Bangkok to the beach is the second leg of almost every Thai trip. Here's how it goes.
The ways#
| Phuket | Krabi | Feel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | ~1h20 in the air | ~1h20 | The sensible one; cheap if booked ahead |
| Train to Surat Thani + bus | Overnight + ~4h | Overnight + ~3h | For train lovers and budgets |
| Overnight bus | ~12h | ~12h | Cheapest, least comfortable |
| Drive | A very long day | A very long day | Nobody does this for fun |
Flying#
Don Mueang for the budget carriers, Suvarnabhumi for the full-service ones; check which your ticket says, they're an hour apart. Airport to the city covers the Bangkok end. Book a week or more ahead for the cheap fares; Christmas to New Year and Songkran sell out.
Train and bus#
The sleeper leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat in the evening and reaches Surat Thani in the morning; buses and minivans meet it for Phuket or Krabi, and for the Koh Samui ferry. Second-class air-conditioned sleeper is the right berth. Slower than flying, cheaper, and the one you'll remember. Bangkok to Chiang Mai covers the same train logic going north.
Overnight bus#
From the Southern Bus Terminal, reclining seats, a 3am stop. For a tight budget only.
Phuket or Krabi#
Bangkok vs Phuket if you're wondering whether to go at all; Phuket vs Koh Samui vs Krabi for which coast; Phuket in 5 days and Phuket for couples for when you land.
Arrive knowing someone#
Post your Phuket or Krabi dates on Roavi Community before you leave Bangkok. Travellers landing the same days appear together, and Local Friends on the coast can reply. Rent a friend in Thailand explains how Local Friends work there.
Heading to the beach? Post your dates and arrive knowing someone.
Post your tripFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Bangkok to Phuket?
A bit over an hour in the air, from Don Mueang (budget airlines) or Suvarnabhumi. Add an hour at each end for the airports. Krabi is the same.Can you take a train from Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi?
Not directly: no railway reaches either. The route is the overnight sleeper from Bangkok to Surat Thani, then a bus or minivan (a few hours) to Phuket or Krabi. A full night plus a morning, cheap and scenic.How long is the bus from Bangkok to Phuket?
Overnight, roughly twelve hours from the Southern Bus Terminal, with a stop or two. The cheapest way, and the least comfortable. Krabi is similar.Should I go to Phuket or Krabi from Bangkok?
Phuket for resort comfort, nightlife and the most flights; Krabi for the same limestone sea with fewer tower blocks and quieter beaches. The comparison guide has the full answer.
