Updated on 26 May 2026
Phu Quoc Island, the "Pearl Island" of Vietnam, is a tropical paradise known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush national parks. As one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia, getting there is a crucial part of your journey. While flights from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi are popular, many customers decide to choose ferries as a means of transportation from the mainland to Phu Quoc Island due to advantages such as speed and affordability.
In this complete guide for 2026, we’ll cover everything you need to know: the two mainland departure ports (Ha Tien and Rach Gia), ferry operators like Superdong and Phu Quoc Express, schedules, prices, insider tips, and how to book with confidence. Whether you’re a solo backpacker, a family, or a traveler bringing a motorbike, this guide is for you.

Flying to Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) is fast—usually under an hour from HCMC. However, in the current climate of rising fuel prices, airfare can sometimes become a significant obstacle. Furthermore, there are currently few direct flights from overseas to Phu Quoc. Many travelers are starting to look for more affordable options for their journeys – and ferries are a top choice.

With many airlines offering daily flights to Phu Quoc, many travelers may still be undecided between ferry and plane. In our opinion, this largely depends on your budget and the type of luggage you bring. You should choose a flight if you’re short on time or prone to severe seasickness. Additionally, you might consider flying if you're coming from a location quite far from Phu Quoc (such as Hanoi, Hue, or Da Nang). A flight will simplify the travel process.
So, who is the ferry best for? It’s ideal for:
Here's a quick comparison table to help you make your decision.
| Feature | Ferry | Flight |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 2–3 hours plus port transfer | ~1 hour flight + airport transfer |
| Cost (2026) | 12–25 USD one-way | 50–100+ USD one-way (depend on your departure location) |
| Scenery | Ocean, islands, coastline | Clouds (if you get a window seat) |
| Luggage | Generous (included) | Strict weight limits, extra fees |
| Motorbike transport | Yes (additional fee) | No |
| Reliability in storms | Can be cancelled | Rarely cancelled |
| Departure location | Ha Tien, Rach Gia, Nam Can, Song Doc | Most major cities in Vietnam |
The best time to take the ferry to Phu Quoc depends heavily on the distinct seasons of the Gulf of Thailand, which dramatically affect sea conditions and travel reliability. The dry season, spanning from November to April, offers ideal crossing conditions characterized by sunny weather, light winds, and calm seas with only slight to moderate waves, making motion sickness rare and ferry cancellations almost non-existent. However, because crowds are high during this peak period, booking your tickets well in advance is essential. Conversely, the wet season from May to October brings frequent rain, strong winds, and rough to very rough seas that cause even large ferries to rock significantly. Ferry cancellations are common during these months, especially for smaller operators, though Superdong remains the most resilient. If you choose to travel during the wet season, it is crucial to allow flexibility in your itinerary, as a cancellation might force you to wait one to two days for the weather to clear or require you to book a last-minute flight instead.
There are two mainland departure points for ferries to Phu Quoc: Ha Tien (Kien Giang province) and Rach Gia (the provincial capital). Each has its own advantages.
Ha Tien is a small, charming border town close to the Cambodian frontier. It’s the preferred departure point for most travelers because it’s closer to Phu Quoc, meaning a shorter ferry ride. The distance from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc is approximately 45km across the sea, and the travel time is usually 1.5-1.75 hours, depending on operator and weather. To accommodate travelers, there are generally 6 to 8 daily departures, with peak season schedules offering convenient regular sailings at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, and 4:00 PM, though these frequencies may be reduced during the rainy season. Please note that ferry schedules may vary between transport providers, so we recommend that you carefully check the updated ferry schedule provided by the provider or travel agency before your trip.
Depending on the ferry company you choose, the specific price will vary. Below are the reference ticket prices at the time of writing:
The distance from Saigon to Ha Tien is approximately 230km, and the travel time is usually 5-6 hours. The most common mode of transport on this route is by bus, with estimated ticket prices around $10~12 USD (200,000 to 300,000VND) per trip. For a more comfortable journey, you should prioritize choosing a sleeper bus/cabin bus for easier rest and consider departing at a suitable time to conveniently connect to the ferry to the island, but the travel time will be longer (8 hours). If you're traveling in a large group and want to ensure privacy throughout your journey with fastest speed, a private HCMC - Ha Tien car service would be ideal.
Rach Gia is the capital of Kien Giang province and a larger city than Ha Tien. It has more amenities and better transport links from HCMC, but the ferry ride is longer. The distance from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc is approximately 120km across the sea, and the travel time is usually 3-3.5 hours, depending on operator and weather. Passengers can choose from four to 6 daily departures, with standard schedules usually offering convenient options throughout the day at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. Please note that ferry schedules may vary between service providers.
Depending on the ferry company you choose, the specific price will vary. Below are the reference ticket prices at the time of writing:
Traveling the Saigon - Ha Tien - Phu Quoc route beginning with a 6 to 7-hour sleeper bus journey that typically costs between $9.50-11.40 USD (250,000 – 300,000 VND) depending on the operator and booking time. If you want to have control over your schedule and minimize travel time by land, a private HCMC - Rach Gia car service is the perfect choice.
Unless you are coming from the southern Mekong Delta (Can Tho, Soc Trang) or prefer a larger city, choose Ha Tien Route. The shorter ferry ride is well worth it.
| Factor | Ha Tien | Rach Gia |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry duration | 1.5 – 1.75 hours | 3 – 3.5 hours |
| Scenery | Coastal, closer to Cambodia | More open sea |
| Port facilities | Basic but adequate | Larger, more shops/restaurants |
| Bus connections from HCMC | 8–9 hours | 6–7 hours |
| Overnight bus options | Yes | Yes |
| Best for... | Speed, motorbikes, border crossers | Comfort, Mekong Delta travelers |
Three main companies operate ferries to Phu Quoc. Each has a different style, price point, and set of amenities.

