Krabi, along with Phuket, is the top beach destination in Thailand. Known for its stunning limestone rock formations, Krabi is the most famous non-island beach area in the country. Since it’s not an island, getting from Bangkok to Krabi is easier compared to other destinations. With its international airport, Krabi is often a convenient stop after landing in Bangkok, the gateway to the Siamese Kingdom.
There are almost 800 kilometers between Bangkok and Krabi if you travel by road, so flying is undoubtedly the most comfortable option. Here’s how to travel from Bangkok to Krabi.
This is definitely the most convenient way to get from Bangkok to Krabi. Sometimes, flying can even be as affordable as traveling by land because there are so many flights available. If you book your ticket in advance and are flexible with your travel dates, you can often find one-way tickets for less than 25 euros.
Remember that there are two airports in Bangkok: the main one, Suvarnabhumi (map), and Don Mueang (DMK) (map), where most low-cost airlines operate.
It doesn’t matter much whether you fly from one airport or the other; simply choose the flight that best fits your schedule. To get to Suvarnabhumi Airport by public transport, you can use the Airport Link train line, which departs from central locations like Asok or Phaya Thai, near Siam. For Don Mueang, it’s best to head to Mochit Skytrain Station and take the A1 bus.
If you prefer taking a taxi, the cost to both airports is around ten euros. When you arrive in Krabi, you’ll find public vans outside the airport that can take you to your destination for about 150 baht, as the main beaches like Ao Nang are quite far from the airport.
The cheapest way to get to Krabi from Bangkok is undoubtedly by bus. Like with other major destinations in Thailand, both to the south and north, the journey from Bangkok can take over 12 hours.
The good news is that the buses are quite comfortable. We recommend that you book your bus ticket online to find the one that best suits your needs. There are budget options that make multiple stops, but we always advise choosing the VIP or express buses. These have larger seats, personal screens, power outlets, and strong air conditioning, so you might want to bring a jacket.
If traveling by bus sounds like a challenge, a slower but more comfortable option is to combine train and bus travel. While there’s no direct train route from Bangkok to Krabi, you can take a train to Surat Thani and then continue by bus to Krabi.
To do this, first purchase a train ticket and head to Bang Sue Grand Station (mapa) for the train to Surat Thani. The journey takes around ten hours, and the cost will vary depending on whether you choose a standard seat without air conditioning or a sleeper berth to rest overnight.
Once you arrive in Surat Thani, you can easily get to the bus station and take a bus to Krabi. All tickets can be booked in advance online.
The final option to consider when deciding how to get from Bangkok to Krabi is renting a car. If you choose this route, remember that you’ll need an international driving license, and be aware that cars in Thailand have the steering wheel on the right, as they drive on the left side of the road.
