How to Get From Krabi to Penang
Indirect Minivan via Hat Yai · Minivan · Flight
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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 490 kilometre (304 miles) distance from Krabi to Penang. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Penang as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Krabi to Penang?
There are three ways to travel the 490 km distance from Krabi to Penang. You can choose between the indirect minivan via Hat Yai, minivan, and flight.
The journey takes between 1h 30m–11h and the quickest way is by flight (1h 30m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by indirect minivan via Hat Yai with tickets starting at 115 MYR ($29).
8h 45m - 13h
115 MYR ($29)
7-11h
135 MYR ($35)
7h 40m
305 MYR ($77)
Already in Penang?
Onward from Penang
Once you're in Penang, here's where to next — 7 researched onward routes to pick from.
Krabi to Penang by Indirect Minivan via Hat Yai
Step 1: Krabi to Hat Yai by Minivan
Ready to book your minivan?
Booking Tip
They offer free pick-up from any hotel in the resort town of Ao Nang. If you’re staying somewhere else, it’s best to contact the operator beforehand to know where you can board the van.
A ticket costs 48 MYR ($12) when you book online with BusOnlineTicket. The journey takes 4h - 7h 30m and the minivan parks at Hat Yai Bus Terminal, located 3 km south of the city centre.
Step 2: Hat Yai to Penang by Minivan
Ready to book your minivan?
Travel time from Hat Yai to Penang is around 4h 45m - 5h 30m. You can easily book your ticket online via BookAway, with fares from 65 MYR ($16).
Nominatee Tour and Adang Sea Tour drop off passengers at Komtar Bus Terminal, which is within walking distance to most hotels in George Town. If you want to be dropped off at your hotel in the city centre, book with KST Travel.
For more info, check out our page from Hat Yai to Penang.
Customs & Immigration
Around 1.5 hours into your journey from Hat Yai to Penang, your minivan will stop at Danok Sadao in Songkhla Province for Thai immigration & customs. And then, they will take you across the border before stopping again at Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah for Malaysian immigration & customs.
Drive-through immigration booths are available on both sides of the border, so the procedures are quite simple. However, you will still have to get off the minivan for a customs check!
Krabi to Penang by Minivan
Although it takes 7-11h to travel by land from Krabi to Penang, we think the minivan is still a good choice. It picks you up from your hotel in Krabi and takes you straight to George Town in Penang. And it only costs 135 MYR ($35), more than half the price of taking an indirect flight!
Bai Ngoen Krabi Tour offers only 2 trips daily, so we recommend you book online on BookAway to secure a seat.
Minivan schedule from Krabi to Penang
The minivans park at Komtar Terminal, which is within walking distance from most hotels in George Town.
Customs & Immigration
Around 5 hours into your minivan journey from Krabi to Penang, you will arrive at the Danok Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam border. Located between Thailand’s Songkhla Province and Malaysia’s Kedah state, this is the two country’s busiest land border.
This isn’t as complicated as other borders in Southeast Asia, though. Immigration offices on both sides of the border have drive-through lanes, although you might still have to get off the minivan with your luggage for customs.
Krabi to Penang by Flight
There are no direct flights from Krabi to Penang, but you can book an indirect flight that makes a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. The fastest indirect flight takes around 5 to 6 hours.
Although it seems like you are able to save 4 to 5 hours compared to taking the minivan, keep in mind 2 things: you still have to add the travel time to and from the airports, and you have to be at Krabi Airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
When you add all that up, you don’t really get to save a lot of time when taking the flight and you have to pay double or triple the minivan rate! Still want to take an indirect flight from Krabi to Penang? Below is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Krabi City Centre to Krabi Airport by Minibus or Taxi
If you’re coming from Krabi city centre, we recommend taking a taxi to reach the airport. It takes only 25 minutes to cover the 15 km distance. You can hail one from the street or book online beforehand via Klook. Rates start at 470 THB ($14) for a 3-seater car.
If you’re coming from other areas like Ao Nang and Ao Nam Mao Pier, you have the option to book a cheaper shared minivan. A ticket costs only 250 THB ($7.70) when you book a ride via 12go.Asia. Take note that travel time with the minivan is 1h 30m.
Krabi Airport Shuttle operates on the following schedules:
Ready to book your flight?
Step 2: Krabi Airport to Penang Airport
The length of the fastest indirect flight from Krabi to Penang varies every day. Normally though, it takes around 5h 40m.
Air Asia often offers the cheapest flight from 2,070 THB ($64). Try to book early as fares can be more expensive as the travel date gets closer.
Step 3: Penang Airport to George Town
Penang Airport is located 18 km south of Penang city centre, George Town.
To complete the final step of reaching your hotel, you have two options: take a 30-minute taxi or the 1-hour bus. Rates start from 30 MYR ($7.60) and 3 MYR ($0.80), respectively. There are several bus lines available from Penang Airport to George Town, so make sure you board one that stops near your hotel.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Krabi to Penang. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance from Krabi to Penang is 490 km.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Penang?
Penang is a cultural melting pot on the northwest coast of Malaysia. For such a small island, it has so much to offer — vibrant culture, colourful heritage, amazing food, urban wonders, and untouched rainforest.
At its heart is George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a city rich in history. Famous for its street art, you can easily spend hours exploring its alleys. Sure, the island can be touristy. Yet somehow, it is able to maintain a laidback vibe and a charm that you can only find in Penang.
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About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer & Digital Nomad
Kate is a travel content creator, writer and founder of Stay Wild Travel, a tour company running group trips for women beyond your typical destinations. Her full-time travels have taken her to almost 60 countries, and she doesn't intend to stop anytime soon.
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