Road to Krabi: routes from Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya

Krabi greets travelers with cliffs and turquoise lagoons. First you have to get there, and your choice of transport determines how much time and money the journey takes. From Bangkok there is a night bus or a short flight, from Phuket the trip takes several hours, and from Phi Phi you can only reach Krabi by water.

The fastest option is to fly, since the plane from Bangkok takes about 1 hour 20 minutes (as of 09/2026, flight schedule). The bus travels all night, and the train requires a transfer in Surat Thani. The ferry is convenient from Phuket and between the islands, but it depends on wind and season.

Below are six routes to Krabi: for each we list travel time, transfers, prices, and the honest catches you should know about in advance.

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How to get to Krabi: the essentials

Krabi sits on the Andaman Sea coast in southern Thailand, connected by roads, flights, and sea routes. There is no universal transport option, because each direction has its own transfers and prices.

💡 In short:

• The plane is fastest, but tickets get more expensive in high season.
• Buses connect major cities, and a night service saves you a night's accommodation.
• Getting to Phi Phi and Lanta is easier by water.
• Prices and schedules: 09/2026, checked on the airline website.

From Bangkok to Krabi

Bangkok and Krabi are separated by almost eight hundred kilometers by road, so walking is not an option. That leaves the plane, bus, train, and private taxi, and each option has its strengths and weaknesses.

Plane

The direct Bangkok-Krabi flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, and a ticket on a budget airline starts from 600 baht (as of 09/2026, ticket prices). From Krabi airport you can get to Ao Nang or to Krabi town itself by taxi.

© Alexander Klink · CC BYPhoto: Alexander Klink, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

find a Bangkok-Krabi flight on Kiwi.com

• The catch: in high season the ticket gets more expensive, and baggage is often paid for separately.

Bus

Buses to Krabi depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), and the trip takes 10-14 hours. A ticket costs from 1,100 baht, with overnight services leaving in the evening and arriving in the morning (as of 09/2026, bus schedule).

© Patiparn.Nice2002bkk · CC BY-SAPhoto: Patiparn.Nice2002bkk, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

An overnight trip saves you a night's accommodation, since by morning you're already there and can start exploring the city right away.

• The catch: sleeping in a seat is uncomfortable, so you sit all night.

Train

The railway doesn't reach Krabi, so the train only goes as far as Surat Thani or Trang, where you transfer to a bus. The whole journey takes 14-15 hours, and a sleeper berth costs 250-1,300 baht (as of 09/2026, train schedule).

• The catch: a transfer in Surat Thani and a whole night on the road.

Taxi

A private transfer from Bangkok saves time, but it's expensive, with prices quoted in the hundreds of euros. This option suits a group of three or four people.

© kallerna · CC BY-SAPhoto: kallerna, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Not for: a solo traveler, as it works out more expensive than flying.

From Phuket to Krabi

Phuket and Krabi lie on the same coast of the Andaman Sea, so getting between them costs less than from Bangkok. You can travel by land or by water.

Bus and minivan

Buses and minivans run between Phuket and Krabi every hour, and you'll spend about 3 hours on the road. A ticket costs from 150 baht (as of 09/2026, Phuket-Krabi bus prices).

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

Minivans sometimes deviate from the route and pick up other passengers, so the trip gets longer.

• The catch: with a private operator, travel time is unpredictable.

Taxi

A private taxi gets you to Krabi in about 3 hours and picks you up right from your hotel, so the transfer with luggage goes smoothly.

book a Phuket-Krabi transfer

• Who it's for: couples and families with luggage, because the car goes door to door.

Ferry

The ferry goes along the coast and stops at Phi Phi, and you'll spend about 8 hours on the water (according to ferry schedule, 09/2026). You usually get a few hours on the island to explore, so the ticket costs several hundred baht.

• The catch: the ferry runs on a schedule, and in windy weather the service is canceled.

From Koh Samui to Krabi

Koh Samui sits in the Gulf of Thailand, while Krabi is on the Andaman coast, so the entire south of Thailand lies between them. The trip takes longer than from Phuket.

