No wonder Krabi, characterized by towering limestone cliffs and crystal clear waters, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand. As a gateway to some of the best islands in the country, such as the fantastic Phi Phi Islands, Krabi is at the top of the list of places to visit in this Asian country. After spending time relaxing on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, it might be a good idea to visit a few Thai cities. Surat Thani is a city that serves as a hub for the region and connections to Bangkok, and is a good way to get back into city life. With a wide variety of markets, Surat Thani is a popular shopping destination, but it also has good connections to many of Thailand’s islands if you want to spend more days at the beach. Read on to find out how you can travel from Krabi to Surat Thani.
Travel options from Krabi to Surat Thani
Both Krabi and Surat Thani are on the mainland, so you don’t have to worry about ferry crossings to travel between these two destinations. Krabi is on the west coast and Surat Thani is on the east coast, meaning part of the Malacca Peninsula has to be traversed. By road, the shortest route is 158 kilometers (99 miles). Although if you could travel in a straight line, the distance would be much shorter. Still, the journey from Krabi to Surat Thani is not too long and there are several options to go by bus, van or taxi.
By bus from Krabi to Surat Thani
Phantip Bus in Surat Thani © kyozstorage_stock / Shutterstock.com
Let’s start with the most popular way to get from Krabi to Surat Thani: the bus. Buses are a popular means of transport to get around Thailand as there are always plenty of them and they are always cheap. This makes bus travel very popular with backpackers and people on a budget. In addition, the bus journey from Krabi to Surat Thani is safe and reliable.
If you are looking for reliability, it is recommended to book your tickets through the travel website 12Go.asia. They provide detailed search results for the trip from Krabi to Surat Thani and sell tickets from the well-known Thai bus company Phantip. If you are traveling with Phantip, you will be able to depart from Krabi Bus Station and arrive at Surat Thani Railway Station, which is perfect if you plan to continue your journey by train. There are three daily bus departures from Krabi to Surat Thani, specifically at 8.30am, 11.30am and 1.00pm. The journey takes about five hours. The buses are not the most luxurious you can find on other routes in Thailand. They are standard air-conditioned buses, but comfortable enough for such a long journey.
If you were staying in the Ao Nang area of Krabi, you can also include pickup by van from any hotel in Ao Nang. This Phantip service, which can also be booked on 12Go, is very convenient but can double the price of a bus ticket. Still, being picked up at your hotel door and taken to your bus door is very convenient and avoids the hassle of getting to Krabi bus station on your own.
From Krabi to Surat Thani via Van
Phantip also offers various van options from Krabi to Surat Thani. Tickets can also be booked on 12Go with a simple search that allows you to compare prices and times and book instantly. There are more van departures than buses. Although vans are a bit more expensive than buses and don’t have as much passenger space, the truth is that traveling by van from Krabi to Surat Thani is quite convenient if you want other departure options.
Phantip vans depart from Krabi Sea Pearl Travel or Ao Nam Mao Jetty, which saves you the hassle of getting to downtown Krabi. There are also two arrival points in Surat Thani, the train station and Downtown Hub in the city center. As you can see, this is quite a practical and convenient option.
From Krabi to Surat Thani by Taxi
If you are looking for convenience, it is best to take a taxi from Krabi to Surat Thani. There are several companies that offer this service and it can be booked through 12Go, such as Ao Nang Travel and Tour, Phuket Transfer Travel Andaman, Andaman Taxis or Glassflower. Be sure to compare the different pick-up and drop-off options as there are quite a few to choose from. You can choose to be picked up and dropped off at your hotel, Surat Thani Airport or the train station. You will easily find the combination that best suits your plans.
A taxi from Krabi to Surat Thani is faster than a bus and van, taking around three hours to complete the journey. This means you’ll get to Surat Thani in less time, and thanks to the flexibility offered by a taxi, you can leave whenever you want instead of sticking to fixed bus and van schedules.
Pricing for private taxis from Krabi to Surat Thani can vary greatly depending on the company and type of vehicle booked. The best price is obtained when traveling in a group, as you can book a van for nine passengers and split the cost among all. For a more luxurious ride, choose one of Glassflower’s nine-passenger VIP vans.
Whether you’re looking for convenience and speed or an affordable option, it’s easy to find the right means of transport to get from Krabi to Surat Thani.