We’re here to answer questions such as: Does grab work in Krabi or Ao Nang, are taxis, Uber, or Bolt available, can you rent a scooter, and what is the best way to get around the area?

There are a few things you need to know about navigating Krabi and Ao Nang as a first-time visitor. Thailand has changed a lot in recent years, so if your last trip was quite a while ago, you might need some up-to-date information.

I’ve been lucky to explore Krabi and Ao Nang on multiple trips, going beyond the usual tourist paths to truly understand its transportation quirks.

If you’re wondering how to efficiently get around this beautiful part of Thailand, this comprehensive guide has everything you’re looking for. There’s more to Krabi and Ao Nang transport than meets the eye, and I’ve got the insider tips you need.

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Why you can trust this article about grab in Krabi/Ao Nang

Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for South East Asia travel tips and information. I’ve been traveling to Thailand for more than 25 years, which feels crazy to say, but it’s true.

Needless to say, Thailand has changed a lot over the years, and I’m here to keep you updated on travel information and the best things to do or see. I live in Bali, which is just a short journey from beautiful Thailand, and I end up coming here several times per year for extended trips.

Whether you’re looking for an ultimate island-hopping itinerary, or useful currency tips, I’ve got you covered.

Spending a few days in Krabi, or more specifically, Ao Nang, is always part of my travel plans when visiting the west coast of Thailand. Since I mostly try to avoid driving in Thailand, I’ve tried plenty of options when it comes to local transport, including grab, buses, vans, tuk-tuks, taxis, and much more.

Is grab available in Krabi or Ao Nang?

Good news: grab is available in and around Krabi or Ao Nang, so getting around is not incredibly difficult, at least most of the time. However, there are some things you should know before you rely exclusively on grab to get around Krabi and Ao Nang.

Grab is not always available in smaller towns in Thailand, and Krabi is somewhat of an exception. Still, this service is relatively new in the area, and there aren’t as many drivers available as you might be used to from large cities like Bangkok.

It might take some time to find a ride with grab, especially if you’re looking late at night or for longer distances. It might be wise to factor in plenty of time to find a ride, especially if you need to go to the bus station.

Luckily, there are usually plenty of taxi drivers around as an alternative should grab not work.

We discuss each transport method for Krabi or Ao Nang in detail below, but essentially, you can choose between renting a scooter, walking shorter distances, joining a tour, or using taxis.

A tip for using grab if drivers aren’t always available

If you’re using grab to get to attractions outside of Krabi, you might be worried you won’t be able to find a ride for the way back. I found that a great solution for this problem is to ask your grab driver to wait for you or pick you up again at a designated time.

They’re often happy to do this, and you’ll pay the same rate as you did on the way there.

What are normal rates for grab in Krabi and Ao Nang?

The rates for short grab car rides within Ao Nang or Krabi are around THB 100 to THB 200. Longer trips will be closer to THB 300 to THB 600 or even over THB 1000 for rides over an hour or more.

Keep in mind that rates for grab bikes in Krabi will be more affordable than the prices for cars above.

Since there aren’t a lot of grab drivers in the area sometimes, you might have to order a larger, more expensive car to find a ride, so keep that in mind.

Is Bolt available in Krabi or Ao Nang?

Bolt is a popular alternative to grab in Thailand. However, Bolt is unfortunately not available in Krabi or Ao Nang. The app is much newer and less established than grab, so it hasn’t expanded its services to Krabi yet.

Are Uber and Lyft available in Krabi or Ao Nang?

Uber and Lyft are not currently available in Krabi, Ao Nang, or anywhere in Thailand. Grab is the most popular alternative and a good choice if you want to get around using convenient online taxis.

Is gojek available in Krabi or Ao Nang?

Gojek is an Indonesian alternative to grab or Uber and was briefly available in Thailand before the company handed over operations to Air Asia in 2020.

While gojek is very popular across Indonesia, especially in places like Uluwatu, Canggu, or Sanur, it does not work in Thailand anymore and definitely not in Krabi or Ao Nang.

