Why drive from Phuket to Krabi?
The drive from Phuket Airport to Krabi is the most rewarding road trip in southern Thailand. In under three hours of driving you cross onto the mainland, pass the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay and arrive at Krabi's cliffs and beaches. With your own car you can stop at viewpoints, cave temples and national parks that tour buses rush past – and turn a transfer into a highlight of the trip.
The route
From Phuket Airport drive north on Route 402 and cross the Sarasin Bridge onto the mainland. At Khok Kloi follow Route 4 east through Phang Nga and on to Krabi. It is about 170–175 km and 2 h 45 min without stops – but the scenery is worth a full day.
Route 4 is a good, mostly dual-carriageway road with petrol stations and cafés at regular intervals. For Ao Nang, turn off towards the coast before Krabi Town; for Krabi Airport, continue towards Krabi Town and follow the airport signs.
Distances along the way
| Stage | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket Airport – Sarasin Bridge | 15 km | 15 min |
| Sarasin Bridge – Phang Nga town | 65 km | 55 min |
| Phang Nga – Ao Luek (Than Bok Khorani) | 45 km | 40 min |
| Ao Luek – Krabi Town | 45 km | 40 min |
| Krabi Town – Ao Nang | 18 km | 25 min |
Times are for light traffic and do not include stops.
Before you set off
- Pick up the car early – the light at Samet Nangshe and on Phang Nga Bay is best in the morning.
- Download offline maps for Phang Nga and Krabi provinces.
- Bring cash for long-tail boats, national park entry and parking.
- Pack swimwear and a towel in a day bag for Than Bok Khorani or a beach stop.
- Check the tide and weather for boat trips – the bay is calmest from November to April.
Stops worth making
- Samet Nangshe viewpoint – the classic panorama over Phang Nga Bay's limestone islands, best at sunrise. The last stretch is steep; drive slowly.
- Phang Nga Bay boat trip – long-tail boats from the piers near Phang Nga town to Koh Panyee, the stilted fishing village, and Khao Phing Kan ("James Bond Island").
- Wat Suwan Khuha – the "Monkey Cave Temple", with reclining Buddhas inside a cave just off Route 4.
- Phang Nga town – a relaxed lunch stop with local restaurants.
- Than Bok Khorani National Park – clear-water pools, caves and mangroves near Ao Luek, on the way into Krabi.
A one-day itinerary
- 07:00 – Pick up the car at Phuket Airport and cross the Sarasin Bridge.
- 08:30 – Coffee and the view at Samet Nangshe (sunrise lovers leave much earlier).
- 10:00 – Long-tail boat to Koh Panyee and James Bond Island.
- 13:00 – Lunch in Phang Nga town, then Wat Suwan Khuha.
- 15:30 – Swim in the pools at Than Bok Khorani.
- 17:30 – Sunset in Ao Nang.
A slower two-day version
Day 1: Phuket Airport → Samet Nangshe → Phang Nga Bay boat trip → overnight in Phang Nga or nearby.
Day 2: Wat Suwan Khuha → Than Bok Khorani → Krabi Town → Ao Nang. If you return to Phuket, add Khao Lak or a different route back for a loop.
One-way or return?
If you fly home from Krabi, a one-way rental from Phuket Airport to Krabi Airport saves driving back. The larger suppliers offer it for a one-way fee, which is shown in the total price when you tick "return to a different location". See the Phuket Airport to Krabi route.
If you fly home from Phuket, keep the car and make it a two- or three-day loop – the return drive is about 3 hours.
Driving in Krabi
Krabi is easier to drive than Phuket: roads are wider, traffic lighter and parking simpler. The main roads link Krabi Town, Ao Nang, Klong Muang and the airport in 20–30 minutes. Take care on the narrow road along the Ao Nang beachfront in the evening, when it fills with pedestrians and scooters, and watch for unlit sections between the beaches after dark.
Most hotels have free parking; in Ao Nang, use your hotel car park and walk to the beach rather than circling for a space on the seafront.
Where to stay in Krabi with a car
- Ao Nang – the main beach town, with lots of hotels with parking and the boats to Railay and the islands.
- Krabi Town – cheaper, with night markets, the riverfront and quick access to the airport.
- Klong Muang and Tubkaek – quiet resort beaches north of Ao Nang where a car is almost essential.
Railay cannot be reached by road – park in Ao Nang and take a long-tail boat.
More to see around Krabi
- Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) – about 1,260 steps to a hilltop shrine with huge views.
- Emerald Pool and the hot springs near Khlong Thom – about an hour south-east of Krabi Town.
- Island-hopping from Ao Nang – Poda, Chicken Island and the Hong Islands.
Driving back to Phuket
If you return to Phuket Airport, allow about 3 hours from Ao Nang or Krabi Town, plus 30 minutes for the car return and the airline's check-in time. Leave early in the morning for an afternoon flight – a breakdown, roadworks or heavy rain on Route 4 can easily add an hour. For a different return route, drive via Phang Nga and stop at any viewpoints you missed on the way out.
Best time for the drive
November to April has the clearest skies and the calmest sea for boat trips. From May to October you will still drive easily, but plan boat trips for the morning, before the afternoon showers. Read Driving in Phuket in the rainy season before a green-season trip.
Practical tips
- Fill up in Khok Kloi or Phang Nga town – stations are sparse on side roads.
- Drive in daylight; Route 4 has slow trucks and some unlit sections.
- Close the windows and hide food at cave temples – the monkeys are curious.
- Carry cash for boat trips, parking and national park fees.
- Download offline maps – mobile signal is patchy in places.
