The fastest way from Bangkok to Krabi is to fly: the flight takes about 1 hour 26 minutes, with about 20 flights a day from Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi together. The simplest budget option is the overnight bus, about 750–880 THB and about 11–14 hours. Smile Taxi Service can drive you door to door (about 11–12 hours of driving; no fixed fare, so ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE), or take you to either Bangkok airport for your flight (from 600 THB per vehicle).
Distance and travel time overview
By road, Krabi is about 814 km from Bangkok on Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road) via Surat Thani. A route planner gives a slightly shorter route, so expect about 760–815 km and about 11–12 hours of driving without long stops.
Krabi has no railway station. Trains go to Surat Thani, about 160 km from Krabi by road, and you continue by minivan or bus.
Many visitors stay at Ao Nang or Railay, not in Krabi Town. Krabi airport is about 15 km by road from Krabi Town and about 28 km from Ao Nang. Railay has no road access, so the last part is by boat.
Comparison table
| Option | Travel time | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight to Krabi | About 1 h 26 min in the air | From about USD 35 one way, booked early | Most travellers |
| Overnight bus | About 11–14 hours | About 750–880 THB; about 1,170 THB in a VIP 24 bus | Tight budgets |
| Train to Surat Thani + minivan | About 16 hours | About 1,100 THB with a 2nd class air-con sleeper; less in a seat | Travellers who want a bed |
| Flight to Phuket + car to Ao Nang | Flight, then about 2 h 20 min by road | Flight + Smile car from 2,200 THB per vehicle | When Krabi flights are full |
| Private car the whole way | About 11–12 hours of driving | Ask Smile for a quote | Families, groups, lots of luggage |
Third-party fares and timetables in this guide were checked in September 2026. They change often (bus fares were adjusted five times in 2026), so confirm them with the operator before you travel.
Flying from Bangkok to Krabi
Both Bangkok airports have flights to Krabi International Airport (KBV), so check the airport code on your ticket:
- Don Mueang (DMK): Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air, about 10–12 flights a day.
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK): Thai Vietjet Air (about 28 flights a week) and Thai Airways (about 21 a week); Thai AirAsia adds 2 flights a day from 1 October 2026.
Low-cost one-way fares start at about USD 35 when booked early; prices rise at peak times.
Getting to Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang
- Suvarnabhumi, Airport Rail Link (City Line): from Phaya Thai, 27 minutes, 45 THB, 05:30–24:00, every 10–13 minutes.
- Suvarnabhumi, bus S1: from Khao San Road and Sanam Luang, about 60 THB, 06:00–20:00.
- Don Mueang, SRT Dark Red Line: from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (MRT Blue Line at Bang Sue), up to about 42 THB, 05:00–24:00, every 10–15 minutes. A covered walkway links the station with the far end of Terminal 2 (domestic).
- Don Mueang, airport buses: A1 from Mo Chit 2 and A2 from Victory Monument (30 THB each); A4 from Sanam Luang, the stop for Khao San Road (50 THB).
For an early flight, a car is simpler, because the trains start at 05:00 and 05:30. A Smile Taxi Service car from a Bangkok address to either airport costs from 600 THB per vehicle.
From Krabi airport to Krabi Town and Ao Nang
The airport shuttle bus costs 100 THB per person to Krabi Town (about 25 minutes), 80 THB to Krabi bus terminal and 150 THB to Ao Nang (about 45 minutes). Shuttles have no timetable: they leave when full, so the wait can be long. Direct minivans from the airport to Koh Lanta can be booked online.
Pros: the shortest journey; many flights. Cons: you still need transport to and from both airports.
Overnight bus from Bangkok to Krabi
The overnight bus is a low-cost option with no changes. You leave Bangkok in the late afternoon or evening and arrive in Krabi the next morning.
Most buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) on Borommaratchachonnani Road in far western Bangkok. Some Transport Co. buses start at Mo Chit 2 and call at Sai Tai Mai on the way.
Allow plenty of time to get there. A taxi from central Bangkok costs about 250–450 THB. It costs less to take the SRT Red Line to Taling Chan and then a taxi (about 60–80 THB), or the BTS to Bang Wa and then a taxi (about 90–110 THB).
