tourist walking around Monkey Trail an area full of wild monkeys and the beach in Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand / how to get from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang

How to Get from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang

Are you trying to get from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang? Here are four transportation methods!

The best way to get to Ao Nang from Phuket Airport is by using the following transfer methods: Shared MiniBus, Private Transfer, Grab taxi, or ferry.

If you’re already in Phuket and want to travel from Phuket to Ao Nang, the best way to get there is by ferry. It takes around two hours.

But if you’re landing at Phuket Airport and want to travel directly to Ao Nang, taking the ferry will add 45 minutes to 1 hour of travel time because you’ll need to take a taxi to one of Phuket’s piers from Phuket Airport.

RELATED: Ao Nang or Railay

Shared MiniVan Transfer

cars parked amongst palm trees on a main street in Ao Nang, Thailand

Taking a shared minibus transfer is the most convenient and cheapest way to travel from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang.

These spacious minivans are a popular way to travel around Thailand, and if you plan on visiting many places, you’ll become quite familiar with them. These vans can accommodate up to 10-12 passengers with luggage.

The cost per passenger is around $28 to $42 US US. Each passenger can bring one piece of luggage weighing 20 kg.

Vans operates between Phuket Airport and Ao Nang daily, but departure times vary, and you’ll have to check the schedule.

Minivans are comfortable, they have air conditioning and can accommodate one piece of luggage per passenger. The journey from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes by road.

If you have additional luggage to bring, reserve another ticket for the minivan or explore alternative transportation options listed below!

Make sure to check in with your minivan driver at least 15 minutes before departure from Phuket airport. Once you retrieve your luggage at the airport, proceed directly to the check-in location provided.

Book MiniVan Transfer to Ao Nang

Private Transfer

many vehicle sizes and a map showing transfer options from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang

The next best way to get from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang is by pre-booking a private airport transfer.

Like a private taxi, a personal driver will wait for you at Phuket Airport to take you to your hotel in Ao Nang.

The main difference between this service and a taxi is that no matter your party size, they can accommodate your group and luggage. Also, with this service, you don’t have to worry about taxi scams at Phuket Airport.

The cost of a Private Airport Transfer depends on your vehicle of choice. The various vehicle sizes you can reserve are noted above. The cost starts around $75+ US, and you’ll have plenty of room for luggage!

No matter when your plane lands at Phuket Airport, your driver will wait for you. Flight details are required for the reservation. You can also request an English-speaking driver.

Suppose you’re visiting Ao Nang with family or three people. In that case, reserving a private transfer instead of taking a minivan transfer makes more sense, especially if you guys are coming with a few luggage bags.

Book Private Transfer to Ao Nang

Grab

bright green logo for Grab, the largest ride sharing company in Asia
Credit: Grab

Grab is a popular ridesharing app in Southeast Asia, and it’s very convenient to use when getting around in Thailand.

Taking a Grab is your best option if you haven’t pre-booked any reservation to get to Ao Nang from Phuket Airport. You won’t have to worry about negotiating a fair price with the taxi drivers at Phuket Airport.

Once you’ve landed at Phuket Airport and grabbed your luggage, make your way to the exit, pull up the app on your phone, order a Grab, and wait for driver confirmation.

Grab offers many different vehicle sizes, so no matter what your party size is, there should be a vehicle size to accommodate your party.

Prices for a Grab taxi will vary by the type of vehicle, time of day, and the current ride demand in Phuket. Expect to pay anywhere from $70 to $85 US from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang.

If you read this guide before arriving at Phuket Airport, I’d recommend you pre-book one of the transportation options mentioned to Ao Nang before flying into Phuket.

Important TIP: Grab vehicles aren’t allowed to enter Phuket International Airport, meaning you MUST leave the main airport area and go to the main road to meet your Grab driver.

Don’t worry; it’s only 2-3 minutes, around 100 meters from the exit door at Phuket Airport. Take a left once you exit the airport, walk for a minute, and you’ll notice the main road up ahead!

