Ferry to Phu Quoc: Rach Gia or Ha Tien, and Which Ticket to Book
5 min read
You can reach Phu Quoc by sea from two mainland ports, and the choice is made by geography before it is made by price: pick the port that is on your way. If both suit you, Ha Tien is the shorter crossing, at 1.5 to 2 hours against two to two and a half from Rach Gia. For most travellers coming via Rach Gia: the Phu Quoc Express High-Speed Ferry from Rach Gia, €17.61, 4.1 stars from 51 reviews. Via Ha Tien: the Phu Quoc Express High-Speed Ferry from Ha Tien, €13.
The four tickets side by side
| Ticket | Crossing | From | Rating | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phu Quoc Express High-Speed Ferry from Rach Gia | 2 to 2.5 hours | €17.61 | 4.1 stars, 51 reviews | Rach Gia arrivals; the largest review sample of any ferry ticket |
| Rach Gia to Phu Quoc: Express Speedboat Transfer | 2.5 hours | €16.34 | 3.7 stars, 15 reviews | Rach Gia arrivals; not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems or anyone prone to seasickness |
| Phu Quoc Express High-Speed Ferry from Ha Tien | 1.5 to 2 hours | €13 | 3.9 stars, 11 reviews | Ha Tien arrivals, on the same operator’s boats |
| Ha Tien to Phu Quoc Ferry Ticket in 90 Minutes | 1.5 hours | €11.44 | 4.7 stars, 4 reviews | Ha Tien arrivals on Superdong or Phu Quoc Express boats; a review count this small proves very little |
Read the review counts as warnings. Several of these listings appear to sell seats on the same kind of fast ferry, so the stars mostly reflect how one crossing went. A handful of reviews will not tell you which listing is better.
Rach Gia: the longer crossing
The Phu Quoc Express ticket from Rach Gia is the listing with the most reviews. The Express Speedboat Transfer from Rach Gia describes an air-conditioned cabin with leather seats, ample legroom, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, a snack bar and a deck. The crossing to the Bai Vong pier on Phu Quoc takes two to two and a half hours.
Check the “not suitable for” list on that booking page before you buy: it names pregnant women, people with back problems and people prone to seasickness. Two and a half hours on a fast boat is a long time if the sea is rough. If seasickness runs in your family, take that seriously, and ask a pharmacist before you travel about what is suitable for you.
See availability for the Rach Gia ferry
Ha Tien: shorter and cheaper
The Ha Tien crossing takes around 1.5 hours. The 90-minute ticket names the fast ferries it uses, Superdong and Phu Quoc Express, and says the boat docks at Bai Vong Terminal, from which taxis, shared shuttles and private transfers run to Duong Dong, Long Beach and the main resorts. It is also the natural route if you are coming overland from Cambodia: the booking page says so.
Know what the ticket does not cover. The page states that meals and drinks other than a bottle of water, hotel transfers, and travel insurance are not included. A bottle of water and a wet towel are. Luggage is allowed on board; bicycles and motorbikes are not.
See availability for the Ha Tien 90-minute ferry
What to do on the day
- Arrive early. The Ha Tien 90-minute listing asks for 45 to 60 minutes before departure at the terminal; the Rach Gia speedboat listing asks you to check in at least 30 minutes ahead.
- Bring your passport or ID card, and a visa if you need one: the Phu Quoc Express listings say so. The Rach Gia speedboat listing also asks you to send a passport photo in advance and to expect a security check at the port. Which visa applies to you is a question for the embassy, not this page.
- Use the right voucher. The 90-minute Ha Tien ticket can be shown on your phone without printing; for the Phu Quoc Express tickets, board with the voucher confirmed by email, because the GetYourGuide QR code is not valid for boarding.
- Plan the last mile. The boat docks at the pier, not at your hotel. Three of the four tickets state that hotel transfers are not provided, and for the speedboat transfer the booking page is the place to check, so settle how you will get from Bai Vong to your hotel before you board.
For the journey home, the Phu Quoc Express listings have two meeting points depending on the option you select; check there whether a departure from the island is offered.
When not to take the boat
If you get seasick, are pregnant, or have back problems, the listings that name these groups are telling you the same thing: this is a fast boat that can be bumpy. Weather can affect boat services: the wet months of roughly May to October bring storms (see the best time to visit Phu Quoc), and the Ha Tien 90-minute listing warns that rough seas are common from November to March, so check the forecast before you book. If the crossing worries you, flying is the alternative, which is a question for an airline rather than this page.
Once you are on the island, the boat and island-hopping days and our guide to which three-island boat tour to book pick up where the ferry leaves off.
Our recommendation
For most travellers coming via Rach Gia: the Phu Quoc Express High-Speed Ferry from Rach Gia at €17.61. It has 51 reviews, the largest sample of the four ferry listings here.
If you can choose your port: choose Ha Tien. It is the shorter crossing, which means less time at sea. The 90-minute ticket costs €11.44 and the Phu Quoc Express ticket from the same port €13, with more reviews.
Skip: hunting for the one “better boat”. With review counts this small, buy the ticket for the port you are leaving from, and put the effort into your passport and your last mile instead.
