Short answer
Krabi International Airport is about 24 km from Ao Nang, roughly a half-hour drive, according to Phuket 101. You can take an official airport taxi, a shared minivan, an airport bus or, cheapest and slowest, a songthaew via Krabi Town. Wikivoyage's older notes quote 600 baht or more for a taxi for up to four people and 150 baht a head for the bus, but we could not find an official 2026 fare board, so check the posted price at the counter before you go.
The short answer: four ways, about half an hour by car
Ao Nang is about a half-hour drive, 24 km, from Krabi International Airport and about 20 minutes, 13 km, from Krabi Town, according to Phuket 101's Ao Nang page. Wikivoyage's older notes give a longer distance, 40 km, and between 30 and 40 minutes by car, so allow 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Thai Holiday Guide says transfer times vary with destination and traffic, and that Ao Nang is nearer than Koh Lanta.
Thai Holiday Guide lists three ways to leave the terminal: official taxi counters, shared minivan desks on published routes, and a pre-booked private transfer. Add the airport bus and the public songthaew that Wikivoyage describes. None needs a booking, but we could not confirm any official 2026 fares, so every price below is an older figure or a range to check.
Taxi: the quickest door-to-door option
An official airport taxi is the simplest way, especially with luggage, children or a late arrival. Thai Holiday Guide recommends the official taxi counters or a pre-booked private transfer, and says a pre-booked transfer is helpful if you are heading straight to a pier. Wikivoyage describes an airport limousine counter and quotes 600 baht or more for up to four people, though it does not date the figure.
That is a per-car price, so it works out cheaper per head for a family or four friends. Wikivoyage adds that many hotels will arrange a pickup at similar prices. Whichever you pick, agree the total before you get in and ask whether it covers luggage. A pre-booked transfer removes the guesswork at arrivals, which matters because Wikipedia says the terminal was designed for three million passengers and has already been exceeded.
Shared minivan and airport bus: cheaper, slower
Shared minivans are sold at desks in arrivals. Thai Holiday Guide says they run on published routes, which means they wait for seats and make stops. Wikivoyage describes an air-conditioned airport bus that goes to Krabi Town and the ferry terminal, then on to Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara, at 150 baht per person and about 1 hour to Ao Nang, dropping most passengers at their hotel. It calls the buses not new and quite noisy; the figure is older.
Wikivoyage adds that the bus meets arriving flights, and that for the return you can call the hotline a day before for a hotel pickup or wait at a bus stop in Ao Nang. These details come from an older note and services change, so ask at the desk. A shared option suits solo travellers on a budget who are not in a hurry; with a late arrival or a connection, a taxi is easier.
Songthaew via Krabi Town: the budget route
The cheapest way is two songthaew rides. Wikivoyage says a songthaew between Krabi Town and the airport road cost 50 baht, with a walk of about 400 metres from the terminal to the main road, and that a white songthaew from Krabi Town to Ao Nang cost 60 baht, found outside the 7-Eleven in the town centre. It says the whole trip takes a little under 2 hours.
Wikivoyage also says these songthaews run during daylight hours in the low season and until 22:00 in the high season, which is roughly 1 November to 30 April. That makes the songthaew a poor choice for a night arrival or with heavy bags. It suits a light-packing traveller landing in the morning who does not mind changing in town. Figures are from older notes, so check the fare before you board.
Which one to choose: a quick comparison
Put the older figures side by side. A taxi at 600 baht for four people is 150 baht each, the same as the bus at 150 baht a head, so a group of four loses nothing by taking a taxi. A couple pays 300 baht each by taxi, twice the bus fare. The two songthaew rides add up to about 110 baht a person, but take nearly 2 hours against about 30 minutes in a car. These sums use Wikivoyage's older numbers, so recheck them at the airport.
As a rule, a family or a group of three or four should take the taxi, because it is quick and door to door. A couple on a budget can take the bus or minivan and accept a longer ride with other drops. A solo traveller with a light bag and a morning arrival can take the songthaew. If you arrive at night, with a delayed flight, or with a ferry or tour next morning, spend the extra on a taxi or a pre-booked pickup.
Going straight to a pier: Phi Phi, Railay and Koh Lanta
If you are heading for a boat, tell your driver the pier by name. Andaman Wave Master describes Klong Jilad Pier, just outside Krabi Town, as the pier for travellers coming directly from the airport, and lists a Phi Phi ferry from there at 09:00 and 13:00. Wikivoyage warns that some drivers take passengers to a travel agent near the old pier in town instead, and tells you to buy only the ticket you need. Our Krabi to Phi Phi ferry guide has the times and fares.
For Railay, you go by road to Ao Nang and then take a longtail from the beach, 10 to 15 minutes, which our Railay Beach guide explains. Thai Holiday Guide says Koh Lanta needs a longer road leg and a ferry or boat segment than Ao Nang does. Allow extra time on arrival day for any boat connection, and keep a waterproof bag handy for the beach landing.
Arriving late, or the day before a tour
Plan your arrival day around the airport, not around a tour. Our Krabi 4 Islands speedboat tour, from $35 per person, collects you from your hotel in Ao Nang and the Krabi area between about 7:30 and 8:40 am, so land the evening before if you can. Our Krabi 7 Islands sunset tour collects between about 12:00 and 1:30 pm, which is tight on a day when flights can be delayed. Airport transfers are not part of our tour prices.
If your flight lands late, ask your hotel to confirm a pickup, and ring ahead if the front desk closes at night. Then send us your dates and your hotel on WhatsApp; we confirm the pickup time before you pay. For ideas on how to spend your days, see our things to do in Ao Nang, and for the choice between our two boat days, the 4 Islands or Hong Islands guide.
Practical checklist
- Decide on a taxi, shared minivan or bus before you leave the terminal, and ask for the price first.
- Ask your hotel whether it arranges airport pickups, and at what price.
- Tell the driver the exact pier if you are heading to a ferry, such as Klong Jilad.
- Avoid the songthaew route with heavy luggage or a night arrival.
- Land the evening before your first boat tour, not the same morning.
- Keep some baht in cash for the taxi, bus or songthaew.
Questions and answers
How far is Krabi airport from Ao Nang?
About 24 km and a half-hour drive, according to Phuket 101. Wikivoyage's older notes give 40 km. Allow 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
How much is a taxi from Krabi airport to Ao Nang?
Wikivoyage's undated note quotes 600 baht or more for up to four people. We found no official 2026 fare, so check the price at the counter before you get in.
Is there an airport bus to Ao Nang?
Wikivoyage describes an air-conditioned bus via Krabi Town and the ferry terminal to Ao Nang at 150 baht per person, about 1 hour. The note is older, so confirm at the airport.
Can you get to Ao Nang by songthaew from the airport?
Yes, in two stages: a songthaew from the main road near the airport to Krabi Town, then a white songthaew to Ao Nang. Wikivoyage says the whole trip takes a little under 2 hours.
Which pier is closest to Krabi airport?
Andaman Wave Master names Klong Jilad Pier, just outside Krabi Town, as the pier for travellers coming directly from the airport. Tell the driver the pier name.
Do your tours include airport transfers?
No. Our tour prices cover the hotel pickup for the tour only. Send us your dates and hotel, and we confirm the pickup time before you pay.