VND ($7.40 USD), while bringing a semi-automatic or automatic scooter costs 120,000 to 150,000 VND ($4.80 – $6.00 USD). Standard passenger cars (4 to 7 seats) cost 900,000 to 1,250,000 VND ($36 – $50 USD). The ferry crossing takes 2 hours and 45 minutes, featuring an open-air upper observation deck and cafeteria.

Arriving at Bai Vong Port: Island Transfers

All passenger ferries from Ha Tien and Rach Gia dock at Ben Tau Bai Vong (Bai Vong Harbor), located on the eastern coastline of Phu Quoc, approximately 14 kilometers east of Duong Dong town center. Several transport options await at the harbor gates:

• Shared Shuttle Minibuses: Parked outside the arrival gangway, air-conditioned 16-seat shuttles charge a flat 50,000 VND ($2.00 USD) per passenger for drop-off at any hotel along Tran Hung Dao Street in Duong Dong. Tickets can be purchased on board the ferry before docking or at harbor kiosks.
• Metered Taxis: Mai Linh, Vinasun, and VinFast electric Green SM taxis line the parking lot. A private meter taxi ride to Duong Dong costs 160,000 to 220,000 VND ($6.40 – $8.80 USD). If your resort is located in northern Ganh Dau or southern An Thoi, expect a meter fare of 380,000 to 480,000 VND ($15.20 – $19.20 USD).

Essential Ferry Travel Checklist

• Passport Verification: Vietnamese maritime border regulations mandate that all foreign passengers show an original, physical passport matching the ticket name before boarding. Digital photos on phones will be rejected.
• Luggage Limits: Standard ferry tickets include up to 20 kilograms of personal baggage. Bags are stored on designated luggage racks near the vessel entrance.
• Monsoon Weather Disruptions: From June through October, the southwest monsoon occasionally creates ocean swells exceeding 2.5 meters. Port authorities temporarily cancel ferry sailings during storm advisories. Check official operator announcements or port status 12 hours prior to travel.

Explore our neighborhood lodging breakdown on where to stay in Phu Quoc to choose between sunset beach hotels and secluded villa bays, and consult where to stay in Rach Gia if staying mainland overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions