Getting around · Krabi · Thailand
Getting around Krabi
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Krabi is spread out across the mainland and islands. Longtail boats connect Ao Nang with Railay, ferries and speedboats serve Phi Phi and Lanta, and songthaews, taxis and app cars link Ao Nang, Krabi Town and the airport. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Boat
- Airports
- KBV, HKT
- Need a car?
- No
Ways to get around
Boat
Longtails run from Ao Nang beach to Railay in about 15 minutes, leaving once enough passengers have bought tickets at the booth; private charters are available for island trips.
At low tide you may have to wade to and from the boat, so pack light and keep bags waterproof.
Ferry
Scheduled ferries and speedboats connect Ao Nang, Krabi Town and Phi Phi, Lanta and Phuket, with less frequent service in the rainy season.
Bus
Shared songthaews run between Ao Nang, Noppharat Thara and Krabi Town throughout the day, stopping on request along the main road.
Ride-hailing
Grab operates in the Ao Nang and Krabi Town area for cars and is useful for airport transfers.
Scooter
Scooters are available to rent in Ao Nang and on Lanta; roads are busy and accidents are common, and insurance needs the correct licence.
From the airport
Krabi International Airport is about 15 km from Krabi Town and about 35 km from Ao Nang, roughly 40 minutes by road. Airport buses, shuttle vans and taxis serve Ao Nang and Krabi Town. Phuket airport is an alternative with more international flights, about 3 hours by road or a ferry ride away.
Do you need a car?
No. Boats, songthaews and app cars cover most needs; a hire car is only useful for exploring the mainland's waterfalls and hot springs independently.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Phi Phi | About 1.5–2 hours by ferry; 45 minutes by speedboat | Ferry from Krabi or Ao Nang, or speedboat tour |
| Emerald Pool and Hot Springs | About 1–1.5 hours by road | Tour, car or scooter |
| Phang Nga Bay | About 1.5 hours by road, then boat | Tour with road and boat transfers |
| Koh Lanta | About 2 hours by road and car ferry | Minivan with ferry crossing, or boat from Ao Nang |
| Khao Sok National Park | About 3 hours by road | Tour or minivan |
| Koh Yao Noi | About 30–60 minutes by boat | Speedboat or longtail from Tha Len pier |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Krabi?
No. Boats, songthaews and app cars cover most needs; a hire car is only useful for exploring the mainland's waterfalls and hot springs independently.
+How do you get from the airport to Krabi?
Krabi International Airport is about 15 km from Krabi Town and about 35 km from Ao Nang, roughly 40 minutes by road. Airport buses, shuttle vans and taxis serve Ao Nang and Krabi Town. Phuket airport is an alternative with more international flights, about 3 hours by road or a ferry ride away.
+What is the best way to get around Krabi?
Boat: Longtails run from Ao Nang beach to Railay in about 15 minutes, leaving once enough passengers have bought tickets at the booth; private charters are available for island trips.