Koh Phangan to Krabi

About the ride from Koh Phangan to Krabi

Thailand is known for its stunning beaches, delicious food, and warm, welcoming people. Krabi is one of the best places to find all three of these things. Krabi is the perfect spot to base yourself in order to explore some of the islands in the Andaman Sea or to relax and simply enjoy all that Krabi Town has to offer.

One of the best things to do in Krabi is to take a boat out and island hop. There are several trips leaving from Krabi each day that usually go out to the Phi Phi islands, Ao Nang and the “Four Islands Tour”. There are several trips that go out to these islands each day and can be tailored to your interests; most of which include BBQs, snorkeling, and time to swim. If taking a large, crowded boat isn’t for you, you can also take a short longtail boat to Railay Beach. This is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Thailand because it is surrounded by limestone cliffs and is off limits to cars. Railay is also a great place to explore if you enjoy rock climbing!

In addition to the beautiful beaches, Krabi is situated near some fantastic rainforests as well. The Klong Thom hot springs and Emerald Pools are a short drive from the heart of Krabi and are nestled in Thung Teao Forest Natural Park. This forest is home to some stunning plants and interesting animals, and would be a great way to explore more of Thailand’s natural beauty. Susan Hoi may be of interest as well. It is a shellfish cemetery, dating back between 25 and 40 million years. This geological wonder is one of only three sites like this in the entire world.

Even if getting out into nature and beaches aren’t your favorite ways to relax, Krabi Town should still be on your list. There are tons of shops and markets with lots of great sarongs, dresses and elephant pants to buy. Krabi is home to terrific street food, especially mango sticky rice, smoothies, and ice cream. There are also plenty of beach bars, restaurants, and cozy places to sit and watch the sunset, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a few days, or a few weeks, after some time on Koh Phangan.

The trip from Koh Phangan to Krabi can be a bit of a long day, as you have to get from the island to the mainland and there can occasionally be some delays or confusion around this transfer. Not to worry though, because Thai people are among the friendliest on the planet. People at the pier are always willing and able to help you and once you have checked in, you will be given a color-coded sticker with your final destination. Wear this somewhere visible, and people will make sure to point you in the right direction throughout your journey. You can also find many people at the pier and the bus stop who speak English and are extremely helpful if you do get lost or confused, but things are generally done in a form of organized chaos that only Thailand seems able to perfect.

Once you’re on the ferry, you’ll have the stunning Gulf of Thailand stretching out before you. It will be just like any boat trip you can take around Koh Phangan. As you approach Don Sak pier, you’ll see more beautiful palm trees and tranquil waters but it never gets old. If you opt for the popular combo ferry-bus option, you’ll also get to take in some of Thailand’s gorgeous scenery along the way as well. The drive through the center of the peninsula can take anywhere between two to three hours and generally winds through some of Thailand's smaller villages and towns. If you’re keen to see how the locals live, sit by the window and watch the countryside pass. If not, you may be ready for a short nap so you’re ready for the excitement of Krabi town and the adventure that awaits on the beaches. 

 

How to get from Koh Phangan to Krabi

Taking a Combo Ferry-Bus
The combo bus-ferry service is the best option for getting from the island of Koh Phangan to Krabi. It takes away the hassle of organizing your journey around transfer times and makes the trip as seamless as possible. There are actually three different companies that operate the same route for approximately the same price. The best bet is to select the company with the best departure time for your travel plans. 

No matter which company you choose, the ferry ride from Koh Phangan is approximately two and a half hours. However, you will often find that you may have to wait for a transfer while on Koh Samui. You then have to wait for your transfer once you arrive at the pier on the mainland.  Remember that patience is a virtue, but at least you will have beautiful views of the Gulf of Thailand while you wait.  All companies have a luggage allowance as well. However, it is worth noting if you have a lot of luggage or an oversized bag and choose to go with Raja Ferry, you may have to book an extra seat on the van for your belongings. 

Taking a Combo Ferry-Taxi 
Another option that might save you a little time, but would cost a bit more would be to take the Raja Ferry from Koh Phangan and then taxi down to Krabi. This would cost between $75-95 from the Don Sak pier to Krabi Town, but would allow you more freedom and flexibility to set off as soon as the ferry arrived at the port. You could also have the taxi drop you straight at your accommodation, rather than having to stop at the bus station, which would save you an additional taxi fare. 

Taking aCombo Ferry-Flight
The priciest option would be to take the ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui, and then fly to Krabi. There is one 55 minute flight per day that departs Koh Samui at 12:20 pm. However, in order to make this work, you would have to be comfortable taking the earliest ferry at 10:30 am, arriving in Koh Samui at 11:00 am. The airport is only a 5 minute bus ride away, but still gives you little time in the airport. It is a tiny airport, and many people are comfortable with a quick turn around and no time to waste getting to their gate. Taking a flight would be the fastest option to get to Krabi, so if you are in a rush to see Railay Beach or don’t want to spend a day traveling, this could be the option for you.