Take the speedboat from Ao Nang, the minivan from Krabi Town

The road distance from Krabi to Phuket is approximately 170 km, but the route through Phang Nga Bay is only 42 km. Therefore, the best route depends on your starting point. From Ao Nang or Railay, a speedboat is the best option. Four or five operators offer five to six speedboat trips between approximately 9:20 am and 2:00 pm from Nopparat Thara Pier and East Railay. The crossing takes 1–2 hours and costs around 1,000–1,100 baht. You will then arrive at Rassada, Bang Rong, or Laem Hin Piers on Phuket's east coast.

Check the latest flight times and seat availability for Krabi → Phuket on 12Go.

The Ao Nang Princess ferry (850–900 baht, approximately 2.5 hours) is slower but quieter. However, from May 20th to November 14th, it only runs on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3:00 PM. From Krabi Town, you can reach Phuket by minivan or VIP bus from the bus station. Buses run every 40–60 minutes from 6:00 AM to approximately 5:00 PM, and the journey takes three hours (260–320 baht). If you are flying from Phuket, book an airport transfer or a private car. The journey takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours and costs 2,800–3,900 baht.

There are no direct flights or train connections. Below you will find all boats with their docks and arrival times, timetables for high and low season, travel options by car, and tips for planning your flight to Phuket.

Where to stay in Phuket

This route ends in Phuket. Search for hotels in Phuket for your travel dates or narrow your search to the region you wish to visit. Filter for hotels with free cancellation if you'd like to book a room and decide later.

Open Booking.com with your travel dates · also on Expedia · Trip.com

My recommendations in every price category in Phuket

  • Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket · Luxury · 5 stars · 4.7 (6,964)
  • Soul Villas By The Beach · Mid-range price · 4 stars · 4.9 (424)
  • Isara Boutique Hotel and Café · Budget · 3 stars · 4.7 (640)

    • The short answer

    From Ao Nang or Railay, the speedboat is recommended, as the distance is only 42 km, compared to approximately 170 km by road. This is the fastest option, taking 1–2 hours and costing 1,000–1,100 baht. Boats depart from Nopparat Thara or East Railay between approximately 9:20 am and 2:00 pm. From Krabi Town, the cheapest alternative is the minivan or VIP bus from the bus station. The journey takes about 3 hours and costs 260–320 baht. Buses run every 40–60 minutes between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm.

    Key Facts (2026)

    It's 170 km by road and 42 km by sea.

    The distance from Krabi Town to Phuket Town is approximately 170 km (2.5 hours driving time), and from Ao Nang to Patong it is about 183 km. Crossing Phang Nga Bay is 42 km long, which is why the speedboat is the fastest option.

    Speedboats operate daily from Ao Nang and Railay, journey time 1–2 hours.

    Green Planet, Bundhaya, Andaman Wave Master and Koh Yao Sun Smile depart from Nopparat Thara Pier and East Railay between approximately 09:20 and 14:00 for ฿1,000–1,100 and land in Rassada, Bang Rong or Laem Hin depending on the operator.

    The Ao Nang Princess ferry costs 850–900 Baht and operates seasonally.

    From May 20th to November 14th, the ship departs Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3:00 PM (Railay at 3:15 PM, Rassada around 5:30 PM). A speedboat is occasionally used. From November 15th to May 19th, there is an additional daily departure at 10:30 AM.

    From Krabi Town, the minivan costs 260–320 Baht and takes about 3 hours.

    From Krabi bus station, minibuses and VIP buses depart every 40–60 minutes between approximately 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM for Bus Station 2 or Van Terminal 1 in Phuket. Hotel pick-up by minibus from Ao Nang costs 530–780 Baht and can be arranged to Phuket Airport, Patong, or Kata.

    There are no flights from Krabi to Phuket.

    Booking portals show layover times of 4–5 hours via Bangkok. A flight to Phuket with a private transfer from Ao Nang takes 2 hours 20–3 hours and costs approximately 2,800–3,900 baht.

    From May to October, rough seas or disruptions to shipping services may occur.

    The late rainy season brings high waves to the bay. Buses and minibuses operate in all weather conditions, so you should consider an alternative route by land if you need to catch a flight.

    All routes from Krabi to Phuket compared (2026)

    Boat schedules and prices are taken from 12Go's live offers for October and December 2026, as well as from the Ao Nang Princess operator's table (900 ฿ adults, 600 ฿ children; 12Go offers the trip for 850 ฿). Van and bus prices can also be found on 12Go; private car prices vary depending on 12Go's offer (usually 2,900–3,050 ฿ from Ao Nang to Phuket Airport) and the published rates of two local transfer companies.

