Short answer
Many travelers search for a “Bangkok-Krabi ferry”. Let's say it clearly, from our office in Koh Phi Phi: this ferry does not exist. Bangkok is on the Gulf of Thailand, Krabi on the Andaman Sea — 780 km of peninsula separate them. Here are the real options:
| Option | Total duration | Cost (2026) | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct flight BKK/DMK → Krabi | 3 hours door to door | 900-2,500 THB | Most travelers |
| VIP night bus | 12-1 p.m. | 850-1,100 THB | Small budgets, saving on a hotel night |
| Night train + bus via Surat Thani | 2-4 p.m. | 1,000-1,900 THB | Train travel enthusiasts |
| Private transfer by car | 10-11 a.m. | 12,000-18,000 THB | Busy families, special cases |
Our default advice: the plane. Around ten flights per day, 1h20 journey time, and low-cost fares often lower than the VIP bus if you book in advance. — The Phi Phi Paradise team
Why “Bangkok to Krabi ferry” does nothing
The request is highly sought after, and some booking sites maintain confusion by selling Bangkok → Krabi “ferries” which are in reality night bus + ferry combos to the islands (Phi Phi, Lanta). No boats leave Bangkok for the Andaman coast. If your end goal is an island, you will definitely take a ferry — but only after arriving in Krabi by road or air.
Option 1: the plane (recommended)
- Companies: Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air departing from Don Mueang (DMK); Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai VietJet departing from Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
- Duration: 1h20 flight
- Frequency: 10-14 flights per day depending on the season
- Price: 900-2,500 THB by booking 3-6 weeks in advance; up to 4,000 THB during Christmas and Chinese New Year
- Baggage: be careful, low-cost airlines charge for the hold (add 400-600 THB for 20 kg, cheaper online than at the counter)
Upon arrival, Krabi Airport (KBV) is tiny: you're out the door in 15-20 minutes. To continue:
- Ao Nang: shared shuttle 150 THB, taxi 600 THB (40 min)
- Krabi Town / Klong Jilad Pier: taxi 400-600 THB (30-40 min)
- Railay: taxi to Ao Nang Beach then longtail (100 THB, 15 min)
Option 2: the night bus
The serious economic option, provided you choose carefully:
- Departure: Bangkok South terminal (Sai Tai Mai), bus between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Classes: VIP 24 seats (quad-bed seats, 1,000-1,100 THB) or 1st class (850-950 THB)
- Duration: 12-1 p.m., arriving at Krabi Town Bus Terminal around 6-7 a.m.
- Reliable companies: official carriers departing from the terminal (bookable on 12go.asia or at the counter)
The trap to avoid: “tourist” buses sold in Khao San Road agencies for 600-700 THB. On paper it’s the same route; in practice, frequent delays, bus changes in the middle of the night and less monitored holds. For 200-300 THB difference, depart from the official terminal — keep passport and valuables with you in all cases.
Early arrival is ideal: you are at the pier in time for the 9 a.m. ferry to Koh Phi Phi or the 9:30 a.m. van to Koh Lanta.
Option 3: night train + bus
Krabi has no train station — this is the other big surprise for travelers. The train route goes through Surat Thani:
- Night train Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) → Surat Thani: departures between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., 10-12 hours journey. 2nd class air-conditioned berth: THB 700-1,000; 1st class cabin: 1,400-1,600 THB
- Bus or van Surat Thani → Krabi: 2h30-3h, 200-350 THB, regular departures from the station
Allow 14-16 hours in total for 1,000-1,900 THB. Slower than the direct bus, but the sleeper train is still the most comfortable sleeping experience — and the kids love it.
Option 4: private transfer
A private car Bangkok → Krabi costs 12,000-18,000 THB for a 10-11 hour drive. Honestly, we do not recommend it except in very special cases (bulky equipment, animals, reduced mobility): the flight + taxi is 4 to 6 times cheaper for a journey 3 times shorter. On the other hand, a private transfer from Krabi airport → pier or hotel is well worth its 600-800 THB — this is the link that we most often organize for our clients.
And then: from Krabi to the islands
Once in Krabi, you are at the gateway to the Andaman Sea:
- Koh Phi Phi: ferry from Klong Jilad Pier, 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., ~2 hours, 450-500 THB
- Koh Lanta: van + car ferry (2h30) all year round, or direct ferry in high season
- Railay and the 4 islands: longtail or speedboat from Ao Nang
This is our daily playground: if you want a stress-free sequence (supervised flight, driver at the right time, ferry tickets reserved), write to us and we will arrange everything, from the baggage carousel of Don Mueang to the sand of Tonsai.
Our Verdict
- You want quick and easy → direct flight, ideally with landing before 11 a.m. to continue to the islands the same day.
- You count every baht → VIP night bus from Sai Tai Mai terminal.
- You love the journey as much as the destination → sleeper train to Surat Thani, bus in the morning, ferry in the afternoon.
- In any case: forget the “Bangkok-Krabi ferry”, it never existed.
