Krabi is a province on Thailand’s Andaman coast known for limestone cliffs, island-studded bays and easy boat trips. The name covers the whole region as well as its capital, Krabi Town, which confuses many first-timers: most visitors actually stay at Ao Nang beach, visit Railay by boat, and use the mainland as the springboard to Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.
This Krabi travel guide explains the main areas, what to do, where to stay, how to get there and how to combine the mainland with the islands. Each section links to a detailed page. Checked on 13 November 2026.
- Airport
- Krabi (KBV)
- Main base
- Ao Nang
- Must-see
- Railay & Phra Nang
- Best season
- November–April
- Islands nearby
- Phi Phi, Lanta, Hong
Compare hotels across the province
Ao Nang, Railay, Krabi Town and the quieter northern beaches, with live prices on Agoda.
Krabi’s Main Areas
| Area | What it is like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ao Nang | Main beach town, restaurants, boat station | First-timers, families, convenience |
| Railay | Cliff-ringed peninsula, boat access only | Scenery, climbing, couples |
| Krabi Town | Riverside provincial capital, markets | Budget, local life, ferry connections |
| Klong Muang & Tubkaak | Quiet beaches north of Ao Nang | Resort stays, honeymoons |
| Nopparat Thara | Long calm beach next to Ao Nang | Sunsets, families |
Start with our Ao Nang guide if you are unsure: it is the most practical base for most trips.
Things to Do in Krabi
- Take a longtail to Railay and Phra Nang Beach — Ao Nang to Railay Beach.
- Island-hop to Chicken Island, Tup and Poda on the 4 Islands trip.
- Kayak into the lagoon at Koh Hong.
- Climb the 1,260-odd steps of the Tiger Cave Temple for a panoramic view.
- Swim in the Emerald Pool and the hot springs in the jungle inland.
Our full list is in things to do in Krabi.
Island Trips from the Mainland
The coast is scattered with limestone islands, and boat trips are the highlight of most stays. Longtails and speedboats leave from Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara for the 4 Islands, Koh Hong and Phi Phi.
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Where to Stay in Krabi
Ao Nang offers the widest choice, Railay the best setting, Krabi Town the best value, and Klong Muang or Tubkaak the quietest resort stays. Hotels to compare include Rayavadee on Railay, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi near Ao Nang, Banyan Tree Krabi at Tubkaak and Krabi Heritage Hotel in Krabi Town.
Pick your base
Compare Ao Nang, Railay and Krabi Town hotels for your dates.
Getting to Krabi
Krabi International Airport has frequent domestic flights from Bangkok and some international routes. From the airport, buses, vans and taxis reach Krabi Town and Ao Nang: see Krabi airport transfers. Buses and vans also connect the province with Phuket, Surat Thani and the Gulf islands; see Krabi to Koh Samui and the Krabi Lomprayah terminal.
Beyond Krabi: Phi Phi and Koh Lanta
The mainland is the hub of a classic island route. Ferries reach Koh Phi Phi in around 1.5 to 2 hours, and vans or boats reach Koh Lanta further south. Route guides: Krabi to Phi Phi, Ao Nang to Phi Phi and Krabi to Koh Lanta.
When to Visit
The dry season from November to April brings calm seas and daily island trips; December to February is peak. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings rain, rougher seas and some cancelled boats, but lower prices and greener landscapes.
Suggested Itineraries
Three days
Day one: longtail to Railay, swim at Phra Nang, sunset on Railay West. Day two: a 4 Islands or Hong Islands boat trip. Day three: the Emerald Pool, hot springs and Tiger Cave Temple inland, with a night market dinner.
One week with the islands
Spend three nights on the mainland as above, then take the ferry to Phi Phi for two nights and finish with two or three nights on Koh Lanta before returning to the airport by van. Our guides to Phi Phi and Lanta cover each stop.
Ten days or more
Add the quiet beaches of Klong Muang or Tubkaak, a night on Railay, a day in the rainforest of Khao Sok, or the Koh Yao islands in Phang Nga Bay.
Best Beaches in the Province
| Beach | Why go |
|---|---|
| Phra Nang | Cave shrine, cliffs, clear water — the most famous beach in the region |
| Railay West | Soft sand and sunsets between towering cliffs |
| Nopparat Thara | Long and quiet, with a sandbar at low tide |
| Klong Muang | Calm resort beach with island views |
| Tup Island sandbar | Walk between islands at low tide on the 4 Islands trip |
Hotels to Compare
| Hotel | Area | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Rayavadee | Railay / Phra Nang | Luxury pavilions |
| Railay Bay Resort & Spa | Railay | Beach resort |
| Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas | Near Ao Nang | Resort on its own bay |
| Aonang Villa Resort | Ao Nang | Beachfront, central |
| Dusit Thani Beach Resort | Klong Muang | Beach resort |
| Banyan Tree | Tubkaak | Pool villas |
| Sofitel Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort | Klong Muang | Large resort with golf |
| Heritage Hotel | Town | Budget-friendly city hotel |
Check live hotel prices
Compare every area with free-cancellation rates.