    Bookable departures · updated daily

    Krabi → Phuket: Departure times you can book now

    All flights currently bookable via 12Go on this route, sorted by booking class. The prices shown are distributed across the different booking classes; the exact price for a seat and a specific date can be found on the booking page.

    Ferry & Speedboat

    bus

    Minivan

    12Go timetables and fares are updated daily. Services that operate only locally—regular trains, weekend trips, and ferry terminal tickets—are not listed; these can be found in the table above. Sponsored link: We may receive a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

    Check the live boat and van connections from Krabi to Phuket.

    The display board below shows the speedboat from Krabi Town, as well as the vans and buses from Krabi Bus Station. For information on speedboats to Ao Nang and Railay, and the Ao Nang Princess ferry, search "Ao Nang to Phuket" on 12Go. This is also the quickest way to check if the ferry is running on your desired date.

    Sponsored link – We may receive a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

    Take a speedboat from Ao Nang or Railay

    Four or five operators, five or six departures per day, and at which pier in Phuket each one docks.

    Speedboats are the most common option from Ao Nang and operate even in the off-season. On a weekday in mid-October, Green Planet departed East Railay at 9:20 a.m. and Nopparat Thara at 10:00 a.m., heading to Laem Hin Pier near Phuket Town (arriving at 11:30 a.m.). Other boats departed at 10:40 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. for Bang Rong (arriving at 12:40 p.m.). Bundhaya departed Railay at 11:10 a.m. and Nopparat Thara at 11:30 a.m., heading to Rassada (arriving between 12:20 and 12:30 p.m.). Andaman Wave Master departed for Rassada at 12:45 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., and Koh Yao Sun Smile departed for Bang Rong at 1:40 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Fares are around 1,000–1,100 baht, and the crossing takes 1–2 hours depending on the boat and any stops in Railay. More trips are offered during peak season, including late afternoon departures.

    Choosing the right jetty is more important than choosing the right boat. Rassada is located on the east coast, just outside Phuket Town, the main ferry port. From there, taxis wait to take you to the beaches of the west coast. Bang Rong is further north on the northeast coast, closer to the airport and the northern beaches. Laem Hin is a small jetty near Phuket Town. Boats depart from Ao Nang from the Nopparat Thara jetty at the western end of the beach (a tuk-tuk ride from the center of Ao Nang costs about 200 baht). Passengers in Railay board at the floating jetty in East Railay. Speedboats get wet in rough seas, so pack your luggage in a waterproof bag or garbage bag.

    From Ao Nang, the best option is to book a speedboat that departs in the morning for the nearest pier to your accommodation in Phuket. For the airport and the north of the island, Bang Rong is recommended; for Phuket Town and the beaches of the west coast, Rassada or Laem Hin are suitable.

    The Ao Nang Princess ferry and its days in the off-season

    850–900 Baht, about 2.5 hours, quieter than a speedboat

    The Ao Nang Princess is the large ferry on this route. It is slower than the speedboats and significantly more stable in rough seas. From May 20th to November 14th, it departs from Nopparat Thara and Railay at 3:15 PM on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, arriving at the Rassada pier around 5:30 PM. Between July and October, the operators occasionally use a speedboat instead. From November 15th to May 19th, there is an additional daily departure at 10:30 AM, arriving in Rassada between 12:30 and 1:00 PM. The fare is 900 baht for adults and 600 baht for children; tickets are available for 850 baht through 12Go.

    If your travel dates don't coincide with a ferry day, the speedboats run daily on the same route. And if you've seen a cheap ferry from Krabi to Phuket departing from Krabi Town in the morning, check the route, as some ferries stop at Koh Phi Phi for a one- to two-hour layover.

    The easiest way to get there from Krabi Town is by minivan or bus.

    Every 40-60 minutes from the bus station, about three hours

    From Krabi Town, a speedboat departs from Klong Jilad Pier to Phuket at midday (exact times vary depending on the source, so it's best to check 12Go). Otherwise, travel is only possible by car. Minivans and VIP buses depart from Krabi Bus Station, a few kilometers north of the town, every 40–60 minutes between approximately 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and take about three hours to reach Phuket Bus Station 2 or Van Terminal 1. The fare is 260–320 baht. The buses operate in all weather conditions and are therefore a good alternative to the boats during the rainy season.

    Hotel pick-up services are more expensive (530–780 baht) and take longer, but they take you directly to your destination. One provider, for example, picks you up at 10:00 a.m. in Krabi Town and at 10:30 a.m. in Ao Nang, arriving at Phuket Airport around 1:30 p.m. and Patong or Kata around 3:00 p.m. This is ideal for anyone who wants to go straight to the beach with their luggage.

