Drive from Phuket to Krabi
 

A friend and I are flying into Phuket at about 3:15pm and had plans to just head straight for the islands or for Krabi, but the ferry schedule doesn't seem to be agreeing with our plans! Soooo.....my friend wants to just grab a rental car and drive? What are your thoughts? We've driven in Europe a lot, but I it always makes me a bit nervous. How are the roads from Phuket to Krabi? Are they proper two lane highways or is it a free for all, where the person with more guts has the right of way? Also...by the time we actually get the car and get started it will probably be 5pm and how much of the beautiful landscape are we going to see and is it safe for two ladies to be driving in Thailand that late in the afternoon? So I suppose my questions are:
1.) Is the drive from Phuket to Krabi worth it?
2.) Are the roads safe enough for two ladies to do it alone?
3.) Should we just hire a driver instead, and if so....any suggestions as to whom?
4.) Should we just go ahead and stay that night in Phuket and then take off for the drive the next day?

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

I've done the drive twice and have really enjoyed it. You can do it comfortably in under 3 hours.
I dont know if I would recommend doing it at night though. If you happen to get some rain and there is no moon it might make for a very dark and stressful drive. I would wait until morning and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Answers to your specific questions:
1. Yes the drive is worth it - also, I have found the Budget rental "World Class Drives" leaflets invaluable for getting around. A link to the Phuket/Krabi edition

http://www.budget.co.th/images/world...phuket_eng.pdf

2. Yes the roads are safe enough for two ladies (make sure the driver takes an international driving permit)

3. I wouldn't bother with a driver as I much prefer the freedom and convenience of my own transport which does allow you to see much more of the country.

4. Totally agree with shanek re staying overnight in Phuket on your first night. By the time you are through the airport and have picked up you car there won't be much daylight left and driving on strange roads, in a strange country in the dark would not be great idea - plus you would miss the scenery etc. Much better to get an early start the next day

It is a beautiful drive. The roads are good and well marked. Get a map so you don't have to second guess which way to go. It is very safe. It should take about 1 1/2 -2hr to get from the airpot to Karbi. Check when sunset is the time of year you are there. You may have enough time.

i would be inclined to leave the next morning as it would be at least 4PM by the time you started out for krabi....the road is good and easy to drive... i think karen is wrong in the timing...i think 3 hours is more in line with the actual timing..

there are a few places to stop along the way also so a day time trip can be quite nice