Thailand travel guide
Bangkok to Krabi: Flight, Bus or the Train Combo
Fly: 1 hour 20 minutes, low-cost fares from ~1,000–1,800 THB (~A$46–83) — the sensible default. Overnight VIP buses take 10–12 hours for 700–1,000 THB. There is no railway to Krabi; the train option means Surat Thani or Trang plus a 2–3 hour bus. Krabi airport is 30–40 minutes from Ao Nang.
The options at a glance
| Flight (LCC) | ~1h 20m · ~1,000–1,800 THB (~A$46–83) · 10+ flights daily |
|---|---|
| Overnight VIP bus | 10–12 h · 700–1,000 THB (~A$32–46) · from the southern terminal |
| Train + bus | Sleeper to Surat Thani (8–9 h) + 2–3 h bus · full day |
Flying
Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and others fly Bangkok–Krabi all day, mostly from Don Mueang. Advance fares from ~1,000 THB plus bags; peak-season weekends run higher. Krabi airport is small and quick — the airport bus (~150 THB) or a taxi (~500–600 THB) reaches Ao Nang in 30–40 minutes. If you are continuing to Railay, boats leave from Ao Nang; allow an hour from touchdown to longtail.
The overnight bus
VIP buses leave Bangkok’s southern terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in the early evening and reach Krabi town or Ao Nang by morning, 700–1,000 THB depending on seat class. It is the genuine budget option and saves a hotel night, but the saving over an advance flight is often under 300 THB — check fares before committing to 11 hours upright-ish.
The train combination
Krabi has no station. The rail option is the overnight sleeper to Surat Thani (from ~800 THB 2nd-class AC) or Trang, then a 2–3 hour bus. It costs about the same as flying and takes the best part of a day — a journey for train lovers, not a shortcut.
Our take
Fly down, and if your itinerary also includes Phuket, hop between them by ferry (1.5–2.5 h) rather than backtracking — see Phuket vs Krabi. Then pick up the Krabi itinerary or the 10-day Thailand route.
Keep planning Thailand
Bangkok to Krabi — FAQs
How long is the flight from Bangkok to Krabi?
About 1 hour 20 minutes, with ten or more low-cost flights a day. Advance fares run 1,000–1,800 THB (~A$46–83) plus baggage.
Is there a train from Bangkok to Krabi?
No — Krabi has no railway. The rail option is an overnight sleeper to Surat Thani or Trang, then a 2–3 hour bus. Most travellers fly.
How do I get from Krabi airport to Ao Nang?
The airport bus (~150 THB) or a taxi (~500–600 THB) takes 30–40 minutes. Boats to Railay leave from Ao Nang beach.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.