Superdong has been the backbone of Phu Quoc ferry services for over a decade. They are known for reliability, frequent departures, and a no-frills but comfortable experience.
Ticket prices for the Superdong fast ferry vary slightly depending on your departure port, with a standard one-way ticket costing approximately 230,000 VND ($8.75 USD) from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc and around 330,000 VND ($15 USD) for the longer route from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc. Superdong also offers a shuttle service from Bai Vong Port to Duong Dong for 40,000 VND ($1.8 USD), dropping passengers off at the Superdong Phu Quoc ticket office if needed. Securing your seats is highly flexible, as passengers can book tickets directly through local travel agencies, purchase them in person at the ferry port ticket booths, or reserve them online on their website.

Phu Quoc Express is the newer, sleeker competitor. Their vessels are modern, slightly faster, and offer more comfort.
Ticket prices for the Phu Quoc Express red-and-white double-hull high-speed ferry vary depending on the route and seating class. Traveling from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc costs approximately 330,000 VND ($12.5 USD) for a standard Eco seat and 220,000 VND ($8.5 USD) for a premium VIP ticket, while the longer journey from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc is priced at around 315,000 VND ($12 USD) for a standard ticket and 500,000 VND ($19 USD) for a VIP ticket. Securing your trip is highly convenient, as passengers can book directly through the operator's official website, purchase tickets via any local travel agent, or use major digital transit and booking applications for instant confirmation.

