Krabi Map and Travel Guide
Krabi Travel Guide
 Located
approximately 814 kilometers from Bangkok is Krabi Province, one
of most attractive destinations in southern Thailand. Encompassing
an area of 4,708 square kilometers, the western border of Krabi
is the Andaman Sea, the northern borders are Surat Thani and Phang-nga
Provinces, the southern borders are Trang Province and the Andaman
Sea and the eastern borders are Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang Provinces.
Krabi is an ideal getaway destination teeming with natural attractions
including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous
large and small islands and verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.
Krabi's topography is mostly mountains and highlands separated
by plains in some parts. Flowing through Krabi City to the Andaman
Sea at Pak Nam Sub-district is Maenam Krabi which is 5 kilometers
in length. In addition, there are several canals originating from
the province's highest mountain range, Khao Phanom Bencha including
Khlong Pakasai, Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi. Lush mangrove
forests line the canals and the banks of Maenam Krabi particularly
before it empties into the Andaman Sea. The provinces sandy soil
conditions are suitable for growing various agricultural products,
particularly rubber trees, palms, coconuts, cashew nuts and coffee.
Due to the influence of the tropical monsoon, there are only two
seasons in Krabi; the hot season from January to April and the rainy
season from May to December. Temperatures range between 17 ?C and
37 ?C.
Krabi is administratively divided into 8 Amphoes (Districts): Amphoe
Mueang, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luek,
Lam Thap, and Nuea Khlong. The provinces jurisdiction covers not
only in-land districts and sub-districts, but also extends to more
than 130 large and small islands including the world famous Phi
Phi Islands.
In addition, Krabi is the location of two world class beaches Ao
Nang and Hat Rai Le which offer numerous diving trips, restaurants,
shops etc. Additional attractions in the province are stunning limestone
cliffs and rock formations which make it a heaven for rock climbers
and a National Park located approximately 40 kilometers outside
of town with lakes, caves and spectacular natural scenery.
Best time to visit Krabi
The climate of Krabi Province is tropical and therefore warm throughout
the year. On the other hand, Krabi is also affected by the monsoon
winds that bring about seasonal changes.
There are two very hot periods of weather on Krabi, the first is
between April and May when the average temperatures ranges from
27 to 36 degrees Celsius with occasional tropical thunderstorm bringing
relief from the heat.
It is also very hot between September and October, but the frequent
rainfall has a wonderful cooling effect.
In May, at the peak of the southwest monsoon, it rains on an average
of 25 days during the month, making it to one of the most humid
months of the year. Rainy days are interspersed with sunny days
during this period and the rain generally comes in tropical downpours
of an hour or so throughout the day mixed with periods of sunshine.
November to March is the most popular time for tourists to visit
Krabi. It is when the northeast monsoon brings beautiful blue skies
and predominantly sunny weather with an average temperature of 24
to 32 degrees Celsius. Visitors are advised to make early reservations
(maybe a year in advance) for accommodations during this period
of time because of the popularity of the Krabi and its attractions.
How to get there
By Car
1. From Bangkok, proceed on Highway No.4, passing Phetchaburi,
Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong and Phang-nga Provinces for
a total distance of 946 kilometers.
2. From Bangkok, proceed on Highway No. 4, on reaching Chumphon
Provinces take Highway No. 41 passing Amphoe Lang Suan in Surat
Thani Province to Amphoe Wiang Sa, and then take Highway No. 4035
to Amphoe Ao Luek and continue on Highway No. 4 to Krabi. This route
is 814 kilometers from Bangkok.
3. From Phuket, proceed on Highway No. 402 and No.4. The distance
from Phuket is 185 kilometers or 4 hours.
By bus:
From Bangkok: There are air-conditioned bus services to Krabi leaving
the Southern Bus Terminal at Borommaratcha Chonnani Road daily from
6.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. The buses provided include ordinary bus buses,
2nd class bus air-conditioned buses, 1st class air-conditioned buses
and 24-seat VIP buses. The journey takes about 12 hours. For more
details, contact tel. 0 2434 5557-8 (non air-conditioned buses)
or tel. 0 2435 1199 or 0 2435 1200 (air-conditioned buses) or visit
www.transport.co.th.
By rail:
From Bangkok: There is no direct train service to Krabi. But it
is possible to take a train from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station
to Trang or Nakhon Si Thammarat and take a bus or taxi to Krabi.
For more information on trains, contact the State Railways of Thailand
at tel. 1690, 223 7010, 223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th.
For Trang, an express train leaves Bangkok daily at 5.05 p.m. and
reaches Trang at 9.40 a.m. and a rapid train leaves daily at 6.20
p.m. and arrives at 12.20 p.m.
For Nakhon Si Thammarat, a rapid train leaves Bangkok daily at
5.35 p.m. and arrives at 10.45 a.m. and an express train leaves
daily at 7.15 p.m. and arrives at 12.00 p.m. For more details, call
1690 or 0 2223 7010 or 0 2621 8701.
