Krabi Town is the provincial capital of Krabi and the transport hub for the whole Andaman coast around it. Most visitors pass through on the way to Ao Nang, Railay, Koh Lanta or Phi Phi, but the town itself is worth a night: a riverside promenade, mangroves, limestone hills rising from the river, a lively weekend market and some of the cheapest food and hotels in the province.
This guide covers what to do in Krabi Town, when it is worth staying, where to sleep, and how to get to the beaches, the airport and the islands.
Krabi Town is the capital of Krabi province, about 30 minutes by road from Ao Nang and 20–30 minutes from Krabi Airport. It has no beach, but it is the best base for budget travellers, early ferries and local culture: the weekend Walking Street market, Chao Fah riverside, mangrove boat trips and Tiger Cave Temple nearby.
- Distance to Ao Nang
- About 30 min by road
- Distance to the airport
- About 20–30 min by road
- Beach
- None — beaches are in Ao Nang and Railay
- Best for
- Budget stays, markets, ferries, local life
- Weekend highlight
- Walking Street night market
Hotels near the river
Compare guesthouses and hotels near the river and the night markets.
Is Krabi Town worth visiting?
Krabi Town is worth one or two nights if you want local life rather than a resort strip, if you are on a budget, or if you are catching an early ferry or bus. It is not the place for a beach holiday: the town sits on the Krabi River estuary, and the nearest sandy beaches are in Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara.
| You should stay in Krabi Town if… | You should skip it if… |
|---|---|
| You want cheap food and hotels | You want to walk to a beach |
| You are catching an early ferry or bus | You only have 2–3 days in Krabi |
| You like markets and local life | You want resort facilities |
| You plan to visit Tiger Cave Temple early | You prefer a quiet, scenic base |
Our view
Many travellers sleep in Krabi Town on their first or last night (cheap, close to the airport and buses) and spend the rest of the trip in Ao Nang, Railay or on an island.
Best things to do in Krabi Town
- Walking Street night market — the weekend market with street food, live music and handicrafts; the highlight of an evening in the provincial capital.
- Chao Fah riverside — a promenade along the Krabi River with views of the mangroves and limestone hills; best at sunset.
- Khao Khanap Nam — two limestone hills rising from the river, the symbol of Krabi; visit by longtail boat.
- Mangrove boat trips — longtail tours through the river mangroves, often combined with Khao Khanap Nam.
- Wat Kaew Korawaram — a white temple in the centre of town with a staircase entrance and murals.
- Tiger Cave Temple — a short drive away; climb the 1,260 steps early in the morning. See our Tiger Cave Temple guide.
- Day trips — Emerald Pool, hot springs and island tours all pick up from hotels in the centre.
Krabi Town night markets
Food is one of the best reasons to stay here. The weekend Walking Street has dozens of stalls selling Thai, southern Thai and Muslim-Thai dishes, desserts and drinks, plus a stage for local performers. During the week, smaller food markets set up near Chao Fah Pier and along the riverside.
If you are staying in Ao Nang, the weekend market makes a good evening trip, but there is also an easier option closer to your hotel: see our Ao Nang night market guide.
Market tip
Bring small notes, arrive early in the evening for the widest choice, and share several dishes to try more of the menu.
Getting to and from Krabi Town
Krabi Town is the main transport hub of the province. These are the routes most travellers need:
| Route | How | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Krabi Airport → Krabi Town | Airport bus, shared van, taxi | 20–30 min |
| Krabi Town → Ao Nang | Songthaew, taxi | About 30 min |
| Krabi Town → Railay | Road to Ao Nang, then longtail; or longtail from the town pier when running | 45–60 min total |
| Krabi → Koh Lanta | Minivan via car ferries, or seasonal ferry | About 2–3 h |
| Krabi → Phi Phi | Ferry from Klong Jilad pier | About 1.5–2 h |
Ferries to Phi Phi and Koh Lanta leave from the Krabi passenger port at Klong Jilad, a few kilometres from the centre; most tickets include a hotel pickup. Buses to Bangkok, Phuket and Surat Thani leave from the main bus terminal outside town, and joint bus-and-boat tickets to Koh Samui leave from the Lomprayah terminal.
Book Krabi transport
Compare ferries, vans and buses from Krabi on 12Go.