Should you stay in Krabi Town or Ao Nang?

This article uses Krabi and Ao Nang somewhat synonymously, but the two towns are actually very different. If you’re not sure yet which one is right for you, we’ve got a few things you should consider.

In my opinion, most travelers will enjoy Ao Nang more than Krabi, mostly because Ao Nang has beaches and Krabi doesn’t. Ao Nang is made for tourists, which can make it feel a bit inauthentic, but it also has all the facilities you might need as a traveler.

Krabi Town is more popular among locals, and although prices here can be a bit cheaper, the hotel and nightlife selection there isn’t quite as good.

The two towns are around 30 minutes apart, and Krabi is much larger than the small village of Ao Nang.

We broke down all the pros and cons of staying in Krabi vs Ao Nang in this post.

How do you get from the Krabi Bus Terminal to Ao Nang?

If you’re planning your first trip to Krabi or Ao Nang and will be arriving by bus, you might be wondering how you’re going to get from the bus stop to your hotel.

You can definitely call a grab, but I have had mixed experiences where it took me a long time to find a driver or in one case there weren’t any available. I would recommend trying grab when you arrive, and if you cannot find a driver, you might have to resort to using a taxi instead.

The taxis are fine to use, but they usually insist on fixed prices instead of meters, which means you’ll be overpaying slightly. Usually, you can negotiate and show them the price on grab to make sure you’re not being overcharged ridiculous amounts.

Generally, the price is around THB 250 to 350 to get a car from the Krabi Bus Terminal to Ao Nang.

Is grab available at Krabi airport?

Grab works at Krabi Airport, but it has some limitations. Depending on when you’re arriving and how busy it is, grab drivers may be unable to pick up passengers at Arrivals. The local taxi drivers often oppose the use of online taxis (even though they’re perfectly legal), so it’s smart to avoid confrontation.

When booking a grab, your driver might tell you to meet him in the parking area or a short walk away. Sometimes, this is the case, but not always, so be prepared just in case.

You can also use the local taxis, but they’re significantly more expensive in my opinion.

Best ways to get around Krabi and Ao Nang

Krabi and Ao Nang are quite different, but getting around the area is easily solved with the wide variety of transport methods that are available. Here are the best transport options for Krabi or Ao Nang so you can still get around as easily and conveniently as possible, just in case grab doesn’t work as expected.

1. Are Krabi and Ao Nang walkable?

Krabi and Ao Nang are both pretty walkable, with spacious sidewalks. Ao Nang, especially, can be explored very well on foot, although the distances can be long, especially if you’re walking in the hot sun.

I would highly recommend walking shorter distances under 15 minutes and getting a grab for longer trips to make the journey more comfortable.

Also, keep in mind that rain can appear very suddenly in Thailand, even during the high season. Invest in a rain poncho and keep an eye on the weather if you’re planning on walking a lot.

2. Can you rent a bicycle in Krabi or Ao Nang?

Renting a bicycle is not very common in Krabi or Ao Nang, but some people do bike tours around the area. Check out this bike tour around Koh Klang, a beautiful area just outside of Krabi.

It’s the perfect balance of nature activities and exploring, and you’ll absolutely love it if you enjoy spending time outdoors.

3. Can you rent a scooter in Krabi or Ao Nang, and is it safe for driving?

Renting a scooter is the best way to get around most parts of Thailand, but in the case of Krabi or Ao Nang, it’s not always necessary. Both towns are pretty walkable, and distances aren’t extremely long. You can probably get around to most places on foot or by grab/taxi if needed.

If you’re hoping to do quite a few day trips to places like the Tiger Cave Temple, the hot springs, or the Khao Khanap Nam Cave, a scooter might be worth it, but only if you’re a confident driver and don’t mind longer trips.

While Krabi or Ao Nang is fairly quiet without too much traffic, driving can still be dangerous, so think carefully if you want to choose this transport method.

