Krabi Airport (KBV) sits inland, around 15 km from Krabi Town and closer to 40 km from the beach resort of Ao Nang, so where you're actually headed matters more here than at most airports — the right transport option depends heavily on whether your bed for the night is in town, on the coast, or on a beach that has no road at all.
The cheapest way: the airport bus
A public airport bus service connects KBV to Krabi Town, running at set intervals through the day and charging a low flat fare paid on board. It's a straightforward, no-fuss option for anyone travelling light and headed to the town centre itself, though it does not run especially often and doesn't serve Ao Nang directly, so check the current schedule against your flight time rather than assuming a bus will be waiting.
Shared minivans: the default for the beaches
For Ao Nang, Nopparat Thara and other beach areas beyond Krabi Town, shared minivans are the most common way to travel. Desks in the arrivals hall sell seats on vans that depart once reasonably full, dropping passengers at hotels along a set route. It's cheaper than a private taxi and quicker than waiting for the infrequent bus, though you may sit for a while before departure and the ride can involve several stops before you reach your own hotel.
Taxis and fixed-fare counters
An official taxi counter in arrivals offers fixed fares to Krabi Town, Ao Nang and other set destinations, agreed and paid before you get in rather than metered along the way. This is the fastest door-to-door option and a sensible choice if you're travelling with a group (splitting the fare narrows the gap with a minivan seat), arriving late, or simply want to skip the wait for a shared van to fill.
Getting to Railay: the beach with no road
Railay, the dramatic limestone-backed beach that draws climbers and sunset-watchers from across the region, has no road access at all — every visitor arrives by boat. The standard route from the airport is a taxi or minivan to a pier at Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao, followed by a short longtail boat crossing to Railay itself. Factor the boat leg into your timing and budget separately from the road transfer, and note that longtail departures can slow or pause in rough weather, particularly during the monsoon months.
Onward travel to the islands
Krabi is also the usual jumping-off point for Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi and other Andaman islands, most of which are reached by ferry from piers around Ao Nang or Krabi Town rather than from the airport directly. If you're continuing straight to an island, it's often simplest to book a combined transfer-and-ferry ticket in advance, or to arrange it once you're at your first hotel, rather than trying to line up boat connections on the day you land — see our guides to Krabi to Koh Lanta and Krabi to Koh Phi Phi for how those crossings work.
Car and scooter hire
Rental desks at KBV offer cars and scooters, a genuinely useful option if you're planning to explore beyond Ao Nang — the viewpoints, waterfalls and quieter beaches around Krabi province are far easier to reach with your own transport. Roads are generally in good condition, though driving conventions, signage and the mix of traffic take some adjusting to for first-time visitors to Thailand; many people prefer to arrange a driver or transfer for the airport leg itself and hire transport only once settled.
Which option should you choose?
For a straightforward transfer to Krabi Town, the airport bus is the cheapest choice if the schedule lines up, with a taxi as the fast, reliable alternative. Heading to Ao Nang or another beach area, a shared minivan is the standard, cost-effective default, while a taxi suits groups, late arrivals or anyone short on time. For Railay, budget for a road-plus-boat transfer regardless of which land option you pick, since the final stretch is by longtail no matter what.
Continuing your trip? See our guide to Bangkok to Krabi and Phuket to Krabi, plus Thailand by train and coaches in Thailand for the wider network. Booking ahead? Check current rules on our Thailand entry requirements guide, and see ride-hailing apps around the world for which service, if any, is worth downloading here.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang?
A shared minivan is the usual option, taking around an hour depending on your hotel's location along the beach strip. A taxi is faster and more direct, agreed at a fixed fare before you set off, and worth considering for groups or late arrivals.
Is there a bus from Krabi Airport to Krabi Town?
Yes, a public airport bus runs to Krabi Town at set intervals through the day, though not especially frequently — check the current schedule against your flight time. It does not run directly to Ao Nang.
How do I get to Railay Beach from Krabi Airport?
Railay has no road access, so every journey involves a taxi or minivan to a pier at Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao followed by a short longtail boat crossing. Allow extra time for the boat leg, especially in poor weather.
Should I book a transfer to Krabi Airport in advance?
It isn't essential — minivan and taxi counters operate in arrivals for walk-up bookings — but pre-booking can save time if you land late at night or are heading straight on to an island ferry connection.
Sources and further reading:
- Airport transport information: Krabi Airport (Department of Airports, Thailand) official site.
- Pier and ferry information: Krabi Provincial tourism authority resources.