Thanh Thoi is a slower, larger vehicle ferry. It’s not for passengers seeking speed, but it is essential for anyone shipping a car, van, or multiple motorbikes. This is also the primary choice of the local residents because the frequency of ferry in a day is quite high.
Ferry tickets from Thanh Thoi are usually cheaper than other providers, but this comes at the cost of often longer travel times. An Eco ticket for an adult on the Ha Tien - Phu Quoc route costs approximately 205,000 VND (7.8 USD), while the Rach Gia - Phu Quoc route costs approximately 315,000 VND (12 USD). You can easily book tickets on the provider's official website or through a travel agency.
| Operator | Speed | Route | Travel time | Comfort | Price | Vehicle Transport | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superdong | Fast |
Ha Tien ⇄ Phu Quoc Rach Gia ⇄ Phu Quoc |
1.25-1.5 hours (Ha Tien - Phu Quoc); 2.25 - 2.75 hours (Rach Gia - Phu Quoc) |
Medium | $$ | Yes | Budget travelers, reliability |
| Phu Quoc Express | Fastest | 1.25-1.5 hours (Ha Tien - Phu Quoc); 2.25 - 2.75 hours (Rach Gia - Phu Quoc) | High | $$$ | Yes | Comfort, USB ports, style | |
| Thanh Thoi | Slow | 2.5 hours (Ha Tien - Phu Quoc); 3-3.25 hours (Rach Gia - Phu Quoc) | Low | $ | Yes (cars/ trucks) | Shipping vehicles, cargo |
For most travelers, Phu Quoc Express offers the best balance of speed and comfort. For budget travelers, Superdong is perfectly fine.
Currently, Phu Quoc has 3 main ports and many smaller piers. Depending on their location and function, these piers serve different purposes. Some piers only serve local fishermen, some only serve trade and transportation, and some serve both purposes. Understanding the ports will save you confusion on travel day.

Ha Tien ferry terminal port


This is the main tourist pier where high-speed ferry companies operating to Phu Quoc such as Superdong, Hoa Binh Ship, and Phu Quoc Express dock. Major ferry companies like Thanh Thoi, Superdong, and Binh An also berth here. Most tourists arriving in Phu Quoc arrive via this ferry terminal.

This is one of the busiest ports in Phu Quoc, located in An Thoi Town, the southernmost point of Phu Quoc. The port serves not only tourist boats and fishing vessels but also large cargo ships, coast guard patrol boats, and naval vessels. All snorkeling tours in the southern part of the island, as well as 4-island tours, 3-island tours, and 5-island tours, depart from this port.

The daily scheduling and frequency of the Phu Quoc ferries vary depending on your chosen departure port and the day of the week. For those traveling on the Rach Gia to Phu Quoc route, departures begin at 7:00 AM and conclude by 2:30 PM, with vessels leaving at regular intervals of three to four hours for a total of four trips per day. In contrast, the Ha Tien to Phu Quoc route offers an earlier head start, with initial departures launching at 4:30 AM and final crossings wrapping up around 11:30 AM or 12:30 PM, resulting in a slightly higher overall daily frequency than the Rach Gia route. Regardless of which port you choose, all operators adjust their schedules to accommodate increased demand on weekends and major holidays, ramping up service to eight to ten trips per day compared to the standard weekday baseline of four to six. When it is time to head back, return ferries leave Phu Quoc's Bai Vong Port between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM, with the earliest morning boats hitting Ha Tien by roughly 9:00 AM; just be sure to confirm your return ticket at least twenty-four hours in advance to secure your preferred slot.
Note that schedules change seasonally. Below is a typical dry season (November–April) schedule. In the wet season, expect fewer departures.
How to Check If Your Ferry Is Cancelled Due to Weather
- Check the morning of departure: Operator Facebook pages or websites often post updates by 6:00 AM.
- Call the operator: You can easily find the hotline numbers of the service providers printed on the ticket or on their booking websites.
- Ask your hotel or travel agent: They receive updates quickly.
- Look at wind forecasts: Wind speeds over 30–40 km/h often lead to cancellations.

Deciding whether to book your Phu Quoc ferry tickets online or at the port comes down to a trade-off between certainty and flexibility. Booking online in advance guarantees your seat, allows you to select your preferred operator and seating class, lets you skip the ticket window queues, and occasionally secures small discounts; however, it does require internet access, usually incurs a minor booking fee, and locks you into a fixed schedule. On the other hand, purchasing your tickets directly at the port on the day of travel gives you total flexibility if your plans change and avoids booking fees altogether, but it exposes you to long queues, potential language barriers, and a high risk of sold-out vessels.
As a rule of thumb, you should absolutely book online at least two to three days in advance if you are traveling during the peak season—spanning December through February—or around major Vietnamese holidays like Tet. During the low season, however, turning up and buying your tickets straight from the port ticket booth is generally perfectly fine.
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