Two of the most famous tourist destinations in southern Thailand are Phuket and Krabi. On the one hand, Phuket is a lively place that has developed a lot in terms of tourism, with fantastic beaches and much more. Krabi, on the other hand, is a lively place, but offers a quiet pace of life that brings visitors closer to the reality of Thailand much more than beach hotels in nearby Ao Nang. This very different atmosphere between Phuket and Krabi makes them such popular tourist destinations, and traveling from one province to the other is quite simple and extremely idyllic. Read on to find out the best way to travel from Phuket to Krabi.
Find out more:
• Ferry from Phuket to Krabi
• Car trip from Phuket to Krabi
What are the travel options from Phuket to Krabi?
The distance between Phuket and Krabi is not too far, so traveling between them is relatively quick and easy. There are only 165 kilometers (103 miles) between the bus terminals of one destination and the next, so depending on the mode of transport chosen and the amount of traffic, it can take 2 to 3 hours to get there. By road, there are several options, including buses, minibuses and taxis, but you can also go from Phuket to Krabi by boat, so let’s start by offering information about ferries and speedboats.
Ferry from Phuket to Krabi
The ferry between Phuket and Krabi stops at Phi Phi © Yulia Melnikova / Shutterstock.com
The best thing about the Phuket to Krabi ferry is that the scenery is stunning and it is a relatively comfortable way to travel as you can move around and stretch your legs more than on the bus. The downside of the ferry that makes the route from Phuket to Krabi is the time it takes, as it is a slow boat that completes the journey in around 8.5 hours. But if you’re not in a hurry, sailing among the beautiful Thai islands basking in the sun is a fantastic experience. In fact, there’s a reason the ferry takes so long to arrive: it’s not an 8 and a half hour sailing, but it stops for 5 hours at Phi Phi Island.
The ferry leaves Phuket at 8:30 AM, arrives in Phi Phi around 10:30 AM, and leaves Phi Phi at 3:30 PM. The ferry ticket is usually more expensive than the Phuket to Krabi bus, but if you have planned to visit Phi Phi or want to explore the island, the ferry is undoubtedly a very good option.
Motor boats are also a good alternative if you like to travel by water. Compared to buses, taxis, minibuses and ferries, speedboats are the fastest way to travel from Phuket to Krabi, although they do not go to Krabi Town itself. The speed boats follow a route that ends in Ao Nang Town, about 19 kilometers (12 miles) from Krabi Town by road, which is something to keep in mind if you decide to take this mode of transport. While they are faster (1 hour and 20 minutes from Bang Rong Port), speedboats are also the most expensive way to get from Phuket to Krabi.
Speedboats in Krabi © Phuong D. Nguyen / Shutterstock.com
Car trip from Phuket to Krabi
Toyota vehicle commonly used as a minibus/van in Thailand © nitinut380 / Shutterstock.com
If the cost of the boat doesn’t fit your budget and you don’t feel like taking such a long ferry trip, don’t worry, there are other transportation options between both destinations.
Buses are the most used means of transport for two main reasons: they run very often, so you don’t have to wait too long, and they are cheap. The public bus journey usually takes 2.5 to 3 hours and is a good way to meet the locals and enjoy the scenery. The disadvantage of buses is that they go from one station to another, so you will have to figure out how to get to the station and to your accommodation. In Phuket, it is better to take the bus from Terminal 2 as there are more frequent departures.
Minibuses are another slightly more practical alternative. If you book a minibus from Phuket to Krabi, they will definitely be able to pick you up from your hotel and save you the trip to the station. The minibus costs a little more than the bus, but it can be worth it as it will take you door to door. The downside of minibuses is that space is more limited than on a bus, and it can be tiring to stop at several hotels before starting your journey. Despite everything, the trip usually ends in about 2 hours.
The last option to travel from Phuket to Krabi is to take a taxi. It is usually a little more comfortable than a bus or minibus and is very flexible in terms of pick-up point and destination. The service is door-to-door, and if you wish, you can ask the driver to stop at an interesting place along the way. Taxis are much more expensive than buses and minibuses. The price is comparable to a speedboat trip, but can be split between several passengers to make it more economical. Although it depends on your point of departure to Phuket, the journey takes approximately 2 hours.