The city of Surat Thani, known for being a major transportation hub, connecting cities like Bangkok to some of Thailand’s most iconic islands, is a destination for many tourists, but few stay to see it. And the truth is, that’s a shame, because if you’re looking for an authentic Thai experience, going to the center of cities like Surat Thani allows you to experience what the country’s working-class society is like. Before continuing to places like Khao Sok National Park, Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, take a few days to explore Surat Thani. It is known as a city of good people, but in addition to being friendly, you can visit its temples and try fantastic street food. After giving Surat Thani the attention it deserves, travel across the Malay Peninsula to the other coast until you reach the province and city of Krabi. Here you will find impressive landscapes, a coastline characterized by karst formations, wonderful beaches and several national parks, as well as other islands close to the coast. Krabi is the perfect place to explore the Phi Phi Islands, but it also has a lot to offer on the mainland.
Travel options from Surat Thani to Krabi
Traveling from Surat Thani to Krabi is quite quick as each city is located on one side of the Malacca Peninsula. Surat Thani lies close to the east coast and the Gulf of Thailand, while Krabi lies on the west coast along the Andaman Sea. They are connected by roads, and the shortest route is about 155 kilometers long, and since there are no straits to cross, getting from Surat Thani to Krabi is very easy. There are no trains serving this route, so you’ll only be able to go by road, but the options are not limited: there are buses, vans and taxis that offer a route from Surat Thani to Krabi with several scheduled departures each day.
From Surat Thani to Krabi by bus
Phantip Bus in Surat Thani © kyozstorage_stock / Shutterstock.com
Buses are always a great means of transport to get around Thailand because they are cheap and there is usually a wide choice. To get from Surat Thani to Krabi by bus, you have two options: public bus or private bus. The cheapest way to get from Surat Thani to Krabi is by public bus. These buses are priced so that locals can travel affordably. But as a tourist you might want to enjoy more comfort as public buses are pretty basic and the journey takes 4.5 hours so maybe it’s better to spend more so the trip isn’t too long.
Riding the public bus is very easy as there is usually one service per hour during the day, but tickets cannot be purchased in advance. In general, this will not be a problem, but if you are traveling in Thailand during the holidays, it may not be so easy to find free places on public transport. If you want to take the public bus, just go to Surat Thani downtown station and buy a ticket before boarding the bus. This is more practical if you don’t like traveling with fixed plans, but there’s always the risk of running out of seats.
The most reliable way to get from Surat Thani to Krabi by bus is by private bus. These buses are usually more modern and comfortable than public buses. Phantip operates comfortable, air-conditioned buses from Surat Thani to Krabi. The tour is usually a little shorter, around 4 hours according to the timetable. Tickets are slightly more expensive than the public bus, but can be booked online in advance on the website 12Go.asiaso you don’t run the risk of running out of space.
In this way, you will be able to go to the station knowing that you will get on the bus of your choice and you will not have to look for a way to buy it at the station itself. Phantip buses depart from Surat Thani Railway Station and you can purchase combination tickets which include transfer to your hotel upon arrival in Krabi.
From Surat Thani to Krabi by van
There are even more ways to get a van from Surat Thani to Krabi. As with buses, there are also public and private vans. Public buses are cheaper, although more expensive than public buses. And while on paper it seems like they can get from Surat Thani to Krabi in less time, the truth is that it could take longer because they stop to pick up passengers until the van is full. The private van does not do the same but follows a fixed route from Surat Thani to Krabi. You can also book tickets on 12Go where you can compare van, bus and taxi prices and book online with instant confirmation.
Phantip operates most private vans. There are hourly departures from Surat Thani during the day. The cheapest goes directly to Krabi Van Terminal and takes about 3 hours according to the website. You can also book a ticket to go anywhere you want, for example to Railay or to any hotel in Ao Nang.
From Surat Thani to Krabi by taxi
Taxi from BangkokTaxi24
The most expensive transport option from Surat Thani to Krabi is a taxi. Private taxis can also be booked on 12Go with two different companies: Andaman Taxis and BangkokTaxi24. Pricing is similar for both, and both have different vehicles ranging from sedans to nine-passenger vans. It is most economical to book a van with friends, because then the price per person is similar to the price of a private bus ticket. By car you will get there a little faster and more comfortable. The main advantage of this option is the door-to-door service.
With so many options to choose from, it won’t be hard to find your way from Surat Thani to Krabi. Still, try to book in advance to secure a seat on the bus or van of your choice.