How to Get from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang, Krabi
Ao Nang looks close to Phuket on a map and is not, in road terms. The two sit on opposite sides of Phang Nga Bay, and with no crossing the road has to travel all the way around the top of it — about 165 km and close to three hours. Knowing that in advance saves a lot of surprise at the transfer price.
Book a Private TransferThe journey at a glance
| From | Phuket International Airport (HKT) |
|---|---|
| To | Ao Nang Beach, Krabi |
| Distance | ≈ 165 km by road |
| Journey time | 2.5 – 3 hours |
| Private taxi fare | Sedan ฿2,200 · SUV ฿2,400 · Van ฿3,000 — per vehicle, tolls included |
| Payment | Cash in Thai Baht to the driver on arrival. Nothing charged at booking. |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before pickup. |
Every option compared
| Option | Typical cost | Total time | Departures | Door to door | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | ฿2,200 per vehicle | 2.5 – 3 h | Meets your flight | Arrivals to your hotel door | Same day usually fine |
| Shared minivan | ≈฿400 – 500 per person | 3.5 h | Waits to fill | Several hotel stops | Book ahead |
| Bus via Krabi town | ≈฿300 per person | 4 h+ | Change at Krabi | No | Buy as you go |
| Ferry (high season) | ฿600 – 900 per person | 2 h crossing | Seasonal, weather-dependent | No — transfers at both ends | Book ahead |
Bus, minivan, train and ferry fares are approximate and were last checked in September 2026. They change without notice. Our own taxi fares are live from our booking system.
Road or ferry?
In high season a ferry runs between Phuket and Krabi, and the crossing itself is about two hours and genuinely pleasant. What makes it less attractive than it sounds is everything around it: you need a transfer from the airport to the pier on the Phuket side, the boat runs to a fixed schedule that may not match your flight, and you need another transfer from the Krabi pier to Ao Nang at the far end.
Door to door it usually comes out slower than driving, and it stops entirely outside high season or when the sea is rough. If the timing happens to line up with your flight it is a nice way to travel; if it does not, do not bend your day around it.
The shared minivan is the middle option: cheaper than a private car, but it waits until it is full and then works through a list of hotel drop-offs, so the three-hour drive routinely becomes four.
Practical tips
- Give us your flight number — this is a long transfer and we would rather adjust to a delay than have you arrive to no car.
- Ao Nang, Railay and Krabi town are all different places. Railay has no road access at all and is reached by longtail boat from Ao Nang or Krabi.
- The drive passes close to Phang Nga Bay viewpoints and the Khao Sok turnoff — worth building a stop around if you have time.
- Ao Nang is a good base for the Krabi islands, but boat trips leave early. An afternoon arrival means starting properly the next day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang?
Two and a half to three hours by road, covering about 165 km around Phang Nga Bay. A shared minivan takes closer to three and a half or four hours because of the waiting and multiple hotel drop-offs.
Why is Phuket to Krabi so far when they look close?
Phang Nga Bay sits between them and there is no road crossing, so the route goes all the way around the top of the bay. The straight-line distance is short; the driving distance is about 165 km.
Is there a ferry from Phuket to Ao Nang?
In high season, yes — roughly a two-hour crossing for ฿600 to ฿900 per person. You still need transfers to the pier in Phuket and from the pier to Ao Nang, and it runs to a fixed schedule, so door to door it is often slower than driving. It does not operate year-round.
How do I get to Railay Beach?
Railay has no road access. Take a transfer to Ao Nang or Krabi town and then a longtail boat, which takes ten to fifteen minutes from Ao Nang. We can drop you at the Ao Nang boat landing.
Book this transfer
Fixed fare from ฿2,200 per vehicle. See the full fare card on the Phuket Airport to Ao Nang Beach route page, or book directly below. Most bookings on this route are made the day before travel.