Krabi Town tends to be a bit less of a tourist destination and seen as a gateway to popular beaches in the area such as Ao Nang and Railay, but Krabi Town deserves a visit. This market town has a personality of its own, offering an insight into the local culture and a completely different atmosphere to places like Ao Nang. Whether you’re staying for a few days or just passing through, many tourists like to drive from Krabi to Phuket because it’s easy and relatively close. Phuket’s vibrant nightlife and fantastic beaches make it one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations.
Sarasin Bridge, connecting Phang Nga and Phuket
Travel options from Krabi to Phuket
Krabi is located near the coast east of Phang Nga Bay, across from Phuket Island, so a detour around this huge bay is a must if you want to drive from Krabi to Phuket by road. Still, the distance between one city’s bus terminal and another is 165 kilometers (103 miles) and the road crosses three national parks, so you can imagine the views are amazing. By road you can travel by bus, minibus or taxi, but you can also take a ferry or fast boat to cross instead of around the bay. All transport options have their advantages and disadvantages, and in this guide we will tell you about them all.
From Krabi to Phuket by bus
Traveling by bus from Krabi to Phuket is the most popular option for people traveling between these two destinations as it is cheap and runs frequently. In addition, there are several different bus options that you can consider: public buses and private buses.
Government buses run frequently from Krabi to Phuket and are the cheapest option of all. The trip takes 2.5 to 3 hours, so it’s not the fastest way. Also, since they are public buses, they are not as comfortable for such a long journey. Still, public bus travel is a great alternative to immerse yourself in the local culture as many Thais use these buses. On the other hand, you can also enjoy fantastic landscapes.
If you want to travel by bus but prefer a little more comfort, consider a private bus company. They are still cheap compared to other means of transport and it is possible to book tickets online through 12Go.asia if you are traveling with Phantip. The only drawback is that the planned duration of the trip is 7.5 hours. This can be misleading considering public bus travel usually takes 3 hours, but 7.5 hours is the maximum time allowed for travel and this limit is rarely met. Phantip buses depart from Krabi Sea Pearl Terminal and arrive at Phuket Bus Terminal 2, where public buses also run.
By minibus from Krabi to Phuket
Toyota vehicle often used as a minibus or van in Thailand
Minibuses running from Krabi to Phuket are also very popular. They cost a little more than the buses, but you’ll pay for the convenience of getting into one of the many different places. You can request a minibus to pick you up from your hotel to save time and money getting to the bus station. Minibuses have slightly less legroom than a regular bus, and making repeated stops at hotels to pick up other passengers can be frustrating. In the end, the tour may last from 3 to 4 hours in total.
There are two other downsides to traveling by minibus from Krabi to Phuket. Firstly, the drivers of these vehicles are known for driving fast and a bit recklessly, so it is not a recommended option for people who can get nervous, even though accidents are rare. The second disadvantage is that when you arrive in Phuket, everyone gets off the minibus at the same place, so it’s not a door-to-door service.
From Krabi to Phuket by taxi
If you want door-to-door service, take a taxi from Krabi to Phuket. Check out the 12Go website, which is very reliable as it offers several options for booking a taxi between these two destinations with local companies such as Glassflower and Andaman Taxis. You can choose to be picked up from different locations such as your hotel in Krabi or neighboring Ao Nang to save some time.
Taxis take around 2 hours to complete the journey and take you directly to your hotel or resort in Phuket, but are quite expensive. A comfortable full size car is expensive for one or two passengers, but if you book a 9 seater van and split the cost between friends or family, the price per person is quite acceptable.
Ferry from Krabi to Phuket
Ferry between Phuket and Krabi via Phi Phi Islands © Yulia Melnikova / Shutterstock.com
If you don’t like traveling by road, the Krabi to Phuket ferry is a fantastic alternative as you can enjoy the beautiful views. Ferries have the advantage that you can have more space and freedom to move and walk, which of course cannot be done in a taxi or bus. Although the Andaman Sea can be choppy and in that case it might not be the best idea to take the ferry if you are prone to seasickness.
There are also several ferry travel options. Regular ferry services depart from Krabi’s Khlong Jilard Port, which is about 4 km from the city, so you’ll need to take a taxi to get there. Of course, this ferry stops first at Koh Phi Phi for 3 hours, so the total travel time is around 7 hours.
If you live in Ao Nang, you can take a boat directly from there. There are daily departures during high season and one every two days during low season, and this boat does not stop at Koh Phi Phi.
From Krabi to Phuket by speedboat
Speed Boats or Speedboats in Krabi © Phuong D. Nguyen / Shutterstock.com
There is also a fast boat option. These large ships depart from Railay. Therefore, if you are in Krabi, you will have to get there first. But it won’t be difficult for you as you can book a combo ticket to go to Railay by van and then take a boat to Phuket via 12Go. This makes the journey longer, but after catching the ferry from Railay to Phuket, it’s the quickest way to get there. The crossing itself takes about 45 minutes. These boats are expensive, but the trip can be fun and will no doubt be quick.
Even though Krabi and Phuket are quite close, there are plenty of opportunities to travel between the two. Consider which tickets to book based on the season, travel schedules and budget. We recommend taking the bus if you’re on a tight budget, and opting for the fast boat if you want to get from Krabi to Phuket in a short time and don’t have to look for a lot of money.