Getting Around Krabi

Travel Tips For Getting Around Krabi

Getting around Krabi is straightforward, with a variety of transport options available.

There are taxis, tuk tuks, songthaews, motorcycles or scooters, and longtail boats, which are essential for reaching offshore islands and beaches that are only accessible by water.

If you are arriving at the airport, you can pre-book transfers, which provide a hassle-free start to your holiday.

There are self-drive options, such as rental cars or motorbikes, that are great for exploring Krabi at your own pace.

Within Krabi Town itself, motorbike taxis and local buses make it easy to get to your destination efficiently.

For transport to the surrounding beach areas, songthaews provide a cost-effective alternative for both locals and tourists alike.

This page contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through a link, we may receive a very small commission at no additional cost to you, you can read our affiliate disclosure.

Transfers from Krabi Airport

If you prefer to organise your transfer from Krabi International Airport in advance, you can pre-book your airport transfer online before leaving home.

Pre-arranged airport transfers are similarly priced to standard taxis but offer greater convenience by allowing you to secure your transport before leaving home and reducing any stress upon arrival.

Depending on your destination and arrival time, one-way transfers start from around 780 Baht.

If you are planning to go directly to Railay Beach from Krabi International, I suggest booking a transfer that includes your onward boat journey to Railay.

Getting Around Krabi At Your Own Pace

Renting a car or motorbike is one of the best ways to explore Krabi province and all the mainland attractions at your own pace.

Navigation is easy with a good map, which can be collected at the airport or your hotel.

Motorbike & Scooter Rentals

The most affordable transport option for getting around Krabi is on a motorbike or scooter.

Scooters and motorbikes are readily available for hire throughout Krabi; however, when renting motorbikes or scooters from street vendors, insurance is not offered nor included.

Based on our personal experience from renting motorbikes in Krabi, the quality of bikes can vary significantly. Some of the motorbikes we have hired were in reasonable condition and performed adequately, while others were old and showed clear signs of lack of regular maintenance.

But what we really dislike most about renting scooters or motorbikes anywhere in Thailand from street side vendors, is that most vendors will want to hold your passport.

Your passport is an essential travel document and should be kept secure at all times. Handing it over to a rental vendor may put you at risk if issues arise with the rental agreement.

Recommended Motorbike Hire in Krabi

For anyone planning a trip to Krabi and who wants to hire a scooter or motorbike, we recommend hiring your motorbike through Bikago.

Bikago is a reliable online scooter rental service, offering new and well-maintained scooters and motorbikes.

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Motorbike from Bikago

Apart from the added convenience of being able to pre-book your motorbike or scooter rental online, there are some extra benefits that you just wouldn't get if hiring from the street vendors in Krabi.

Bikago Offers

Insurance for Damage and Theft
No Passport or Cash Deposit Required
24/7 Customer Care & Roadside Assistance
Instant Online Confirmation
Delivery & Pick-Up Service
Cancellation Insurance
New and Maintained Bikes

Bikago also includes the use of free sanitized helmets, phone charging holders, and complimentary first aid kits.

If you plan to hire a motorbike in Krabi, ensure that you have taken out the appropriate travel insurance. Most travel insurance companies will also state in the fine print, what size bike they cover you for to ride.

You should hold a motorbike license that is issued in your own country and an International drivers license, and always wear a helmet.

Riding a motorbike is only recommended for getting around Krabi, if you have had previous experience riding a motorbike in your own country.

Check out Bikago Scooter Rentals

Rental Cars

If you have never ridden a motorbike before, rental cars are a safer option for getting around Krabi.

Rental cars are readily available from the airport with companies such as Budget and Avis, or you can arrange a rental car online before leaving home.

If you plan to rent a car, ensure that you have taken out the appropriate travel insurance and hold an international driver's license.

If driving a car or motorcycle in Krabi isn’t for you, you might consider hiring a car with a driver for getting around Krabi.

This is an enjoyable way of getting around Krabi with the driver's local knowledge to show you things you probably would miss if you were on your own.

Motorbike Taxis for Getting Around Krabi Town

Motor bike taxi's are also a great way of getting around Krabi Town and will take you to most places for a pre-arranged price, just make sure that you negotiate the price with the driver before you get on the bike.

For trips into Krabi Town and from Krabi Town back to the main beach areas you can catch a songthaew.

