Krabi
Limestone cliffs straight out of the sea, beaches you reach by longtail, and Railay — a peninsula with no road in. Krabi is the Andaman coast at its most photogenic, and slightly calmer than Phuket.
Krabi is the mainland province across the water from Phuket, with limestone cliffs, the Railay peninsula and the best island-hopping in Thailand. Stay in Ao Nang for convenience or Railay for scenery. Four nights is ideal.
Railay and the four islands
Railay is reached only by boat and has three beaches: East for the boats, West for the sunset, Phra Nang for the cliffs. The four-island trip south of Ao Nang is the classic day out — go at 7am and you will have Chicken Island to yourself.
Inland Krabi
The Emerald Pool and Tiger Cave Temple are both an hour from the coast and worth a morning. Hot springs, mangrove kayaking and the Krabi riverfront fill the rest.
Where to stay in Krabi
Krabi's accommodation is split between the mainland and the Railay peninsula, and the two are different holidays. Ao Nang is convenient but has no real beach at low tide; Railay is beautiful but has no road and no cars.
- Ao Nang$$–$$$
Best for: First visits, boat trips, families
Longtail boats leave from the beach, restaurants everywhere; the sand is mud at low tide.
- Railay$$$–$$$$
Best for: Climbers, couples, scenery
Four beaches and 700 climbing routes; you wade onto the boat with your bag.
- Ao Nam Mao$$
Best for: Value and quiet
Cheaper than Ao Nang and the longtail pier to Railay is here; not much of a beach.
- Krabi Town$–$$
Best for: Food, markets, local life
The night market and the best cheap eating; 20 minutes to the boats.
Price bands are for a double room per night in high season: $ under THB 1,800 · $$ 1,800–4,500 · $$$ 4,500–10,000 · $$$$ above 10,000. We book hotels in every band and inspect them in person.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Booking Ao Nang and expecting a beach — the beach there is shallow mud at low tide
- Doing four island tours in four days and getting island fatigue
- Skipping the interior, which has the Emerald Pool, Tiger Cave and hot springs
Is it worth it?
The best base in southern Thailand for island hopping and climbing, and cheaper than Phuket. Four nights gives you two boat days, one jungle day and one day at Railay. Ao Nang is convenient but not beautiful; Railay is beautiful but has no road.
Things to see in Krabi
Beach
Railay Beach
A peninsula cut off by limestone cliffs, reached only by longtail, with three beaches and world-class rock climb…
Island hopping
Krabi Four Islands
The classic Krabi boat circuit: Chicken Island, Tup Island, Poda and Phra Nang, linked by sandbars at low tide.…
Nature
Emerald Pool & Tiger Cave Temple
A spring-fed emerald pool in the jungle, with the 1,260-step Tiger Cave Temple nearby for the view.…
Temple
Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
1,260 steps to a golden Buddha on a limestone outcrop, with a 360° view over Krabi's karst landscape.…
Islands
Hong Islands
A small archipelago west of Ao Nang with lagoon-like hongs, a viewpoint and a beach that only exists at low tide…
Tours that include Krabi
Bestseller
4.9 (90)
Andaman Islands & Longtail Bays
Phuket · Krabi
Bestseller
4.9 (180)
Siam in Slow Motion
Bangkok · Chiang Mai · Krabi
Private
4.9 (80)
Best of Thailand
Bangkok · Ayutthaya · Sukhothai · Chiang Mai
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4.9 (80)
Khao Sok & the South
Khao Sok · Krabi · Phuket
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4.9 (100)
Thailand Grand Tour
Bangkok · Kanchanaburi · Ayutthaya · Sukhothai
Experiences here
Common questions
Ao Nang for restaurants and boat access, Railay for scenery and climbing, Krabi Town for cheap food and local life. Avoid Nopparat Thara if you want to walk anywhere.
Four nights. Two for island trips, one for Railay, one for the Emerald Pool and Tiger Cave.
November to April. The monsoon (May–October) brings rain but also lower prices and greener scenery.
For scenery and island access, yes. For beaches, nightlife and infrastructure, Phuket wins. Krabi is cheaper and less developed.
Last updated: October 2026 · JoyoTour editorial team
Add Krabi to a longer trip
Most travellers combine it with two or three other places. Tell us your dates and we will suggest the route.