Phuket to Krabi: 7 Ways to Get There via land & Sea (2024)

There are 7 ways to get from Phuket to Krabi, two of southern Thai most popular cities, including taking the bus, ferry, speedboat, private transfer, or booking a tour that you may be overwhelmed with choices. Each option has advantages and disadvantages so you can choose the best one for your needs.

We’ll provide all the information you need to make an informed decision about how to get from Phuket to Krabi and make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Best Way to Book Your Trip from Phuket to Krabi

Don’t want to read the whole article? The easiest way is by booking online on 12GO Asia. 12GO is Thailand’s premier website for transportation reservations. With the click of a button, you can book reliable transport and receive an instant confirmation – no more waiting in line at ticket counters! 

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Ways To Get There Summarized

Here is a summary of your transport options. (Check 12Go to see if your preferred travel method is available online)

• Tour (Best for a day trip) – BOOK HERE
• Bus (Cheapest Way)
• Ferry Once a Day Direct
• Ferry Transfer at Koh Phi Phi Islands
• Speedboat (Fastest Way)
• Minivan
• Private Transfer (Most Comfortable Way)

Phuket to Krabi Distance

Both hugging the Andaman Sea, the distance is approximately 163 kilometers (101 miles). The driving route follows the west coast of Thailand. One-way travel time is typically around 3 hours, depending on traffic and stops.

It is also possible to go by sea, where speedboats take less than 2 hours and ferries between 3-4 hours if you take the direct route.

How to Get from Phuket to Krabi

Alright, let’s find out which mode of transport is right for you! There are seven ways to get from Phuket to Krabi (and back).

Even though Krabi and Phuket have airports, I am not including flying since there are no cheap and direct flights. I also do not recommend getting private taxis since they will be super expensive.

Related Post: For a general guide to transportation in Thailand, check out this post!

Note: Based on my research, I could find these prices and time schedules while in Phuket in 2023. My information may become outdated at any point, but it’s a good starting point (if I may say so myself).

Departure Points in Phuket

• Tour, Minivan, Private Transfer: Hotel Pick-Up
• Bus: Phuket Bus Terminal 1 & 2
• Ferry: Rassada Pier, Bang Rong Pier
• Speedboat: Rassada Pier, Ao Por Pier

Drop-Off Points Around Krabi

Check to see where you are going since Krabi town is often paired with these other nearby destinations, but it is a 25 minute drive from the Krabi Bus Terminal to Ao Nang. Railay can only be reached by boat trips or a long walk during low tide.

• Krabi
• Ao Nang
• Railay Beach

1. Phuket to Krabi Day Tour

⭐ Rated: 5 out of 5

So much to do in so little time! Book this Krabi Classics from Phuket tour if you’re looking for a day trip. Spend a day exploring the best of Krabi, feasting your eyes on the incredible rock formations and bright green waters of Hong Island and Chicken Island. Then soak up the sun and check out the caves at the famous Railay Beach. Lunch and round-trip transport are included. 

2. Phuket to Krabi Bus

• Departure Place: Bus Terminals 1 & 2
• Arrival Place: Krabi Bus Terminal Only
• Departure Time: Every 40 minutes starting at 6:40am – 6pm
• How Long is the bus: 3 hours
• Bus Price: 160 baht

If you are coming from the southern beaches or Phuket Old Town, the easiest place to start your journey is Phuket Bus Terminal 1. From there, hop on an air-conditioned bus, which will take you directly to Krabi Bus Station.

The journey time is slightly over 3 hours depending on traffic, and ticket prices cost 160 baht (less than $5). Busses begin running at 6:40 am, and the last one departs at 6 pm, with consistent departures every 40 minutes to an hour. Bus Terminal 2, which is 5km north of Terminal 1, also has buses to Krabi.

Need to get from Krabi Bus Terminal to Ao Nang? The bus only makes one stop at Krabi Bus Terminal, but you can take a songthaew that leaves every 15 minutes for 60 baht. Plus, there’s a scooter rental place conveniently located at the station.

