Krabi is spread along an indented Andaman coast where some of the best-known spots - Railay, the islands, the hidden beaches - have no roads at all. That makes transport a two-part question: boats for the water, and scooters, cars or songthaews for the mainland. There is no rail network, so below we break down every mode, what it costs, and realistic journey times across the province.
Longtail boats & the islands
In Krabi, boats are public transport. Railay and Tonsai are cut off from the mainland by limestone headlands, so the only way in is a longtail from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao - a 10-15 minute hop that runs on demand once enough passengers gather. The same longtails, plus speedboats and ferries, reach Phra Nang, the Hong and Four Islands, Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Fares are fixed per person on the popular routes and chartered by the boat elsewhere.
- Railay boats from Ao Nang leave when full (roughly 8 passengers) - budget extra time off-season.
- Tides matter: at low tide some longtails cannot reach the sand and you wade the last few metres.
- Agree charter prices before departing and confirm the return pickup time.
Scooters & motorbikes
On the mainland a scooter is the everyday workhorse. A 110-160cc automatic rents long-term from roughly THB 2,500-3,500 a month (daily rates THB 200-250) and makes Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Klong Muang and Nong Thale effortless to link. Krabi's roads are quieter and less frantic than Phuket's, but the coast road has fast traffic, sudden rain and the odd sandy bend, so the usual cautions apply.
- Carry an International Driving Permit endorsed for motorcycles plus your home licence - police checkpoints near Ao Nang do fine unlicensed riders.
- Always wear a helmet; most travel insurance voids motorbike claims if you were unlicensed or helmetless.
Renting or buying a car
For families, the rainy season and longer stays, a car earns its keep. Small automatics rent long-term from roughly THB 12,000-18,000 a month with insurance, and buying used is common for residents staying a year or more. Krabi drives on the left, the main roads are good and Google Maps is reliable - handy for the spread-out runs between Ao Nang, the airport, Klong Muang and Krabi Town.
- Confirm first-class insurance with a low excess, not just compulsory cover.
- Parking is free and easy almost everywhere outside central Ao Nang in high season.
Songthaews & local shared trucks
Songthaews - converted pickups with bench seats - are the cheapest land transport, running set daytime routes between Krabi Town, the airport, Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara for around THB 40-80. They are slow and stop early in the evening, but for a car-free resident on a budget they cover the main corridor reliably. Flag one down, ride, and press the buzzer to get off.
Grab, taxis & private transfers
Ride-hailing exists in Krabi but is far thinner than in Phuket or Bangkok - Grab cars can be scarce outside the airport and Ao Nang, and at busy times you may wait or fall back on a metered or negotiated taxi. Many residents keep a trusted local driver's number for airport runs and evenings out. Agree any taxi fare before setting off, as meters are not always used.
The airport (KBV) & transfers
Krabi International Airport sits about 15km east of Krabi Town and links the province to Bangkok and a growing list of regional and international routes. The airport completed a nearly THB 4 billion upgrade, opening a new unified Terminal 3 in late 2025 that replaced the old T1/T2 buildings, lifted total capacity to around 8 million passengers a year, and added a 2,700-space multi-storey car park next door; all travellers now enter through one terminal, with international departures at Gates 1-7 and domestic at Gates 8-14. The expansion has drawn new international links, including Etihad's direct Abu Dhabi service and Air Arabia and Firefly connections from Sharjah and Kuala Lumpur. Transfer time depends on where you live: roughly 15-20 minutes to Krabi Town, 30-40 minutes to Ao Nang, and 40-50 minutes up to Klong Muang and Tubkaak. Use the airport taxi desk, a shared minivan, or a pre-booked private transfer; Grab pickups are possible but less reliable.
- Terminal 3's single-entry layout means every arrival (domestic or international) now funnels through one set of immigration/arrivals halls - budget a little extra time at peak Songkran-season volumes, when Krabi has ranked among Thailand's busiest airports for arrivals.
- Confirm which gate range applies before you fly, since the T1/T2 numbering expats may remember no longer exists.
Ferries to Koh Lanta, Phi Phi & beyond
Krabi is a launchpad for the Andaman. Passenger ferries and speedboats from Krabi Town's Klong Jilad pier and Ao Nang run to Koh Lanta, Phi Phi, Koh Jum and across to Phuket and Phang Nga in high season. Koh Lanta is currently reachable by road via two short vehicle-ferry crossings - but that is changing: the government signed construction contracts in August 2026 for a new bridge from the Krabi mainland at Ban Hua Hin pier across to Koh Lanta Noi and on to Koh Lanta Yai, which Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called the starting point of a wider Andaman-coast 'Missing Link' road network through Phang Nga and Krabi. The build is honestly still years out (contractors have roughly three years to finish), so for now, budget vehicle-ferry queues and schedules exactly as before. The ferry network thins sharply in the May-October monsoon, when speedboats replace some scheduled ferries.
Typical journey times
Indicative off-peak times; boat schedules depend on tides and season, and high-season traffic can add to road times.
Krabi transport FAQ
No. Krabi has no rail, metro or BTS system. Getting around relies on longtail boats to Railay and the islands, plus scooters, cars, songthaews, occasional Grab cars and taxis on the mainland.
Railay and Tonsai are reachable only by boat. Take a longtail from Ao Nang (about 10-15 minutes) or from Ao Nam Mao pier; boats leave once enough passengers gather. There is no road access because of the limestone cliffs.
Yes, but it is much patchier than in Phuket or Bangkok. Grab cars cluster around the airport and Ao Nang and can be scarce elsewhere or late at night, so many residents also keep a local taxi or private-driver contact.
Use the airport taxi/limousine desk, a shared airport minivan, or a pre-booked private transfer. The drive to Ao Nang takes roughly 30-40 minutes; Krabi Town is closer at about 15-20 minutes.
Yes. A nearly THB 4 billion upgrade opened a new unified Terminal 3 in late 2025, replacing the old T1/T2 buildings. It lifted capacity to about 8 million passengers a year, added a 2,700-space car park, and all arrivals and departures now route through one terminal (international Gates 1-7, domestic Gates 8-14).
One is contracted but not yet built. The government signed construction contracts in August 2026 for a bridge linking the Krabi mainland at Ban Hua Hin pier to Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai, framed as the first piece of a wider Andaman 'Missing Link' road network. Builders have roughly three years to complete it, so for the next few years the vehicle-ferry crossings remain the only road route to the island.
Related Krabi guides
Krabi beaches & islands · Things to do in Krabi · Krabi city hub · Moving to Krabi guide
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Hero photo by Artem Krapivin on Pexels. General information and indicative pricing, not legal, transport-safety or financial advice. Confirm current fares, licensing rules and schedules with official sources.
