Best ways to get from Bangkok to Krabi
We traveled extensively around Thailand for many months, including from Bangkok to Krabi and other southern destinations, and we have a really good idea of how to travel there best.
The main ways to cover the 800-kilometer distance from Bangkok to Krabi are by direct flight, overnight bus, train and van combo, and self-driving. To get a better idea of which is best for your travel itinerary, read more about each mode of transport below.
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Fastest: fly from Bangkok to Krabi
The fastest way to reach Krabi from Bangkok is by flying into Krabi International Airport in just 1 hour and a half with one of the multiple daily direct flights.
In Thailand, our carrier of choice for domestic flights is AirAsia. We almost always fly with them, as they provide great value for money.
TRAVEL TIP
It’s worth comparing the price of a flight from Bangkok to Krabi with the cost of a bus.
Even in the peak season, you can find one-way flight tickets with a checked bag costing about 55 USD.
Once you arrive at the Krabi airport, you can take a taxi or a shuttle bus to your accommodation in Krabi town or any popular beach destination like Ao Nang or Railay Beach.
There is also a Private Airport Transfer to your hotel in Ao Nang or Krabi town that you can book online.
Departure locations
Flights to Krabi depart from both Bangkok airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). We prefer flying domestically from DMK because we usually stay closer to it. However, BKK is also a great option, as it’s easy to get to from most other popular spots in the capital.
| Flight Bangkok - Krabi $ 39.36–167.83 1h 20m – 8h 40m | |
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| Flight Don Mueang Airport - Krabi $ 39.12–51.98 1h 20m – 1h 25m | |
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Money-saving: overnight bus from Bangkok to Krabi
The best way to save money while traveling from Bangkok to Krabi is by night bus, which takes between 11 and 15 hours.
Keep in mind: most buses from Bangkok to Krabi start in the late afternoon or evening, so you will always arrive in Krabi in the early morning.
Upon arrival in Krabi, you are usually dropped off at the Krabi Bus Terminal. But you might receive a hotel transfer if you pay for a better bus.
| Bus Bangkok - Krabi $ 21.59–33.27 10h 40m – 19h 48m | |
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Departure locations
Buses to Krabi depart from different terminals in Bangkok, so it’s worth checking out all the options, depending on where you stay in the capital.
The most common departure point is the Southern Bus Terminal, while some companies also depart from Mochit, the northern station closer to Don Mueang Airport.
However, when we stayed near Khao San Road, taking a bus directly from there was super convenient. Check all options here.
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More comfortable: overnight train from Bangkok to Krabi
Depending on your Thailand travel plans, taking the train from Bangkok for a big chunk of the journey to Krabi might be a great idea.
While you can’t get directly to Krabi, you can ride the train to Surat Thani and then take a bus for the last three hours. The great thing about taking the train first is that you can take the first leg of the journey on a sleeper train.
The journey by train from Bangkok to Krabi can also be somewhat faster than the bus. The train takes about 10 hours, and then the van takes three to four hours from the train station to Krabi.
TRAVEL TIP
On the way to Krabi, you can visit the Gulf of Thailand islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao as the ferry leaves from nearby Surat Thani.
Most flexible: driving a car from Bangkok to Krabi
Another option is to book a car in Bangkok and drive to Krabi. While this might seem like a crazy way to get from Bangkok to Krabi as a tourist, it’s really not. Especially if your budget permits and you’re flexible with time or traveling as a family or group.
We’ve never done this personally, as we had limited time to get to Krabi every time we went. But we know many others who did and also stopped at other destinations, like Khao Sok National Park, along the way.
Before embarking on this journey, make sure to read our article “Driving in Thailand as a Tourist,” which details everything you need to know.
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Rent a car! Thailand is very easy to navigate by car, which allows you to explore at your own pace.
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Bangkok to Krabi Travel Tips
- Take a hoodie or long-sleeved shirt for bus and train journeys from Bangkok to Krabi. The air conditioning can be pretty strong.
- We always recommend to book your transport in advance, and we always do it ourselves. It’s essential, especially if you want a specific type of transport that gets booked out in the high season, like the sleeper trains or VIP buses.
- Always check flight prices, as sometimes paying just a tiny bit extra is worth saving 10 hours of travel.
- Bring some snacks onboard, as stops are limited and may not always be the best choice. However, the best transport companies give you a small snack and a bottle of water at the beginning of the journey. We love it when they do that!
- If you’re traveling first to Krabi’s Phi Phi Islands, make sure to book the Phi Phi Islands transfer.
To book transport in Asia, we always use this platform, the top transport booking platform in the region for flights, trains, buses, and taxis. Their user-friendly platform makes booking a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
The night bus from Bangkok to Krabi is a great money-saving option for traveling to the south of Thailand without sacrificing comfort. We have taken it twice and can highly recommend it to other travelers.
You can take multiple quick one-and-a-half-hour direct flights from Bangkok to Krabi to get there as fast as possible.
As far as we know, there is no convenient day bus from Bangkok to Krabi. It’s because it’s a long, 10-hour journey, which makes the most sense overnight. Even if you find a day bus, it’s likely going to be much less comfortable than the usual VIP overnight buses.
Our thoughts on getting to Krabi from Bangkok
Having made the overnight bus journey from Bangkok on the way to Krabi twice, we can confirm that it can be a great experience, even though it’s a long bus ride.
The buses on this route (Bangkok to Krabi) are usually VIP-style, with much more comfortable seats than your standard bus, frequent stops, and correct travel times.
The main issue we have with the overnight bus to Krabi from Bangkok is that you arrive very early in the morning and then likely have to wait at least 4 hours to check into your hotel.
That’s why, next time, we’ll likely fly from Bangkok to Krabi, arriving in Krabi with minimal time spent in transport and getting there right for check-in so that we can enjoy Krabi faster!
Conclusion: If you are on a budget, the best way to travel from Bangkok to Krabi is by bus or train. But the flight is super convenient if you have just a tiny bit bigger budget!
Ready to book your transport? Check the prices and timings below.
| Flight Bangkok - Krabi $ 39.36–167.83 1h 20m – 8h 40m | |
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| Bus Bangkok - Krabi $ 21.59–33.27 10h 40m – 19h 48m | |
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| Taxi Bangkok - Krabi $ 268.80–497.67 10h – 11h | |
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| Flight Don Mueang Airport - Krabi $ 39.12–51.98 1h 20m – 1h 25m | |
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| Taxi Don Mueang Airport - Krabi $ 354.79–515.32 11h – 12h | |
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| Taxi Bangkok - Ao Nang $ 262.90–451.94 10h 20m – 11h | |
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| Taxi Suvarnabhumi Airport - Krabi $ 40.57–515.32 11h – 12h | |
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| Taxi Suvarnabhumi Airport - Ao Nang $ 337.13–443.08 11h | |
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| Taxi Don Mueang Airport - Ao Nang $ 337.13–443.08 11h 20m | |
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