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If you are planning to visit Krabi in 2025, there are loads of things to do in the area. Therefore, we strongly recommend taking some time to plan how you will get around in Krabi. Choosing the right methods of transport can make a big difference to your travel budget and experience in the area.
In this article, we will give you key information and top tips to help you get around in Krabi. We have included specific booking advice and details to help you plan your trip and your movement around the area.
It can be hard to find accurate, relevant, and up-to-date information. We have visited Krabi many times over the years and have pulled this guide together to help give you the key information in an accurate, relevant, and concise format. We really hope that this article helps you plan your trip to this beautiful and unique part of the world.
FIND A GREAT PLACE TO STAY – Full Guide to the BEST Ao Nang Hotels
Don’t miss a thing with our action packed 3 day Krabi Itinerary. And also make sure you get organized before your trip to Krabi.
Summary of the best ways to get around in Krabi
| Details | Price guide | |
| Bike rental | Lots of bike rental dealers in Krabi and Ao Nang. Fun & affordable. | 200 baht – 300 baht per day |
| Car rental | Make a deal with a local car rental company. Safe & convenient. | 1,000 – 1,500 baht per day |
| Shared taxi | Expensive but easy to find. Always check the price & destination. | Starting at 200 baht |
| Private taxi | Barter with local drivers or use the Grab taxi app for the best prices in the area. Long trips can be very expensive by private taxi. | 100 baht – 2,000 baht depending on distance |
| Tours & trips | Most tours & trips include hotel pick up & drop off. Check details when you book. | Price depends on the itinerary & operator |
Consider where you will stay
When planning the best method of transport to help you get around in Krabi, we recommend thinking carefully about what you want to see and do and where you plan to stay. Unless you have a good reason otherwise, we strongly recommend staying in the Ao Nang beach area or the landmark Beach. This is a relatively central location that allows easy transport connections to all of the main activities in the area.
FIND OUT MORE – The best areas to stay around Krabi
Consider what you want to see and do
We also recommend that you take some time to think about the main things you want to see and do in the area. There are lots of beautiful attractions spread around the area. If it is important to you to go at your own pace and find some hidden gems, then we recommend having your own transport (either a car rental or a bike rental).
Here are some things to consider depending on what you want to see:
1 The emerald pool and hot spring
This is a beautiful and unique attraction. However, it typically takes around 60 to 90 minutes to reach the Emerald Pool and hot spring by road from Krabi town. This is a very long journey on the motorbike and could be pretty tiring. This would also be a very expensive journey for a private taxi. You can take tours to see Tiger Cave Temple and the emerald pool. Alternatively, you could rent a car and drive to this area.
2 A beautiful sunrise
You can visit a stunning sunrise spot which is only 30 minutes by road from Ao Nang. The most convenient way to get to the sunrise spot is to have your own transport. If you’re traveling by car or bike rental, you don’t need to worry about trying to find a taxi very early in the morning. If you do want to go to the sunrise spot by taxi, we recommend arranging your taxi the day before and making sure you agree on a nice early pickup time. At present, no local tours include this destination in their tour itinerary, so you will need to make your own way here.
Find out more about the Din Daeng Doi sunrise viewpoint.
3 Tiger Cave Temple
If you are looking to experience the beautiful culture and scenery in this unique area, then we highly recommend a visit to the iconic Tiger Cave Temple. There is a stunning mountain, and it is possible to trek up this mountain following a very steep set of steps up the hill. This magnificent temple is located to the north of Krabi town. Taking a private taxi to this location is only likely to cost around 200 baht to 300 baht, which is fairly reasonable. Alternatively, you can take your own transport to get here (motorbike or car rental). Tiger Cave Temple is also included in many of the tours that you can book locally, such as the emerald pool and hot spring tours. So if you want to visit Tiger Cave Temple, you have a lot of options for transport.
4 Tonsai and Railay Beach
These beautiful beaches are part of the mainland, and there is no way to access these beaches overland. The only way to get to these features is by boat. The cheapest way to access these beaches is to take a shared taxi boat. This costs 100 baht per person each way, and you need to just buy a ticket and wait for the boat to fill up. There is no way to pre-book these boat tickets. Find out more about travelling to Tonsai and Railay Beach and also how to get around in the Railay beach area.
