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Penang is an island of hawker stalls and old shophouses, about 336 kilometres (209 miles) south of Krabi. George Town, its UNESCO-listed core, is the main draw. Flying gets you from Krabi to Penang in 7h 40m. By road, the indirect minivan via Hat Yai is the cheapest at $29 (115 MYR). It will take a long time, though, around 8h 45m - 13h.
Distance from Krabi to Penang
Krabi and Penang are about 336 km (209 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 482 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 7h and 13h.
3 ways to travel from Krabi to Penang
There are three ways to travel from Krabi to Penang. You can choose between the indirect minivan via Hat Yai, minivan, and flight. The journey takes 7h–8h 45m and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by indirect minivan via Hat Yai with tickets starting at $29 (115 MYR).
2 legs — see itinerary
- Krabi→Hat Yai4h
- Hat Yai→Penang4h 45m
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Krabi City Centre→Krabi Airport1h 30m
- Krabi Airport→Penang Airport5h 40m
- Penang Airport→George Town30m
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Krabi to Penang by Indirect Minivan via Hat Yai
Step 1: Krabi to Hat Yai by Minivan
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway and BusOnlineTicket.
Booking Tip
They offer free pick-up from any hotel in the resort town of Ao Nang. If you’re staying somewhere else, it’s best to contact the operator beforehand to know where you can board the van.
A ticket costs $12 (49.5 MYR) when you book online with BusOnlineTicket. The journey takes 4h - 7h 30m and the minivan parks at Hat Yai Bus Terminal, located 3 km south of the city centre.
Step 2: Hat Yai to Penang by Minivan
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Travel time from Hat Yai to Penang is around 4h 45m - 5h 30m. You can easily book your ticket online via BookAway, with fares from $16 (67 MYR).
Nominatee Tour and Adang Sea Tour drop off passengers at Komtar Bus Terminal, which is within walking distance to most hotels in George Town. If you want to be dropped off at your hotel in the city centre, book with KST Travel.
For more info, check out our page from Hat Yai to Penang.
Customs & Immigration
Around 1.5 hours into your journey from Hat Yai to Penang, your minivan will stop at Danok Sadao in Songkhla Province for Thai immigration & customs. And then, they will take you across the border before stopping again at Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah for Malaysian immigration & customs.
Drive-through immigration booths are available on both sides of the border, so the procedures are quite simple. However, you will still have to get off the minivan for a customs check!
Krabi to Penang by Minivan
Although it takes 7-11h to travel by land from Krabi to Penang, we think the minivan is still a good choice. It picks you up from your hotel in Krabi and takes you straight to George Town in Penang. And it only costs $35 (140 MYR), more than half the price of taking an indirect flight!
Bai Ngoen Krabi Tour offers only 2 trips daily, so we recommend you book online on BookAway to secure a seat.
Minivan schedule from Krabi to Penang
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
The minivans park at Komtar Terminal, which is within walking distance from most hotels in George Town.
Customs & Immigration
Around 5 hours into your minivan journey from Krabi to Penang, you will arrive at the Danok Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam border. Located between Thailand’s Songkhla Province and Malaysia’s Kedah state, this is the two country’s busiest land border.
This isn’t as complicated as other borders in Southeast Asia, though. Immigration offices on both sides of the border have drive-through lanes, although you might still have to get off the minivan with your luggage for customs.
Krabi to Penang by Flight
There are no direct flights from Krabi to Penang, but you can book an indirect flight that makes a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. The fastest indirect flight takes around 5 to 6 hours.
Although it seems like you are able to save 4 to 5 hours compared to taking the minivan, keep in mind 2 things: you still have to add the travel time to and from the airports, and you have to be at Krabi Airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
When you add all that up, you don’t really get to save a lot of time when taking the flight and you have to pay double or triple the minivan rate! Still want to take an indirect flight from Krabi to Penang? Below is a step-by-step guide:
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Krabi City Centre to Krabi Airport by Minibus or Taxi
If you’re coming from Krabi city centre, we recommend taking a taxi to reach the airport. It takes only 25 minutes to cover the 15 km distance. You can hail one from the street or book online beforehand via Klook. Rates start at $14 (470 THB) for a 3-seater car.
If you’re coming from other areas like Ao Nang and Ao Nam Mao Pier, you have the option to book a cheaper shared minivan. A ticket costs only $7.50 (250 THB) when you book a ride via 12go.Asia. Take note that travel time with the minivan is 1h 30m.
Krabi Airport Shuttle operates on the following schedules:
Flight tickets are available on 12Go Asia.
Step 2: Krabi Airport to Penang Airport
The length of the fastest indirect flight from Krabi to Penang varies every day. Normally though, it takes around 5h 40m.
Air Asia often offers the cheapest flight from $62 (2,070 THB). Try to book early as fares can be more expensive as the travel date gets closer.
Step 3: Penang Airport to George Town
Penang Airport is located 18 km south of Penang city centre, George Town.
To complete the final step of reaching your hotel, you have two options: take a 30-minute taxi or the 1-hour bus. Rates start from $7.40 (30 MYR) and $0.70 (3 MYR), respectively. There are several bus lines available from Penang Airport to George Town, so make sure you board one that stops near your hotel.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Penang?
Penang is a cultural melting pot on the northwest coast of Malaysia. For such a small island, it has so much to offer — vibrant culture, colourful heritage, amazing food, urban wonders, and untouched rainforest.
At its heart is George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a city rich in history. Famous for its street art, you can easily spend hours exploring its alleys. Sure, the island can be touristy. Yet somehow, it is able to maintain a laidback vibe and a charm that you can only find in Penang.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Krabi to Penang, roughly 336 kilometres (209 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $29 (115 MYR). The quickest trip takes 7h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Krabi to Penang?
The distance from Krabi to Penang is 336 kilometres (209 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Krabi to Penang?
Journey times from Krabi to Penang overlap: indirect minivan via hat yai 8h 45m - 13h, minivan 7-11h, flight 7h 40m. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Krabi to Penang?
The cheapest way to get from Krabi to Penang is by indirect minivan via hat yai with ticket costs starting from 115 MYR.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer & Digital Nomad
Kate is a travel content creator, writer and founder of Stay Wild Travel, a tour company running group trips for women beyond your typical destinations. Her full-time travels have taken her to almost 60 countries, and she doesn't intend to stop anytime soon.
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