Best ways to get from Krabi to Bangkok
We traveled extensively around Thailand for many months, including from Krabi to Bangkok and other central and northern destinations, and we have a really good idea of how to travel there best.
The main ways to cover the 800-kilometer distance from Krabi to Bangkok 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 Krabi to Bangkok
The fastest way to reach Bangkok from Krabi is by flying into one of Bangkok’s two airports 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.
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It’s worth comparing the price of a flight from Krabi to Bangkok 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 Bangkok Airport, you can take a taxi, Grab (Uber), or one of the public transportation links, like the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi, to your hotel. But you can also book the Private Airport Transfer online in advance.
Departure and arrival locations
Flights to Bangkok from Krabi depart from the Krabi International Airport, a 20-minute drive from Krabi town or a 45-minute drive from Ao Nang.
You can fly directly to both of the capital’s airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – the main one, and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). We prefer DMK for domestic flights, but it doesn’t matter as much which one you fly into, as they’re both well connected by public transport to the whole city.
| Flight Krabi - Bangkok $ 50.70–680.23 1h 20m – 1d 13h 35m | |
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| Flight Krabi - Don Mueang Airport $ 30.93–92.24 1h 20m – 4h 25m | |
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Money-saving: overnight bus from Krabi to Bangkok
The best way to save money while traveling from Krabi to Bangkok is by night bus, which takes between 11 and 15 hours.
Keep in mind: most buses from Krabi to Bangkok start in the late afternoon or evening, so you will always arrive in Bangkok in the early morning.
Upon arrival in Bangkok, you are usually dropped off at either the Southern Bus Terminal, Mochit (north terminal), or right at Khao San Road – definitely choose Khao San if you’re staying there. We prefer Mochit as it’s connected really well by public transport to all the areas we usually stay in while in Bangkok.
| Bus Krabi - Bangkok $ 21.59–28.60 12h – 14h 7m | |
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Departure locations
Buses to Bangkok usually depart from Krabi Bus Terminal, which is about a 30-minute drive from Ao Nang or just 10 minutes outside Krabi town. But we highly recommend booking the one that also includes a transfer from your hotel. It’s much cheaper than the somewhat overpriced taxis in Krabi.
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More comfortable: train from Krabi to Bangkok
Depending on your Thailand travel plans, taking the train from Krabi for a big chunk of the journey to Bangkok might be a great idea.
While you can’t take the train right in Krabi, you can get a 3-hour van transfer to Surat Thani and then get a 10-hour train to Bangkok.
Unfortunately it’s a bit hard to get to Surat Thani in time to take the morning train, as it departs at 9 AM. That means you have to take the night train.
But the great thing about taking the nighttime one is that you can do the last leg of the journey on a sleeper train right to Bangkok. This also means you still have a whole morning left in Krabi before going to Bangkok.
The journey by train from Krabi to Bangkok can also be somewhat faster than the bus. The van transfer takes 3 hours, and then the train takes about 10 hours to reach Bangkok.
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On the way to Bangkok, 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 Krabi to Bangkok
Another option is to book a car in Krabi and drive to Bangkok. While this might seem like a crazy way to get from Krabi to Bangkok 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, 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.
The easiest way to get around Thailand?
Rent a car! Thailand is very easy to navigate by car, which allows you to explore at your own pace.
We recommend using DiscoverCars, where you can easily compare prices from top car rental companies and book your dream car with just a few clicks. Say goodbye to long queues and hidden fees and hello to hassle-free car rentals.
Krabi to Bangkok Travel Tips
- Take a hoodie or long-sleeved shirt for bus and train journeys from Krabi to Bangkok. 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 staying on Khao San Road, book the bus to Khao San.
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 Krabi to Bangkok is a great money-saving option for traveling to the capital without sacrificing comfort. We have taken these buses many times and can highly recommend them to other travelers.
You can take multiple quick one-and-a-half-hour direct flights from Krabi to Bangkok to get there as fast as possible.
As far as we know, there is no convenient day bus from Krabi to Bangkok. 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 Bangkok from Krabi
Having made many overnight bus journeys in Thailand from and to Bangkok, we can confirm that it can be a great experience, even though it’s a long bus ride.
The buses on this route (Krabi to Bangkok) 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 Bangkok from Krabi is that you arrive very early in the morning and then likely have to wait at least 4 to 5 hours to check into your hotel.
That’s why we usually prefer flying on these routes, as we can get to our hotel right at check-in and spend less time on transport, for not that much more money.
Conclusion: If you are on a budget, the best way to travel from Krabi to Bangkok 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 Krabi - Bangkok $ 50.70–680.23 1h 20m – 1d 13h 35m | |
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| Bus Krabi - Bangkok $ 21.59–28.60 12h – 14h 7m | |
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| Taxi Krabi - Bangkok $ 310.86–407.18 11h | |
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| Van Krabi - Bangkok $ 27.38–32.11 15h – 17h 10m | |
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| Taxi Krabi - Suvarnabhumi Airport $ 446.61–515.32 12h | |
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| Flight Krabi - Don Mueang Airport $ 30.93–92.24 1h 20m – 4h 25m | |
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| Taxi Krabi - Don Mueang Airport $ 446.61–515.32 12h | |
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