Food to Try
Southern Thai food is spicier and richer than in the north. Look for kaeng som (sour curry), khao mok gai (southern-style biryani, common in the Muslim communities), fresh grilled seafood and roti from street carts. Night markets in town and at the beach are the easiest place to try a bit of everything.
Budget and Costs
- Budget travellers: guesthouses in town and hillside rooms near the beach keep costs low.
- Mid-range: pool hotels near the beach and on Railay East.
- Luxury: Railay West, Phra Nang and the northern resort beaches.
- Boat trips and park fees are the main extra costs; budget for at least one or two tours.
Practical Tips
- Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) link the town and the beach area; taxis and scooters are widely available.
- Dress modestly at temples and in Muslim villages.
- Keep cash for longtails, park fees and markets.
- Book boat trips for your first calm day in case of weather changes.
Province, town or beach?
When people say they are “going to Krabi”, they usually mean the beach area around Ao Nang and Railay, not the provincial capital. Hotels and transfers are listed by area, so check which part you are booking.
A Short History
The province has been inhabited for tens of thousands of years: archaeologists have found prehistoric tools and cave paintings in its limestone caves. For centuries the coast was home to fishing villages, Muslim and Buddhist communities and the Chao Leh sea nomads. Rubber and palm oil plantations shaped the inland economy. Tourism arrived in the 1980s with climbers drawn to Railay’s cliffs, followed by backpackers and, after the airport opened, international holidaymakers.
Landscapes and Nature
The scenery is defined by karst: towers of limestone that rise straight from the sea and the forest, eroded into caves, overhangs and hidden lagoons. Mangrove forests line the river estuaries, and the inland hills hold rainforest with hot springs and clear pools. Offshore, coral reefs surround many of the islands, and the national parks protect large parts of both land and sea.
Weather Month by Month
| Months | Conditions | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| November | Rains easing | Boat trips restart; good value |
| December–February | Dry, sunny, calm | Peak season, book early |
| March–April | Hot and dry | Great visibility for snorkelling |
| May–October | Monsoon showers, rough sea at times | Lower prices; keep plans flexible |
Travelling with Kids
The region is easy with children. Choose a hotel near the beach with a pool, pick calm mornings for boat trips, and favour shallow beaches like Nopparat Thara and Klong Muang. Inland, the Emerald Pool is a good family outing, while the Tiger Cave Temple stairs are only for older, fit children. Distances are short, so you rarely spend long in a car.
Travelling Responsibly
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on or touch coral.
- Do not feed monkeys or fish.
- Choose tour operators who brief guests on park rules and limit group sizes.
- Dress modestly at temples, cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes where asked.
- Carry a refillable bottle; many hotels have filtered water.
Combining with Samui
The Gulf islands are a half-day away by bus and ferry. See the route to Koh Samui if you want both coasts in one trip.
Getting Around
There is no metro or tourist bus network, but getting around is easy. Songthaews, the shared pick-up trucks with benches in the back, run along the main road between the town and the beach area during the day and are the cheapest option. Taxis and ride-hailing apps cover longer trips and evenings. Scooters are widely rented, but traffic on the main roads is fast, so only ride if you are experienced, wear a helmet and carry a licence that your insurance accepts.
Longtail boats are the local taxis of the sea: they link the beach with Railay, Tonsai and the nearby islands, and can be chartered for private island hopping. Larger ferries and speedboats leave from the main piers for Phi Phi, Lanta and the Koh Yao islands.
- Agree taxi fares before you set off if there is no meter.
- Shared transport stops running in the evening; plan your return.
- For island trips, hotel pickup is usually included in the tour price.
All Our Krabi Guides
Every page in this section, grouped by what you need to plan:
Krabi FAQ
Is Krabi a city or an island?
Krabi is a province on the mainland; Krabi Town is its capital. The province includes islands such as Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.
Where should I stay in Krabi?
Ao Nang for convenience, Railay for scenery, Krabi Town for budget.
How many days do you need in Krabi?
Three to four days covers Railay, one island trip and an inland day; add more if you continue to Phi Phi or Lanta.
Krabi or Phuket?
Krabi is quieter and more scenic; Phuket has more nightlife and beaches with more facilities.
Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Krabi province (Wikipedia). Checked on 13 November 2026.
Photos: Wendy Harman (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Stefan Fussan (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Stefan Fussan (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Wolfgang Holzem (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Karelj (Public domain, Wikimedia Commons); kallerna (CC BY-SA 3.0, 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.