About the ride from Phuket to Ao Nang
Phuket and Ao Nang are around 51km (32 miles) apart, but the distance of your journey might be longer, depending on how you travel.
Some ferry trips offer a direct journey from Phuket to Ao Nang, while some have layovers. Overland journeys of course take the longer road route, since they can’t drive over the sea.
If you want to travel to Ao Nang from Phuket, you have four easy and accessible options:
- Bus and ferry from Phuket to Ao Nang - typically around 2 hours
- Ferry from Phuket to Ao Nang - journey times vary widely
- Car from Phuket to Ao Nang - typically around 2.5 hours
- Minivan from Phuket to Ao Nang - typically around 3 hours
Ao Nang and Phuket are two of the most popular beach getaways in Thailand. While Phuket is famous for expats, nightlife and blissful beaches, Ao Nang is the gateway to all of Krabi’s outdoor adventures, including hikes, snorkeling, island trips and endless droves of budget backpackers.
Though they’re both beach-based destinations, they’re very different from one another. If you're a big fan of golden shores and underwater adventures, they’re both worth a visit - and traveling from Phuket to Ao Nang is a great way to see both.
What to see when traveling from Phuket to Ao Nang
What you’ll see on your journey to Ao Nang from Phuket depends upon how you travel. If you travel overland, you’ll ride along well-maintained roads as you pass by small settlements, tree-lined paths and smiling locals.
If you choose to travel by ferry from Phuket to Ao Nang, you’ll enjoy a super scenic ride. You’ll bounce over undulating waves as you pass small tropical islands and humble boats on the way towards Ao Nang.
How to get from Phuket to Ao Nang
Taking a combined bus and ferry
Taking a combined bus and ferry from Phuket to Ao Nang is an excellent option if you’re seeking comfort and convenience on a budget.
You’ll be picked up from your Phuket hotel in a minivan, which will take you to a pier. At this pier, you’ll be greeted by a ferry which will take you to a pier in Ao Nang. You’ll then board a second minivan, which will drop you at your hotel in Ao Nang.
Taking a ferry
If you decide to take a ferry from Phuket to Ao Nang, you have many options. Some are direct journeys which ride immediately from Phuket to Ao Nang, while others offer a layover on Koh Phi Phi. Some travelers like to take the second option, as it allows them to spend a little time exploring Koh Phi Phi.
Ferries from Phuket to Ao Nang are popular with travelers who like to enjoy beautiful views as they journey from one place to another.
Taking a car
Riding in a car from Phuket to Ao Nang to Phuket is a good option if you don’t want to be stuck with a fixed schedule. With a car from Phuket to Ao Nang, you can choose your own departure time, and often choose your own pick up and arrival points.
Some cars to Ao Nang from Phuket will pick you up directly from Phuket Airport, perfect if you want to get right to Ao Nang without exploring Phuket.
If you choose to take a car to Ao Nang from Phuket, you don’t pay for an individual seat. Instead, you pay for the whole vehicle and split the total cost between your traveling party. Cars can seat up to three passengers.
Taking a minivan
If you take a minivan from Phuket to Ao Nang, you have two main options: you can buy a single ticket for a single seat in a minivan, or you can instead (as you do with a car) hire a entire vehicle and split the cost of that vehicle between the people in your traveling party.
If you hire an entire minivan, you can fit up to 9 passengers in the vehicle, making it very affordable if you’re traveling as part of a large group. If you hire an entire minivan, you can choose your own departure time.
All minivans from Phuket to Ao Nang will drop you at your hotel in Ao Nang. Some will pick you up from your hotel in Phuket, while others will pick you up from Phuket Airport.