Free things to do · Krabi · Thailand
8 free things to do in Krabi
Krabi without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Krabi without paying an entry fee: Railay Beach, Phra Nang Cave Beach, Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) and Ao Nang Beach are all free. Stay in Ao Nang or Krabi Town and visit Railay by longtail rather than paying Railay's higher rates.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- September–October
Free sights and experiences
Beach · Railay
1.Railay Beach
Arrive early by longtail from Ao Nang before the day-trip crowds; the viewpoint scramble needs proper shoes and is not for small children.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Free
- Outdoors
Beach · Railay
2.Phra Nang Cave Beach
Come in the morning or late afternoon; at midday tour boats crowd the shoreline.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Kids
- Couples
Religious site · Krabi Town
3.Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
Start the climb at first light with plenty of water; cover shoulders and knees, and keep food away from the monkeys.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- History
Beach · Ao Nang
4.Ao Nang Beach
Walk to the quieter southern end for sunset, or take a longtail to Railay for better swimming.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- After dark
Beach · Noppharat Thara
5.Noppharat Thara Beach
Visit at low tide to walk out over the sandbars, and stay for the sunset.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Market · Krabi Town
6.Krabi Town night markets
Go hungry and try roti, grilled seafood and southern curries; prices are lower than in Ao Nang.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Shopping
Historic site · Koh Lanta
7.Lanta Old Town
Visit in the late afternoon and stay for a seafood dinner on a pier over the water.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Krabi Town
8.Wat Kaew Korawaram
Combine it with lunch at a local restaurant and a walk on the riverfront promenade.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Railay | Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave Beach | Full day + Half a day |
| Krabi Town | Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea), Krabi Town night markets and Wat Kaew Korawaram | 2–3 hours + 2 hours + 30 minutes |
| Ao Nang | Ao Nang Beach | 2–3 hours |
| Noppharat Thara | Noppharat Thara Beach | 2–3 hours |
| Koh Lanta | Lanta Old Town | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Viewpoint · Noppharat Thara
Khao Ngon Nak (Dragon Crest) trail
Start before 7am to avoid the heat, carry at least two litres of water and avoid it after heavy rain, when it gets slippery.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Ao Luek
Than Bok Khorani National Park
Combine a swim in the park's freshwater pools with a guided kayak trip to the painted caves.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- History
- Outdoors
- Kids
Historic site · Ao Nang
Fossil Shell Beach (Susan Hoi)
Check the tide table and go at low tide, when the slabs are fully exposed.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- History
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Stay in Ao Nang or Krabi Town and visit Railay by longtail rather than paying Railay's higher rates.
- Book island tours with several agents to compare prices; the same boats are often sold at different rates.
- National park fees are charged in cash at many islands; check whether your tour includes them.
- Travel in May–June or November for good-value rates outside the wettest weeks.
- Eat at Krabi Town's night markets for the lowest food prices in the province.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Krabi expensive to visit?
Krabi is affordable for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Krabi?
Railay Beach: Arrive early by longtail from Ao Nang before the day-trip crowds; the viewpoint scramble needs proper shoes and is not for small children.