Travel from Surat Thani to Ao Nam Mao Pier by direct minivan, private transfer, or bus connection. Discover journey times, fares, Railay boat services, and Koh Phi Phi connections.
Ao Nam Mao Pier is one of the most useful departure points in the Krabi area for travelers continuing to Railay, Koh Phi Phi and other Andaman destinations. If you are traveling from Surat Thani, there are several ways to reach the pier, but the most important distinction is whether you are starting in Surat Thani Town or at Surat Thani Airport.
For most travelers coming from Surat Thani Town, a direct shared minivan is the simplest option. Private transfers are considerably faster and more flexible, while travelers arriving at Surat Thani Airport may need to arrange a separate road transfer.
At a glance
| Option | Approx. travel time | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct shared minivan | About 4–5 hours | Around THB 370–500 | Budget travelers |
| Bus to Krabi + local transfer | About 3–4+ hours | Varies | Travelers already heading to Krabi |
| Private car or taxi | About 2.5–3 hours | From around THB 2,700+ per vehicle | Couples, families and groups |
| Surat Thani Airport transfer | About 2.5–3 hours | Varies by vehicle | Air passengers |
Travel times and fares vary by departure point, traffic, season and operator.
1. Direct minivan from Surat Thani Town
For travelers starting in central Surat Thani, the most straightforward option is a direct shared minivan to Ao Nam Mao Pier.
Current schedules show direct services from the Surat Thani area to Ao Nam Mao Pier, with journey times of roughly 4–5 hours. Recent fares are around THB 368–400 per person, although prices and departure times can change.
A current example is a service departing from the Surat Thani Kaset Market area and arriving directly at Ao Nam Mao Pier. This avoids changing vehicles at Krabi Bus Terminal.
Typical journey:
Surat Thani Town → Krabi province → Ao Nam Mao → Ao Nam Mao Pier
This is particularly convenient if your next destination is Railay or Koh Phi Phi, because you arrive at the pier rather than having to cross Krabi or Ao Nang from another bus terminal.
What to expect
- Travel time: approximately 4–5 hours
- Fare: around THB 370–500
- Vehicle: shared minivan
- Departure point: commonly around Surat Thani Town/Kaset Market
- Destination: Ao Nam Mao Pier
- Frequency: limited compared with services to Krabi Bus Terminal
Allow extra time for roadside stops and passenger pick-ups. Shared minivans can take longer than the advertised journey time.
2. Bus to Krabi, then continue to Ao Nam Mao
Another possibility is to travel from Surat Thani to Krabi Bus Terminal and arrange a local transfer to Ao Nam Mao.
The Surat Thani–Krabi road journey can take roughly 3 hours depending on the service and departure point. From Krabi Bus Terminal, Ao Nam Mao is a further road journey, so the total time can be longer than taking a direct minivan.
This option makes more sense if:
- the direct Ao Nam Mao service does not fit your schedule
- you need to stop in Krabi Town
- you are staying in Krabi before going to the pier
- you are already traveling on a service terminating at Krabi Bus Terminal
For a simple point-to-point journey, however, check for a direct Ao Nam Mao service before choosing a bus that requires a second transfer. Current route information confirms that direct services to Ao Nam Mao are available from Surat Thani.
3. Private car or taxi
A private transfer is the fastest road option and is particularly practical for two or more travelers with luggage.
The road distance between Surat Thani and Ao Nam Mao is approximately 165 km, with driving time around 2.5 hours under normal conditions.
Private transfer prices depend heavily on the vehicle and departure location. Current Krabi-area transfer rates show that a private vehicle from Surat Thani can cost several thousand baht, rather than the few hundred baht charged for a shared minivan.
Why choose a private transfer?
- Direct hotel-to-pier service
- No passenger pick-ups
- More luggage space
- Easier to coordinate with a ferry
- Useful for families or groups
- Better suited to early or late departures
If you have a ferry departing at a fixed time, leave a reasonable buffer for traffic rather than planning to arrive at the pier immediately before departure.
4. Surat Thani Airport to Ao Nam Mao Pier
Travelers flying into Surat Thani Airport (URT) have a slightly different situation.
There is no need to travel into Surat Thani Town first. A private airport transfer can take you directly toward the Krabi area. The road distance to Ao Nang is approximately 157 km, and the driving time to the Ao Nang area is around 2.5 hours in normal conditions.
Public transport generally requires a connection via Krabi rather than a simple direct airport-to-pier service. Current information shows buses from Surat Thani Airport to Krabi Bus Terminal taking around 1 hour 15 minutes, after which you still need onward transportation to Ao Nam Mao.
For this reason, travelers arriving by air should compare the total journey rather than looking only at the first bus fare.
