Residents of northern latitudes who miss the warmth and bright sun often choose wonderful Thailand for their winter vacation. And only a few tourists can ignore the truly excellent Thai beaches. There are many of them: on the eastern side — along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, and on the western side — along the Andaman Sea. The best ones are located in the south of the Andaman coast, in Krabi Province. The provincial capital of the same name is located about 700 km in a straight line from Bangkok, and there are several ways to cover this distance — each with its own specifics.
From Bangkok to Krabi
Krabi Province (krabi) is definitely worthy of becoming the first stop on your trip around Thailand. Although the local airport accepts international flights, it is more convenient and cheaper to get here via Bangkok: more flights, lower prices. In addition, Bangkok offers cheaper options — compared to air travel — to reach the desired beaches and amazing underwater views. And there are no direct regular flights to Krabi from Russian cities.
As for land transport, it is divided into several options:
- bus,
- combined: train + bus,
- rental car,
- taxi.
Airplane
Let’s first consider the situation when a tourist from Russia is indifferent to human-made sights — palaces, Buddhist temples, and giant shopping malls that Bangkok is famous for. Or has decided to visit the capital “at the end” of the trip, before returning home. And their ticket to Krabi has one connection — in Bangkok. As a rule, such flights from Russia are operated by Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, and Thai Airways, and the transfer usually takes place at Suvarnabhumi Airport. But not always.
If you plan to stay in Bangkok for some time and only then head out to enjoy the beaches and admire the rich underwater world, flying with a low-cost airline from Don Mueang becomes a great way to save both time and money.
But this option has a small downside: while Suvarnabhumi Airport is easily reachable by metro (it goes directly to the underground floor of the airport building), the metro line to Don Mueang is still under construction (presumably set to operate in 2020). You can get there by one of nine bus routes, by train from Hua Lamphong Station, or by taxi.
The bus fare depends on the route and costs about 25 baht ( 0.77 USD), and a taxi will cost no less than 200 baht ( 6.16 USD). The train ticket price is ridiculously low — 5 baht ( 0.15 USD), but trains often do not follow the schedule. There is also a transfer option: at the final station of BTS Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak, you can take a bus going to the airport.
The flight between the cities takes just over an hour and costs from $18 one way. This is an approximate price from low-cost airlines during high season, provided you “catch” the lowest fares three months or more before the trip. If you don’t feel like tracking prices, expect about $50.
Overall, flying is the best way to get from the capital to Krabi, especially if your trip lasts not several months, but only one and a half to two weeks.
Bangkok–Krabi Bus
To be honest, this is not the best option for someone who has just stepped off a plane after a seven-to-nine-hour flight across the Indian Ocean. Plus, getting to bus terminals from either airport is long and inconvenient. It is suitable for those who have stayed in Bangkok for a few days, have enough time, and handle long bus journeys well.
In this case, the distance is already more than 800 km, and the trip takes about 12 hours, so it’s recommended to buy night-time tickets. Most buses depart from the Southern Bus Station, and several from the northern Mo Chit Terminal. Transfers arranged by travel agencies that depart from central Bangkok should be considered with caution: their service quality often leaves much to be desired, and the trip may take not 12 hours but more than 24.
You can reach the Southern Bus Terminal only by bus or taxi. Given Bangkok’s rather problematic traffic — especially in the evening — you need to allow an extra hour to an hour and a half.
There are many bus comfort levels, which determine the ticket price. You can buy it directly at the bus station or online in advance. The minimum cost is 450 baht — about $14. The most comfortable buses cost more than twice as much and can even exceed the price of a cheap airfare.
Buy a bus ticket online:
This method has strong advantages: buses run quite often, and you don’t have to “chase” the best price, since ticket costs vary only slightly. Another detail: by spending the night on the bus, you also save on one hotel night.
Train + Bus
Unfortunately, no railway line goes to Krabi. The only reason to choose this way is if you want to explore Thailand’s rural heartland more closely. The nearest railway stations to Krabi are in Surat Thani and Trang. Upon arrival, you’ll have to transfer to a bus or take a taxi — the latter will cost quite a lot. Surat Thani – Krabi takes over 3 hours, Trang – Krabi: not less than 2. You can buy a combined ticket, in which case a special staff member meets travelers at the station and directs them to the bus.
Trains to Surat Thani or Trang depart from Hua Lamphong (Bangkok Railway Station).
About ten trains depart daily for Surat Thani, the trip taking 10–12 hours, while 2–3 depart for Trang, and this route takes no less than 15 hours. Like buses, trains have different comfort classes. The cheapest tickets cost 250–400 baht for a non-air-conditioned third-class seat. Add another 300–400 baht for the bus.
To buy a train ticket, enter the date and choose the “Trains” section on the 12asia website.
Yes, delays are completely normal for Thai trains.
Bangkok–Krabi by Taxi or Car
First, taxi. Convenient, but long and expensive: at best, you can negotiate 10,000 baht (over $300, but expect around $350). And finding a taxi driver who agrees to go to Krabi is another challenge. For example, the globally popular Kiwitaxi does not operate this route.
But renting a car is definitely worth considering. Especially if there are three or four of you, and you plan an intensive trip around Thailand visiting several cities.
We recommend checking rental prices from Bangkok to Krabi:
What you need to know before renting a car:
- driving in Thailand is on the left,
- you must have an international driving permit,
- the country’s roads are in good condition,
- you can book a car in advance on a rental website or through a comparison service,
- you can pick up the car directly at the airport and return it in another city (sometimes with an extra fee),
- most rental companies provide a full tank, theft & accident insurance, and unlimited mileage,
- high-season rental prices start from 850 baht ( 26.16 USD) per day,
- gasoline costs 30–35 baht ( 0.92 USD) per liter.
However, few people are ready to drive 800+ km immediately after a tiring long-haul flight, especially on left-side roads. So it’s recommended to rest at least one day. Choosing a reputable rental company is also crucial. And don’t forget about medical insurance!
Before a self-drive trip, you must study Thai highways well to take the shortest route to Krabi. Otherwise, you may end up making a 200 km detour.
So, conclusions:
If the trip lasts no longer than a couple of weeks, flying is the best option. For a group or family of three or four traveling a long and complex route, renting a car is ideal. The bus is a great option for those who have a few extra days and want to save money. Taxi and train are slightly eccentric ways to get from Bangkok to Krabi.