5 Kayaking trips
If you are interested in taking a kayaking trip, one option is to have your own transportation and visit one of the kayaking destinations in the area. From here, you can rent a kayak and go. This is a cheap and convenient way to experience some of the beautiful kayaking in the area. However, if you don’t have your own transport, you can also book kayaking tours that include hotel pickup and drop-off.
6 The beautiful islands in the bay
There are some very beautiful islands situated in the bay. The only way to access these islands is by boat, and the cheapest way is to take a shared boat tour, also called an island hopping trip – Learn more about Island hopping trips in Krabi. Alternatively, you could book a private boat tour. This is more expensive, but it allows you to design your own itinerary and go at your own pace.
Top tip for navigating around Krabi
If you’re planning to use your own transportation to explore this area, we recommend considering navigation before you set off. Local SIM cards in Thailand are relatively cheap, and the mobile data is affordable and fast. This can be a very useful way to help you get around in the area. If you’re traveling to some of the more remote regions of the Krabi district, be aware that mobile phone signal may be weak.
We recommend using Google Maps to help you navigate. Most phones allow you to download regions of Google Maps so that you can view the map offline. If your phone has GPS navigation, you can use this to find your location and navigate – even if you don’t have phone signal. Having a local SIM card with mobile data will also enable you to use the Grab taxi app, which is a great way to get good taxi prices in this area. We will say more about this soon.
1 Motorbike rental in Krabi
Don’t miss this FULL GUIDE to motorbike rental in Krabi – including specific prices & recommendations.
One of the most enjoyable and cost-effective ways to explore Krabi is renting a motorbike and riding. If you plan to ride a motorbike in the area, we recommend having a little bit of experience. This is not a great place to learn to ride a bike. It is also important to check that you are sufficiently qualified to ride a small motorbike and that you are covered for this on your travel insurance.
There are plenty of places offering bike rental around Krabi. This includes guest houses, hotels, tour operators, and bike rental shops. You can find bike rental in Krabi starting at around 200 baht per day. You may be able to negotiate a cheaper rental deal if you’re taking a bike for a longer period (e.g. more than 5 days).
What is it like to ride a bike around Krabi?
Always wear a helmet and take care on the roads. Some of the larger main roads on the outskirts of Krabi town are quite busy and crowded, and it can be risky taking a bike along these roads. Many of the best attractions are easily accessible by bike from Krabi town or Ao Nang. However, if you are planning to visit the emerald pool or hot spring, be aware that this is a long journey and it could be quite tiring by rented motorbike.
Many of the roads around the Krabi district are well-paved and easy to follow by bike. However, in some areas, road maintenance may mean that there are unexpected potholes and bumps on the road, so always take care. If you are visiting a more intrepid rural attraction, be aware that some of the smaller roads are unpaved and can be challenging by bike.
Things to check when you rent a bike in Krabi
They will normally ask for some kind of deposit. In some cases, they will insist on keeping a passport; in other cases, they will be willing to take a cash deposit. The exact policy depends on the bike rental dealer. We never recommend handing over your passport because you never know when you might need it. Instead, we recommend negotiating. Always make sure that it is noted on the rental contract and make sure that you are aware of your liabilities in the contract (e.g., if something breaks, do you need to fix it?).
When you rent a bike, always check the quality and condition of the bike, including the brakes, the lights, and the quality of the tires. We also recommend that you take photographs of any damages on the bike, including scuffs, cracks, or marks on the outer body of the bike.
2 Car Rental in Krabi
If you are looking for a safe and cost-effective way to explore Krabi, we recommend considering car rental. Car rental is more expensive than motorbike rental, but you can safely fit more people in a car. This is a great option for families exploring the area. Find out more about travelling around Krabi with kids.
How do you rent a car in Krabi?
If you plan to rent a car in Krabi, we recommend having an international driver’s license, which you will need to purchase before your trip. If you do not have an international driver’s license, you should be okay using your standard license.
The best and cheapest way to rent a car in the area is to make a deal directly with a local car rental company. Ordering rental cars online in Thailand is relatively expensive, and you can also run into frustrating bureaucratic terms and conditions. In contrast, if you contact a local car rental dealer, you can get lower prices. If you do go directly with a car rental dealer, check the contract carefully and make sure that you are aware of your responsibilities. Also, make sure that the car is insured for rental.
Things to check when you rent a car in Krabi
As always, take a photo of any damage on the car and check that you are happy with the level of maintenance and care of the vehicle before you drive away. If you rent a car in the area, they will probably ask for some kind of deposit, normally starting at around 3,000 baht cash deposit (roughly £60 or $80). It is common practice to take a deposit that is sufficient to cover the excess on the car’s insurance policy. Make sure that the deposit is noted on the rental contract before you sign, and make sure that you have contact details for your car rental.
