The Short Answer
The cleanest way to reach Gillhams Fishing Resort is to fly to Krabi International Airport and take a pre-arranged resort transfer or Grab—a journey of roughly 40 to 55 minutes by road. Gillhams sits in the Ao Luek district north of Krabi town, surrounded by the limestone karst country that defines this part of southern Thailand. The setting is extraordinary; getting there is straightforward once you're in Krabi.
Flying Into Krabi
Krabi International Airport (KBV) receives direct flights from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports on multiple airlines daily. Journey time is approximately one hour by air. Several regional routes also serve Krabi, and Bangkok Airways runs connections from smaller Thai cities. Check current schedules with airlines directly—routes and frequencies change seasonally.
Budget carriers operate from Don Mueang and are frequently the cheapest option for domestic travellers. International visitors often route through Bangkok on a connecting flight.
Book your onward transfer from the airport before you land. Krabi is a popular tourist destination and taxi touts operate in the arrivals hall. Pre-arranged transfers and Grab give you transparent pricing; unmetered touts do not.
Airport to Gillhams: Your Transfer Options
Gillhams Resort Transfer
The simplest option. Gillhams Fishing Resort offers pre-booked airport transfers, and for anglers travelling with rod tubes, landing nets, and multiple tackle bags, having a driver who knows the destination and the gear saves considerable friction. Book this when you make your fishing reservation. Prices change, so confirm the current rate at time of booking.
Grab
Grab operates in Krabi, but driver density is significantly lower than Bangkok. In central Krabi town you'll usually find a car within reasonable time; from the airport the availability can be patchier. If using Grab, have the Thai name of the resort saved as a screenshot and confirm the driver knows the Ao Luek district before you accept the ride.
Estimated Grab journey: 40 to 55 minutes. Cost varies; check the app's current estimate at time of booking.
Metered Taxi
Metered taxis operate from the official rank outside Krabi arrivals. Ensure the driver uses the meter. The journey north toward Ao Luek covers a mix of town roads and quieter provincial highway; not all taxi drivers are equally familiar with fishing venues outside the main tourist corridor. Having the address in Thai is helpful.
The Alternative: Train Plus Road from Bangkok
Flying is faster, but the overnight train is a legitimate alternative for anglers on a tight budget or those who prefer the scenic southern Thailand rail experience.
Route: Overnight sleeper train from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat or Hua Lamphong station) to Surat Thani station. Journey time approximately 10 to 12 hours depending on the service. From Surat Thani, minivans run south toward Krabi town; from Krabi you arrange the final leg to Gillhams by Grab or taxi.
Total Bangkok-to-Gillhams travel time on this route: roughly 14 to 18 hours including transfers. It's a long day (or night) of travel. The train itself is comfortable in first or second class sleeper configuration, and the early morning arrival into Surat Thani lets you connect to Krabi without losing the entire day.
Practical note: Minivan services from Surat Thani to Krabi operate from the train station area or nearby transport hubs. These run through the day and are inexpensive. Confirm current schedules on arrival—they do change.
The overnight train is underrated for anglers who enjoy the journey. You fall asleep somewhere north of the Gulf and wake up in the green south. It's not fast, but it has a certain dignity that the budget airline experience lacks.
Common Pitfalls
Arriving at the wrong airport. Phuket Airport is closer in straight-line distance but actually puts you on the wrong side of Phang Nga Bay for an efficient road journey to Krabi. The cross-bay road route from Phuket to Ao Luek takes considerably longer than flying directly to Krabi. Use Krabi Airport.
Not booking the transfer ahead. Arriving in Krabi with rod tubes and no arranged transport, hoping to find a driver at the rank who knows Gillhams, is an avoidable stress.
Underestimating luggage for a resort stay. Gillhams is a proper fishing resort—guests often stay multiple nights. Pack accordingly and ship heavy tackle ahead if possible.
Arrival at Gillhams
Pull up to the resort entrance and you're immediately in a different world: the lake sits in a valley ringed by jungle and limestone, stocked with some of the largest freshwater fish in Southeast Asia. Check in, confirm your swim or session booking, and let the team walk you through current conditions and any venue rules.
Gillhams has on-site accommodation, a restaurant, and equipment for hire—this is a self-contained destination, not just a day-trip pond.
For full details on species, records, session options, and pricing, read our complete Gillhams Fishing Resort guide. Curious about costs? See what Gillhams costs for a breakdown of typical session and accommodation rates.
