✈️ Krabi airport (KBV): transfer to Ao Nang and ferries 2026

Krabi and Ao Nang share the same coastline on the Andaman Sea. Krabi International Airport (KBV) is 26 km from the beach, so you'll have to drive or take a boat from there anyway. From there, you can easily build a route through southern Thailand.

Ferries depart from Klong Jilad Pier, and in high season also from Nopparat Thara Pier near the beach.

From Bangkok to Krabi, you can fly, take a night bus, or combine a train plus bus. From local piers, eight destinations are available, including Phi Phi, Phuket, Khao Lak, Ko Lanta, Ko Lipe, and the islands of Samui, Phangan, and Tao.

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Where Krabi and Ao Nang are located

💡 In short:

Krabi Airport (KBV) is 26 km from Ao Nang, a shuttle costs 150 baht per person (as of 09/2026, airport transfers).
From Bangkok, you fly about an hour and a half or take a night bus for 11-13 hours (as of 09/2026, route operators).
A ferry to Phi Phi starts at 460 baht from Klong Jilad Pier (as of 09/2026, ferry prices).

Krabi Province lies on Thailand's Andaman coast, between Phuket to the north and Ko Lanta to the south. It's a convenient base for a route through the south of the country.

From Krabi Town to Ao Nang Beach is about 18 km. From Ao Nang, boats depart for Ton Sai, Railay, and Phra Nang, where there are no roads.

How to get there from Bangkok and by sea

panorama of Krabi town with limestone cliffs and the sea

By plane

Krabi International Airport (KBV) receives flights from Bangkok, Samui, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.

Krabi International Airport terminal with jet bridges

Budget airlines AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air fly from Don Mueang (DMK), while Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways fly from Suvarnabhumi (BKK). The flight takes about an hour and a half (as of 09/2026, Bangkok - Krabi routes).

Tickets for these flights are easy to compare on Kiwi.com: the price depends heavily on the season and day of the week.

From the airport, a shuttle takes you to Krabi Town and Ao Nang, with departures roughly every hour from 06:00 to 20:00. Fares for all options are collected in the table.

Option	Travel time	Price	Source
Shuttle to Ao Nang	45 to 90 minutes	150 baht per person	shuttle data
Fixed-rate taxi	30 to 45 minutes	500 to 600 baht per car	taxi fares
Private transfer by booking	by arrangement	from 600 baht per car	transfer prices

Taxis operate on fixed fares: you pay cash at the counter in the arrivals hall, and the price does not change in traffic. There is no road to Railay, so a car takes you to Ao Nam Mao Pier or Ao Nang Beach, and boats continue from there.

By bus from Bangkok

Bangkok to Krabi is about 815 km, and a night VIP bus takes 11 to 13 hours (as of 09/2026, Bangkok - Krabi route). Buses depart from the Sai Tai Mai southern bus terminal between 18:00 and 20:00 and arrive in Krabi Town early in the morning.

Tickets start at around 500 baht, so in high season the bus helps when flights get expensive (as of 09/2026, flights and buses). You should book your seat a couple of days ahead on weekdays and a week ahead for holidays: the route is popular.

From Krabi Town to Ao Nang, a songthaew or taxi will take you. The trip takes about half an hour.

By train

Krabi has no train station of its own, so the train only suits those who care about the journey itself. From Bangkok, the train takes about twelve hours to Surat Thani, and then you still face several hours on a bus.

By ferry

Ferries arrive in Krabi Town at Klong Jilad Pier. In high season, some services go to Nopparat Thara Pier a few kilometers from Ao Nang, which is more convenient for beachfront hotels.

Tours and tickets in Krabi

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Phi Phi from Krabi

Ferries from Klong Jilad Pier depart for Phi Phi several times a day. Tickets start at 460 baht, and travel time depends on the vessel: a speedboat takes about forty-five minutes, while a regular ferry takes longer (as of 09/2026, Krabi - Phi Phi).

Longtail boat in a turquoise lagoon among Phi Phi cliffs

In high season, an additional service runs to Nopparat Thara Pier, from where Ao Nang hotels are just a few minutes by car. Return trips follow the same schedule.

You should buy morning tickets in advance: these ferries fill up first.

Phuket: ferry, minivan, or bus

You can reach Phuket by water or by land. The ferry takes longer than a minivan, but in high season from November to May there are more departures, and the schedule will work for almost any day.