It is also important to agree on a drop-off and pick-up time and location. Many local car rental dealers will be happy to drop off and pick up directly from your hotel in Krabi. We really enjoyed exploring Krabi by car rental and highly recommend this as a safe and convenient way to get around the area, especially if you want to go further afield and visit locations like the emerald pool, the hot springs, or if you want to get up nice and early and visit the sunrise viewpoint.
3 Shared Taxis
Around the Krabi area, you will see small shared taxi buses (called Songthaews). This is a very convenient way to travel around the area; however, prices are surprisingly high for these shared taxis. For example, a short journey around Krabi town is likely to cost at least 200 baht for a shared vehicle (around £4 or $5). This is not cheap in Thailand.
Another disadvantage of taking a shared taxi is that you will not be able to pin down an exact itinerary. You generally need to go where they go when they are full. It is important to be aware that a Grab taxi may well be the same price or cheaper than taking a shared taxi in this area. Always check the price before you get in and make sure that they are happy with the destination. Shared taxis generally charge a price per person rather than charging a price for the whole vehicle.
4 Private Taxis
Taxis in Krabi can be a little bit confusing. The same vehicles that act as shared taxis (Songthaews) can also offer private taxi services. They are likely to charge a higher amount if you’re asking them to act as a private taxi; alternatively, they may charge a cheaper price but pick people up along the way. We recommend speaking to your driver and making sure that everything is clear: are they offering a private taxi service? Are they willing to take you to your destination, and what is the full price of the journey? A private taxi should charge a fixed price for the vehicle rather than charging a price per person.
What are private taxi prices like in Krabi
Short journeys by private taxi can be pretty cheap. A few kilometers is likely to cost 50 – 100baht by private taxi (around £1 – £2 or $1.20 – $2.50). If you are planning to take private taxis around Krabi, be aware that longer journeys can be very expensive in this area, especially if you are looking to visit places like the emerald pool or the hot spring. A private taxi for a journey like this is likely to cost at least 2,000 baht (around £40 or $50). If you are taking a private taxi for a long day trip, make sure that you agree on the pickup time, waiting times, and the number of people in your group.
Use a taxi app
Another way to book private taxis is to use the Grab Taxi app. In order to use the Grab Taxi app, you will need to purchase a local SIM card with mobile data and download the app from your app store. You can then register for an account using your local phone number and email address. Once your account is set up, it is very cheap and easy to order taxis online. The Grab Taxi app is user-friendly and intuitive, and you will always be told the price of the taxi before you book. You can select to pay the driver in cash, and drivers are very good at sticking to the agreed price on the app. This is generally a lot cheaper and less stressful than trying to barter with local drivers.
5 Tours and Trips
Most local tours and trips range in price from 800baht to 2,500baht (£16 – £50 or $18 – $60)
Ultimately, the best method of transport in Krabi depends on exactly what you want to do. Some of the activities and attractions in the area are included in local tours, and you can save a lot of money on transport by booking a tour. Tours and trips in the area generally include hotel pickup and drop-off.
For example, if you want to explore some of the attractions around the Krabi district, then we recommend renting a car or a bike for the day that you want to explore the area. If you are hoping to visit some of the islands around the area, you will not need to pay for your car rental or bike rental because you will be picked up at your hotel and dropped back off at your hotel when you do the island hopping tour. The same applies to taking a kayaking tour or taking a tour that includes Tiger Cave Temple and the emerald pool. There is no point renting a car or bike on the same day that you do your tour because transport will be included.
When you plan your itinerary, we recommend considering what tours and trips you wish to do and what days you intend to do them. When you know this, you can work out what days you will use car rental or bike rental to explore the area.
TIGER CAVE TEMPLE & EMERALD POOL – Great price & epic itinerary tour on Klook
ISLAND HOPPING TOUR – Epic 4 island trip on Klook – competitive price
How to get around in Krabi – Summary
Getting around in Krabi can be quite complicated because there are a lot of options, and the prices vary. In this article, we have discussed several options, and we would strongly encourage you to spend some time figuring out your itinerary before you work out what transport you will use on which day. Having a good itinerary and transport plan will help you enjoy a smooth, stress-free, and low-budget trip to this beautiful part of the world.
