The fastest way to get from Bangkok to Krabi is a 1 hour 25 minute flight from Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi, with more than 15 departures a day listed on 12Go and fares from about THB 2,680 a few days ahead. On a budget, the overnight bus-and-van from Khao San Road costs from THB 900 and drops you in Ao Nang at about 09:30.
Krabi sits roughly 780 km south of Bangkok, so every ground option is an overnight trip of about 11 to 20 hours.
Night buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal and Mochit from THB 821, and a train-and-van combo via Surat Thani starts at THB 962.
Compare every flight, bus and train on one page
See Bangkok → Krabi times on 12Go →The detail everyone misses: Krabi is three different places on a ticket.
Krabi Town and its bus terminal sit about 18 km from the beaches of Ao Nang, and Railay has no road at all, so the last leg there is always a longtail boat.
Check the drop-off point before you pay, because it decides how much of your first morning you spend in a songthaew.
At a Glance
Bangkok to Krabi transport options
Compare fares and travel times, then jump to the option that fits your trip.
| Transport | Fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| FlightDon Mueang or Suvarnabhumi to Krabi Airport | FareFrom THB 2,680per person, a few days ahead | Travel time1h 20m to 1h 30m |
| Overnight busSouthern Bus Terminal or Mochit | FareTHB 821 to 1,695per person | Travel timeAbout 11h to 20h |
| Bus and van from Khao SanDrops in Ao Nang or at the Railay pier | FareFrom THB 900per person | Travel timeAbout 14h 30m to 16h |
| Night train and vanVia Surat Thani, from Krung Thep Aphiwat | FareFrom THB 962per person | Travel timeAbout 13h 40m to 14h 10m |
| Private transferHotel to hotel | FareFrom THB 8,188per vehicle | Travel timeAbout 10h to 16h |
| Rental carSelf-drive down the southern highway | FareVariesplus fuel | Travel timeA full day at the wheel |
Fares are 12Go and Bookaway listings for a Monday departure. Prices change with the date, so check live before you book.
Bangkok to Krabi timetable
These are the regular departures in the 12Go timetable between Bangkok and Krabi, with the lowest fares in baht.
Tap any route to see live seats and book.
| Transport | From | Time | Departures |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Bangkok | |||
| Bus (express and VIP 24) | THB 740 | 10h 40m to 19h 48m | Express 17:30, 17:45, 18:40, 19:00; VIP 24 18:50 |
| Private car | THB 9,209 | 10h to 11h | Pickup at any time you choose |
| From Don Mueang Airport | |||
| Flight | THB 1,340 | 1h 20m to 1h 25m | 06:05, 08:55, 13:40 |
| Private car | THB 12,155 | 11h to 12h | Pickup at any time you choose |
| From Suvarnabhumi Airport | |||
| Private car to Ao Nang | THB 11,550 | About 11h | Pickup at any time you choose |
Lowest fares across all operators in the 12Go timetable. The flight times shown are sample departures, and live searches show many more. Fares vary by date, so tap a route to see live seats.
1. Fly, the one I would book
Flying turns a night on the road into a short hop.
On our Monday search, 12Go listed flights from both Bangkok airports with Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet, from 06:15 until the evening.
| Airline | From | Example departure | Lowest fare on 12Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nok Air | Don Mueang | 16:45 | THB 2,680 |
| Thai AirAsia | Don Mueang | 16:40 | THB 2,863 |
| Thai Lion Air | Don Mueang | 08:45 | THB 3,155 |
| Thai Vietjet | Suvarnabhumi | 07:00 | THB 3,855 |
Don Mueang has most of the budget flights, while Suvarnabhumi suits you if you are connecting from an international arrival.
The 12Go timetable shows fares from about THB 1,340 when you book well ahead, so it pays to check early.
Getting to the airport is the slow part. Our Don Mueang Airport guide and Suvarnabhumi Airport guide cover the train and taxi options from central Bangkok.
Krabi International Airport sits east of Krabi Town.
Shared airport buses and minivans run to Krabi Town and Ao Nang for about THB 100 to 150 per person, and the taxi counter in arrivals charges about THB 600 to 1,000 to Ao Nang, depending on the car.
My verdict: the best choice for almost everyone, unless you want to save a night of hotel costs.
