The quickest way to get to Phang Nga Bay from Bangkok is to fly south to Phuket or Krabi, then continue by road or on a boat tour. Phang Nga Bay is not a day trip from the capital: it lies on the Andaman coast north of Phuket, and a non-stop flight to either Phuket or Krabi takes about an hour and a half, according to AirAsia's own route pages.
This guide covers the two airports that serve the bay, how to reach Bangkok's airports from the city, and the practical ways to go on from Phuket or Krabi to the water.
Where Phang Nga Bay is, and why you need to fly
Phang Nga Bay sits in Phang Nga Province, on the Andaman Sea between the island of Phuket and the Krabi coast. Much of it is protected as Ao Phang Nga National Park, known for its limestone islets, sea caves and mangrove shoreline. The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes Phang Nga as the region north of Phuket and singles out the Samet Nangshe viewpoint, which looks out over the bay's limestone islets.
From Bangkok, the bay is a long way south by road. For most visitors with limited time, flying is the practical choice, and the choice of airport comes down to where you plan to stay afterwards.
Step 1: Fly from Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi
Bangkok has two airports with domestic flights south: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). Check which one your ticket uses before you set off, because they are on opposite sides of the city.
Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Phuket International Airport is run by Airports of Thailand (AOT), the same company that operates Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. AirAsia's route page puts a non-stop Bangkok to Phuket flight at around 1 hour 25 minutes, and Thai AirAsia flies the route from Don Mueang. Other airlines also fly from Suvarnabhumi; compare schedules on the airlines' own websites, as timetables change by season.
Phuket suits travelers who want to base themselves on the island and join a bay tour for a day. The airport's own guide lists shuttle buses, AOT Limousine cars, taxis and car rental as the ways to leave the terminal.
Krabi International Airport (KBV)
Krabi is the other gateway, closer to the eastern side of the bay. AirAsia lists a non-stop Bangkok to Krabi flight at around 1 hour 20 minutes, with Thai AirAsia service from Don Mueang. Krabi makes sense if you plan to stay in Krabi town or on the Ao Nang coast and see Phang Nga Bay as part of a wider Andaman trip.
Step 2: Getting to Bangkok's airports
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK): the Airport Rail Link station is on Level B1 of the main terminal and, according to AOT, runs from 5:30 a.m. to midnight. Taxis, AOT Limousine and public buses also serve the airport.
- Don Mueang (DMK): the SRT Red Line has a Don Mueang station linked to the airport, with trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Chatuchak.
If you are connecting from an international flight, allow for a transfer between airports when your domestic ticket leaves from the other one. AOT runs a shuttle bus between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang for connecting passengers.
Step 3: From Phuket or Krabi to Phang Nga Bay
On a day tour (the usual way)
Most visitors see the bay on an organized boat trip. Tours typically include hotel pickup, a boat through the islets and caves, and stops such as Khao Phing Kan, the island known as James Bond Island after the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun, and the stilt village of Ko Panyi. Check what is included before you book: pickup area, whether sea canoeing is part of the trip, meals, and whether the national park fee is in the price.
Independently
You can also rent a car or hire a taxi from either airport and base yourself on the mainland in Phang Nga Province. The national park headquarters is at Tha Dan village, and the Samet Nangshe viewpoint is in Takua Thung district. Staying on the mainland puts you closer to the bay's quieter northern side, but you will need your own transport, and boats still have to be arranged locally.
Which route should you choose?
- Short trip, first visit: fly to Phuket and join a day tour with hotel pickup.
- Combining beaches and islands: fly to Krabi and stay on the Ao Nang coast, adding a bay tour.
- Photographers and slow travelers: fly to Phuket or Krabi, rent a car and stay near Phang Nga town or Samet Nangshe for sunrise.
Weather and timing
Long-term averages that the Thai Meteorological Department supplies to the World Meteorological Organization show how strongly the seasons swing on this coast. At Phuket, December to March average only a handful of rainy days a month, while May to October average around 19 to 23, with September the wettest month. Boat tours can be cancelled when the sea is rough, so leave a spare day in your plans if the bay is the main reason for the trip.
Before you leave Bangkok
Many travelers spend a night or two in the capital first. Our guides to hotels in Bangkok and Bangkok attractions can help you plan that stop, whether it is an early-morning visit to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace or an evening meal from our list of Bangkok restaurants. If your flight leaves from Don Mueang, Chatuchak Weekend Market is in the same northern part of the city as the Red Line's central terminal.
Sources: AirAsia, Bangkok to Phuket, AirAsia, Bangkok to Krabi, Phuket International Airport (AOT), transportation, Suvarnabhumi Airport (AOT), SRT Red Line route information, Tourism Authority of Thailand, WMO World Weather Information Service, Phuket (data from the Thai Meteorological Department), Thai National Parks. Checked September 26, 2026.
Not realistically. The bay is on the Andaman coast north of Phuket. Even with a morning flight to Phuket or Krabi, you would spend most of the day traveling, so plan at least one night in the south.
Both work. Phuket International Airport (HKT) is the busier gateway and has the most bay tours that collect guests from hotels on the island. Krabi International Airport (KBV) suits travelers staying in Krabi town or on the Ao Nang coast.
AirAsia's route pages give about 1 hour 25 minutes for a non-stop Bangkok to Phuket flight and about 1 hour 20 minutes for Bangkok to Krabi, checked September 26, 2026.
Both Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) have flights south. Thai AirAsia flies from Don Mueang to both Phuket and Krabi. Always check the airport code on your ticket, as the two airports are far apart.
For Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link station is on Level B1 of the terminal and operates from 5:30 a.m. to midnight, according to Airports of Thailand. For Don Mueang, take the SRT Red Line to Don Mueang station. Taxis and buses serve both airports.
The drier months are the most reliable. At Phuket, long-term Thai Meteorological Department averages show the fewest rainy days from December to March and the most from May to October, with September the wettest month.
Tours commonly include hotel pickup, a boat trip through the islets, a stop at Khao Phing Kan (James Bond Island) and a visit to the stilt village of Ko Panyi. Some add sea canoeing into caves and lagoons. Confirm whether the national park fee and meals are included before booking.