The minivan runs more often and costs less, while the regular bus remains the most budget-friendly option. Arrival is usually in Krabi Town or at Nopparat Thara Pier, so confirm your drop-off point before buying a ticket.

Khao Lak by minivan

Khao Lak lies about 130 km north of Krabi, and a minivan covers the distance in a couple of hours. Vehicles depart from the Krabi Town bus station and from tour offices in Ao Nang.

Khao Lak coastline with beach and forest

If you are going further to Ko Kho Khao, you can ask the driver to take you straight to the ferry pier.

Ko Lanta by ferry

Ferries to Ko Lanta depart several times a day from Krabi Town or from Nopparat Thara Pier near Ao Nang. They arrive at Saladan Pier, and the crossing takes about two hours.

The service from Nopparat Thara Pier also stops at Railay Beach, but it only runs in high season. The schedule is the same in the opposite direction.

Tickets are sold right at the pier, and seats are usually available even in the morning. Bring water with you: there is no cafe on the crossing.

Ko Lipe: transfer only

You can reach Ko Lipe by sea with a transfer on Ko Lanta, and it takes seven to eight hours. Because of delays at the transfer points, this route is not worth planning as a day trip.

White sand spit and turquoise sea at Ko Lipe

There is also an overland option, also with a transfer. You travel from Krabi via Trang to Pakbara Pier on the mainland. The drive to the pier takes about four hours, then you continue by boat.

Check seat availability on both legs in advance, especially in low season.

Samui and Phangan: combined ticket

The fastest way is to fly to Samui: the route is operated only by Bangkok Airways, and tickets are expensive for Thailand. A cheaper option is to buy a combined ticket from a ferry operator.

Ferry at the pier and a plane over Samui

First you travel by bus or minivan to the mainland port, and from there you continue by ferry. The whole journey takes four to six hours.

The trip to Phangan takes longer because the ferry to Thong Sala Pier takes about two hours. From Ao Nang, you will first be brought to the operator's office in Krabi Town, and the bus departs from there.

Buy return tickets on the spot, at the operator's office: there you will see the current schedule.

Ko Tao and the Gulf of Thailand islands

The journey to Ko Tao takes six and a half to eight hours, and it is the longest route from Krabi. Leave in the morning, and you will make it to the island in one day.

It is more convenient to buy tickets a day in advance, especially in high season. The conditions on the return trip are almost the same, only the departure time changes.

If you want to see all three islands in the gulf, plan an overnight stay on Ko Tao and then move on to Phangan from there.

Hotels and tours in Krabi

For an overnight stay, choose Ao Nang if you want the beach and restaurants nearby, or Krabi Town if buses and markets matter more. Hotels in Krabi on Trip.com are cheaper in low season, and island-hopping tours can be booked right on the beach.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang?

The shuttle costs 150 baht per person, a fixed-rate taxi from 500 to 600 baht per car for three or four passengers (as of 09/2026, airport rates). The bus runs roughly every hour from 06:00 to 20:00, and a car at the counter is available around the clock. Pay in cash in the arrivals hall.

Can you get from Bangkok to Krabi by train?

Krabi has no direct train station. The train takes about twelve hours to Surat Thani, then you transfer to a bus and ride for several more hours. It is easier to fly or take a night bus, which arrives in Krabi Town early in the morning.

How do you get to Phi Phi from Krabi?

Ferries leave from Klong Jilad Pier several times a day. In high season, some departures go to Nopparat Thara Pier near Ao Nang. Travel time depends on the vessel, so check the boat type.

What should you take to Phuket and Ko Lanta?

Ferries, minivans, and buses run to Phuket. To Ko Lanta, ferries go to Saladan Pier and minivans cross by car ferry. A minivan is faster and cheaper than a ferry, and a bus is the most budget-friendly option. In high season from November to May there are more departures, so in winter it is easier to pick a time that suits you.

Is one day enough to travel from Ko Tao?

Yes, if you leave in the morning. The trip takes from six and a half to eight hours with a transfer on the mainland. Book tickets a day ahead, because morning departures fill up first.

In short: what to book

If you are heading to the beach, book an airport transfer in advance or take the shuttle. Between Phi Phi, Phuket, and Ko Lanta, ferries are the most convenient way to get around, and from Bangkok the cheapest option is a night bus.

Compare tours and excursions on GetYourGuide and book your hotel before high season starts: that way you will have a choice in both price and location.

Krabi and Ao Nang: airport, buses and ferries to 8 destinations