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Krabi and Phuket are two awesome destinations in the south of Thailand. Both of these destinations are well worth visiting, and they are very close to each other. Each destination offers an extensive and unique range of activities and attractions. However, despite the close proximity, traveling between Krabi and Phuket is not as straightforward or as simple as it may sound. In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about traveling from Krabi to Phuket to help you plan your own adventures.
We will compare and contrast different methods of transport, including journey times, prices, and also the best way to book your trip. Please read this article carefully as there is some very important information. The key to smooth and enjoyable travel is careful preparation and planning. We hope that this guide helps equip you with all the knowledge and information you need to have a smooth and enjoyable trip.
FIND THE BEST AREAS TO STAY – Best (and worst!) areas to stay in Phuket
FIND AN AMAZING PLACE TO STAY – Amazing hotels in Phuket with a private pool
Summary of the best ways to travel from Krabi to Phuket
| Transport | Summary | Price |
| Shared minibus | Convenient, affordable and allows you to get dropped at or near your hotel. Great for solo and couple travelers. Easy to book. Joruney takes around 4 hours. | 500 – 600 baht (£10 – £12 or $12 – $15) per person |
| Private Taxi | Convenient & fast but more expensive. Drop off at your hotel in Phuket. Great for groups & families. Flexible timings. Journey takes around 3 hours. | 2,500 baht (£50 or $60) for a car |
| Ferry | More expensive per person and not very convenient. Could arrange boats to the islands and then Phuket. | 700 baht per person (around £14 or $16) |
| Car rental | Convenient, fun and flexible. Transport sorted in Phuket. Need to plan for the return of the car. Can be stressful to have responsibility for a vehicle. | 1,000 baht per day |
What is the Journey Like from Krabi to Phuket?
Phuket is very close to Krabi; they are only 50km apart as the crow flies. Although Phuket is technically an island, it is linked to the mainland by a road bridge. The journey from Krabi to Phuket overland is around 160km. This journey is likely to take around 3-4 hours, depending on traffic and stopping times. It is also important to consider your location in Phuket; it actually takes an hour or two to drive down the length of Phuket Island.
From one beautiful destination to the next…
The journey from Krabi to Phuket is a very beautiful journey. If you are interested in taking your time and seeing some of the beautiful sites, you can stop at a range of fascinating destinations such as mangrove forests (don’t miss the beautiful Thapom Klong Song Nam Nature Trail), jungle temples (Wat Bang Thong), and you can even stop at a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the iconic and unique Phang Nga Bay (The Samet Nangshe Viewpoint).
BEST Ways to Travel from Krabi to Phuket
1 Shared Minibus
The cheapest way to travel from Krabi to Phuket is to use a shared minibus. The shared minibus journey takes around 4 hours and may include a stop along the way. There are two shared minibuses per day; you can depart at 8 am or 2 pm. If you are traveling on a budget, then this will probably be your best option.
You can book a shared minibus at one of the many travel agents situated in Krabi and Ao Nang. The exact price depends on your drop-off location. For example, if you are planning to travel to Phuket airport or to the north of Phuket, it costs only 500 baht per person (around £10 or $12). If you would like to travel to the south of Phuket (specifically Patong, Kata, or Karon Bay), it costs 600 baht per person (around £12 or $15).
When you book your shared minibus, make sure that you are clear about your desired drop-off location. You are unlikely to get a hotel drop-off with a shared minibus; however, you should be able to arrange a drop-off at a nearby town or beach and then arrange your own transfer from there (we recommend using the Grab or Bolt Taxi app for the best-priced taxis in Phuket). The shared minibuses have sufficient space for larger backpacks and suitcases. They should also include a hotel pickup in Krabi (from the Krabi town or Ao Nang beach area).
2 Private Taxi
If you are traveling with a larger group or family, you may want to consider taking a private taxi rather than a shared minibus. A private taxi can take up to four people, and prices typically start at around 2500 baht (this price is for the taxi, not the price per person). If you are traveling as a group of four, this is around the same price for your whole group as a shared minibus. However, there is an advantage of taking a private taxi; you can get picked up at your hotel in Krabi and dropped off at your hotel in Phuket, no need to transfer or swap to another taxi in Phuket.
Another advantage of taking a private taxi is the flexibility with journey times; you can choose to go whenever you want in the day. A shared taxi journey from Krabi to Phuket is also likely to be a little bit faster than taking a shared minibus because the minibuses may take stops along the way. If you are traveling as a solo or a couple, taking a private taxi is a lot more expensive than taking a shared minibus; however, you may prefer the speed, efficiency, and convenience of a private option.
