Phuket to Ao Nang
 

What is the best way to get from Phuket to Ao Nang? Ferry, Bus or private car? What is the estimated time and cost? We are traveling in December - do we need to book this now or can we do it when we reach Phuket?

You will be able to hire a car from a local travel agency that will take you from Phuket to Krabi. Make sure you don't use one affiliated with your hotel, but a more local one. This will give you the best price.

About 3 - 4 hours depending on transport, car can be much less than 3 hours. Hire a car, or take a minibus or local bus from Phuket's southern bus terminal. Buses leave from Phuket daily. Information regarding bus timetables, taxi or mini-van shuttle services can be obtained at hotels, travel agents or Phuket Airport.

If you are going by road,take Route 402 to Route 4 and pass Tambon Koto Kloy of Takua Tung District in Phang Nga; Tap Puhd District, Phang Nga; and drive through the Ao Luk District of Krabi. A number of buses run this route from Phuket daily, taking around 3-4 hours, or alternatively, taxi's or air conditioned mini-vans can easily be arranged and are much quicker. Information regarding bus timetables, taxi or min-van shuttle services can easily be obtained at the airport in Phuket, hotels, or travel agents.

Please scroll down on the below website. It looks like there is a direct ferry from phuket to ao nang which takes ~2hrs. Is this information correct

http://www.railay.com/railay/intro/getting_there.shtml

Yes, that information is correct. This ferry runs from November to April only, so for your December trip it is an option. I believe there is only one ferry per day which departs at 08.30.
Destination Air who are also listed on your link are not currently operational.