Krabi’s transport system revolves around two hubs: Krabi Town on the river, the ferry and bus gateway, and Ao Nang on the coast, the beach and tour hub. Between them, longtail boats handle the beach-hopping, songthaews run fixed routes, and motorbikes unlock the inland waterfalls and hot springs. This guide to getting around Krabi covers airport transfers, local transport costs, and ferry connections to neighbouring islands.
Getting Around Krabi: Airport Transfers (KBV)
Krabi International Airport (KBV) is 15 kilometres from Krabi Town (20 minutes) and 25 kilometres from Ao Nang (35 to 40 minutes). Shared minivans run 150 THB to Krabi Town and 200 THB to Ao Nang, purchased at the transport counter in arrivals. Private taxis cost 400 THB to Krabi Town, 600 THB to Ao Nang. Grab operates from the airport at similar prices; the pickup point is the Grab meeting point at the domestic terminal exit. There is no airport bus. For late-night arrivals (after 22:00), Grab is the most reliable option as the transport counters may be closed. The airport is small with one terminal; the arrivals hall has ATMs, SIM card shops (299 THB for 15-day tourist SIM with 30GB data from TrueMove or AIS), and a 7-Eleven.
Getting Around Krabi: Songthaews, Taxis, and Grab
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) connect Krabi Town and Ao Nang for 60 THB per person (30 minutes, every 20 to 30 minutes from 6:00 to 18:00). From Krabi Town, songthaews also run to the Tiger Cave Temple (50 THB) and the Ao Nam Mao pier (40 THB) for the back-door Railay access. Tuk-tuks in the Ao Nang area are unmetered and expensive by Thai standards: 200 to 400 THB for short hops. Grab and Bolt operate in Krabi Town and Ao Nang with Grab prices typically 30 percent cheaper than tuk-tuks. GrabCar from Krabi Town to Ao Nang runs 250 to 350 THB. Bolt has fewer drivers but is 20 percent cheaper when available.
Getting Around Krabi: Longtail Boats and Ferries
Longtail boats connect Ao Nang Beach to Railay West (200 THB round trip, 15 minutes, departures every 15 minutes when full, 8:00 to 18:00). After 18:00, private charters cost 500 to 800 THB. From Krabi Town’s Chao Fah Pier, ferries run to Koh Phi Phi (2 hours, 400 to 500 THB, 2 to 3 departures daily), Koh Lanta (2 hours, 350 to 450 THB, November to April), and Phuket (2 hours, 600 to 800 THB). Book at the pier or through any travel agent. The Ao Nam Mao pier (10 minutes from Ao Nang) is an alternative Railay access point with more parking and a shorter, less scenic crossing (100 THB, 10 minutes to Railay East).
Getting Around Krabi: Motorbike Rental
Rental rates: 200 to 300 THB per day for a 125cc automatic. Ao Nang has 20-plus rental shops along the main strip. Krabi’s roads are generally less chaotic than Phuket’s, but the 60-kilometre ride to the Emerald Pool involves highway driving on Route 4 with fast-moving trucks. Police checkpoints are common on the Krabi Town to Ao Nang road; helmet fine is 500 THB. The same rental precautions apply: photograph the bike before taking it, carry an IDP with motorcycle endorsement, and leave a cash deposit rather than your passport.
