20 km · 45-75 min · From $15-22
Railay Beach is one of Thailand's most spectacular limestone cliff-backed beaches, accessible only by boat from Ao Nang or Krabi Town. The journey from Krabi Airport involves a taxi or transfer to either Ao Nang Pier (20 minutes) or Krabi Town's Klong Jirad Pier (30 minutes), followed by a 10-15 minute longtail boat ride. Most visitors use Ao Nang as the departure point since it's closer and boats run more frequently throughout the day.
| Option | Price (est.) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked transfer | $15-22 | Fixed all-in price · meet & greet · flight tracking · ALL surcharges and tolls included · free cancellation |
| Metered taxi |
⚠ $10-15 meter ONLY + $3-6 surcharges, tolls, tip ≈ $13-21 typical total |
Meter only — airport surcharge, tolls, midnight surcharge and tip added on top. Final cost varies with traffic. |
| Ride-hailing app | N/A | Upfront pricing — pickup may require walking to a designated zone, surge during busy times |
Note: Pre-booked transfer prices are the all-in amount you actually pay. Metered taxi prices shown are the meter only — typical out-of-pocket cost is 20–40% higher once airport surcharges, tolls and tip are added. Compare like-for-like before deciding.
The standard route is taxi from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang Pier (250-400 THB / $7-11), then longtail boat to Railay (100-150 THB / $3-4 per person, one-way). Airport taxi counters charge fixed rates around 600 THB total to Ao Nang. Private transfers booked online cost $15-22 and include pier drop-off, but you still pay separately for the boat. Songthaews (shared pickups) to Ao Nang cost 60-90 THB but require walking to the main road. No ride-hailing apps operate reliably in Krabi. Combined taxi-boat packages exist but often aren't cheaper than booking separately.
Taxi or private transfer makes sense when arriving with luggage, traveling as a group, or landing outside daylight hours when boats are less frequent. For solo budget travelers arriving midday, a songthaew to Ao Nang plus scheduled longtail boat saves money. Note that longtail boats typically stop running around 6 PM, so late arrivals may need to overnight in Ao Nang or Krabi Town.
Grab and Bolt are not reliably available at Krabi Airport. The airport taxi counter or pre-booked private transfer are your main options. In Ao Nang, you might find the occasional Grab, but don't count on it—most transport is traditional taxis or hotel transfers.
A taxi or transfer is perfect for the airport-to-hotel journey. But if you plan to explore beyond Railay Beach — visiting multiple beaches, temples or national parks — a rental car gives you freedom to go at your own pace. Compare rental car prices at smartcarrental.com for transparent pricing and free cancellation.
A pre-booked private transfer is $15-22 all-in — the price is fixed and includes airport surcharges, tolls and meet-and-greet. A metered taxi shows $10-15 on the meter, but the actual amount you pay is typically 20-40% higher once airport surcharges, tolls and a tip are added. Ride-hailing is N/A where available.
The 20 km drive takes 45-75 min in normal conditions. Traffic in Krabi during rush hour can add 20-30 minutes. Pre-booked transfers track your flight automatically, so a delayed arrival does not affect pickup.
Ride-hailing apps usually offer the lowest fare at N/A, but airport pickup can require walking to a designated zone. Grab and Bolt are not reliably available at Krabi Airport. The airport taxi counter or pre-booked private transfer are your main options. In Ao Nang, you might find the occasional Grab, but don't count on it—most transport is traditional taxis or hotel transfers. For most travelers a pre-booked transfer at $15-22 offers the best balance of price, comfort and reliability — there are no extra fees added on arrival.
Pre-booking is safer because the price is fixed in advance, your driver waits at arrivals with a name sign, and there is a record of the booking. Airport taxi counters at Krabi (KBV) are legitimate but typically charge more than the running meter. Unlicensed drivers approaching arriving passengers inside the terminal should always be avoided.
Pre-booked transfer drivers are typically vetted for basic English. Metered taxi drivers' English varies — at major airports it is usually basic but functional. Have your destination written in the local script or share a Google Maps pin to avoid misunderstandings, especially for hotels on small lanes.
Pre-booked transfers include flight tracking — the driver waits regardless of how long the delay is, at no extra cost. Metered taxis are always available at Krabi (KBV) but queues can be long during peak arrival times, and counters may close for late-night flights.
See our full Krabi International Airport transfer guide for all destinations, local taxi tips, FAQ and booking options. For nationwide context, see our Thailand transfer guide.