Timetable and fares (September 2026)
Departures of Transport Co. (the state bus company, known as "999") and Lignite Tour listed for 25–26 September 2026:
| Departs Bangkok | Operator and class | Approximate fare | Arrives Krabi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:30 | Transport Co., first class (Mo Chit 2) | About 779 THB | Ask the operator |
| 17:15 | Transport Co., first class (Mo Chit 2) | About 752 THB | Ask the operator |
| 18:10 | Transport Co., business class (Mo Chit 2) | About 878 THB | Ask the operator |
| 18:40 | Lignite Tour, first class (Sai Tai Mai) | About 779 THB | About 08:40 |
| 18:50 | Lignite Tour, VIP 24 (Sai Tai Mai) | About 1,170 THB | About 08:50 |
| 19:30 | Lignite Tour, first class (Sai Tai Mai) | About 796 THB | About 09:30 |
A VIP 24 bus has only 24 seats. Buy tickets at the terminal, in the operator's booking system or through an online agent.
The buses end at Krabi bus terminal, about 4 km north of Krabi Town. Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) leave for Ao Nang about every 15–30 minutes for about 60 THB per person.
Pros: low price, no changes, no hotel for the night. Cons: 11–14 hours on the road; the terminal is far from central Bangkok.
Train to Surat Thani and minivan to Krabi
Take an overnight train to Surat Thani and continue by minivan. It takes longer than the bus, but in a sleeper you can lie down.
The train
Long-distance trains to the south leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (at Bang Sue, on the MRT Blue Line), not from Hua Lamphong. The journey to Surat Thani takes 8 h 50 min to 10 h 46 min.
Useful evening trains (SRT timetable 2026, daily):
| Departs Krung Thep Aphiwat | Train | Arrives Surat Thani | Fare (SRT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19:50 | Express 85 | 06:23 | About 256–1,832 THB |
| 20:10 | Rapid 173 | 06:46 | From about 216 THB |
| 20:30 | Rapid 167 | 07:16 | From about 216 THB |
| 22:50 | Special express 39 (seats only) | 07:50 | 524 THB |
A range runs from the lowest class (a seat) to the highest. The rail travel site Seat61 recommends train 85 and gives sleeper fares of 804 THB in 2nd class air-con and 1,332 THB in 1st class. Trains fill up, so book early at dticket.railway.co.th, in the SRT D-Ticket app, at a station, or through an agent such as 12go, which also sells combined train and bus tickets to Krabi.
The minivan
Surat Thani station is at Phun Phin, 14 km from town. Phantip Travel, across the road, arranges a pick-up to its town office. As of September 2026, Seat61 lists minivans from there to Krabi at 09:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00 and 16:30: about 3 hours and about 290 THB to Krabi bus terminal. Large luggage, the station pick-up and a hotel drop-off may cost extra. Check times and prices on the Phantip Travel website.
Trains can run late: if you book the minivan in advance, Seat61 advises at least 3–4 hours between the train's arrival and the minivan. Going south, you can also arrange the minivan on the day.
Example: train 85 (19:50 to 06:23), then the 09:00 minivan, reaches Krabi bus terminal at about 12:00: about 16 hours and about 1,100 THB with a 2nd class air-con sleeper (804 + 290 THB).
Pros: you can sleep lying down. Cons: the longest option, with two changes.
Fly to Phuket, then drive to Ao Nang
If Krabi flights are full or expensive, fly to Phuket. Thai AirAsia alone flies up to 15 times a day from Don Mueang to Phuket and, from 1 October 2026, 5 times a day from Suvarnabhumi.
Phuket airport to Ao Nang is about 145 km, roughly 2 h 20 min by car. Smile Taxi Service drives this route for a fixed fare per vehicle: 2,200 THB sedan, 2,400 THB SUV, 3,000 THB van. The driver meets you outside the arrivals exit, with 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time.
By public transport, take the airport bus to Phuket Bus Terminal 1 (about 1 h 15 min, about 70–100 THB), then a bus to Krabi: about 4 h 50 min in total. See also How to Get from Bangkok to Phuket and How to Get from Phuket to Krabi.
Private car with Smile Taxi Service
A private car takes you from your door in Bangkok to your hotel in Krabi Town or Ao Nang with no changes: useful for families, groups of up to 7 and travellers with a lot of luggage.
The whole way by car: ask for a quote
Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare from Bangkok to Krabi. Send your pickup address, destination, date, and number of passengers and bags on WhatsApp or LINE, and say if you want an overnight stop; the team replies with a price for the whole car. Extra stops cost +250 THB per hour. A discount is available for return trips: ask in the same message.