Ao Nam Mao Pier to Railay
Ao Nam Mao is particularly useful for reaching Railay East.
The boat crossing from Ao Nam Mao Pier to Railay is short, with scheduled services taking roughly 15–20 minutes depending on the boat and service. Current published schedules show several daytime departures, with fares around THB 180–230 for the short longtail-boat crossing.
There can also be boat services outside the main scheduled periods, so travelers arriving later in the day should check directly at the pier rather than assuming that the daytime timetable continues unchanged.
Ao Nam Mao Pier to Koh Phi Phi
Ao Nam Mao also has direct boat connections to Koh Phi Phi on selected services.
Current schedules show departures around 10:30 and 15:00, with the journey to Ton Sai Pier taking approximately 1 hour 10–15 minutes. Published fares are around THB 1,000 per adult for these speedboat services.
However, ferry schedules can change seasonally and according to sea conditions. Check the current departure time before arranging your Surat Thani transfer.
How to plan the connection
If you are traveling from Surat Thani to an island, think of the journey as two separate stages:
Stage 1: Surat Thani → Ao Nam Mao Pier
Stage 2: Ao Nam Mao Pier → Railay or Koh Phi Phi
Avoid booking the road transfer so tightly that a minor delay causes you to miss the boat.
For example, if your minivan is scheduled to arrive at 14:00 and your ferry departs at 15:00, the connection may look comfortable on paper, but traffic, passenger stops and unloading luggage can reduce the actual margin.
Which departure point should you use?
From Surat Thani Town
Look for a direct minivan to Ao Nam Mao Pier first. Current services show fares around THB 370–500 and journey times of approximately 4–5 hours.
From Surat Thani Airport
A private transfer is the simplest direct option. Public transportation generally involves changing in the Krabi area.
From Surat Thani Railway Station
You may need to connect with a Surat Thani Town service or travel toward Krabi first. Check the exact departure point carefully when booking, because Surat Thani Town and Surat Thani Railway Station are not the same location.
Travel tips
- Check the departure point carefully. Surat Thani Town, Kaset Market and Surat Thani Airport are different locations.
- Choose a direct service when possible. It avoids an unnecessary transfer in Krabi.
- Allow extra time before a ferry. Road travel in southern Thailand can take longer than the scheduled time.
- Keep ferry and road tickets separate in your planning. A delay on the first leg may affect the second.
- Check the boat schedule close to departure. Ao Nam Mao–Railay and Ao Nam Mao–Phi Phi services can vary by season.
- Expect different schedules during the low season. Weather and sea conditions can affect Andaman boat services.
- Carry some cash. Small local boat services and pier expenses may not always use the same payment methods.
- If traveling with several people, compare private transfer costs. A private vehicle can be more practical when divided among a group.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How far is Ao Nam Mao Pier from Surat Thani?
The road distance is approximately 165 km, although the exact distance depends on the starting point in Surat Thani.
2. Is there a direct minivan from Surat Thani to Ao Nam Mao Pier?
Yes. Direct shared minivan services operate between Surat Thani Town and Ao Nam Mao Pier. Current services take approximately 4–5 hours and cost around THB 370–500.
3. How much does the minivan from Surat Thani to Ao Nam Mao cost?
Current fares are approximately THB 370–500 per person, depending on the service and departure time.
4. How long does the direct minivan take?
Allow approximately 4–5 hours. The scheduled journey can vary because of traffic, passenger pick-ups and stops along the way.
5. Can I travel from Surat Thani Airport directly to Ao Nam Mao Pier?
A private road transfer can take you directly toward Ao Nam Mao. Public transportation generally requires a connection, commonly through Krabi Bus Terminal.
6. Is Ao Nam Mao Pier close to Railay?
Yes. Ao Nam Mao is one of the mainland departure points for Railay East. The boat journey is approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on the service.
7. Can I travel from Ao Nam Mao Pier to Koh Phi Phi?
Yes. Direct speedboat services operate on selected schedules. Current published services take around 1 hour 10–15 minutes and cost about THB 1,000 per adult.
8. Should I travel to Krabi Bus Terminal or directly to Ao Nam Mao?
If Ao Nam Mao is your final destination, a direct service avoids an additional transfer. Traveling via Krabi Bus Terminal can still be useful if you need to visit Krabi Town or if the direct service does not fit your schedule.
9. Is a private transfer worth considering?
A private transfer can reduce the journey to roughly 2.5–3 hours by road and provides door-to-door transportation. It can also make sense for families or groups sharing the cost.
10. Should I book the ferry before traveling from Surat Thani?
If you are traveling during a busy period or have a fixed onward itinerary, it is sensible to check and secure the boat schedule in advance. Leave a generous buffer between the scheduled arrival at Ao Nam Mao and your ferry departure because road travel can be unpredictable.