    The best-rated hotels in Phuket

    Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Phuket. Each button will take you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you have already entered your travel dates.

  • #2SAii Laguna Phuket 4.7 (5,335 reviews) A beachfront resort on Bang Tao Beach with a relaxed lagoon setting within the Laguna Phuket complex. Check prices
  • #3 Banyan Tree Phuket 4.8 (4,448 reviews) Award-winning luxury resort in northern Phuket, known for its villas with private pools and an exceptional spa. Check prices
  • #4 Kalima Resort & Spa 4.7 (4,782 reviews) A hillside resort in Patong with an infinity pool, spa, artificial beach, and highly praised staff and restaurant. Check prices

    • Flight from Krabi to Phuket Airport

    2 hours 20–3 hours by car, and why the boat poses a risk

    Phuket Airport is located in the far north of the island, about 150 km from Ao Nang or Krabi airports. The journey takes 2 hours and 20 minutes in normal traffic, but more likely 3 hours on busy days. A rental car is the safest option for getting there. Booked through 12Go, a sedan from a hotel in Ao Nang usually costs between 2,900 and 3,050 baht, while local providers charge between 2,800 and 3,900 baht. Airport transfers by minibus are cheaper (from around 530 baht), but arrive at the airport around 1:30 pm for morning pick-ups and are therefore only suitable for afternoon or evening flights.

    A speedboat to Bang Rong is the closest to the airport, but if it's delayed or canceled during the rainy season, there's no time to rest. Therefore, I wouldn't rely on it for a same-day flight. If you're flying from Krabi instead, you don't need Phuket at all; Krabi Airport offers its own domestic and regional flights.

    The ferry and speedboat from Ao Nang to Phuket

    Three crossings, filmed by other travelers, on the Ao Nang Princess and by speedboat. Nothing loads from YouTube until you press "Play".

    In the other direction, from Phuket to Krabi

    The same boats in the opposite direction from Rassada and the delivery vans from Terminal 2

    The boats operate on the same route from west to east between Rassada, Bang Rong, and Laem Hin, and minivans run approximately hourly from Phuket 2 bus station to Krabi bus station. The Phuket–Krabi travel guide describes the land and water connections from Phuket.

    Phuket → Krabi: Departure times you can book now

    Check out the live boats and vans from Phuket to Krabi.

    The same live departure board from 12Go shows eastbound journeys, with vans and buses departing from the terminals in Phuket. For speedboat and Ao Nang Princess ferry information, search "Phuket to Ao Nang" on 12Go.

    Ferry booked? Plan your final destination in Phuket.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently asked questions about traveling from Krabi to Phuket.

    From Ao Nang or Railay, you can reach us by speedboat. Several operators run daily between approximately 9:20 am and 2:00 pm. The crossing takes 1–2 hours and costs about 1,000–1,100 baht. You will arrive at the pier in Rassada, Bang Rong, or Laem Hin. From Krabi Town, you can take a minivan or VIP bus from the bus station. The journey takes about three hours and costs 260–320 baht. For flights from Phuket, a private transfer directly to the airport is recommended. The trip takes 2.20–3 hours and costs approximately 2,800–3,900 baht.

    The journey takes 1–2 hours by speedboat from Ao Nang or Railay, and about 2.5 hours by the Ao Nang Princess ferry (departing at 3:00 PM from Nopparat Thara to Rassada, arriving around 5:30 PM). The speedboat trip from Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi Town takes approximately two hours.

    Speedboats operate daily, even during the off-season. The ferry "Ao Nang Princess" runs from May 20th to November 14th on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only at 3:00 PM, and additionally daily at 10:30 AM from November 15th to May 19th. Service may be disrupted during the rainy season due to rough seas.

    Approximately 1,000–1,100 Baht for a speedboat from Ao Nang or Railay, approximately 1,100 Baht from Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi Town, and 850–900 Baht for the Ao Nang Princess ferry (600 Baht for children at the operator's set price).

    Minivans and VIP buses depart from Krabi bus station every 40–60 minutes between approximately 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM and take about three hours to reach Bus Station 2 or Van Terminal 1 in Phuket (260–320 baht). At midday, a speedboat also departs from the pier in Klong Jilad to Rassada; the journey takes about two hours and costs around 1,100 baht.