Want the cheapest fare for your dates?
Compare Krabi flights on 12Go →2. Overnight bus from the Southern Bus Terminal or Mochit
Real long-distance coaches leave Bangkok in the late afternoon and evening and arrive in Krabi early the next morning.
Most end at Krabi Bus Terminal, a few kilometers outside Krabi Town.
| Operator and class | Leaves from | Departure | Price on 12Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Co, standard | Mochit | 3 a day from 16:30 | THB 821 |
| Lignite, express | Mochit | 17:30 | THB 1,032 |
| Lignite, express | Southern Bus Terminal | 18:40 | THB 1,032 |
| Nopjira Trans, express | Southern Bus Terminal | 18:40 | THB 1,170 |
| Lignite, VIP 24 seats | Southern Bus Terminal | 18:50 | THB 1,550 |
| Nopjira Trans, VIP 24 seats | Southern Bus Terminal | 18:50 | THB 1,695 |
The VIP 24 coaches have only three seats per row, so you get a wide seat that reclines far enough to sleep.
The fastest Lignite runs reach Krabi Province at about 05:30, which is early, so plan a coffee stop before your hotel opens.
The cheap Transport Co seats from Mochit are the slowest, with 12Go listing up to about 19 hours 45 minutes on the road.
Where to catch it
The Southern Bus Terminal, which locals call Sai Tai Mai, is on the Thonburi side of the river in Taling Chan.
Take a taxi or Grab and allow plenty of time, because evening traffic on the way out of the city is heavy.
Mochit, the Northern and Northeastern Bus Terminal, is a short taxi ride from BTS Mo Chit and MRT Chatuchak Park.
Transport Co, the government bus company, sells its cheapest Krabi seats from there.
My verdict: the most comfortable way to travel on the ground. Pick a VIP 24 seat if you want to arrive rested.
Want a reserved VIP seat?
Compare night buses on 12Go →3. Bus and van from Khao San Road, straight to Ao Nang
Travel agents around Khao San Road sell combined tickets: a night bus to Krabi, then a minivan to the beach.
Most leave at about 19:00 and drop you in Ao Nang between 09:30 and 10:30.
| Ticket | Drops you at | Price on 12Go |
|---|---|---|
| Bus and van from Khaosan Road | Ao Nang McDonald’s | From THB 900 |
| Montanatip express bus | Ao Nang Beach | THB 1,043 |
| Raja Ferry express bus | Krabi Bus Terminal | THB 1,171 |
| Bangkok Booking Center VIP | Ao Nang | THB 1,180 |
| Asia Holiday Travel, bus, van and longtail | Railay West | THB 1,540 |
These are tourist buses, so they usually make a change of vehicle and a few stops along the way.
Keep your valuables in your daypack, not in the luggage hold, which is the classic advice for any Khao San night bus.
Bookaway lists similar Khao San departures from about US$27, and also an express bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 17:00 that reaches Ao Nang Beach at 10:30 for about US$47.
That one is handy if you land in the afternoon and do not want a night in Bangkok.
My verdict: the best budget pick if you stay in Ao Nang, since it saves the songthaew from the bus terminal.
Staying in Ao Nang?
See Khao San bus-and-van tickets on 12Go →Want more options?
Compare buses on Bookaway →4. Night train and van via Surat Thani
No railway reaches Krabi, but you can still ride the overnight train south.
The combined tickets on 12Go leave Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at 19:50, run to Surat Thani, and finish by van.
A and T Travel sells the train-and-van combo to Ao Nang from THB 962, arriving at about 09:30, and to the East Railay pier from THB 1,140, arriving at about 10:00.
Surat Thani to Krabi is about 3 to 4 hours by road, and the van usually meets the train, so you do not need to find the bus station yourself.
If you book the train and the bus separately, there is no through ticket, and the station is about 20 minutes by taxi from the town bus terminal.
Krung Thep Aphiwat is the big new station at Bang Sue, linked to MRT Bang Sue. Long-distance trains to the south no longer leave from Hua Lamphong, so double-check the station on your ticket.
My verdict: a fun choice for train lovers who want a bed. For everyone else, the night bus is simpler.
Prefer the rails?
