When vacationing on the island of Phuket, it sooner or later becomes boring there, and you want to explore the country (at least its southern part). In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at all possible ways to get from Phuket to Krabi.
Bus
You can reach Krabi in several ways, but the most accessible of them all is by bus. Its accessibility lies in its relatively low cost and convenient schedule.
There are three types of bus services between Phuket and Krabi:
- Regular (scheduled) bus.
- Minibus.
- Shared van (“marshrutka”).
A scheduled bus is considered the most comfortable form of transportation because, in addition to comfortable seats, each passenger has an individual air-conditioning vent, and there is quite a bit of space for luggage.
The scheduled bus departs from the bus station (Terminal 2), starting at 7:20 am, and the last trip is at 5:00 pm.
Travel time is 2–3 hours, and the fare is 150 baht.
You can buy tickets either at the bus station or book and purchase them in advance on the 12go.asia website.
A minibus is an option for those who aren’t used to regular public transportation (in the case of the scheduled bus, once you arrive at the Krabi bus station, you have to get to your hotel on your own). If you choose a minibus, the driver will take you directly to the hotel where you have a room booked.
The disadvantages of such a trip are obvious—limited luggage space and too many people wanting to take a minibus, which affects the comfort level in the cabin during the ride.
All minibuses are equipped with air-conditioning, making the trip somewhat fresher.
The fare is 150–200 baht, depending on the driver’s boldness in setting the price.
“Marshrutka” is the name we gave this type of transport purely for convenience. In reality, it’s something in between a minibus and a songthaew. It’s an older minivan with no air-conditioning.
Not only is it unbearably stuffy inside, but sometimes it’s also packed with people.
This van doesn’t take the main road but sticks to secondary roads, making stops in villages and settlements along the way to drop off and pick up passengers.
The cost of this trip is 50–60 baht, and the travel time is 4–5 hours.
Taxi
How much does it cost to go to Krabi by taxi? It depends on the type of car you want. Obviously, the smaller the car, the cheaper the ride will be.
Taxi cost from the airport
As you can imagine, a taxi is not the cheapest form of transportation, because the driver will charge double fare (he needs to get back too). On average, a small four-seater car will cost 3,000–3,500 baht, and if you’re traveling as a group, you can split the cost, making it more affordable.
For a minibus, expect to pay 4,500 to 6,000 baht. However, since minibuses are typically rented by groups, the price per person ends up being only slightly higher than the ferry fare.
There are a few life hacks that can help you reduce the price:
- Bargain – Thais often name a price much higher than the real one.
- Try to leave early in the morning or avoid late at night (at those times, prices are always higher).
Ferry
If you think a ferry from Phuket to Krabi is cheap, you’re somewhat mistaken. The minimum fare is 400 baht, and if you consider a speedboat, you can easily double that amount.
Reviews of the ferry crossing are mostly positive. That’s because, along the way, the ferry stops at the Phi Phi Islands, where tourists transfer to another vessel going from Phi Phi to Ao Nang (Krabi’s main resort area).
Between November and April, speedboats run directly from Phuket Pier to Krabi, costing around 700 baht.
The travel time by ferry with a transfer is about 5–7 hours, while a speedboat takes 40–80 minutes (the distance from Phuket to Krabi by sea is only 60 km, whereas it’s 150 km by land).
Airplane
If you’re wondering how to get from Phuket Airport to Krabi, and if we’re talking about a land journey, then from the airport, you need to reach the second bus terminal, and from there, follow the instructions above.
If you’re interested in a direct flight from Phuket to Krabi, unfortunately we have to disappoint you. There are no direct flights from Phuket Airport to Krabi Airport. All flights go via Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi Airport. Flight time with a layover is 5–6 hours, and tickets cost from 1,500 to 3,000 baht.
Transfer
You can also get from Phuket to Krabi by transfer, not just taxi. If you’re traveling with a child, this is the most convenient method. The point of a transfer is that you’ll be met right upon arrival at the airport with a special sign, then driven by car to the Krabi province.
Depending on your preference, you can order a group transfer, which will naturally be much cheaper.
A transfer doesn’t necessarily have to meet you at the airport; it can pick you up from your hotel as well.
The cost of the trip is roughly comparable to a taxi fare. Travel time is about 2–2.5 hours.
Rental Car
If you’re used to independence and have an international driver’s license, feel free to rent a car and set off on a road trip.
You’ll figure out how to get to Krabi via the highway using a map; the route isn’t very complicated.
Car rental in Thailand is not overly expensive, as prices here are reasonable. It’s especially cost-effective to rent for four days or more, as you’ll receive a good discount.
The daily rental cost ranges from 800 to 1,500 baht, depending on the class, and it can be higher for more premium vehicles.
A self-drive trip by car takes only about 2–2.5 hours and works out much cheaper than taking a taxi, even factoring in fuel.
The beauty of a rented car is that Krabi has many remote attractions that you can’t reach by songthaew (you’d have to book a tour or a taxi, which is much more expensive). With your own vehicle at hand, you’re the master of your schedule, which significantly saves on your travel budget.
Getting to Krabi by Motorbike
You can travel from Phuket to Krabi not only by car but also by motorbike. Yes, this trip will be longer than by car and a bit more tiring, but if you’re a long-stayer (a tourist who lives on Phuket for an extended time, longer than a standard package tour), this method might suit you best.
Before setting off, check your iron horse on two important points:
- Permission to leave the island (if there’s a restriction, the bike will be considered stolen off Phuket).
- Whether the required fee has been paid.
If all is in order, you can safely hit the road.
Note that renting a motorbike for a month costs 3,500–4,000 baht.
Travel time by bike is about 4 hours, and you can enjoy magnificent scenery along the way that you won’t find on Phuket.
Sights in Krabi on the Way from Phuket
If you plan to get from Phuket to Krabi by rented transport, you can visit several attractions along the way. Some places are located practically next to the main route, so you won’t lose much time stopping there (though not all landmarks can be seen in five minutes, so better plan 1–2 days for the drive if you want to visit the places that interest you).
On the road, you could visit:
- Monkey Temple;
- Tiger Cave Temple;
- Emerald Pool;
- Hot springs;
- Hot waterfalls;
- Ao Nang Beach.
We recommend planning your route in advance so you don’t have to change plans unexpectedly while on the road.
And the most interesting thing you can see on the way from Phuket to Krabi is nature, which you won’t find on the island.
Majestic cliffs that claw at the sky and loom over the highway, forests with mysterious trees, white-sand beaches, and so much more. This journey will remain etched in your memory for a long time.
So, there are several ways to get to Krabi, and everyone chooses the method that suits them best.
Don’t forget to share your vacation impressions in the comments—this helps others who haven’t yet decided where to spend their holiday.
