Although Krabi is quite far from Bangkok, getting there is easier than you’d think. You can get to Krabi from Bangkok in one of three ways:

• By flying from Don Muang or Suvarnabhumi Airport to Krabi Airport, then taking a taxi
• By catching a bus from Sai Tai Mai bus station in Bangkok
• By catching a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, then taking a van onwards to Krabi

Since Krabi is on the Andaman coast of Thailand, there’s no direct rail link. If you’d like to travel by train, buy a ticket from Hualamphong Station to Surat Thani. This is the provincial capital near Koh Samui. From here, you can take a van across the southern Malay Peninsula part of Thailand to Krabi. It’s a 2-3 hour trip, depending on traffic and weather. This is probably the least convenient way to get to Krabi, but it’s an enjoyable journey that lets you see a lot of the countryside.

The easiest way to get to Krabi from Bangkok is to fly. Flights are available on AirAsia, NokAir and other low-cost airlines. Most flights to Krabi leave from Don Muang Airport (the older of Bangkok’s two airports). It takes about one hour to get to Krabi by air. Flights arrive in Krabi Airport, which is a short 20-30 minute drive from Ao Nang. A taxi from the airport to Ao Nang shouldn’t cost more than 500 baht.

If you’re on a budget, the cheapest way to get to Krabi is to take a bus. Buses leave from Sai Tai Mai terminal in southern Bangkok and take about 14 hours to get to Krabi. It’s a long, slow and uncomfortable journey, but it’s by far the cheapest way to get there. Book a night bus so you can sleep most of the way and avoid spending 14 hours feeling bored in the bus.

Once you’re in Krabi, book into a hotel and enjoy your stay. There are three main areas to stay in Krabi. Krabi Town, which is a somewhat boring provincial capital city, Ao Nang and Railay. Railay is the most scenic part of Krabi, with famous limestone cliffs that protect the beach from the nearby town of Ao Nang.