Krabi packs a lot into a small area: limestone cliffs, island-hopping, a jungle temple, hot springs and some of the best beaches on the Andaman coast. The challenge is choosing what to fit in. This Krabi itinerary gives three ready-made plans — 3, 5 and 7 days — and explains where to base yourself so you spend more time on beaches and less in transfers.
Each plan starts in Ao Nang, the most practical base, and adds Railay and Koh Lanta as you gain time. Swap days around to suit the weather: boat trips are best on calm mornings.
For a 3-day Krabi itinerary, stay in Ao Nang and do the 4 Islands tour, a day at Railay and Tiger Cave Temple with the Emerald Pool. With 5 days, add a Hong Island trip and a night in Railay. With 7 days, finish with two or three nights on Koh Lanta.
- Best base
- Ao Nang (plus Railay or Koh Lanta)
- Minimum time
- 3 days
- Ideal time
- 5–7 days
- Must-dos
- 4 Islands, Railay, Hong Island
- Best season
- November–April
Book your Krabi tours
Compare island tours and day trips with hotel pickup.
3-day Krabi itinerary
| Day | Plan | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive, Ao Nang Beach, sunset and night market | Ao Nang |
| Day 2 | 4 Islands tour: Phra Nang, Chicken Island, Koh Tup, Koh Poda | Ao Nang |
| Day 3 | Morning: Tiger Cave Temple or Emerald Pool. Afternoon: longtail to Railay | Ao Nang |
Three days is enough to see the highlights. Book the 4 Islands tour for day 2 so a bad-weather day can be swapped. Read our 4 Islands tour guide.
5-day Krabi itinerary
| Day | Plan | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Ao Nang, beach and night market | Ao Nang |
| Day 2 | 4 Islands tour | Ao Nang |
| Day 3 | Hong Island tour (lagoon and kayaking) | Ao Nang |
| Day 4 | Longtail to Railay: viewpoint, Phra Nang Cave beach, sunset on Railay West | Railay |
| Day 5 | Morning climbing or kayaking, then onward | — |
Adding a night in Railay means you see Phra Nang beach early, before the day boats arrive. See Hong Island and where to stay in Railay.
7-day Krabi itinerary with Koh Lanta
| Day | Plan | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Ao Nang: beach, 4 Islands tour | Ao Nang |
| Day 3 | Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and hot springs | Ao Nang |
| Day 4 | Railay | Railay |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Koh Lanta, sunset on the west coast | Koh Lanta |
| Day 6 | 4 Islands tour from Koh Lanta or Koh Rok snorkelling | Koh Lanta |
| Day 7 | Old Town, mangroves or national park, then depart | — |
A week lets you add an island stay without rushing. Transfer by minivan or seasonal ferry; see Ao Nang to Koh Lanta and things to do in Koh Lanta.
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta
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Inland highlights to add
Krabi is not only about islands. On a cloudy day, head inland: Tiger Cave Temple has 1,260 steps to a hilltop shrine with views over the province; the Emerald Pool is a turquoise spring pool in a forest reserve, often combined with the nearby hot springs. Start early to avoid heat and crowds.
See Tiger Cave Temple and Emerald Pool.
Where to stay on a Krabi itinerary
- Ao Nang — best all-round base: tours pick up here, plenty of restaurants. Where to stay in Ao Nang.
- Railay — one or two nights for the scenery.
- Krabi Town — cheapest; good for the first or last night. Krabi Town guide.
- Koh Lanta — for the island part of a longer trip.
Krabi hotels
Compare hotels in Ao Nang, Railay and Krabi Town.
Tours worth booking
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Compare all boat trips in our Krabi island hopping guide.
Tips for planning your trip
- Plan boat trips for the first half of your stay, so you can reschedule if the weather turns.
- Book tours with hotel pickup to avoid separate transfers.
- Carry cash for national park fees, which are often paid on the day.
- In the rainy season (May–October), keep the plan flexible and add inland days.
- Arriving from Bangkok? See Bangkok to Krabi.
