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Transit & logisticsBy Clever Tourists · Published
Fly. Bangkok to Krabi is about 1 hour 20 minutes in the air, with budget fares often around 1,000 to 2,500 baht ($30 to $75) when booked ahead, and the airport shuttle to Ao Nang costs about 150 baht. The cheapest way is the overnight bus from Bangkok's Southern terminal, roughly 11 to 12 hours for about 650 to 1,000 baht. There is no direct train to Krabi: the train goes to Surat Thani, about 9 to 10 hours, and you finish by bus or van, which only makes sense if you want a sleeper berth. We were in Ao Nang for 4 days in January 2023, arriving from Khao Sok, and then went back to Bangkok for 4 more nights.
Last checked 27 October 2026. Fares are approximate; dollar figures convert at our committed exchange-rate snapshot.
| Option | Time | One-way price |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Bangkok (DMK/BKK) to Krabi (KBV) Thai AirAsia | 1h 20m–1h 25m | 1,000–2,500 THB (≈ $30–74) |
| Bus Overnight bus from Southern Terminal | 11h–12h | 650–1,000 THB (≈ $19.2–30) |
| Train Sleeper train to Surat Thani plus bus or van | 13h–15h | 700–1,000 THB (≈ $21–30) |
Planning more legs? Use the route finder.
Krabi International Airport (KBV) has many daily flights from both Bangkok airports. Thai AirAsia flies mainly from Don Mueang (DMK), and full-service and other carriers also fly from Suvarnabhumi (BKK); Skyscanner lists average flight time at about 1 hour 25 minutes. Fares move with the season: well ahead outside the December to February peak, low-cost seats are often roughly 1,000 to 2,500 baht including tax, but checked bags cost extra on budget carriers, so price your real bag.
Check which Bangkok airport your flight uses before you go; they are about an hour apart by road. Our Grab vs Bolt and Bangkok taxi guide covers getting to either one.
The airport is about 25 km from Ao Nang, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour by car. Options:
• Airport shuttle bus: about 150 baht per person, with tickets from the counter in the arrivals hall. It runs roughly from early morning to the evening, goes via Krabi Town and drops at hotels, so allow 60 to 90 minutes.
• Taxi or private car: from the airport taxi desk, much faster and worth it for two or more people; confirm the fare before getting in.
Government-run and private coaches leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) on Phutthamonthon Sai road in Thonburi, west of the river; take a taxi or Grab, as it is not near a metro line. 12Go's route guide lists evening departures roughly between 5:30pm and 9pm, around 11 hours to Krabi Town, with express seats about 650 baht and roomier VIP 24-seat coaches about 970 baht. Check at the terminal or on the operator's listing, since timings shift.
Buses arrive at Krabi bus terminal at Talat Kao, north of Krabi Town; from there songthaews and taxis go on to Ao Nang, roughly 30 to 40 minutes. Private tourist buses sold on Khao San Road look cheaper but have a long record of theft from bags in the hold; use the official terminal, keep valuables with you, and lock your luggage.
The State Railway of Thailand has no line to Krabi. Southern trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat central station reach Surat Thani (Phun Phin station) in about 9 to 10 hours on overnight services. A second-class air-conditioned sleeper berth is roughly 700 to 1,000 baht, depending on the train and whether you take the upper or lower berth; lower berths sell out first.
From Phun Phin, buses and minivans go to Krabi in about 3 hours, so the full trip is around 13 to 15 hours. It costs about the same as a flight once the sleeper is included; take it for the experience of the train, not to save money. Tickets are sold on the State Railway's own online booking site and at stations; book well ahead for lower berths. Our Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train guide explains the classes.
Khao Sok National Park sits between Surat Thani and the Andaman coast, so the train to Surat Thani works well if you stop there first: minivans connect Surat Thani to Khao Sok and Khao Sok to Ao Nang. That is the order of our own route, Khao Sok for 4 days and then Ao Nang. See how many days in Khao Sok and the Cheow Lan Lake floating bungalow guide.
• Short trip, one or two weeks: fly; a night on a bus costs a beach day. See Thailand itinerary for 2 weeks.
• Tightest budget: the government night bus from Sai Tai Mai.
• Slow travel, or going via Khao Sok: the sleeper train to Surat Thani, as on our 6-week Thailand route.
High season on the Andaman coast is roughly November to April; flights and buses fill around Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year, so book those dates weeks ahead. Our Thailand guide, Bangkok guide and where to stay in Bangkok cover the Bangkok end, and Thailand's TDAC arrival card guide covers entry.
Ao Nang is the base for longtail boats to Railay and the islands: see Ao Nang to Railay and island hopping and how many days in Ao Nang for how long to stay.
No. Trains go to Surat Thani in about 9 to 10 hours, and you finish by bus or minivan, about 3 more hours.
About 11 hours on the overnight buses from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), plus 30 to 40 minutes on to Ao Nang.
Low-cost fares are often roughly 1,000 to 2,500 baht booked ahead outside peak season, before checked bags. Flight time is about 1 hour 20 minutes.
The airport shuttle costs about 150 baht and takes 60 to 90 minutes via Krabi Town; a taxi from the official desk is faster for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
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