Songthaews in Krabi are really just converted pickup trucks that have a roof and two rows of seats in the back, these local buses provide a convenient and cheap means of transport.

Along the beachfront at Ao Nang, there are tuk-tuks and motorbike sidecar taxis everywhere, which will take you to most places in the local area for around 50 baht per person.

Taxi from Krabi International Airport

If you haven’t pre-arranged your transport from the airport to your hotel, you can now book a taxi from Krabi International Airport.

A taxi from Krabi International Airport to Ao Nang costs us around 650 Baht one way for 2 people.

Getting around Krabi Islands

To reach Krabi’s offshore islands, Tonsai Beach, Railay Beach and Pra Nang Beach, you will need to catch a longtail boat.

There are taxi boats that run from Ao Nang to these beaches frequently throughout the day.

The only downside is that you will have to wait until they have enough passengers, which is usually a minimum of 8 people, before they will depart.

Tickets for the longtail taxi boats can be purchased at the ticket office on the beach road in Ao Nang.

The prices for these boat trips are fixed and displayed on a board outside the ticket office.

From Ao Nang to Tonsai - West Railay or Phra Nang Beach, we paid 100 baht per person or 200 baht return.

Low Season Travel Tips

During the low season, longtail boats may not be able to leave directly from Ao Nang Beach, and you may be transported by motorbike taxi to the Nopparatthara Pier for your departure.

This is okay, but just be aware that on return, you will need to make your own way back to Ao Nang from the Pier by taxi, which is not included in the cost.

Krabi Offshore Islands Daytrips | Island Hopping Tips

To see the offshore islands, you can also charter your own private longtail boat and driver for the day.

You can book this service through the ticket office on the beach road at Ao Nang.

Alternatively, we found that if you can talk to a boat driver away from the ticket office, you may be able to negotiate a better deal directly with the driver than the fixed prices at the ticket office.

You can also compare the prices of all the day trips online.

Longtail boats can also be found at Nopparat Thara beach, Chao Fah Pier in Krabi Town, Klong Muang Beach and Railay Beach.

Getting To and From Krabi

Not only is there ample transport for getting around Krabi.

There are also many ways you can get to Krabi from nearby provinces. Below are a couple of suggestions on the best ways to get to and from Krabi.

Ferry Services to and from Krabi

There are regular ferry services from Krabi to Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao, Koh Samui, Koh Lanta, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao.

Ferry from Krabi to Phuket
This direct ferry service between Krabi and Phuket is ideal for travellers who want to go directly between Phuket and Krabi.

My preferred way to travel by ferry between Krabi and Phuket is to enjoy a couple of days at Ko Phi Phi in between.

If this option fits your schedule, I would recommend catching a ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi, spending a couple of days exploring the stunning Phi Phi Islands with a visit to Maya Bay, before catching the ferry from Phi Phi to Krabi, or vice versa.

Ferry from Krabi to Koh Samui
If you're travelling from Krabi to Koh Samui by ferry, the journey will begin with a bus transfer from Krabi to the Donsak Pier in Surat Thani. Once at the pier, you will board the ferry to Koh Samui. This ferry service operates all year round and is reasonably priced.

Ferry from Krabi to Koh Pha Ngan
The ferry service from Krabi to Koh Pha Ngan will also include a bus transfer to Surat Thani, with onward travel direct to Koh Pha Ngan.

Ferry from Krabi to Koh Tao
The ferry service from Krabi to Koh Tao will also include a bus transfer to Donsak Pier in Surat Thani, with onward travel by ferry direct to Koh Tao.

Flights To and From Krabi

There are direct flights to Krabi from Bangkok, Ko Samui, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Alternatively, you may be able to pick up cheap flights to Phuket, then make your way to Krabi by road or, even better, catch a ferry to Ko Phi Phi, where you can enjoy a day or two before heading on to Krabi.

Buses To and From Krabi

From Krabi Bus Terminal, there are bus services to nearby provinces such as Phuket, Phang-nga, Trang, Hat Yai, Surat Thani and Bangkok.

All Buses arrive and depart in Krabi Town. The government buses go to the bus terminal in Talaat Kao, and private tour buses arrive at the Andaman Wave Master station in the centre of town.

For onward travel to the beach areas in Krabi, it is easy to catch a local bus or taxi from either of these stops.