Phuket → Krabi

Ferry, van & bus options from Phuket to Krabi Town and Ao Nang. Fast direct minivans, scenic speedboats via Koh Phi Phi, and budget land-sea combos — all bookable online.

3 h

Fastest Van

THB 400

From / Person

20+

Daily Departures

Rassada Pier

Departs

About This Route

The Phuket to Krabi route links two of southern Thailand's biggest travel hubs — Phuket's beaches and airport with Krabi Town, Ao Nang, and the islands of Railay, Koh Lanta, and Koh Phi Phi. Because no passenger ferry sails the whole way across open water, most travellers pick between a direct overland minivan or a scenic speedboat via Koh Phi Phi, and there is a slower budget combo via Surat Thani for the truly cost-conscious.

Overland, minivans and buses cross the Sarasin Bridge onto the mainland and run down the coast to Krabi Town in about 3 hours. By sea, speedboats leave Phuket's Rassada Pier, call at Koh Phi Phi, and finish at Nopparat Thara Pier (Ao Nang) in roughly 2.5–3 hours — a ride that doubles as a day trip past the Phi Phi islands.

All options run year-round, with the most frequent departures in high season (November–April). Minivan tickets start at about THB 400 one-way and speedboats from THB 800, with e-tickets delivered instantly. We recommend booking a few days ahead in December–January, when vans and boats regularly sell out.

Your Route Options

🚐 Direct Minivan / Van

~3 h · THB 400–600 · fastest & most frequent

Air-conditioned shared minivan, ~3 hours via the Sarasin Bridge
Multiple departures daily from Rassada Pier & Phuket town offices
Drops at Krabi Town (Klong Jilad) or continues to Ao Nang
Rear luggage compartment — one suitcase plus daypack per person
Runs year-round, even in monsoon when boats are cancelled
Best choice for travellers with flights or tight schedules

🚤 Speedboat via Koh Phi Phi

~2.5–3 h · from THB 800–1,200 · most scenic

Speedboat from Rassada Pier via Koh Phi Phi to Ao Nang
Arrives at Nopparat Thara Pier, steps from Ao Nang beach
Views of the Phi Phi islands and limestone karsts en route
Luggage carried on board, included in the ticket price
2–3 departures daily; can be rough in monsoon (May–October)
Great if you're heading straight to Ao Nang or Railay

🚌 Budget Ferry + Van via Surat Thani

6–8+ h · THB 350–500 · cheapest, slowest

Bus or van Phuket → Surat Thani, then ferry across Bandon Bay to Krabi
Cheapest fare on the route — from about THB 350–500 one-way
Multiple transfers and 6–8+ hours door to door
Only worth it on a very tight budget with time to spare
Fewer daily connections than the direct minivan
Not recommended for airport connections or short trips

Schedule & Piers

Rassada Pier — Phuket (departure)

Phuket's main ferry terminal, about 15 minutes from Phuket Town and 45–60 minutes from Patong, Kata, and Karon by taxi or songthaew. Minivans also pick up from town offices. Check-in closes 30–45 minutes before departure for boats; the pier has ticket offices, cafés, and luggage storage.

Klong Jilad Pier — Krabi Town (arrival)

The arrival point for minivans and buses ending in Krabi Town. Klong Jilad sits at the edge of town, about 20 km from Ao Nang — grab a songthaew or arrange a transfer onward to Ao Nang, Railay, or Koh Lanta.

Nopparat Thara Pier — Ao Nang (arrival)

The landing spot for speedboats and ferries from Phuket, right at the north end of Ao Nang beach. Long-tail boats to Railay and the islands depart from the adjacent beach, so it's the ideal arrival point if you're staying in Ao Nang or heading to Railay.