See train-and-van tickets on 12Go →5. Private transfer, for groups who hate airports
A private car picks you up at your Bangkok hotel and drives the whole way to Krabi Town or Ao Nang.
The 12Go timetable puts the drive at about 10 to 11 hours, while some operators quote longer times that include rest stops.
| Vehicle | Price per vehicle | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Economy car | From THB 8,188 | 12Go |
| Economy car, 3 people | From THB 8,998 | 12Go |
| Economy car, 2 people | From THB 10,350 | 12Go |
| Van, 9 people, to a Krabi Town hotel | From THB 17,148 | 12Go |
That is more than a flight for one or two people, but a full van split nine ways costs less per head than most flights.
It also suits families with lots of luggage or anyone who wants to stop in Hua Hin or Chumphon on the way.
My verdict: only worth it for groups, or for travelers who cannot fly.
Traveling as a group?
Compare private cars on 12Go →6. Rental car, for a southern road trip
Driving yourself makes sense if Krabi is one stop on a longer trip through the south.
Plan for a full day of driving, and split it with a night in Hua Hin, Chumphon or Surat Thani if you can.
Thailand drives on the left, and you need your license plus an International Driving Permit. To compare prices, see rental cars in Bangkok.
My verdict: great if you also want to explore Khao Sok or the Phang Nga coast. Not worth it for a simple beach holiday.
Book an early flight from Don Mueang and you can be on a longtail to Railay by late morning, about the time the night bus crowd is still changing vans in Krabi.
Step by step: the Khao San bus and van to Ao Nang
- Book your seat on 12Go a day or more ahead, especially for weekends and Thai holidays.
- Find the agent office named on your ticket, such as Montanatip on Khao San Road, and arrive about 30 minutes early.
- Show your e-ticket at the counter and follow the staff to the bus, which may wait a short walk away.
- Keep valuables with you and pack a sweater, since the air conditioning runs cold overnight.
- Change to the van when the bus reaches Krabi. Staff point you to the right vehicle.
- Get off in Ao Nang, usually near the McDonald’s on the beach road, and walk or take a short ride to your hotel.
What it costs for 1, 2 or 4 people
| Option | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khao San bus and van (from) | THB 900 | THB 1,800 | THB 3,600 |
| Train and van (from) | THB 962 | THB 1,924 | THB 3,848 |
| VIP 24 bus (Lignite) | THB 1,550 | THB 3,100 | THB 6,200 |
| Flight (Nok Air, from) | THB 2,680 | THB 5,360 | THB 10,720 |
| Private economy car | From THB 8,188 | From THB 8,188 | Check vehicle size |
For one or two people, the night bus or the Khao San combo is by far the cheapest.
For four people, flights add up to about THB 10,700, while a private economy car from about THB 8,200 costs a little less but means 10 hours or more on the road.
Which option should you choose?
- Short on time: fly from Don Mueang, the cheapest airport for Krabi.
- Staying in Ao Nang on a budget: the Khao San bus-and-van that ends on the beach road.
- Heading straight to Railay: a combo ticket with the longtail included, or fly and take a boat from Ao Nang.
- Want a proper seat to sleep in: a VIP 24 coach from the Southern Bus Terminal.
- Love trains: the 19:50 train-and-van combo via Surat Thani.
- Group of 6 or more: a private van, which costs less per person than a flight.
Arriving in Krabi
Most long-distance buses end at Krabi Bus Terminal, about 5 km from the center of Krabi Town. Keep some small cash ready for the songthaew into town or to the beach.
- Krabi Town: about 5 km, a short songthaew or taxi ride from the terminal.
- Ao Nang: about 18 km from Krabi Town; white songthaews from the terminal charge about THB 60 to 80 per person.
- Railay: no road access; take a longtail boat from Ao Nang for about THB 100 per person, around 15 minutes.
Songthaews leave when full and thin out after about 18:00.
Grab works in Krabi, though with far fewer drivers than in Bangkok, so keep a backup plan for early arrivals.
Krabi: things to do and where to stay
Krabi is limestone cliffs, warm Andaman water and islands on the horizon.
Most visitors split their time between the beach towns, the climbing walls of Railay and boat trips to the islands offshore.
The classics are a four-island tour from Ao Nang, a day trip to Koh Phi Phi, and the walk up to the Tiger Cave Temple outside Krabi Town.
