Overview Compare Minivan Flight + Taxi
How to get from Penang to Krabi
Krabi is a tropical gem on Thailand’s southwest coast. It is a bustling region with laidback beaches all in one. But as with most places in Southeast Asia, you’ll have to go to its outskirts to see it at its most beautiful.
Krabi is the epitome of those famous white-sand beaches and turquoise water postcards. Apart from lounging on one of its many beaches, island-hopping is the most popular activity due to its proximity to islands such as Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, which also makes it a strategic jumping-off point.
Are you planning to travel to Krabi after a cultural immersion in Penang? Here’s how:
2 ways to get from Penang to Krabi
The distance from Penang to Krabi is 490 km (300 miles). In this post, we compare the 2 options to travel from Penang to Krabi: by minivan (8.5-9 hours), or by flight + taxi (6-7 hours). Ticket prices range from 60 MYR ($13.50) + 310 THB ($9) to 230 MYR ($52) + 140 THB ($4.20).
The minivan is our preferred option when travelling from Penang to Krabi. It’s quite a long journey of 8.5-9 hours (excluding transfers), but at least you can divide it with a short stopover in Hat Yai. Combined fares cost around 60 MYR ($13.50) + 310 THB ($9).
There are no direct flights from Penang to Krabi so you’ll have to make a stopover at either Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. The fastest indirect flight takes almost 5 hours. Add the waiting time for your flight and the transfers to and from the airport and you don’t really get to save a lot of time compared to the minivan.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to help reduce your impact on the environment.
A few notes when crossing the Malaysia-Thailand border
Thailand imposes a limit on the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into the country:
- 1 litre for alcoholic beverages
- 250 grams for any type of tobacco (or 200 cigarettes)
If you’re carrying more than that on your journey from Penang to Krabi, you will be asked to leave the excess amount at the customs office. Note that if you refuse, you will not just be fined but also persecuted.
Check out the Thai Customs website for more info.
Itinerary from Penang to Krabi
Flight
- George Town
- 30 minutes
- Penang Airport
- 5-6 hours
- Krabi Airport
- 25 minutes
- Krabi City Centre
Penang to Krabi via Hat Yai by Minivan*
*COVID-19 UPDATE: The last time we checked (June 2022), the cross-border minivan route from Penang to Thailand has not yet resumed. Please check the provided links to see if anything has changed.
There is no direct minivan operating between Penang and Krabi. You’ll first have to take a minivan from Penang to Hat Yai and from there you can continue with a minivan to Krabi.
Step 1: Penang to Hat Yai by Minivan
When taking a minivan from Penang to Hat Yai, we recommend that you take a morning trip. This way, you can easily transfer to your connecting minivan bound for Krabi.
Ticket prices start from 60 MYR ($13.50).
Minivan schedules from Penang to Krabi via Hat Yai*
The best choices are the ones that depart from Penang at 08:30 and arrive in Hat Yai at 11:30. This schedule gives you 1.5 hours to stretch your legs and have a quick lunch in town before continuing on to Krabi.
KST Travel can drop you off anywhere in the city centre while Nominatee Tour parks at its office at 171 Thammanoonvithi Road, Hat Yai city centre.
For more details, you can check our page on Penang to Hat Yai.
Customs & Immigration
Around 2.5 hours into your journey, your minivan will make a short stop at the Malaysian border in Bukit Kayu Hitam for customs & immigration procedures. Then you’ll cross the border to Danok Sadao in Thailand for another check.
Drive-through immigration booths are available on both sides of the very busy Danok Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam border. However, you will still be asked to get off your minivan for a customs check. Don’t forget to bring all your luggage!
Step 2: Hat Yai to Krabi by Minivan
From Hat Yai town centre, you will have to take a songthaew or taxi to the Hat Yai bus station, located some 3 km away. It costs around 60 THB ($1.80) for the 10-minute ride.
Sri Trang Tour and My Son Krabi Tours are the two companies that operate from Hat Yai to Krabi. Both depart from Hat Yai Bus Terminal. Sri Trang Tour buses arrive at Krabi Bus Station while My Son Krabi Tour bus offers a free drop-off at any hotel in Krabi Town.
If you’re staying somewhere else, tell the driver before the journey so he can take you to the nearest accessible bus stop or drop you off at your hotel for an additional fee.
A ticket cost starts 310 THB ($9) for the 4.5-5 hours journey when you book beforehand on BookAway.
Minivan schedules from Krabi to Hat Yai
Penang to Krabi by Flight
There are no direct flights from Penang to Krabi. The indirect flights for this route make at least one stop at either Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. In addition to these stopovers, you’ll also have to make transfers to and from Penang and Krabi Airport.
We honestly don’t think all these transfers and waiting times are worth it considering you can take a cheaper minivan ride.
Still, it’s a good alternative in case the bus or minivans are not operating or you just don’t like to travel overland. See here the step-by-step guide for taking a flight from Penang to Krabi.
Step 1: George Town to Penang Airport by Taxi or Bus
If you’re staying in George Town, you’ll have to travel 18 km south to reach Penang airport. You have two options to get here: a 30-minute taxi or a 1-hour bus. Fares start from 30 MYR ($6.50) and 3 MYR ($0.65), respectively.
We highly recommend taking a taxi as city buses make a lot of stops, making travel time unpredictable. If you want to take a bus, you can ask your hotel which line is best to take you to the airport.
Step 2: Penang Airport to Krabi Airport
The fastest indirect flight from Penang Airport (PEN) to Krabi Airport (KBV) takes around 5-6 hours and this is usually operated by Thai Smile or Air Asia. Airfares start from 200 MYR ($45.50).
Step 3: Krabi Airport to Krabi City Centre by Taxi or Bus
Krabi town centre is located some 15 km west of Krabi Airport. You can take a minibus or a taxi to your accommodation which will take around 30 minutes.
The most popular option from Krabi Airport is the airport bus, which can take you to Krabi Town or Klong Muang Beach. Tickets are available at the shuttle bus booth in the arrival area. However, be prepared for a very long waiting time for the shuttle’s departure. The bus only tends to leave when it’s full.
To avoid long waiting times, we recommend booking the Krabi Airport Shuttle via BookAway.
Bus Schedule from Krabi Airport to Krabi
Alternatively, you can just take a taxi. If you get one, we highly recommend booking one beforehand with Klook. They offer much better rates than the often overpriced rates offered at the airport. A 25-minute private transfer from Krabi Airport to Krabi Town starts at 470 THB ($14).
Most popular routes in Thailand
About the author(s)
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