Departure	Arrival	Duration	Transport	Price
08:00 — Rassada Pier	~11:00 — Klong Jilad (Krabi Town)	3 h	Direct Minivan	THB 450	Book →
10:30 — Rassada Pier	~13:30 — Klong Jilad (Krabi Town)	3 h	Direct Minivan	THB 450	Book →
13:00 — Rassada Pier	~16:00 — Klong Jilad (Krabi Town)	3 h	Direct Minivan	THB 450	Book →
15:30 — Rassada Pier	~18:30 — Klong Jilad (Krabi Town)	3 h	Direct Minivan	THB 500	Book →
08:30 — Rassada Pier	~11:30 — Nopparat Thara (Ao Nang)	3 h	Speedboat via Koh Phi Phi	THB 900	Book →
11:00 — Rassada Pier	~14:00 — Nopparat Thara (Ao Nang)	3 h	Speedboat via Koh Phi Phi	THB 950	Book →
14:00 — Rassada Pier	~17:00 — Nopparat Thara (Ao Nang)	3 h	Speedboat via Koh Phi Phi	THB 1,100	Book →

⚠️ Schedules may change during bad weather, and speedboats can be cancelled in rough seas (usually May–October) — the direct minivan runs regardless. All prices are per person one-way in THB. Free rescheduling up to 48 h before departure.

Route Comparison

Option	Cost (One-Way)	Time	Comfort	Luggage
Direct Minivan	THB 400–600	~3 h	Air-conditioned seats, smooth road ride, no sea sickness	Rear compartment, 1 suitcase + daypack
Speedboat via Koh Phi Phi	THB 800–1,200	~2.5–3 h	Fast & scenic but can be rough in monsoon; arrive at Ao Nang	On board, included in ticket price
Ferry + Van via Surat Thani	THB 350–500	6–8+ h	Multiple transfers, slow; budget only	On board / van hold, included

Booking Advice

Book online via 12Go to compare every Phuket–Krabi operator side by side — direct minivans, speedboats via Koh Phi Phi, and the budget ferry combos — with live departure times and instant e-tickets. Prices shown on 12Go are the same as (or lower than) walk-up counter rates, and you skip the queues at Rassada Pier.

Print nothing — show the e-ticket on your phone at check-in.
Arrive at Rassada Pier 30–45 minutes early for boats, 15 minutes for vans.
Book a few days ahead in December–January; same-day is usually fine off-peak.
In monsoon (May–October), choose the minivan unless you enjoy rough seas.
Most tickets include free rescheduling up to 48 hours before departure.

What to Do in Krabi

Krabi's coastline is one of Thailand's most dramatic — towering limestone karsts, hidden lagoons, and island-hopping in every direction. Railay is the famous beach-and-climbing peninsula with no road access, Koh Lanta is the laid-back island escape further south, and Koh Phi Phi's turquoise bays are an easy day trip from Ao Nang. All three are simple to reach once you land in Krabi.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to travel from Phuket to Krabi?

A direct minivan takes about 3 hours via the Sarasin Bridge. A speedboat via Koh Phi Phi takes roughly 2.5–3 hours to reach Ao Nang. The budget ferry-plus-van combo via Surat Thani is much slower at 6–8 hours or more.

Is there a direct ferry from Phuket to Krabi?

No regular passenger ferry sails directly from Phuket to mainland Krabi. Boats from Rassada Pier to Nopparat Thara Pier (Ao Nang) stop at Koh Phi Phi en route, taking about 2.5–3 hours. For a direct journey, the minivan via the Sarasin Bridge is the fastest and most reliable option.

Can I travel from Phuket Airport to Krabi directly?

Yes. Shared and private minivans meet flights at Phuket International Airport (HKT) and run directly to Krabi Town and Ao Nang in about 3–4 hours, from roughly THB 500–900 per person. Alternatively, take a taxi from the airport to Rassada Pier (40–50 minutes) to catch the speedboat to Ao Nang.

Can I bring luggage on the minivan or speedboat?

Yes. Minivans store bags in a rear luggage compartment — one suitcase plus a daypack per person is standard. Speedboats carry luggage on board and it's included in the ticket price; keep phones, cameras, and passports in a dry bag, as decks get sprayed in rough seas.

When is the best time to travel from Phuket to Krabi?

The dry season (November–April) is best: calm seas for the speedboat and full schedules. From May to October the Andaman Sea gets rough and some boats are cancelled, so the direct minivan is the safer monsoon choice — vans and buses run year-round.