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More routes: Krabi Airport transfers, Krabi to Phi Phi, Krabi to Koh Lanta and Krabi to Koh Samui.
Where to stay in Krabi Town
The best area is the riverside centre around Chao Fah Pier and the Walking Street: you can walk to the markets, restaurants and songthaew stops. Accommodation is mostly guesthouses, hostels and mid-range hotels, with prices well below Ao Nang and Railay.
If you want a beach base instead, read our where to stay in Krabi guide, which compares Krabi Town with Ao Nang, Railay and Klong Muang.
Compare Krabi hotels
See live prices for guesthouses and hotels in Krabi.
Tours from Krabi Town
Most island and inland tours include free pickup from hotels in town, so you do not need to stay in Ao Nang to join them. Popular choices include the 4 Islands tour, Hong Island, Phi Phi day trips and the Emerald Pool and hot springs tour.
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Compare the main boat trips in our Krabi island hopping guide, or see Emerald Pool.
One day in Krabi Town
- Morning — climb Tiger Cave Temple before the heat, then breakfast back in town.
- Late morning — longtail trip through the mangroves to Khao Khanap Nam.
- Afternoon — rest at your hotel or visit Wat Kaew Korawaram and the cafés of the old centre.
- Sunset — walk the riverside promenade at Chao Fah.
- Evening — dinner at the night market (Walking Street at weekends).
For a longer trip, see our things to do in Krabi guide and the official Tourism Authority of Thailand page.
Southern Thai food to try
The provincial capital is one of the best places on the Andaman coast to try southern Thai cooking, which is spicier and more turmeric-heavy than the dishes served in most beach restaurants. Look for these at the markets and small family restaurants:
- Khao mok gai — southern Thai-Muslim chicken biryani, often served with a sweet-sour sauce.
- Gaeng som — a sour, fiery orange curry with fish and vegetables.
- Kua kling — dry-fried minced meat with curry paste and lime leaves; very spicy.
- Roti with curry — a common breakfast, served at street stalls in the morning.
- Khanom jeen — fresh rice noodles with a choice of curries and a tray of raw vegetables.
- Dim sum breakfast — several cafés in the centre serve Chinese-style dim sum with coffee early in the morning.
Breakfast tip
Morning is the best time to eat like a local: roti, dim sum and strong southern coffee are sold from early in the day and are usually gone by late morning.
Practical information
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Money | ATMs are easy to find in the centre; markets are cash only |
| Getting around | Walk in the centre; songthaews and taxis for longer trips |
| Weather | Dry season roughly November–April; rain more frequent May–October |
| Dress code | Cover shoulders and knees at temples |
| Safety | Generally relaxed; watch traffic when crossing main roads |
The centre is compact and flat, so walking is the easiest way to explore the riverside, the temples and the markets. For journeys to the beaches or the piers, shared songthaews run along the main roads during the day, and taxis or ride-hailing cars are available at any hour. Plan extra time on weekend evenings, when the market streets close to traffic.
Accommodation is cheaper here than anywhere else in the province, which makes it a sensible base for anyone on a tight budget, for long-stay travellers and for anyone with an early departure. Book ahead for the peak weeks around Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year, when the best-value rooms sell out.
Krabi Town: FAQ
Does Krabi Town have a beach?
No. Krabi Town is on the Krabi River. The nearest beaches are Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara, about 30 minutes away by road.
Is Krabi Town or Ao Nang better to stay?
Ao Nang is better for beaches and resort facilities. Krabi Town is cheaper, more local and better for early ferries, buses and markets.
How far is Krabi Town from the airport?
About 20–30 minutes by road. Airport buses, shared vans and taxis all serve the town.
When is the Krabi Town night market?
The Walking Street market runs at weekends. Smaller food markets near Chao Fah Pier and the riverside operate on other evenings.
Can I do island tours from Krabi Town?
Yes. Most tours include hotel pickup from Krabi Town and transfer you to the departure pier.
Sources: Tourism Authority of Thailand; InsideSamui editorial research. Journey times are indicative. Last updated 13 November 2026.
Photos: Stefan Fussan (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Stefan Fussan (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Stefan Fussan (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); smmohsinnaseem (CC BY-SA 3.0, 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.