Krabi International (KBV) sits east of town, and how you reach Ao Nang, Krabi Town or the islands - and what it costs - depends entirely on where you are heading. Here are every transfer option, realistic fares and journey times.
Krabi International Airport (KBV) lies about 15 km east of Krabi Town on Highway 4 and is the gateway for everyone moving to the province, with direct flights from Bangkok and a growing list of regional routes. There is no rail link, so your choices are the airport shuttle bus, a shared minivan, a fixed-fare taxi, a ride-hailing app or a pre-booked private car - and for many arrivals the journey continues by longtail boat to Railay or by ferry out to Koh Lanta or Phi Phi. Below we break down each option, what it costs, and how long it really takes.
Krabi International Airport (KBV) sits about 15 km east of Krabi Town, off Highway 4. The cheapest comfortable option is the air-conditioned airport shuttle bus, which runs from outside arrivals to Krabi Town bus station and on to Ao Nang, timed loosely around flight arrivals. Fares are a fixed THB 90 into Krabi Town and around THB 150 to Ao Nang - unbeatable value for a solo arrival travelling light. Buy your ticket at the clearly marked counter in the arrivals hall rather than from anyone approaching you outside.
Shared minivans and combined van-and-ferry tickets are sold at transfer desks in the arrivals hall and are the backbone of onward travel in the province. Expect roughly THB 150-250 per person to Ao Nang, with the van waiting to fill and making several drop-offs. The same desks sell through-tickets to Koh Lanta (van plus two short car-ferries or the bridge road) and to the Railay and Phi Phi piers. For a couple or family the per-seat price adds up, so a private car is often comparable - but for a solo mover with a backpack, the shared van is the practical middle ground.
An official taxi and limousine counter operates inside arrivals, selling fixed-fare rides so you know the price before you leave the terminal. Budget roughly THB 350-450 to Krabi Town, THB 600-800 to Ao Nang, and THB 800-1,000 up to the quieter Klong Muang and Tubkaak resort strip. This is the simplest choice with luggage, a family or a late-night flight, and the fixed fare removes any haggling. As everywhere in Thailand, use the official desk inside the terminal rather than drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.
Ride-hailing works at Krabi but is thinner than in Phuket or Bangkok - Grab and Bolt are available, though car supply at the airport can be patchy, especially late at night or when several flights land together. When a car is available the app-fixed fare is transparent and card payment is easy: expect broadly THB 350-500 to Krabi Town and THB 550-800 to Ao Nang, similar to the taxi desk. If no car appears within a few minutes, fall back to the official taxi counter rather than waiting.
For a smooth first arrival - especially with children, a lot of luggage or a late flight - a pre-booked private transfer or hotel car is worth the small premium. You are met in arrivals with a name board, the fare is fixed in advance, and the car takes you door to door. Rates run roughly THB 700-900 to Krabi Town and Ao Nang and THB 900-1,200 to Klong Muang, often with a larger vehicle option for families. Many long-stay hotels, villas and condo managers in Ao Nang and Nong Thale arrange this on request.
Krabi is a launch pad for car-free destinations, so your transfer may not end at the airport road. Railay, cut off from the mainland by limestone cliffs, is reached only by longtail boat from Ao Nang or Ao Nammao pier - take a van or taxi there first, then a boat for around THB 150-200 per person. Koh Lanta is a 2.5 to 3.5 hour van-and-ferry run (or all-road via the new bridges), sold as a through-ticket from the airport. Phi Phi is a ferry from Krabi Town's Klong Jilad pier. Plan the boat timings, as the last longtails and ferries leave in the late afternoon.
Every major car-rental firm has a desk at KBV, and picking up a car on arrival suits families settling in around Ao Nang, Nong Thale or Klong Muang, where distances and hills make a scooter less practical. Small automatics run roughly THB 900-1,300 a day, much less long-term, with insurance on the better deals. Scooter rental at the airport is limited and stepping straight off a flight onto Highway 4 is not advisable - it is safer to arrange a scooter locally once you are settled and know the roads.
Indicative taxi / shared-van fares and off-peak driving times; high-season traffic, rain, ferry timings and late-night surcharges can add 30-50% or more.
Take the air-conditioned airport shuttle bus (about THB 150), a shared minivan from the transfer desk (roughly THB 150-250 per person), a fixed-fare taxi from the official counter (around THB 600-800), or a pre-booked private transfer. The trip takes about 35-45 minutes. Avoid drivers who approach you in the terminal and use the marked counters instead.
From the official airport taxi desk, budget roughly THB 350-450 to Krabi Town, THB 600-800 to Ao Nang, and THB 800-1,000 up to Klong Muang and Tubkaak. Fares are fixed at the counter so you know the price before you leave the terminal, and the airport surcharge is already included.
Yes. An air-conditioned airport shuttle bus runs from outside arrivals to Krabi Town bus station (about THB 90) and on to Ao Nang (about THB 150), timed loosely around flight arrivals. It is the cheapest option but a daytime service, so check the last departure if you land in the evening.
Railay is reached only by longtail boat, so take a van or taxi to Ao Nang or Ao Nammao pier first, then a boat for around THB 150-200 per person - and land early, as boats stop after dark. Koh Lanta is a 2.5 to 3.5 hour van-and-ferry journey best booked as a through-ticket from the airport transfer desk.
Grab and Bolt operate in Krabi, but car supply at the airport is thinner than in Phuket or Bangkok and can be patchy late at night. When a car is available the fare is transparent and similar to the taxi desk. Keep the official airport taxi counter as a reliable backup if no ride-hailing car appears.
Getting around Krabi · Where to live in Krabi · Krabi beaches & islands · Krabi city hub · Moving to Krabi guide
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Hero photo by Go Journal on Pexels. General information and indicative pricing, not legal, transport-safety or financial advice. Confirm current fares, surcharges and schedules with official sources on arrival.