Latest booking data has shown that travel to Southeast Asia is exceeding pre-pandemic market conditions. Direct Ferries, the world’s leading ferry booking site reported that ferry bookings in and around the region are up 110% YTD on the same time period in 2019.

Reports reveal that Google searches for student gap year travel are up 49% year-on-year. While backpackers, ‘grey’ gap year and ‘revenge’ travellers are also making the most of the freedom to travel once more, post pandemic.

Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia are the most popular destinations for ferry travel, report Direct Ferries, which operates a total of 300 ferry routes in the region.

Direct Ferries data found that 93% of searches are for groups of 4 or less and that couples make up the most popular searches: 55% of searches were made for sailings with 2 adults.

Top Southeast Asian ferry routes (Source Direct Ferries, May 2023)

• Phuket (Rassada Pier) – Koh Phi Phi (Tonsai Pier)
• Koh Samui (Mae Nam Pier) – Koh Tao (Mae Haad Pier)
• Koh Samui (Nathon Pier) – Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier)
• HarbourFront Centre – Batam Centre
• HarbourFront Centre – Harbour Bay
• Tanah Merah – Bandar Bentan Telani

Niall Walsh, CEO at Direct Ferries said: “While we expected a natural return to pre pandemic travel numbers in the region, the 110% increase in ferry bookings demonstrates the vastly increased global desire to discover and explore the regions of Southeast Asia by sea.

We expect this uplift to continue as more and more travellers, of all ages, feel confident and able to travel to long haul Southeast Asian destinations from Europe and within the domestic regional market, cost effectively by ferry.

Example route and ferry booking costs:

Phuket (Rassada Pier) – Koh Phi Phi (Tonsai Pier)

2 adults return: £82

1 adult return: £40

HarbourFront Centre – Batam Centre: 

2 adults return: £97

1 adult return: £48

HarbourFront Centre – Harbour Bay

2 adults return: £97

1 adult return: £48