Traveling from Phuket to Krabi and Krabi to Phuket is one of the most popular routes in the south of Thailand, and we have done it many times as well.
The distance from Phuket to Krabi is about 150km by road or 50 nautical miles, and there are many ways to travel between them. The fastest way to get from Phuket to Krabi is a one-hour and 30-minute speedboat ride, followed by the ferry and the bus or van.
Since going between them offers the same transportation options, we gathered all the information in this one complete guide to traveling between Phuket and Krabi.
In our opinion, the best option to travel from Phuket to Krabi and vice versa depends mostly on where you stay. We’ll dive deeper into that for each transportation mode below. It’s always one of our main factors when deciding how to travel between places, and we’d love to help you choose, too.
We also published two great guides which can help you decide on where to stay:
- Krabi Hotel and Area Guide
- Best Areas to Stay in Phuket (for all budgets)
Best ways to travel from Phuket to Krabi and Krabi to Phuket
There are three convenient ways to get from Phuket to Krabi (and back):
- By bus
- By boat
- By taxi or private transfer
The best way to secure tickets is on 12go, our preferred platform for booking buses, trains, ferries, and more in Thailand. Click here to check tickets.
Please note that the estimated travel time from Phuket to Krabi usually does not include the time it takes to get to the pier for the speedboat/ferry or the bus station.
That’s why if you stay in areas further away from the main departure piers and bus stations, it will likely add one more hour to your journey.
Estimated travel time from Phuket to Krabi:
- By boat: 1 hour 30 minutes by speedboat, 2 hours by ferry
- By bus: 3 to 4 hours
Realistic travel time between Phuket and Krabi:
- By boat: 3 to 4 hours, including pickup and dropoff
- By bus: 5 to 6 hours, including pickup and dropoff
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.
Bus from Phuket to Krabi
Getting a bus from Phuket to Krabi or from Krabi to Phuket is the most common way to travel comfortably between these destinations in about 3 to 4 hours.
We booked our Phuket to Krabi bus tickets online on 12go, and it was a straightforward 3-and-a-half journey from Phuket Bus Terminal 1 in Phuket Town to the Krabi Bus Terminal. We usually book the option with hotel pickup, but if we stay in the Old Town, a quick Grab ride (Uber) is our preferred way to get to the Phuket Bus Terminal.
Our first bus from Phuket to Krabi was actually a van – the standard type used throughout Thailand. However, you can also book a more comfortable and spacious minibus on this route for a similar price. Check the exact operator here.
We also took the same bus on the way back from Krabi to Phuket. Both times, we took the bus that arrived around 2 PM, so we were in our hotels right at check-in and could optimise our time in Phuket and Krabi.
However, many other options exist for taking the bus from Phuket to Krabi and back. You can check all the options here.
| Bus Phuket - Krabi $ 9.36–16.09 3h – 3h 30m | |
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| Bus Phuket - Ao Nang $ 16.09 3h 30m | |
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| Bus Krabi - Phuket $ 8.78–9.36 3h – 3h 10m | |
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Phuket to Krabi speedboat
The fastest way to get from Phuket to Krabi and Krabi to Phuket is the speedboat ride, which takes just 1 hour and a half.
The speedboat ride from Phuket to Krabi is faster but more expensive. However, if you have a slightly bigger budget, it’s worth it. You can book a speedboat between Rassada Pier in Phuket and Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang, great locations for easy access to both destinations.
However, like with the bus, you have to take note of where the departure pier is and how long it will take you to get there. For example, getting to the Rassada Pier in just 10 minutes is easy if you’re staying in Phuket Town. However, getting from the town to the Bang Rong pier can be a 35-minute drive with no traffic or 1 hour during busy times.
| Ferry Phuket - Krabi $ 29.26–38.04 2h 5m – 8h 30m | |
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| Ferry Phuket - Ao Nang $ 19.02–46.82 1h 20m – 10h 30m | |
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| Ferry Phuket - Railay $ 19.02–46.82 1h 30m – 10h 30m | |
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Phuket to Krabi ferry
You will often see us taking a ferry rather than a speedboat because the ride is less bumpy (more comfortable), and we feel generally safer on ferries. That’s why we recommend taking a ferry between Phuket and Krabi.
A ferry is also a better choice than a speedboat if you suffer from sea or motion sickness. In any case, take a motion sickness pill before the trip!
