Ao Nang to Phuket

About the ride from Ao Nang to Phuket

Ao Nang and Phuket are only around 51km (32 miles) apart, but depending on how you decide to travel, your journey might be a little longer (since wheeled vehicles can’t drive over the sea!) 

If you want to travel to Phuket from Ao Nang, you have four easy and accessible options:

• Bus from Ao Nang to Phuket - typically around 4 hours
• Car from Ao Nang to Phuket - typically around 2.5 hours
• Ferry from Ao Nang to Phuket - journey times vary widely
• Minivan from Ao Nang to Phuket - typically around 3 hours

 

Two of Thailand’s most popular shoreline destinations, both Ao Nang and Phuket are huge tourist hotspots. While Ao Nang is the heart of all of Krabi’s underwater action and adventures, Thailand’s largest island of Phuket is famous for its late-night nightlife, expat scene and excellent beaches.

Though they both offer sumptuous shorelines, underwater exploration and incredible seafood, Phuket and Ao Nang are pretty different to one another. If you want to experience all that Thailand’s coastline has to offer, it’s a great idea to visit both - and traveling from Ao Nang to Phuket is an easy way to do it.

 

What to see when traveling from Ao Nang to Phuket

That depends on how you travel.  If you travel by road, via car, bus or minibus, it’s a charming ride on well-maintained roads. You’ll pass tiny shops, humble homes and tree-lined side streets. Though lots of roads in Southeast Asia are infamously lumpy, bumpy and potholed, the roads leading to Phuket from Ao Nang are comfortable and convenient.  

If you travel by ferry from Ao Nang to Phuket, the views are fantastic. You’ll navigate rippling waves, bypass distant islands and glide beyond other boats as you make your way towards Phuket’s golden shores.

How to get from Ao Nang to Phuket

Taking a bus 

Taking a bus offers a simple, basic and affordable way to get to Phuket from Ao Nang. Though the bus is basic, it offers AC and comfortable seats. There’s no toilet on board the bus, but it stops for toilet breaks along the way.

Because it’s so affordable and convenient, this is a popular option for budget backpackers.

Taking a car

Taking a car from Ao Nang to Phuket is a good option if you like lots of luxury and convenience. With a car from Ao Nang to Phuket, you can choose your own departure time and your own pick up point and arrival point.

Some cars can even take you directly to Phuket Airport.

If you take a car to Phuket from Ao Nang, you don’t pay for an individual seat. Instead, you pay for the entire vehicle and split the cost of that vehicle between your traveling party. Cars from Ao Nang to Phuket can seat up to three passengers.

Taking a ferry 

If you take a ferry from Ao Nang to Phuket, you have several options. Some ferries go directly from Ao Nang to Phuket, while some have a multi-hour layover in Koh Phi Phi, perfect if you want to spend a little time exploring another part of Thailand.

Taking a ferry to Phuket from Ao Nang is a popular choice for travelers who like enjoying excellent views as they travel. 

On some ferry journeys from Ao Nang to Phuket, you get free pick up from your hotel in Ao Nang.

Taking a minivan 

If you decide to take a minivan from Ao Nang to Phuket, you have two major options: you can either buy a single ticket for a single seat, or you can (just like with a car) hire a full vehicle and split the cost between your traveling party. 

If you decide on the latter, you can fit up to 9 passengers in the vehicle, so it can be a very affordable way to travel. With this option, you can choose your own departure time.

Minivans from Ao Nang to Phuket all offer hotel pick up. Many offer hotel drop off, while others drop you off at Phuket Airport.