RELATED: Ao Nang vs Krabi Town

Ferry (from Pier)

ferry boat leaving Rassada Pier from Phuket to Phi Phi Islands

Last but not least, you can take a ferry from Phuket to Ao Nang, but this method isn’t recommended for trips from Phuket Airport because it adds 45 minutes to 1 hour to your travel time.

That’s because you’ll first have to take a transfer to one of Phuket’s main ferry ports from Phuket Airport and then take the ferry to Ao Nang.

If you took a ferry to Ao Nang from Phuket Airport, it would take 2.5 to 3 hours to travel, and it’s usually more of a hassle to move luggage onto and off the boat. Road transfers from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang take around 2 hours!

There’s no reason to take a ferry from Phuket to Ao Nang unless you’re already in Phuket.

Book Ferry to Ao Nang

a few tourist relaxing along Ao Nang Beach in Krabi, Thailand

Things to Do in Ao Nang

Krabi 4 Island Tour: This is a fun full-day trip island hopping tour where you’ll visit 4 different islands in the Krabi; you’ll be visiting Koh Thap & Ko Mor, known as the twin islands, Ko Poda and Chicken Island!

Visit Railay Beach: Home to one of the best beaches in the world, Phra Nang Cave Beach, large limestones, and more. You must visit Railay when in Ao Nang; it’s only 10 minutes away.

Elephant Sanctuary: Visiting an elephant sanctuary in Thailand is a must; on this half-day elephant sanctuary tour, you will feed, bathe, and learn about the sanctuary in Ao Nang.

Ao Nang Night Market: At the Ao Nang Night Market you’ll find fresh BBQ meat, sliced fruit, a wide variety of fresh seafood, and many goods/souvenirs to buy.

Phi Phi Day Tour: One of the most popular places to visit in Thailand is the Phi Phi Islands. On this tour, you will visit the famous Pi Leh Lagoon and Maya Bay Beach, go snorkeling, and more!

Hong Islands Tour: On this tour, you will visit three different islands in the Andaman Sea, which are part of the Hong Islands. With lagoons, viewpoints, snorkeling, and views of massive limestone in the middle of the sea, the Hong Islands Tour is highly recommended!

Phuket Airport to Ao Nang – Final Thoughts

Those are all the ways to get from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang. See which of these transportation methods work best for you, and pre-book your transfer to Ao Nang from Phuket Airport.

If you’re currently at Phuket Airport and trying to figure out how to get to Ao Nang, I’d suggest you use Grab or speak to one of the taxi drivers at the airport; reference prices above so you don’t get overcharged!

A private taxi transfer from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang should cost around $70 to $80 US, which is about 2480 to 2840 Thai Baht.

Ao Nang is known for its lush rainforests, limestone cliffs, and picturesque lakes, it offers various activities for visitors to experience, such as jungle trekking, canoeing, and wildlife spotting.

With its beautiful beaches, towering limestones, and easy access to other excellent destinations in Krabi, like Koh Phi Phi and Railay Beach, Ao Nang is a must-visit!

Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun, enjoy thrilling water activities, or unwind in a tropical setting, Ao Nang has something for everyone.

RELATED: 11 Cheapest Places in Thailand

giant swordfish statue on the boardwalk in Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand, is Ao Nang worth visiting?

How long is the transfer from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang?

A transfer from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang in Krabi takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes, with a total distance of 146 KM.

How much is a taxi from Phuket Airport to Krabi?

A taxi from Phuket Airport to Krabi costs around $70 to 80 US, around 2480 to 2840 Thai Baht.

What is the cheapest transport from Phuket Airport?

It depends on where you’re going. The cheapest transportation from Phuket Airport to Krabi is by minivan transfer.

But if you’re leaving Phuket Airport and going to one of Phuket’s many beach areas, the cheapest way is to take the Phuket Smart Bus.

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