There is also a ferry that first goes to the Phi Phi Islands, and then you have to wait there for the next ferry for a few hours. In that case, you might as well book a night in Phi Phi, explore the beaches, do some snorkeling, and then go to your next destination the next day.
We also visited the Phi Phi Islands on an overnight trip once, and we managed to see everything we wanted: swim at a fantastic beach, hike to a viewpoint, and chill at a beachside bar.
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Phuket to Krabi private transfer and taxi
Since the route from Phuket to Krabi and Krabi to Phuket is one of the most frequently taken by tourists in Thailand, you also have a great selection of private transfers you can book.
Private transfers between Phuket and Krabi start at 75 USD and are available throughout the day. They also include pickup and dropoff at your hotel or the airport.
We highly recommend booking a private transfer between Phuket and Krabi if you’re traveling with a group or family. A private car often costs just a bit more than shared transport when split with more people.
Plus, booking a private transfer gives you more flexibility on the departure (and arrival) time.
You can also book a private taxi from Phuket to Krabi for a price similar to the private transfer.
| Taxi Phuket - Krabi $ 67.30–387.00 2h – 3h 30m | |
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| Taxi Phuket - Ao Nang $ 67.30–454.30 1h 20m – 3h 30m | |
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Alternative: drive from Phuket to Krabi
A great alternative to getting to Krabi from Phuket or Phuket to Krabi is to rent a car and drive the 150 km yourself. It’s an easy drive, and along the way, you can already visit some tourist attractions like the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint (get there for sunrise!).
You can find great Phuket rentals and Krabi rentals for a reasonable price, and the one-way car rental fee between Phuket and Krabi is an acceptable 50 USD.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no direct flight from Phuket to Krabi. The only way to fly between Phuket and Krabi is to stop over for about three hours in Bangkok. We don’t know anyone who has done this and can’t make sense of such a journey.
Yes, there are affordable options from Phuket to Krabi, including a hotel pickup.
While a day trip from Phuket to Krabi (or the other way around) is possible, we don’t recommend it. The total travel time will be 6 to 7 hours at best, or an hour or two more, depending on the traffic in Phuket. Since both Phuket and Krabi are large areas, we recommend an overnight stay rather than a day trip.
You should book your Phuket to Krabi transport in advance to secure your ticket, especially in the high season. We recommend booking your transport online.
Final thoughts and travel tips
Our best travel tip is to find a transportation option that includes a hotel pickup from your Phuket or Krabi hotel. There are many transfer options from Phuket Town, Phuket Airport, Kata & Karon, Patong, and Kamala Beach. Similarly, you can book your Krabi transfer from Ao Nang and the town.
And if you’re staying in Krabi’s Railay Beach, we recommend booking a boat instead of a bus. You can get one from the Floating Pier in East Railay and avoid the additional boat ride.
Read more: How to get to Railay Beach
We also don’t recommend a speedboat or ferry from Phuket’s northern piers unless you stay in the area. However, Bang Rong Pier is a good choice if you stay in Mai Khao, Nai Thon, Bang Tao, or Surin Beach. It’s only a 25 to 30-minute drive away from each of those areas.
Conclusion: If you are on a budget, the best way to travel from Phuket to Krabi is by bus. However, private transfers are a better alternative if traveling as a group or as a family.
Ready to book your transport? Check the prices and timings below.
Don’t know what to visit in Phuket or Krabi?
Read: Phuket Travel Guide & Krabi Travel Guide
| Flight Phuket - Krabi $ 32.67–119.10 2h 39m – 1d 3h 49m | |
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| Bus Phuket - Krabi $ 9.36–16.09 3h – 3h 30m | |
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| Taxi Phuket - Krabi $ 67.30–387.00 2h – 3h 30m | |
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| Ferry Phuket - Krabi $ 29.26–38.04 2h 5m – 8h 30m | |
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| Van Phuket - Krabi $ 9.07–45.36 2h 15m – 6h 30m | |
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| Bus Phuket - Ao Nang $ 16.09 3h 30m | |
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| Taxi Phuket - Ao Nang $ 67.30–454.30 1h 20m – 3h 30m | |
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| Ferry Phuket - Ao Nang $ 19.02–46.82 1h 20m – 10h 30m | |
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| Van Phuket - Ao Nang $ 14.92–29.56 2h 30m – 3h 40m | |
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| Ferry Phuket - Railay $ 19.02–46.82 1h 30m – 10h 30m | |
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| Van Phuket - Railay $ 33.65–38.04 3h 45m – 6h 30m | |
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