| Trip from KBV airport | Distance (rough) | By car | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Nang | about 25 km | 25 to 45 min depending on traffic | Main road via Highway 4 |
| Railay pier (Ao Nam Mao) | a little less than Ao Nang | about 30 min | Park the car, then take a boat: no cars on Railay |
| Krabi town | about 10 to 15 km | about 20 min | The shortest drive |
| Phang Nga | about 80 km from Krabi | about 1 h 30 | For Phang Nga Bay |
Distances and times are rough figures from transfer and hotel websites, not official numbers: check with your GPS on the day.
Krabi airport: pick-up and return
According to the airport page on Discover Cars (22 October 2026), at least one company has its pick-up counter on the first floor of the domestic arrivals hall, and your flight number is asked at booking. Listed companies include Europcar, Alamo, National, Drive Car Rental, Yesaway, Keddy and Thai Rent A Car. Confirm the return instructions with the company when you collect the car. Photograph the car from every angle at pick-up and at return.
How much a car costs per day
Figures seen on Discover Cars on 22 October 2026, per day and per vehicle: Nissan Almera from €16.32, Toyota Yaris from €17, Toyota Corolla Cross between about €42 and €57, Toyota Fortuner up to €58.90. The page also says December is the most expensive month and May the cheapest. Fuel and any full insurance are not in these prices: read the offer.
The drives: Ao Nang, Railay, Phang Nga
Ao Nang: from the airport the road via Highway 4 is simple, and traffic can be heavy in high season. Once in Ao Nang, a lot is within walking distance; a car mostly helps for farther beaches and sights.
Railay: you can only get there by boat. If you rent, leave the car at the Ao Nam Mao or Ao Nang pier and take a longtail boat. Check times and fares on the spot; we have no official source.
Phang Nga: the longest drive. For the bay, an organised tour avoids the road and the parking; see also Krabi from Phuket for tours and ferries.
Licence and driving on the left
The official Thai government website says visitors may drive with a valid international licence, a Thai licence or an ASEAN-country licence. Carry your national licence and your international permit. Licence, insurance, deposit and excess are covered in car rental at Phuket airport and apply in Krabi too: read those points before booking. Thailand drives on the left, seat belts are compulsory, and motorbikes weave between cars.
When a car is not worth it
If you stay in Ao Nang, Railay and on the islands, a taxi, a songthaew or a boat is enough and spares you parking, traffic and driving on the left. A car becomes useful if you want several sights in one day, to start early or to depend on no timetable. For the car-or-scooter choice, see scooter or car in Phuket, whose logic also holds in Krabi.
Comparing rental companies
Compare the total price, the deposit, the excess and the cancellation terms, not just the daily price. Several companies offer free cancellation according to the page above, but check each offer. For getting around, see also getting around Phuket.
If you have an accident
On the spot: get to safety, switch on the hazard lights, check for injuries and call emergency services (191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)). Get a written police report on the spot: without it, the rental company and the insurer may refuse to pay. Photograph the vehicles, the plate, the road and the damage, note the other driver's details, and call the rental company before any repair.
Who pays what: damage to the car is covered by the rental company's protection (CDW), subject to its excess (deductible), or by an excess cover bought with the rental; injuries and medical costs fall under your travel insurance. Travel insurance does not pay for the rental car or for damage to third parties.
SafetyWing covers medical costs after an accident abroad; check the policy's conditions for driving (a licence valid in the country, a helmet on a scooter).
FAQ
Do I need an international licence to rent a car in Krabi?
In practice yes: the official Thai website lists a valid international licence among the accepted licences. Also carry your national licence.
Can I drive to Railay?
No, Railay can only be reached by boat. Leave the car at the pier.
How much is a car per day at Krabi airport?
On 22 October 2026, Discover Cars showed small cars from about €16 to €17 per day, depending on the vehicle and date.
How long from Krabi airport to Ao Nang?
About 25 to 45 minutes for 25 km, depending on traffic (rough, unofficial figure).
Do they drive on the left?
Yes, as everywhere in Thailand.
La rédaction Phuket Authority, 23 October 2026.
