Krabi Airport Car Rental (KBV) — Pickup & Routes
Krabi International Airport sits on Highway 4, about 15 km from Krabi Town and 30 km from Ao Nang. Rental desks line the Terminal 1 arrivals hall, so you can collect a car and drive straight to your hotel.
Search & Compare Car Rental Deals
Free cancellation on most vehicles
Krabi Airport (KBV) at a Glance
Krabi International Airport (KBV) is a compact gateway run by Thailand's Department of Airports, with Terminal 1 handling international flights and a domestic terminal beside it. A major expansion is under way to lift capacity toward eight million passengers a year, and the route map keeps growing with Gulf services from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai, regional links to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and seasonal European charters.
Car rental counters and local meet-and-greet operators are in the Terminal 1 arrivals hall, to the left as you exit the baggage area. Pick-up sits minutes from the terminal car park, and the airport is small enough that an international arrival usually clears in about 40 minutes.
Late long-haul arrivals matter here: several desks close around 20:00 to 21:00 and an out-of-hours handover can add a roughly 900 THB surcharge. Always give your flight number when booking so the operator tracks delays and stays open for you.
Picking Up Your Car at KBV
International chains such as Sixt, Budget, Europcar and Thai Rent A Car staff in-terminal counters, while Avis and Budget may route you to a nearby depot by free shuttle, and some local firms deliver to the arrivals kerb. Confirm in writing whether you have a staffed desk or a call-on-arrival delivery.
- Passport valid for at least six months.
- Your home driving licence, held for at least one year.
- An International Driving Permit (1949 or 1968 Convention) carried alongside the licence.
- A credit card in the main driver's name for chains, or cash for a local cash-deposit operator.
- Your flight number on the booking so the desk tracks delays.
Chains place a 5,000 THB hold for an economy car, rising for larger vehicles. Local operators usually take a 3,000 to 5,000 THB cash deposit and only photograph your documents. Whichever you choose, film a full walkaround at handover and confirm the rules for driving in Krabi before you leave the car park.
Driving From KBV to Your Hotel
Every journey out of KBV merges onto Highway 4. For Ao Nang, the efficient route stays west on Highway 4, turns onto Highway 4034 at the Shell station by the Klong Jilad intersection, then drops onto the coastal road, skipping the worst of the Krabi Town congestion.
| Destination | Distance from KBV | Estimated Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Krabi Town | 13-15 km | 15-20 minutes |
| Ao Nang / Nopparat Thara | 26-30 km | 35-45 minutes |
| Klong Muang | 32-35 km | 45-55 minutes |
| Tubkaek | 38 km | 50-60 minutes |
Highway 4 is well lit near town, but the secondary roads to Ao Nang and the northern beaches have dark, unlit stretches with scooters that run without lights. If you land at night, drive slowly or take a transfer and collect the car in daylight.
Airport Transfers vs Renting a Car
If you would rather not drive on arrival, KBV has authorised transfers only — no unlicensed taxis are allowed onto the grounds. The figures below compare the main options for the run to Ao Nang.
| Option | Fare to Ao Nang | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pichet shuttle bus | 150 THB per person | Hourly, 60-90 min, routes via Krabi Town |
| Shared minivan | 150-220 THB per person | Leaves when full, hotel drop |
| Fixed-fare taxi (coupon) | 600 THB per car | Buy at the arrivals booth, 30-40 min |
| Grab | 800-1,100 THB | Gate 17 pickup, surges in rain |
A car wins clearly for families, multi-day exploring, luggage, and stays at the isolated northern beaches, where a single evening taxi into Ao Nang can top 800 THB. It also undercuts per-person tour pricing once you start visiting Krabi attractions by car. For a beach-only Ao Nang stay, the shuttle or taxi is simpler. When the trip is decided, compare cars for your dates.
One-Way Rentals & Driving Beyond Krabi
Krabi works well as the start of an Andaman road trip. One-way rentals to Phuket, Trang or Ko Lanta are offered by chains and some locals, with a drop-off fee that depends on distance and rental length rather than the car class — Hertz, for example, often waives it on rentals of five days or more.
| Onward Drive | Distance / Time | Route & Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket | 165 km, 2.5-3 hours | Highway 4, toll-free Sarasin Bridge |
| Ko Lanta | 75 km + ferry, ~2 hours | Highway 4, Ban Hua Hin car ferry, Siri Lanta Bridge |
| Trang | 130 km, 2-2.5 hours | Highway 4 south past Khlong Thom |
Ko Lanta is not yet ferry-free. The 2016 Siri Lanta Bridge only links Lanta Noi to Lanta Yai; the mainland crossing from Ban Hua Hin Pier is still a short car ferry running about 06:00 to 22:00, and peak-season queues can add one to two hours. Confirm your rental permits the ferry and the drive to Phuket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there car rental desks at Krabi Airport?
How do I get from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang?
What if my flight lands late at night?
Can I pick up at KBV and drop off in Phuket?
Do I need an International Driving Permit to collect a car?
Ready to compare car rental deals in Krabi?
Check live prices and availability from local and international suppliers.
Compare car rental deals