Travel guide · Thailand
Krabi travel guide
Limestone cliffs, longtail boats and island-hopping on the Andaman coast
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Luxure, CC BY 3.0 au
Quick answer
Krabi province on Thailand's Andaman coast is a landscape of sheer limestone karsts rising from turquoise water, mangroves and more than 100 islands. Most visitors base themselves at Ao Nang, the main beach resort, or on the car-free Railay peninsula, reached only by longtail boat, and spend their days island-hopping to the Phi Phi and Hong islands, climbing, kayaking through mangroves or climbing the steps of the Tiger Cave Temple. Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi, both part of the province, offer longer island stays. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are December–March.
Key facts
- Country
- Thailand
- Best time to visit
- December–March
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- KBV, HKT
- Mid-range daily budget
- $70–$150 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Railay Beach, Limestone karsts, Island-hopping and Rock climbing
Why visit Krabi
- Railay's beaches sit beneath towering limestone cliffs that draw rock climbers from around the world, with no roads to the peninsula.
- Island-hopping by longtail or speedboat reaches the Four Islands, the Hong Islands' lagoon and Phi Phi's Maya Bay.
- Sea kayaking through mangrove channels and karst canyons at Ao Thalane and Than Bok Khorani is easy enough for beginners.
- Southern Thai food is spicier and more turmeric-rich than Bangkok's, with Thai-Muslim dishes such as khao mok gai and roti.
- Accommodation ranges from Ao Nang budget hotels to secluded luxury on Railay and Tubkaek beaches.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Beach · Railay
Railay Beach
West Railay's curve of white sand is framed by vertical limestone cliffs, with longtails anchored offshore and sunset views across the Andaman Sea.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Free
- Outdoors
Beach · Koh Phi Phi
Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Leh
The cliff-ringed cove made famous by the film The Beach reopened in 2022 after a long closure to let coral and sharks recover.
- Time needed
- Half to full day by boat
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Views
Island · Ao Nang
Four Islands tour
The classic Krabi boat trip visits Koh Poda's white-sand beach, the bird-shaped Chicken Island, Koh Tup, where a sandbar links two islets at low tide, and Phra Nang Cave Beach.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Beach · Railay
Phra Nang Cave Beach
A short walk from Railay along a cliff-side path, this small beach has fine sand, clear water and overhanging cliffs.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Kids
- Couples
Island · Than Bok Khorani National Park
Hong Islands
North of Ao Nang, Koh Hong hides an enclosed lagoon reached by kayak or boat through a gap in its cliffs, with a sheltered beach and snorkelling nearby.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Couples
Religious site · Krabi Town
Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
About 8 km north-east of Krabi Town, this forest temple has meditation caves and a stairway of more than 1,200 steep steps to a summit shrine with a golden Buddha and 360-degree views over karst peaks and the coast.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- History
Where to stay
Ao Nang is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, families, budget and nightlife
Ao Nang
Main beach resort town with hotels, restaurants and the boat pier
$$$ · Best for couples, beach, luxury and quiet stays
Railay
Car-free peninsula of cliffs, climbing and beaches
$ · Best for budget, solo travellers and quiet stays
Tonsai
Rustic climbers' bay next to Railay
$ · Best for budget, food lovers and solo travellers
Krabi Town
Provincial riverside town of markets and local life
What to eat
- Gaeng som — A fiery, sour turmeric-yellow curry made with fish and vegetables such as green papaya or bamboo shoots, with no coconut milk.
- Gaeng tai pla — A pungent, very spicy southern curry flavoured with fermented fish innards, with vegetables and pieces of grilled fish.
- Khua kling — Dry-fried minced pork or chicken with a southern curry paste, turmeric and kaffir lime leaves; intensely spicy and fragrant.
- Khao mok gai — Thai-Muslim chicken biryani cooked with turmeric and spices, served with a sweet-and-sour mint sauce and soup.
- Roti — Stretched dough fried on a griddle, served sweet with banana and condensed milk or savoury with curry for breakfast.
- Massaman curry — A mild, rich curry of Persian and Indian influence, with coconut milk, cardamom, cinnamon, potatoes and peanuts, usually made with chicken or beef.
When to go
The best time to visit Krabi is December to March, when skies are sunny, seas are calm and boat trips run reliably. April and November are good shoulder months. September and October are usually the wettest, with rough seas that can cancel island trips, though prices are at their lowest.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season | December–March | Sunshine, calm turquoise seas and the best snorkelling; peak prices and crowds at Railay and Phi Phi. |
| Hot season | April | Very hot and humid with occasional storms; Songkran water fights mid-month. |
| Monsoon | May–August | Frequent showers with sunny breaks, rougher seas and fewer visitors; good-value hotel rates. |
| Late monsoon | September–November | The wettest weeks, with some island businesses closed, giving way to drier weather by late November. |
Getting there and around
Krabi International Airport is about 15 km from Krabi Town and about 35 km from Ao Nang, roughly 40 minutes by road. Airport buses, shuttle vans and taxis serve Ao Nang and Krabi Town. Phuket airport is an alternative with more international flights, about 3 hours by road or a ferry ride away.
Krabi is spread out across the mainland and islands. Longtail boats connect Ao Nang with Railay, ferries and speedboats serve Phi Phi and Lanta, and songthaews, taxis and app cars link Ao Nang, Krabi Town and the airport.
Plan your days
Three days allows a day on Railay, a Four Islands or Hong Islands boat trip and a day at Ao Nang. Five days adds Phi Phi, mangrove kayaking and the Emerald Pool; with a week, add a few nights on Koh Lanta.
Practical information
- Currency
- THB
- Language
- Thai
- Plugs
- Type A, B, C and O sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water and refill stations are widely available.
- Emergency number
- Police 191, ambulance 1669, Tourist Police 1155
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected but appreciated.
Rip currents are strong on west-facing beaches during the May–October monsoon, so obey red flags. Scooter accidents are common, and wading to longtails at low tide can be slippery. Monkeys at the Tiger Cave Temple and on Railay will grab food and bags.
Flights to Krabi
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Krabi?
Three days allows a day on Railay, a Four Islands or Hong Islands boat trip and a day at Ao Nang. Five days adds Phi Phi, mangrove kayaking and the Emerald Pool; with a week, add a few nights on Koh Lanta. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Krabi?
The best time to visit Krabi is December to March, when skies are sunny, seas are calm and boat trips run reliably. April and November are good shoulder months. September and October are usually the wettest, with rough seas that can cancel island trips, though prices are at their lowest.
+What is Krabi known for?
Railay Beach, Limestone karsts, Island-hopping, Rock climbing, Phi Phi Islands, Longtail boats and Tiger Cave Temple. Railay's beaches sit beneath towering limestone cliffs that draw rock climbers from around the world, with no roads to the peninsula.
+Is Krabi expensive?
Krabi is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $70–$150 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Krabi?
No. Boats, songthaews and app cars cover most needs; a hire car is only useful for exploring the mainland's waterfalls and hot springs independently.