How to get to the Tiger Cave Temple
By John Zx, Independent travel researcher · Updated 2026-07-09
Wat Tham Suea sits 8 kilometers from Krabi Town and about 25 from Ao Nang, in the Krabi Noi area just off Highway 4. There are five real ways to get there. Here they all are with honest prices, so you can pick by budget, schedule and how much you want the return trip organized.
Which transport should you pick?
| Option | Cost (one way) | Time from town / Ao Nang | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grab car | 150-250 / 400-550 baht | 15 / 40 min | Couples wanting door to door |
| Metered or hotel taxi | 200-300 / 500-700 baht | 15 / 40 min | Groups; agree a waiting price |
| Rented scooter | 250-300 baht per day | 20 / 45 min | Confident riders, sunrise plans |
| Songthaew | ~50 baht | 30+ min, irregular | Tight budgets from town |
| Tour with pickup | from $34 per person | n/a | Zero planning, bundled stops |
Prices are typical 2026 ranges; agree taxi fares before setting off.
Where exactly is it?
The temple entrance is on a side road off Highway 4, signposted Wat Tham Suea, in Tambon Krabi Noi. Every driver in the province knows it. The schematic below shows how the pieces sit relative to each other.
From Krabi Town
The easy one. A Grab or taxi covers the 8 kilometers in about 15 minutes. Songthaews heading up Highway 4 can drop you near the temple road for pocket change, leaving a short walk in. By scooter it is one straight road with a signed turnoff. For the return, either ask your driver to wait, book a Grab from the courtyard (usually fine in daytime), or flag a songthaew back on the highway.
From Ao Nang, Railay or Klong Muang
Budget 40 to 50 minutes by road from Ao Nang and agree round trip terms: drivers know the temple visit takes two or three hours and price waiting accordingly, typically 200 to 300 baht on top. Railay has no road; take the longtail to Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao first. From this side a bundled tour often costs the same as a taxi round trip once two people are involved, and it adds the pools, a guide and the entry logistics.
From Krabi Airport
The temple is 10 minutes from the airport, which makes a bold but real itinerary possible: drop bags with your hotel's transfer, or visit the temple with luggage in a taxi trunk on the way into town. Airport taxis charge a fixed-ish 350 to 500 baht for the detour and onward drop in Krabi Town. There is no luggage storage at the temple, so only do this with a driver who waits.
Riding a scooter there
The ride from Krabi Town is short and simple; from Ao Nang it is a real 45 minute road ride with traffic through town. Parking at the temple is free and shaded. The full cost, licence and safety picture, including whether renting beats a tour, is in our scooter rental guide. If your plan is a sunrise climb, a scooter or a prearranged driver are the only options that move before the tour vans wake up.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Tiger Cave Temple from Krabi Town?
About 8 kilometers northeast of the town center, a 15 minute drive along Highway 4. From Ao Nang it is roughly 25 kilometers and 35 to 45 minutes depending on traffic through town.
Is there a songthaew to the temple?
Local songthaews run along the highway near the temple turnoff from Krabi Town, but service is irregular and the last stretch is a walk. They are the cheapest option at roughly 50 baht, best attempted from the town side, not from Ao Nang.
Does Grab work in Krabi?
Yes. Grab cars are reliable in Krabi Town and Ao Nang. Expect roughly 150 to 250 baht from town and 400 to 550 from Ao Nang, one way. The catch is the return: cars rarely wait in the temple area, so book the return with a driver or plan the pickup.
Is there a cable car to Tiger Cave Temple?
No. Despite a persistent rumor, there is no cable car, funicular or road to the summit. The staircase is the only way up. Everything vehicular stops at the temple courtyard.
Can I walk from Krabi Town?
It is possible but not recommended: 8 kilometers along a highway shoulder in tropical heat, before a 1,260 step climb. Spend the 150 baht on a Grab and save your legs for the stairs.