Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has approved a seaplane service between Krabi and Phuket, with operators planning a pilot launch before the end of 2026. The route would cut a journey that currently takes around three hours by road to roughly 20 minutes in the air.
What’s Been Approved
The approval covers a water landing operation linking Krabi Airport with the Phuket area. Early fare estimates place a one-way ticket at around 4,849 baht (approximately $135 USD at current rates), though final commercial pricing has not been confirmed. The seaplane is being positioned as a premium transfer, not a mass-transit replacement for road and bus connections.
Aircraft capacity will be small — most seaplane services run 9 to 19 seats — which means availability during peak season is likely to be limited and early booking will be important once operations open.
The Current Krabi–Phuket Connection
The two destinations share the same Andaman coastline but have no direct train or high-speed ferry link. The overland route runs via Route 4 through Phang Nga Province, a stretch that takes two to three hours depending on traffic. Shared minivans from Krabi town to central Phuket cost approximately 250 to 350 baht; private taxis run 1,200 to 1,800 baht or more. These remain the standard options until the seaplane service launches.
Travellers planning an itinerary that combines both destinations — for example, arriving into Phuket International and exiting via Krabi — currently need to account for the overland transfer in their timing.
Booking and Timeline
No confirmed launch date, booking platform, or operator name has been released as of August 2026. The CAAT approval is the regulatory step; the operator must still confirm aircraft, schedules, and water terminal facilities before commercial flights begin.
For current ground transfer options, our Krabi airport transfer guide covers taxis, shared minivans, and shuttles from Krabi International into Ao Nang and the town centre. The Phuket airport transfer guide covers the same for the Phuket side.
The Krabi destination guide covers beaches, island day trips, and accommodation options in detail. For Phuket, the island guide breaks down the island by area, from Patong to the quieter south and east coast.
We will update this page when a confirmed launch date and booking details become available.