Fixed fares for the airport legs
These fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included.
| Route | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) | 600 THB | 800 THB | 1,100 THB |
| Bangkok to Don Mueang (DMK) | 600 THB | 800 THB | 1,000 THB |
| Phuket airport to Ao Nang | 2,200 THB | 2,400 THB | 3,000 THB |
A sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 passengers and 4 bags, and a van up to 7 passengers and 5 bags.
- Book a sedan from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi
- Book a sedan from Bangkok to Don Mueang
- Book a sedan from Phuket airport to Ao Nang
- See all routes and fares
What is included and how to pay
- Airport pickups: 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time; a member of the team checks your flight. Name sign at the arrivals gate +100 THB and a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM, both on request.
- Before the trip: you receive the driver's name, the car and the plate number.
- Extras: child seat +100 THB on request; Bangkok pickups or drop-offs west of the Chao Phraya River (Thonburi side) +100–200 THB.
- Drivers: not every driver speaks English; you can request an English-speaking driver when booking, subject to availability.
- Payment: pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. There is no online payment and no deposit. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link; a 5% fee is added.
- Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Smile Taxi Service is rated 5.0 on Google and 5.0 on Tripadvisor.
Practical tips for this route
- Arriving late or in a group: the Krabi airport shuttle waits until it is full; a pre-booked car avoids the wait.
- Overnight bus: you arrive at about 08:40–09:30; ask your hotel if you can leave your bags before check-in.
- Going to Railay: buy a shared longtail ticket at the counter on Ao Nang beach (see the FAQ). A boat leaves with about 8–10 passengers, and trips after dark cost more, so arrive in daylight with luggage you can carry through shallow water. Longtails also leave Chao Fah Pier in Krabi Town (about 45 minutes), but not in the rainy season.
- Season: the best months are November to March; the monsoon usually lasts from April to October.
- Islands: see How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Phi Phi and How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Lanta. Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Le closes every year from 1 August to 30 September (in 2026 it reopens on 1 October); tours still run and view the bay from the water.
- Children on a long drive: ask for a child seat when you book and plan regular stops.
The return journey
- Flight: Krabi to Don Mueang takes about 1 hour 26 minutes, with about 10–12 flights a day (Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air). A Smile car into Bangkok costs 600 / 800 / 1,100 THB (sedan / SUV / van) from Suvarnabhumi and 600 / 800 / 1,000 THB from Don Mueang. The driver meets you on the Departures level (Suvarnabhumi Level 4 near Gate 4; Don Mueang Level 3); message the team on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok or from Don Mueang to Bangkok.
- Bus: a 2025 terminal guide lists Transport Co. buses from Krabi bus terminal to Sai Tai Mai at 16:00 and 17:00 (about 12 hours); private companies run morning and evening buses. Check current times at the terminal.
- Minivan and train: Phantip Travel minivans leave Krabi bus terminal for its Surat Thani town office, 14 km from the station (about 3 hours). Book the minivan in advance in this direction. Seat61 suggests the 12:00 or 13:30 minivan for express 86 (leaves Surat Thani 19:31, arrives Krung Thep Aphiwat 06:10) and the 13:30 or 15:00 for express 84 (20:23, arrives 07:05).
- Via Phuket: Smile drives from Ao Nang to Phuket airport for 2,200 / 2,400 / 3,000 THB (sedan / SUV / van). Book a sedan from Ao Nang to Phuket airport
- Private car: ask for a quote for Krabi to Bangkok on WhatsApp or LINE.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way from Bangkok to Krabi? Fly. The flight takes about 1 hour 26 minutes, with about 20 flights a day from Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi together.
Is there a train to Krabi? No. Take a train from Krung Thep Aphiwat (not Hua Lamphong) to Surat Thani, then a minivan (about 3 hours) to Krabi.
Where does the bus to Krabi leave from, and how much is it? From the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), in the late afternoon and evening, for about 750–880 THB (September 2026).
How do I get from Krabi airport to Ao Nang? Take the shuttle bus (150 THB per person, leaves when full) or a pre-booked car. Ao Nang is about 28 km from the airport.
How do I get to Railay Beach? Only by boat. Shared longtail boats leave Ao Nang from 08:00 to 18:00 and take about 15 minutes; as of September 2026 they cost about 100 THB per person one way.
How much is a private car from Bangkok to Krabi? There is no fixed fare for this route. Message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE for a quote for the whole car.
Does Thai Smile still fly to Krabi? No. Thai Smile merged into Thai Airways, which flies from Suvarnabhumi to Krabi.
To book a car to the airport, from Phuket airport to Ao Nang, or all the way to Krabi, message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE.