By Kylian Dev
1
Climbing the cliffs of Tonsai & Railay
Over 700 bolted routes rising straight from the Andaman Sea.
Destination guide · Andaman Sea
Krabi: the best things to do, where to stay and budget
Reachable only by sea due to the colossal karst cliffs surrounding it, the Railay peninsula is a world capital of rock climbing and unforgettable sunsets.
- Best: November to April
- €35 - 70 / day
In short
Krabi & Railay (Andaman Sea) — Dizzying karst cliffs and secret lagoons. Best time to go: November to April; average temperatures 30°C. Budget: about €35 - 70 / day. Weather: 30°C • Glassy, clear sea and a pleasant sea breeze
RegionAndaman Sea
TypeNature & park
Best seasonNovember to April
Avg. temperature30°C
Budget / day€35 - 70 / day
Thai nameกระบี่ / ไร่เลย์
Must-sees
Things to do in Krabi
Dizzying karst cliffs and secret lagoons
2
Phra Nang Cave Beach
Immaculate white sand, a sacred fishermen's cave and an iconic limestone spire.
3
Railay's hidden lagoon
A rope-assisted scramble to a circular lake set into the rock.
More things to do in Krabi
- 4
The four-island tour
Sea & islandsFull dayLongtail or speedboat trip to Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island and Phra Nang Cave. At low tide a sandbar links the islands.
- 5
Ao Nang and its promenade
BeachHalf a day or moreThe main mainland beach, starting point for boats to Railay and the islands. Lively in the evening, with the sea in front.
- 6
Kayaking at Ao Thalane
Nature2 to 3 hPaddle between limestone cliffs and mangroves north of Ao Nang. Calm, green and suitable for beginners.
- 7
The Tiger Cave Temple
TempleHalf day1,260 steps to the top of a hill with a golden Buddha and a view over the whole province. Climb early in the morning.
- 8
Railay viewpoint and lagoon
Viewpoint2 to 3 hA steep and muddy climb with ropes leads to a viewpoint over East and West Railay. Wear good shoes and avoid it after rain.
- 9
The Emerald Pool and hot springs
NatureFull dayAn inland day trip combining the turquoise Emerald Pool, a hot stream waterfall and the forest of Khao Phra Bang Khram.
- 10
Krabi Town's night market
FoodEveningThe weekend walking street in Krabi Town offers street food and local music, far from the tourist beaches.
Great forBeaches & RelaxingJungle & HikingDiving & Reefs
Weather
When to go to Krabi & Railay?
30°C • Glassy, clear sea and a pleasant sea breeze. Month-by-month outlook:
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayRain / monsoon
- JunRain / monsoon
- JulRain / monsoon
- AugRain / monsoon
- SepRain / monsoon
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovIdeal
- DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Krabi & Railay: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €35 - 70 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Mid-range
35–70 € / day
Indicative split of a typical day (estimate)
Accommodation
~21 €
Food
~13 €
Activities
~11 €
Local transport
~8 €
Transport
How to get to Krabi & Railay
Transport tip
Traditional longtail boat from Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao (15-minute crossing, 100 baht).
From Bangkok → Krabi & Railay
Long haul: a domestic flight or night bus/train is usually easier
Flight
~863 km
Nearest destinations
Krabi & Railay → Koh Phi Phi
Boat
45 min–1h15
Krabi & Railay → Koh Yao Noi
Road
~36 km · ~1.5 h by road
Krabi & Railay → Koh Lanta
Road
~60 km · ~2 h by road
Times and tickets Bangkok → Krabi & RailayPartner link
Where is Krabi & Railay?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Krabi & Railay
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Ao Nang
Practical base: restaurants, longtails to Railay and the islands.
Railay West / East
Reachable only by boat, right below the cliffs.
Tonsai
Railay’s neighbour, a climbers’ hangout, more rustic.
Krabi Town
Low prices and night markets, away from the beach.
Food
What to eat in Krabi & Railay
Whole catch of the day grilled with sea salt
Massaman curry with sweet potato and cinnamon
Crispy mango-chocolate roti
Can’t decide?
Krabi & Railay or…? Compare
Budget, weather, vibe and activities side by side.
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Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Krabi & Railay
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- Krabi Nakharin International HospitalPrivate hospitalDirections
- Wattanapat Hospital Ao NangPrivate hospitalDirections
- Krabi HospitalPublic hospitalDirections
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Krabi & Railay
What are the best things to do in Krabi?
The must-sees are Climbing the cliffs of Tonsai & Railay, Phra Nang Cave Beach, Railay's hidden lagoon. Also worth your time: The four-island tour, Ao Nang and its promenade, Kayaking at Ao Thalane, The Tiger Cave Temple.
How do you get to Krabi from Bangkok?
By air, about 1 hour 20 minutes to Krabi airport, then 30 to 45 minutes by road to Ao Nang. The night bus from the Southern terminal takes about 12 hours. See our Bangkok to Krabi guide.
How do you get to Railay?
Railay has no road access: you go by longtail boat from Ao Nang, about 15 minutes, or from Ao Nam Mao pier. In rough seas you may have to wade ashore at Railay West, so bring a dry bag.
When is the best time to visit Krabi?
From November to April the dry season brings calm seas for boat trips. From May to October the southwest monsoon makes the sea rougher and some trips are cancelled.
What day trips can you do from Krabi?
The most popular are the four islands tour, the Hong islands and Koh Phi Phi. All the options are in our Krabi day trips.
How many days do you need in Krabi?
Three to five days let you combine Ao Nang or Railay, one or two boat trips and half a day of climbing or kayaking.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Krabi & Railay
Compare with the other destinations
Krabi & Railay is one of the 28 destinations covered in detail on the site. The destinations hub sorts them by traveler profile, by month of travel and by daily budget, to help you decide where to go and how many days to stay.