Plane

Koh Samui has its own airport, but tickets are expensive, and flying with a connection in Bangkok doesn't save time. So this option is rarely chosen.

© MNXANL · CC BY-SAPhoto: MNXANL, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• The catch: high price and a connection in Bangkok.

Bus

Buses and minivans go from Koh Samui via the ferry to the mainland, and a direct trip without transfers costs less, but departs early in the morning. The journey takes almost a full day.

Transfer and ferry

An organized transfer combines a minivan, ferry, or speedboat, so the company takes you door to door. The price is higher than a regular bus and sometimes approaches the cost of a plane ticket.

© Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy · CC BYPhoto: Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Who it's for: those who don't want to deal with transfers.

From Pattaya to Krabi

There is no direct connection between Pattaya and Krabi, so you'll have to build the route with a transfer in Bangkok.

Plane via Bangkok

There is no direct flight from Pattaya to Krabi, so first you travel to Bangkok. A bus or taxi gets you there in about 2 hours. From Bangkok airport you fly to Krabi. With the transfer and waiting for the flight, the trip takes many hours.

© Nord794ub · CC BY-SAPhoto: Nord794ub, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• The catch: a long trip to Bangkok airport and two tickets.

Plane plus bus

It's cheaper to travel the whole way overland. You take a bus to Bangkok, then another bus or a train. You pay for two tickets, but save on the flight.

• The catch: two transfers and a lost day.

From phi phi to krabi

Phi Phi has neither buses nor an airport, so the only way to reach Krabi is by water. From Tonsai Pier, the ferry takes about 1.5-2 hours, and a ticket costs from 456 baht (as of ferry tickets, 09/2026). A speedboat takes about 45 minutes, but costs more.

© Christophe95 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Christophe95, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• The catch: in windy weather, trips are cancelled.

From Lanta to Krabi

There is no airport on Lanta, so you get to Krabi via a ferry crossing to the mainland or by water. A minivan takes 2-3 hours including the ferry crossing, and a ticket costs 350-450 baht (as of Lanta guide, 09/2026). A private taxi costs about 2,500 baht.

© Neitram · CC BY-SAPhoto: Neitram, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

The ferry from Krabi runs only in high season, roughly from November to April (as of ferry seasonality, 09/2026).

• The catch: the ferry does not run in low season.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight from Bangkok to Krabi?

A direct flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes (as of 09/2026, AirAsia flights). With the trip to the airport and check-in, allow half a day. Flights run several times a day, and a budget airline ticket costs less than a private taxi.

Can you get to Krabi by train?

Yes, but with a transfer: the train goes from Bangkok to Surat Thani or Trang, and then you take a bus to Krabi. The whole trip takes 14-15 hours (as of 09/2026, train tickets). There is no railway in Krabi itself, but a sleeper berth costs less than a bus ticket.

How do you get to Krabi from Phuket?

Buses and minivans run between Phuket and Krabi every hour, and the trip takes about 3 hours. Tickets start at 150 baht (as of 09/2026, schedule from Phuket). A private taxi is faster but more expensive, and the ferry takes longer and stops at Phi Phi.

Is there a ferry from Phi Phi to Krabi?

Yes, ferries and speedboats run from Tonsai Pier daily. Tickets start at 456 baht (according to Tonsai departures, 09/2026). Speedboats cost more but save time, and in windy weather departures are canceled.

How much is a taxi from Krabi airport?

A transfer from Krabi airport to Ao Nang costs a few hundred baht, and you see the price at the counter or in the app in advance. A private driver meets you with a sign and takes you straight to your hotel. In high season, it's better to book cars in advance.

In short: what to book

For speed, choose a plane; for savings, a bus; and for the islands, the water. Every route has a transfer, so allow extra time.

If you're short on time: take a Bangkok-Krabi flight. If you're coming from Phuket: a bus or transfer. From Phi Phi: ferry only. From Lanta: a minivan with a ferry crossing.

Krabi hotels on Trip.com and tours and tickets in Krabi will help you sort out the rest. Check prices and schedules on the carriers' official websites before your trip.