How to Get to Krabi: Every Route Compared

Featured image: Paolobon140, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Quick answer: how to get to Krabi

Fly into KBV if your schedule allows. Bangkok flights are reported at under 1.5 hours in the air, against a reported 12–16 hours by bus. Overland routes work from Surat Thani, Phuket, Hat Yai and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Last verified: November 2026. Fares, schedules and boat timetables change, so recheck them with the operator before you pay.

• Time-poor: fly to KBV, then transfer by road.
• Budget: take a bus or minivan, or the train to Surat Thani plus a bus.
• Heading to Railay or Phi Phi: add a boat leg to any route.
• Arriving late at night: pre-arrange your onward ride.

Which Krabi are you going to?

Krabi is a province, and your last leg depends on the exact base. Krabi Town sits inland, and the airport is reported at about 15 km from its centre. Ao Nang is a road transfer. Railay has no road access, so it always ends with a boat. Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are island stops with their own ferry or minivan links.

• Krabi Town: bus station, river-side guesthouses, cheaper food and rooms.
• Ao Nang: beach resort strip with longtail boats to nearby beaches.
• Railay: boat-only peninsula beach with limestone cliffs.
• Koh Phi Phi: ferry or catamaran, reported at about 2 hours and 1.5 hours.
• Koh Lanta: minivan route, reported at 2–3 hours.

Compare your options at a glance

Use this table to match your starting point to a mode. Times and cost levels are reported ranges, so confirm them before booking.

By air: flying to Krabi International Airport

Flying is the fastest answer for most visitors. Bangkok flights run from Don Mueang, and you should check whether your airline also uses Suvarnabhumi. Reported carriers include AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways. Confirm current routes on the Airports of Thailand site. Low-cost airlines usually include carry-on only, so add checked bags at booking. High-season fares from December to April are reported to start at double low-season prices. Early-morning and late-evening departures tend to cost less. Our Krabi airport guide covers the terminal in detail. For route options from the capital, see Bangkok to Krabi: Flight, Train and Bus Compared.

From the airport to your hotel

KBV is about 15 km from Krabi Town, so you need onward transport. Outside arrivals you will find air-conditioned shuttle buses, songthaews (shared pickup trucks) and regular taxis. Agree a flat fare before you get in, or book through Grab if it works at your arrival time. Single-source reports of songthaew fares vary, so ask for the price first. Ao Nang travelers can read the airport to Ao Nang transfer guide. After a late landing, pre-arrange a hotel pickup rather than negotiating at the curb.

By train plus bus via Surat Thani

Krabi has no railway station. Trains from Bangkok run to Surat Thani, with a reported journey of 9–12 hours. Evening departures arrive in the early morning, which suits the bus connection. Check classes and timetables on the State Railway of Thailand site. Sleeper berths are the most comfortable choice. Second-class fan cars have no air conditioning and can get very hot. Buy tickets in advance for sleepers, since walk-up lines can be slow. From Surat Thani, a bus to Krabi takes a reported 3–4 hours. Delays can eat your buffer, so avoid booking a fixed onward ferry the same day.

• Sleeper: best rest, higher price.
• Fan second class: cheapest, hot in warm months.
• Air-conditioned seats: no bed, cooler cabin.

By bus or minivan

Buses suit budget travelers and short regional hops. From Bangkok, long-distance buses leave from the Southern Bus Station, with a reported 12–16 hours and ฿600–800. Phuket buses are reported at about 3 hours with hourly departures, and our Phuket to Krabi guide compares options. From Surat Thani, expect a reported 3–4 hours. Nakhon Si Thammarat is reported at about 3 hours. Hat Yai is reported at about 6 hours. Koh Lanta minivans take a reported 2–3 hours. Confirm the last departure of the day before you commit.

By car or private taxi

A rental car gives you flexibility on the coast. Confirm driving-side rules and licence requirements with the rental company before you book. From the airport, Highway 4 leads toward Krabi Town and the coast. Bangkok is about 785 km away overland, which makes for a very long day. A private taxi from Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat is reported at 2–3 hours. Agree the fare in advance and confirm where you will be dropped off.

The final leg by boat

Railay is reached only by boat, so read our Railay access guide before you plan your last day. Longtail boats serve nearby beaches from Ao Nang. Phi Phi ferries are reported at about 2 hours, and faster catamarans at about 1.5 hours. Catamarans bounce more in rough water. Rainy-season seas can cancel boats, and last departures leave little room for delay. Buy ferry tickets in advance in busy months. Keep a hotel night in Krabi Town or Ao Nang as a fallback.

Best route by traveler type

These pairings come from the trade-offs above. Check fares and times before you commit.

Mistakes to avoid and contingency plan

Most problems come from tight connections. Leave slack between a train arrival and any onward ferry. If a sleeper sells out, switch to a seat or a bus. If a boat is cancelled, stay in Ao Nang or Krabi Town and retry the next morning.

• Missed train connection: take the next bus from Surat Thani.
• Sold-out sleeper: ask about air-conditioned seats.
• Cancelled boat: keep a flexible hotel booking for the first night.
• Surprise bag fees: add checked luggage when you book the flight.

Where to stay on arrival

Choose by your next move. Krabi Town suits bus connections and cheaper food and rooms. Ao Nang is the easier base for beach days and boat departures. Railay is quiet and boat-only, so it works best once you are settled.