    A private car is the most reliable option and takes 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours from Ao Nang or Krabi airport. The cost is approximately 2,800 to 3,900 baht. Hotel shuttles to the airport cost from around 530 baht, but if picked up between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m., they don't arrive until around 1:30 p.m. and are therefore only suitable for afternoon flights. During the rainy season, I wouldn't recommend taking a boat for a same-day flight.

    No. There are no direct flights; booking portals show connections via Bangkok that take four to five hours or more. The two airports are about 150 km apart, so traveling by car or van is faster than flying.

    The distance from Krabi Town to Phuket Town is approximately 170 km by road (about a 2.5-hour drive), and from Ao Nang to Patong it is about 183 km. The distance via Phang Nga Bay is only 42 km, which is why the speedboat trip takes 1–2 hours.

    A private or pre-booked transfer from Ao Nang costs approximately 2,800–3,900 baht depending on the vehicle, while a limousine to Phuket Airport with 12Go costs around 3,000 baht. For three or four people with luggage, the cost per person is roughly the same as a speedboat.

    Take a speedboat or ferry from the floating pier in East Railay. Speedboats arrive there before or after Nopparat Thara between approximately 9:20 a.m. and 1:40 p.m., while the Ao Nang Princess arrives at 3:15 p.m. on its sailing days. Railay is not accessible by road, so boats are the only direct connection.

    They are suitable for different types of travel. Krabi captivates with its limestone cliffs, railay, and island hopping, with a more tranquil base in Ao Nang; Phuket is the larger island with more beaches, a vibrant nightlife, and flight connections. Many travelers spend a few nights on each island. Our comparison of Phuket and Krabi will show you which island is best suited for whom.

    Sources

    The times and prices listed on this page are taken from the operators' websites and official sources.

  • Ferry from Ao Nang to Phuket Town (opens in a new tab) · Ao Nang Princess (Ao Nang Travel). Departure at 3:00 PM, Prices: 900 Baht for adults, 600 Baht for children.
  • Ferry from Railay to Phuket Town (opens in a new tab) · Ao Nang Princess (Ao Nang Travel). Pick-up in Railay at 3:15 PM, arrival at 5:30 PM.

    • Compare prices on the major booking portals and filter for rooms with free cancellation if you want to book now and decide later.

  • Compare prices on different websites.
  • Filter for free cancellation
  • Secure checkout on the partner site

    • Compare prices on Booking.com

    Compare prices on Trip.com

    We may receive a commission for bookings made through these links – this will not incur any additional costs for you. Learn more.

    Onward journey from Phuket

    The next stage, with the fastest and cheapest way to get there.

  • Phuket–Bangkok: Fastest flight, 1 hr 20–35 min (+ airport time) | Cheapest option: Minivan + sleeper car via Surat Thani, $17–$57 depending on class | Compare all 4 options
  • Phuket – Chiang Mai: Fastest direct flight, approximately 2 hours flight time, approximately 4.5 hours door-to-door. Cheapest direct flight, approximately 1,800–3,600 ฿ (without baggage). Compare all 5 options.
  • Phuket Khao Lak: Fastest airport taxi counter, 80–100 min. Cheapest public bus, 130–250 ฿ at the counter, approx. 270 ฿ online. Compare all 5 options.
  • Phuket – Khao Sok: Fastest car or transfer (pre-booked), 2.5–3 hours from the airport, 3–3.5 hours from the southern beaches. Cheapest bus: 370 Baht with 12Go, less at the ticket counter. Compare all 4 options.
  • Phuket – Koh Lanta: Fastest speedboat (approx. 1.5 hours) | Cheapest minivan via Krabi (approx. 750 ฿, door-to-door approx. 1,300 ฿) | Compare all 5 options
  • Phuket – Koh Lipe: Fastest connection: Other speedboats from Rassada on the 12Go route, 5–7 hours, sometimes with a transfer. Cheapest connection: Bus to Hat Yai, then van and speedboat via Pak Bara, 440–684 baht plus 950 baht. Compare all 4 routes.

    • Return journey? From Phuket to Krabi – All 13 routes from Phuket

    You might also like this

    Best time to travel to Thailand

    The best time to travel is from November to February; the rest of the year is best on the east coast.

    Thailand on a budget

    Thailand for less money, without sacrificing the best

    Is Thailand safe?

    What actually poses risks, what is only mentioned in the news, and what do four government advisories say – destination by destination?

    Thailand Visa and Entry Requirements

    Who is allowed to enter visa-free, what entry controls are in place, what is the TDAC, and how can you extend your stay?

    Ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai

    No riding, no shows, and the protected areas where you watch rather than wash.

    I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.

    Ready to create your travel itinerary?

    Use our free trip planner to save places, organize days, and share your trip.