In the evening, the Krabi Town night market is a good, cheap place to eat. See the tours section below for ideas.
Which area to stay in
- Ao Nang: the main beach town, with the most hotels, restaurants and boat departures.
- Railay: car-free beaches and rock climbing, reachable only by boat.
- Krabi Town: cheaper, local and close to the bus terminal, but not on a beach.
- Klong Muang and Tubkaek: quiet beaches north of Ao Nang with the big luxury resorts.
Best luxury hotels in and around Krabi
- Rayavadee: pavilions and villas on the Phra Nang headland at Railay, reached only by the resort’s boat transfer.
- Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: 54 villas and pavilions near Tubkaek, each guest with a personal butler, about 45 minutes from the airport.
- Banyan Tree Krabi: 72 suites and villas on Tubkaek Beach, every one with its own private saltwater pool.
- Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra: 276 rooms by Klong Muang Beach, with a nine-hole golf course and one of the largest hotel pools in Thailand.
These resorts are well outside Ao Nang, and Rayavadee needs a boat, so a flight plus a pre-booked transfer is the easiest way to arrive.
Practical tips before you go
Carry small cash. Songthaews, longtail boats and the bus terminal kiosks want baht, and drivers rarely have change for a THB 1,000 note.
Be careful on public Wi-Fi. Airport, bus terminal and hotel networks are open to everyone. A VPN such as ExpressVPN keeps your bookings and banking private.
Book ahead for weekends and holidays. Night buses and cheap flights fill up around long weekends, Songkran and the December high season.
Going back or moving on? The trip home works the same way in reverse, with evening buses and flights to both Bangkok airports.
Heading to another island instead? Compare Bangkok to Phuket and Bangkok to Ko Samui, and see our Bangkok public transport guide for reaching the bus terminals.
Tours from Krabi
Island hopping by longtail, Koh Phi Phi by speedboat, kayaking through mangroves and the Emerald Pool are the favorites.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Bangkok to Krabi?
About 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Flights leave from both Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi.
How much is a flight from Bangkok to Krabi?
On a search a few days ahead, 12Go showed fares from about THB 2,680, with Nok Air and Thai AirAsia among the cheapest. Booking well ahead can bring fares down to around THB 1,340.
Is there a direct bus from Bangkok to Krabi?
Yes. Overnight coaches run from the Southern Bus Terminal and Mochit, from THB 821 with Transport Co and up to about THB 1,695 for a VIP 24 seat.
How long is the bus from Bangkok to Krabi?
Most night buses take about 11 to 15 hours, though the cheapest Transport Co service is listed at up to about 20 hours. Khao San bus-and-van combos to Ao Nang take about 14 hours 30 minutes to 16 hours.
Is there a train from Bangkok to Krabi?
Not all the way. Krabi has no railway, so you take the night train to Surat Thani and a van onward, with combined tickets from THB 962.
Where does the bus from Bangkok stop in Krabi?
Most government and express buses end at Krabi Bus Terminal, about 5 km from Krabi Town. Many Khao San tickets continue by van to Ao Nang or include a longtail to Railay.
How do I get from Krabi to Ao Nang?
Songthaews run from Krabi Town and the bus terminal to Ao Nang, about 18 km, for around THB 60 to 80. A taxi or Grab is faster and costs more.
How much is a private car from Bangkok to Krabi?
Private transfers on 12Go start at about THB 8,188 for an economy car and about THB 17,148 for a nine-seat van, with roughly 10 to 11 hours on the road.
Ready for the Andaman coast?
Live seats and prices for flights, buses, trains and private cars from Bangkok to Krabi.
Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: flight, bus, train and private car fares from 12Go’s and Bookaway’s live listings and the 12Go timetable; songthaew, longtail and airport transfer fares from local travel guides; hotel details from the hotels’ press coverage and travel guides.
- About the Author
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Tim Kroeger is a luxury wellness travel specialist, founder of Universal Traveller, and creator of The Restorative Index, a performance-based framework for evaluating wellness hotels. After 15+ years across 110+ countries, he shifted from destination-chasing to travel recovery. Based in Bangkok, he reviews luxury wellness hotels and spas on tim-kroeger.com through a performance lens, combining firsthand testing with expert insights.
