Bangkok to Krabi: The Routes Worth Knowing

Krabi is worth the extra planning

Krabi is slightly more effort to reach than Phuket but significantly more rewarding, in my opinion. The town itself is low-key and charming, Ao Nang gives you easy access to islands and beaches, and the overall vibe is less developed and hectic than Phuket.

Flying direct

Bangkok–Krabi flights run on AirAsia and a few other carriers. About 1h30min. ฿1,000–3,000 depending on timing. The Krabi airport is small and handles arrivals smoothly. A taxi to Ao Nang costs about ฿350–450. This is what I do for the Andaman coast now. Aviasales has the full comparison. — book a Kiwi.com in advance for the best price.

Bus to Krabi

Overnight bus from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal, 12–13 hours, ฿500–800. Arrives Krabi Bus Terminal, which is about ฿120 by songthaew into town. The buses are decent quality — I’ve done this once and it was fine, just long.

Via Phuket

If you’re already in Phuket, minivans to Krabi run frequently (2.5–3 hours, ฿300–400). This is the most common route for island-hoppers doing the Andaman circuit — Phuket in, Krabi out (or the reverse).

My honest recommendation

Fly direct to Krabi. It’s cheaper than you’d think and the Krabi airport’s small scale means you’re in the town in under an hour from landing. If you’re already somewhere on the Andaman coast, the minivan network handles everything else efficiently.