Comparison table: Bangkok to Krabi
| Option | Departure | Typical duration | Price (level) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Don Mueang (low cost) or Suvarnabhumi | about 1 h 20 in the air, 4 to 5 h door to door including Krabi airport and Ao Nang | €€ (€€ to €€€ at Christmas and Songkran) | Most travellers, families, short stays |
| Night bus | Southern terminal (Sai Tai Mai) | 11 to 14 h, sometimes more | € to €€ | Tight budgets, patient travellers |
| Train + minivan | Krung Thep Aphiwat to Surat Thani (Phun Phin), then by road | 14 to 18 h in total | €€ | Train fans, multi-stage trips |
| Flight to Phuket + road | Phuket airport | varies | €€ | If Krabi flights are full or expensive |
Flights at 900 to 2,000 baht seen in a recent guide give an order of magnitude, but fares rise in December and January: check the price on the day.
Flight: the obvious choice
Low-cost airlines leave from Don Mueang, full-service airlines from Suvarnabhumi (see Bangkok's airports). Watch the checked bag, often extra, which can wipe out the advantage of a cheap ticket. To reach the airport on the Bangkok side: airport transfer, which offer.
On arrival, Krabi airport is about 40 minutes from Ao Nang and 20 minutes from Krabi Town. Shuttles to Ao Nang exist (about 140 baht seen on a third-party site); a private transfer booked ahead saves haggling with a taxi after the flight. Ao Nang hotels can be compared on Booking.
Night bus: the cheapest
Night buses leave from Bangkok's Southern terminal (Sai Tai Mai) and reach Krabi in 11 to 14 hours, sometimes more in traffic. Fares seen run from about 550 to 1,000 baht in a standard coach and 900 to 1,100 baht in VIP with near-flat seats. Keep valuables on you and bring a sweater: the air conditioning is strong. See the cost of a trip to Bangkok to put this price in perspective.
Train + minivan: possible, but long
There is no station in Krabi. The night train south serves Surat Thani (Phun Phin); you then continue by minivan or bus, 2 h 30 to 4 h of road depending on sources. The total often exceeds 14 hours. Southern train times and the departure station change: check with the SRT (1690) and read the Krung Thep Aphiwat station guide. This route is for those who want the journey, not those who want to arrive.
When to go
The Andaman Sea is calmer from November to April; the monsoon, from May to October, makes some boat trips uncertain. See the best time to visit Bangkok for the general calendar.
Once in Ao Nang
The classic outing is the speedboat trip: the 4 islands day trip by speedboat with lunch box (Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Tup, Phra Nang beach) can be booked with hotel pickup; national park entrance fees are sometimes paid separately, so read the listing. Prices for this kind of trip run around €30 or 1,200 to 1,300 baht depending on the offers seen.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to reach Krabi from Bangkok?
The plane, about 1 h 20 in the air, from Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi. With the airport and the transfer to Ao Nang, allow 4 to 5 hours in all.
Is there a direct train from Bangkok to Krabi?
No. The nearest station is Surat Thani (Phun Phin); you then need 2 h 30 to 4 h by minivan or bus. Check times with the SRT.
How much is the night bus?
About 550 to 1,100 baht depending on class, seen in October 2026 on reference sites. The price on the day may differ.
Krabi or Ao Nang: where do you land?
At Krabi airport, about 40 minutes from Ao Nang. Krabi Town is closer (about 20 minutes) but less touristy.
Can I fly there and come back by bus?
Yes, and it is common: the plane out to save time, the night bus back if your international flight leaves late.