By air:
Thai Airways International operates daily flights from Bangkok
to Krabi. The trip takes 1.20 hours. For more information call 02
6282000. Website : www.thaiair.com
Phuket Air offers a daily flight to and from Krabi. The flight
time is 1.20 hours. Call 02 6798999 to make reservation or visit
www.phuketairlines.com to check the flight schedule.
One–Two-Go Airlines: Bangkok Tel. 1126 Others Provinces Tel.1141
ext. 1126 www.fly12go.com
Silk Air flies to Singapore 4 times a week. Tickets can be brought
from any travel agencies in town.
From Phuket
By bus: From Phuket Bus Terminal, there are non air-conditioned
and air-conditioned bus services to Krabi many times daily. The
trip takes 3-4 hours. For details, contact 0 7621 1480.
By car: Take Route 402 and 4 which passes Takua Thung and Thap
Pud Districts in Phang-nga and enter Krabi at Au Luek District.
Total distance is 185 kilometers.
Getting around
Getting to Nearby Provinces
By Bus
From Krabi Bus Terminal there are services, both air-conditioned
and non air-conditioned to nearby provinces, i.e. Phuket, Phang-nga,
Trang, Hat Yai and Surat Thani (Samui). In addition, many local
travel agencies in town provide air-conditioned buses or vans to
these provinces.
The bus terminal, which is located 4 kilometers north of town at
Talat Kao, provides bus services between Krabi and the following
destinations:
Hat Yai (96 baht/ordinary bus bus, 130 baht /2nd class bus bus,
173 baht /1st class bus), Nakhon Si Thammarat (67 baht / ordinary
bus), Phuket (65 baht /ordinary bus, 91 baht /2nd class bus, 117
baht /1st class bus), Phang-nga (46 baht /ordinary bus, 64 baht
/2nd class bus, 82 baht /1st class bus), Ranong (106 bahts /ordinary
bus), Su-nagi Kolok (335 bahts /1st class bus), Surat Thani (61
baht /ordinary bus, 126 baht /2nd class bus), Trang (50 baht /ordinary
bus, 70 baht /2nd class bus, 90 baht /1st class bus).
For schedule and more information, contact Krabi Bus Terminal,
tel. 0 7561 1804
By bus/boat combination
To Ko Samui: Travel agencies in town offer bus/boat tickets to
Ko Samui (300-370 baht, four times a day), and also to Ko Pha-Ngan
(450 baht, four times a day).
Getting around the city and nearby Districts
From Krabi Bus Terminal, located in Talat Kao, there are both local
red buses and government buses depart regularly from 6.00 a.m. to
5.00 p.m. to other counties including major tourist spots. It costs
10 baht to get to a destination in town. To travel further, i.e.
to Ao Nang and hat Noppharat Thara, take the local white bus from
Maharat Road for a fare of 20 baht
Songthaew and tuk tuk to the government bus terminal costs 8 bahts
while a motorcycle taxi costs 30 bahts. Tuk tuks can be chartered
for trips around the town for flat rates i.e. to the bus station
(50 baht), What Tham Seua (100 baht) and the airport (200 baht).
Most of Songthaews leave in front of the 7-11 on Maharat Road.
Destinations include Ao Leuk (20 baht), Ao Nam Mao (40 baht), Ao
Nang (20 baht), Hat Noppharat Thara (20 baht) and Su San Hoi (40
baht).
There is also a service to Ban Hua Hin (Ferry pier to Ko Lanta).
The bay is situated at the intersection of Phattana and Preuksa
Uthit Roads. Costing around 40 baht/person, the service runs frequently
and takes 40 minutes.
Alternatively, it is possible to rent a car to travel around town
and to nearby provinces. Several agencies and guesthouses provide
motorcycle rental for 150 baht/day while Jeep rental fees may range
from 800 to 1,200 baht/day.
For more convenience, it is possible to hire a taxi, rent a motorcycle
or a van at travel agencies and hotels. The local minibuses depart
from Vogue Department Store on Maharat Road to the following destinations:
Destinations Fare 11 Baht
Ban Hua To 20 baht
Ban Nong Thalay 50 Baht
Ban Khao Thong Noppharat Tear Beach 20 Baht
Au Nang 20 baht
Shell Cemetery 40 Baht
Ban Khlong Mueang 40 Baht
Ban Nai Sa 50 Baht
Khao Phanom County 10 Baht
Nua Khlong County 14 Baht
Khlong Thom County 20 Baht
Ban Bo Mueang 31 Baht
Ban Hua Hin 40 Baht
Ban Khlong Phon 13 Baht
Lam Thap County 26 Baht
Au Luek County 30 Baht
Plai Phraya County 31 Baht
Remarks: Fares are subject to change without
notice.
Boat: Long-tailed boats depart from Saphan Jao Fah Pier to East
Rai Le for 70 baht/person while the ferry to Ko Lanta (and also
Ko Jam), which operates only from October to April costs 200 baht/person
with two trips daily at 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. The ferry to Phi
Phi Island operates all year round at 200 baht/person with two trips
daily, at 10.00a.m. and 2.30p.m.
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