Phuket to Krabi: transfers, costs and the day trip shortcut
By John Zx, Independent travel researcher · Updated 2026-07-09
Phuket and Krabi sit on opposite sides of Phang Nga Bay: 165 kilometers by road, far less as the boat sails. Whether you are relocating for the next leg or just want one day with the Tiger Cave Temple and the Emerald Pool before returning to your Phuket hotel, here are the real options and prices.
How do you get from Phuket to Krabi?
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public bus | ~200 baht | 3-3.5 h | From Bus Terminal 2; cheapest, several daily |
| Shared minivan | 350-500 baht | 2.5-3 h | Hotel-area pickups; the default choice |
| Private car | 2,500-3,500 baht | 2.5 h | Door to door; splits well for 3-4 people |
| Speedboat / ferry | 700-1,500 baht | 1.5-2.5 h | Rassada Pier to Ao Nang or Railay; best Nov-Apr |
| Guided day tour | from ~$61 | 12 h round trip | Temple + pools + springs, no hotel change |
Typical 2026 prices checked against operator boards in July; boats are seasonal and weather-dependent, and holiday weekends sell out the good departure times first.
Which option should you pick?
Moving your whole trip to Krabi: take the minivan or, in dry season, the boat, which turns a transfer into a scenic crossing past the karst islands. Staying based in Phuket with one free day: the guided day trip is the only realistic way to see Krabi's inland highlights, because public transport schedules leave no margin for an 8:30am Emerald Pool arrival and an evening return. Groups of three or four can charter a private car and build their own day, though the driver waits while you climb.
What does the day trip actually involve?
An early Patong departure, the scenic Highway 4 run through Phang Nga's limestone country, then the three-stop Krabi circuit: the Tiger Cave Temple grounds and optional 1,260 step climb, a swim at the Emerald and Blue Pools, and a soak at the Hot Springs Waterfall before the evening drive home. Gate fees, roughly 650 baht across the stops, are paid in cash. Our full review of the from-Phuket tour covers the itinerary hour by hour.
Coming back the other way?
Everything above runs in reverse, and Krabi's bus terminal and Ao Nang agencies sell the same minivan seats. If your Krabi stay ends with a flight out of Phuket airport, book the minivan variant that terminates at HKT rather than Phuket Town; it saves an hour of island traffic. For getting around once you are in Krabi, start with our temple transport guide or rent a scooter.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Krabi from Phuket?
About 165 kilometers by road around Phang Nga Bay, which takes 2.5 to 3 hours by car or bus. The speedboat and ferry routes cross the bay directly to Ao Nang or Railay in 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the boat and season.
How much is a taxi from Phuket to Krabi?
A private car or taxi runs 2,500 to 3,500 baht depending on pickup point and vehicle. Shared minivans cost 350 to 500 baht per seat, and the public bus from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 is the cheapest at roughly 200 baht.
Is there a ferry from Phuket to Krabi?
Yes, seasonal ferries and speedboats run from Rassada Pier to Ao Nang and Railay, mostly November to April, from about 700 baht. In the monsoon months services thin out or route via Koh Yao, so check schedules close to your date.
Can you do Krabi as a day trip from Phuket?
Yes. A guided day tour handles the 6 hours of round-trip driving and packs in the Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and Hot Springs. Expect a 12 hour door-to-door day. DIY day trips are possible but the bus schedules make them tight.
Should I stay in Phuket or Krabi for the Tiger Cave Temple?
Krabi, if the temple is a priority: it is 15 minutes from Krabi Town versus 3 hours from Phuket. But if your trip is Phuket-based, the day tour below solves it without changing hotels.