Phuket to Krabi Ferry

There are two options for taking a ferry to Krabi:

• Direct ferry
• Transfer ferry at Phi Phi Islands

3. By Direct Ferry

Ferry 1

• Departure Place: Rassada Pier
• Arrival Place: Railay & Ao Nang (Note this ferry doesn’t bring you to Krabi Town!)
• Departure Time: 8:30 am
• How Long is the Ferry: 2 hours to Railay (East Railay Pier), 2:15 hours to Ao Nang (Nopparatthara Pier)
• Ferry Ticket Price: 700 baht

Whether you purchase your ticket from the pier or a random street kiosk, the ticket cost will remain relatively consistent. However, buying a ticket near your accommodation might prove more beneficial as most offer free complimentary hotel pick-up services from 7am – 7:15am.

Additional Info: If you want to go from Phuket to Koh Lanta, that is the next stop after the Ao Nang drop-off. That costs 900 baht.

Ferry 2 (Booking Available on 12Go)

• Departure Place: Bang Rong Pier
• Arrival Place: East Railay
• Departure Time: 3 pm
• How Long is the Ferry: 2 hours to Railay (East Railay Pier)
• Ferry Ticket Price: 1090 baht

4. By Ferry Transfer at Phi Phi Island

• Departure Place: Rassada Pier Phuket
• Arrival Place: Klong Jilad Pier Krabi
• Departure Time:
  • Phuket to Phi Phi: 8:30am & 11 am, (or 1:30pm, but you will have to stay in Phi Phi overnight)
  • Phi Phi to Krabi: 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm
• How Long is the Ferry: 2 hours to Koh Phi Phi Island (Tonsai Pier), then another 1.5-2 hours to Krabi (Klong Jilad Pier)
• Price of the Ferry: 1,100-1,200+ baht

If you wish to explore Koh Phi Phi Island from Phuket before moving on to Krabi, this is the best choice for you. (Same as the direct ferry) If it’s too much of a hassle to reach the pier yourself, getting an option with a transfer included would prove worth its value!

5. Phuket to Krabi Speedboat

• Departure Place: Rassada Pier or Ao Por Pier
• Arrival Place: Klong Jilad Pier Krabi
• Departure Time:
  • Rassada Pier: Unsure of the exact times, but there are at least two per day.
  • Ao Po Pier: 10 am (there may be more)
• How Long is the Ferry: 1:15 hours to Krabi
• Speedboat Price: 1,500-1,750+ baht

Many shops don’t sell speedboats, as this is one of the least common methods of going to Krabi and one of the most expensive. If you show up at Rassada Harbour, vendors are definitely selling speedboat tickets there.

6. Phuket to Krabi Minibus

• Departure Place: Hotel Pick-up
• Arrival Place: Krabi, Railay & Ao Nang
• Departure Time: At least once a day at 11 am with Phuket Nopparat Tour, check for other companies
• How Long is the bus: 3-4 hours
• Minibus Price: 600-800 baht

Riding the minibus is more expensive than the public bus, but you will save time with a hotel pick-up instead of going to the bus terminal in Phuket Town. From the west side of Phuket, the ride to the bus terminal will take 30 minutes by taxi (200-400 baht) or 1 hour by local bus (40 baht).

Set up a minibus pick-up from any travel agents in Phuket or nearby beach towns.

7. Phuket to Krabi Private Transfer

Private cars or taxis are one of the most comfortable ways to travel between Phuket and Krabi but are also the most expensive. This may be worth it if you have a bigger group of people or with the whole family.

If you want to book something online and confirm it now, check out this private city transfer, with 4.7/5 stars and 97+ reviews. You can even choose which city you would like to leave from and go to.

How much is a cab?

A taxi or Grab ride from Phuket to Krabi will cost you around 2,500-4,000 baht, depending on the size of the car and how far in advance you book. You can also hire a minivan or larger vehicle for a higher fee.

Final Thoughts: What is the best way to travel from Phuket to Krabi?

Overall, taking a bus or ferry from Phuket to Krabi is the best way to get between these two southern Thailand locations. For budget-conscious travelers, the bus is the way to go. However, transferring at Phi Phi Island is one of the most popular ways due to its convenience of seeing another famous Thai destination.