Drive slowly and always wear a helmet. Scooter accidents are very common in Thailand, and inexperienced drivers make the roads dangerous.

Every traveller should have insurance, including coverage for medical emergencies, hospital visits and unforeseen accidents. SafetyWing is not only the best choice for shorter trips but also offers long-term plans for digital nomads or those travelling for extended periods of time.

They have a great selection of plans, including trip insurance, which supports you in case of cancelled flights or lost baggage.

My favourite part is that they offer adventure sports coverage ad-ons, so you can do all the exciting activities without having to worry about taking unnecessary risks.

No matter where you’re travelling, you cannot put a price on peace of mind.

Find out more about SafetyWing here.

4. Can you rent a car in Krabi or Ao Nang?

It’s not very common for tourists to rent a car in Thailand, but it is possible. There are several official car rental agencies in Krabi or Ao Nang, especially at the airport. We recommend booking through Klook online, which will get you the best rates, and you won’t have to worry about overpaying or having to worry about insurance.

Prices start at approximately THB 700 (~ $20 US) per day but will be more expensive during the high season.

Make sure you have the correct driver’s license, though, and only rent a car in Krabi or Ao Nang if you’re confident driving on the left side of the road.

5. Is there a public bus or Songthaew in Krabi or Ao Nang?

The closest thing that Krabi or Ao Nang has to public transport is the Songthaew, which is an open pick-up truck with seats in the back that is shared with other passengers. They cost between THB 100 and THB 400 (~ $2.75 US and ~ $11 US) per ride, depending on where you’re going, and can be flagged down on the street or found in popular tourist spots.

However, it can be tricky to find them in more remote areas, so it’s difficult to rely on them for transport.

In Ao Nang, the Songthaews leave regularly from in front of Tanta Pizza, right where you can book boats to Railay Beach. A ride to Krabi is only THB 50 per person, which is much more affordable than a taxi, especially for solo travellerrs and couples. Larger groups might want to invest in a grab instead.

But you can use Thailand’s long-distance buses or minivans to get to Krabi from places like Phuket, Koh Lanta, or Surat Thani.

6. Are there taxis in Krabi or Ao Nang?

Both Krabi and Ao Nang have taxis, and they can be found in popular tourist spots, the main town, night markets, and around town. You can flag one down on the street or ask your accommodation to book one for you. They’re a mix of open pick-up trucks as well as some traditional cars and minivans.

Unfortunately, taxis are usually more expensive than grab rides since many of them do not use a meter. If you use taxis, compare the price with grab, haggle, and try to find a driver who will use a meter.

7. Are there tuk-tuks in Krabi or Ao Nang?

There are tuk-tuks in Krabi and Ao Nang, although they’re not as common as the Songthaews. Generally, they’re slightly more expensive than a grab ride, but can be fun to try for the experience.

8. Hiring a private driver

If you don’t want to worry about finding new taxis every time you go to a new place, you can also hire a private driver to take you around. This can be very convenient for larger groups and day trips with multiple stops.

Many grab and taxi drivers offer this service, so make sure to ask them if you’re interested.

I would recommend Mr. Jack, who took us around Krabi a while ago. You can see his details below or contact him via Whatsapp at +66947877427.

Using grab and more transport methods in other parts of Thailand

We know that figuring out how to get around is one of the most important things for travelers in Thailand. If you’re exploring more islands and places around the country, make sure to check out our grab and transport guides to places like Bangkok, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Koh Tao.

You might also enjoy this post about using grab in Khao Sok National Park.

Grab Krabi or Ao Nang FAQ

Before you go…

You’re ready to go on the Thailand adventure of a lifetime to Krabi or Ao Nang. Explore even more of Thailand’s beautiful islands in our 2-week itinerary.

If you’re looking for more fun things to do, check out this legendary abandoned hotel in Koh Tao and snap some pictures for Instagram, for which we have some Thai-inspired captions for you here.

Celebrating a special occasion in Thailand? You’ll love these ideas for spending your birthday in Bangkok.

Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.