For official information, see the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
10-day Krabi itinerary with Phi Phi
With ten days, combine the mainland, Phi Phi and Koh Lanta in one loop. This Krabi itinerary uses ferries that run in the dry season; in the low season, check timetables first.
| Days | Plan | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Ao Nang: 4 Islands, Hong Island, night market | Ao Nang |
| 4 | Railay | Railay |
| 5–6 | Ferry to Phi Phi: viewpoint, Maya Bay tour | Phi Phi |
| 7–9 | Ferry to Koh Lanta: beaches, Koh Rok or 4 Islands tour | Koh Lanta |
| 10 | Minivan to Krabi Airport | — |
See our Ao Nang to Phi Phi and Phi Phi to Koh Lanta guides for the ferry legs.
Adapting the Krabi itinerary to your trip
families
Base yourselves in Ao Nang or Klong Muang, choose shorter boat trips (the 4 Islands tour is ideal), and keep afternoons free for the pool. The Emerald Pool walk is flat and easy for children.
couples
Add two nights in Railay, book a private longtail for sunrise at Phra Nang, and end with a quiet resort on Koh Lanta or the Tubkaek coast.
budget
Sleep in Krabi Town or a guesthouse in Ao Nang, use songthaews instead of taxis, eat at the night markets and join shared longtail tours rather than speedboats.
Rainy-season Krabi itinerary
From May to October, plan a Krabi itinerary around the weather: keep boat trips for calm mornings, and swap to inland days when the sea is rough. Good wet-weather options include Tiger Cave Temple, the Emerald Pool and hot springs, a Thai cooking class, a spa afternoon and the markets of Krabi Town.
Flexible booking
In the low season, book tours one or two days ahead rather than weeks in advance, so you can pick the calmest days.
Getting around during your trip
| Route | How | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Krabi Airport → Ao Nang | Shared van or taxi | 30–40 min |
| Ao Nang → Railay | Longtail boat | About 15 min |
| Ao Nang → Krabi Town | Songthaew or taxi | About 30 min |
| Ao Nang → Koh Lanta | Minivan or seasonal ferry | About 2.5 h |
| Ao Nang → Phi Phi | Ferry | About 1.5–2 h |
Shared songthaews are the cheapest way to move along the coast by day; taxis and ride-hailing apps are easier in the evening. Most tours include hotel pickup, which keeps every Krabi itinerary simple.
Planning your budget
Costs vary a lot with the season and the type of accommodation, so we do not give fixed prices. Use this checklist to estimate your own Krabi itinerary budget before you go:
| Item | What drives the cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Area (Railay and beachfront cost more), season, room type |
| Boat tours | Speedboat vs longtail, shared vs private, national park fees |
| Transfers | Shared van vs private car; ferries vs minivans |
| Food | Night markets and local restaurants vs resort dining |
| Activities | Climbing, kayaking, diving, spa treatments |
The biggest savings come from choosing shared longtail tours, eating at local restaurants and travelling in the shoulder months. The biggest costs are private boats, beachfront resorts and peak-season dates. Booking accommodation early for December to February is the single most useful step for any Krabi itinerary in high season.
Keep some cash for national park entry fees and small purchases: many boat tours collect park fees separately on the day, and longtail drivers and market stalls rarely accept cards.
Krabi itinerary: FAQ
How many days do you need in Krabi?
Three days covers the highlights; five to seven days lets you add Railay, Hong Island and Koh Lanta without rushing.
Where should I stay for a Krabi itinerary?
Ao Nang is the most practical base. Add Railay for scenery and Koh Lanta for a longer island stay.
Can I visit Phi Phi on a Krabi itinerary?
Yes. Take a day trip from Ao Nang, or ferry to Phi Phi and stay a night or two. See our Phi Phi guides.
What is the best month for a Krabi trip?
The dry season, roughly November to April, has the calmest seas for boat trips.
Is Krabi good for families?
Yes. Ao Nang and Klong Muang have calm beaches, and island tours suit most ages.
Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand; InsideSamui editorial research. Last updated 13 November 2026.
Photos: Jason Hutchens (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); kallerna (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Vladimir Pankratov (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Karelj (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons).
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and timetables quoted here were checked on 13 November 2026; they change by season and operator, so confirm when you book.