3 Ferry
You can also take a ferry boat from Krabi to Phuket; however, this option is less convenient, more expensive, and potentially slower, so we don’t recommend traveling by ferry unless you want to enjoy the novelty of the journey. The ferry costs 700 baht per person (around £14 or $16). The ferry leaves Krabi at 3:00 p.m. each day, and you will need to arrange your own transfer to the ferry pier in Krabi and then a transfer from the pier in Phuket to your hotel, which will also add additional journey time and cost.
If you are interested in traveling from Krabi to Phuket by boat, we recommend considering a stop at some of the beautiful islands between Krabi and Phuket (e.g., Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Yai, or Koh Yao Noi). These islands have beautiful scenery, stunning beaches, and amazing snorkeling. It is also possible to stay at some very beautiful, unique, luxurious resorts on these islands.
4 Car Rental
Another way to travel from Krabi to Phuket is to rent a car. Car rental is very convenient, flexible, and enjoyable. You can stop at any of the fascinating and beautiful attractions between Krabi and Phuket. You could also choose to depart when you want, and of course, you can drive all the way to your hotel in Phuket. Having a car to explore Phuket is also very valuable as it is a large island, and taxis are relatively expensive, especially if you are traveling between different towns and beaches in Phuket.
Car rental typically costs around 1,000 baht per day in the area (£20 or $25). You will probably need to leave a cash deposit too (normally 3,000 – 5,000 baht). It can feel a little stressful to have the responsibility of a rental car. However, we have done car rentals many times in Thailand and not had any problems. The cheapest way to get a car rental deal in Krabi is to contact dealers directly on Facebook and then negotiate the best deal. You may be able to get lower prices for longer rental contracts. You may also be able to arrange a deal where you can drop off your car in Phuket rather than returning to Krabi (there is likely to be an additional charge for this; however, it may be very convenient if you are traveling elsewhere after you have visited Phuket).
Booking with a Local Travel Agent vs. Booking Online
There are two ways to book your connection from Krabi to Phuket. You can either book directly with a tour operator located in Krabi; there are plenty of small travel agents situated around Krabi town and Ao Nang. These tour agents are able to arrange trips, tours, and transport connections. You can generally book your shared minibus or private taxi one or two days in advance.
You will need to pay upfront, and you will be given a receipt. They will also ask you to give your contact details and hotel details, and they will confirm a pickup time. It can feel unnerving handing over a lot of money over a desk only to be given a scribbled receipt; however, this is very standard in the area, and the system works really well. As long as you have gone to an official tour operator (if they have a tour desk or office, they are official), you won’t have any problems. This is also a great way to support small local businesses in Thailand (so everyone’s a winner!)
If you are staying in Ao Nang, we highly recommend Vaveewa Travel and Carrent 123 Moo 3, T-Ao Nang A.Muang, Krabi, 81180 WhatsApp +66612544700 krabitourcar@gmail.com.
If you like to get your ducks in a row, you can also book your trip online in advance. This is a more expensive way to book, but it does allow you to get yourself sorted before you travel (which always feels good!)
A Few Inefficient Ways to Travel from Krabi to Phuket
And finally, we just wanted to mention a few bad ways to travel from Krabi to Phuket. We don’t like to be negative, but we do love to save you time and help you pick the best options. So here are two ways that we do not recommend traveling from Krabi to Phuket.
1 Flying
We do not recommend flying from Krabi to Phuket. Although it’s possible to book tickets for this journey, it would be inefficient and expensive. There are no direct flights from Krabi to Phuket, so you will need to take a flight that connects in Bangkok (this is obviously ridiculous for a journey that is around 50km directly). Furthermore, you will need to transfer to Krabi Airport and arrive a couple of hours before your flight.
You will then need to arrange a transfer from Phuket Airport to your hotel. All of this will add to the time and cost of your trip. Flying from Krabi to Phuket is almost certainly going to take longer than any of the other options, and it is also going to be a lot more expensive, not to mention the environmental impact of short, unnecessary flights. So unless you have a good reason, we strongly recommend against flying from Krabi to Phuket.
2 Motorbike
If you enjoy exploring Thailand by motorbike, you may be tempted to ride from Krabi to Phuket. Although this journey is possible and very beautiful, it is a long journey and is likely to be very tiring unless you are used to long motorbike journeys. You are likely to get some saddle sore from this one. If you have rented your motorbike in Krabi, there may be restrictions and limitations on how far you are allowed to travel. You may think that your bike rental dealer will not know, but if you do run into problems in Phuket and you need their assistance, you will be too far away.
Another challenge of using a motorbike for this journey is you will need to do the journey back to return your motorbike. If you are planning to explore Krabi and Phuket by motorbike, we recommend taking a bus to travel between each destination. There are plenty of places to rent a motorbike in Phuket when you arrive.
