Krabi Travel Guide: Where to Stay and What to Do

Updated September 2026

Krabi

About Krabi

Krabi lies on the Andaman coast, with limestone cliffs, beaches, islands and clear water. Ao Nang offers boat trips to Railay Beach and islands in the Krabi Sea.

Krabi’s coastline pairs limestone cliffs with beaches and islands, and boats connect Ao Nang with Railay Beach, Phra Nang Cave and islands in the Krabi Sea. Krabi Town connects to Ao Nang by songthaew and has evening markets. Railay has three coastlines and activities including swimming and climbing. This guide covers sights, places to stay, airport transport, boat fares, seasons, festivals and practical details. Rain and sea conditions vary through the year, so check the month-by-month weather information when choosing dates.

Where to stay

Hotels in Krabi

Book direct on our own Krabi hotel pages — no booking fee.

Places to stay by type in Krabi

Krabi at a glance

Local currency
THB (THB)
Local time
(GMT+7)
Suggested area to stay
Ao Nang Beach, Phi Phi Island, Krabi town

History, culture and food in Krabi

When to visit Krabi

How good each month is here, on this destination's own scale. It compares months within this city, never one city against another.

Best months: January, March and December
  1. Jan
    70

    Beach weather (sea 28°C)

  2. Feb
    65

    Ramadan (18 Feb-19 Mar 2026)

  3. Mar
    67

    Ramadan (18 Feb-19 Mar 2026)

  4. Apr
    58

    Krabi Rock and Fire Festival

  5. May
    12

    Very wet (250 mm rain)

  6. Jun
    14

    Rainy (220 mm)

  7. Jul
    8

    Very wet (250 mm rain)

  8. Aug
    8

    Very wet (270 mm rain)

  9. Sep
    0

    Often avoided: heavy rain and rough-sea risk

  10. Oct
    0

    Often avoided: heavy rain and rough-sea risk

  11. Nov
    40

    Loy Krathong (rainy (180 mm))

  12. Dec
    72

    Beach weather (sea 28°C)

Things to do in Krabi

9 places worth your time, grouped by when they are at their best.

Any time of day

9 places

Hat Rai Le

Outdoors

Phranang Cave Beach

Outdoors

Sa Morakot (Emerald Pool)

Khao Phra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary

Outdoors

Railay Beach

Outdoors

Ko Hong

Outdoors

Ko Poda

Outdoors

Ko Kai

Outdoors

Ko Phi Phi Don

Outdoors

Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park

Outdoors

Krabi itineraries, day by day

View all itineraries
Things to book

Tours and activities in Krabi

Guided tours, day trips and tickets to book alongside your stay.

Before you go to Krabi

Boat journey from Ao Nang to Railay
20 min
One-way boat fare from Ao Nang to Railay
100 baht
Songthaew journey from Krabi Town to Ao Nang
45 min
Airport bus fare to Noppharat Thara Beach–Ao Nang
150 baht
Foreign adult fee for Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
200 baht
Average September rainfall
350 mm

How do you get from Krabi Airport to the coast?

Take the air-conditioned airport bus via Krabi Bus Terminal towards Noppharat Thara Beach and Ao Nang.

  • Airport bus: The bus runs daily from 06:00 to 22:00, in line with flight arrivals and departures. Buy a ticket and board on the passenger terminal’s 1st floor at Gate 15; fares are 80 baht to Krabi Bus Terminal, 90 baht to Krabi Town and 150 baht to Noppharat Thara Beach–Ao Nang.
  • Hotel-area drop-off: Tell the driver your hotel before departure. The bus can drop passengers on the main road at the nearest point along its route.
  • Return to the airport: For a return bus from Ao Nang or Noppharat Thara Beach, book a seat by phone one day ahead. Check the return arrangements before travel.

How do you get around Krabi?

Use songthaews between Krabi Town and Ao Nang, and passenger boats for Railay and island trips.

  • Songthaew: Songthaews run from Krabi Town to Ao Nang. The journey takes about 45 minutes.
  • Boats to Railay: Passenger boats from Ao Nang take about 20 minutes to Railay. The fare is 100 baht per person per trip.
  • Boats to islands: Ao Nang is a departure point for islands in the Krabi Sea. For Ko Phi Phi Don, boats leave from Khlong Jilad Pier and Krabi Marina Pier in Krabi Town.

Where should you stay in Krabi?

Choose Ao Nang Beach for a coastal base with boat departures, or Krabi town for markets and onward transport to Ao Nang.

  • The areas below are ordered by the number of hotels in each area, from most to fewest. Ao Nang Beach is a departure point for boats to Railay and islands in the Krabi Sea. Krabi Town connects to Ao Nang by songthaew and has evening markets. The airport bus also serves Krabi Town and Ao Nang.
  • Ao Nang Beach: Ao Nang is a beach and a departure point for Railay Beach and islands in the Krabi Sea. Stay here for access to the passenger boat to Railay and the airport bus route.
  • Phi Phi Island: Phi Phi Island is one of the areas to consider for a stay. Boats to Ko Phi Phi Don depart from piers in Krabi Town, and the journey takes about 1 hour.
  • Krabi town: Krabi town has Maharaj Walking Street market from Friday to Sunday and Chao Fah Pier Night Market daily. Songthaews run from Krabi Town to Ao Nang in about 45 minutes.
  • Railay Beach: Railay is reached by passenger boat from Ao Nang in about 20 minutes, at 100 baht per person per trip. Its coastlines include Hat Rai Le West, Hat Rai Le East and Tham Phra Nang.

Where can you see Krabi’s limestone cliffs?

See the cliffs on the Railay coast and at Phranang Cave Beach, where limestone mountains meet the shore.

  • The coastline’s cliffs are not just a backdrop: on the Railay peninsula, Hat Rai Le has three distinct shores, and rock climbing is a recognised activity. Phranang Cave Beach brings the cliffs right to the sand, with a cave at the end of the path and room for a range of beach activities.
  • For a different kind of nature outing, Sa Morakot lies inland in Khao Phra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary. Its 1,400-metre nature study path leads visitors through the sanctuary; the pool’s water temperature is about 30–50 °C. It is open every day from 08:30 to 17:00, with a foreign adult entry fee of 400 baht and a child fee of 200 baht.
  • Bring suitable footwear for the 1,400-metre nature study path at Sa Morakot.
  • Alcohol is not allowed in Thailand’s national parks.

How do you get to Railay Beach?

Take a passenger boat from Ao Nang to Railay, a journey of about 20 minutes costing 100 baht per person per trip.

  • Railay is reached by boat from Ao Nang, south of Hat Noppharat Thara. Ao Nang is a departure point for boats to Railay Beach, Phra Nang Cave and islands in the Krabi Sea. The journey from Hat Ao Nang to Hat Rai Le takes about 20 minutes.
  • Hat Rai Le has three coastlines: Hat Rai Le West, Hat Rai Le East and Tham Phra Nang. Beach activities include swimming, sunbathing and kayaking, while abseiling and climbing make the cliffs part of the day too.
  • Keep 100 baht per person each way for the passenger boat from Ao Nang.
  • Ask about boat arrangements before setting out, as the journey is by passenger boat.

Which islands can you visit from Krabi?

Ko Hong, Ko Poda and Ko Kai are among Krabi’s islands, and boats to Ko Phi Phi Don leave from piers in Krabi Town.

  • Ao Nang is a departure point for islands in the Krabi Sea, including Ko Hong, Ko Poda and Ko Kai. Krabi’s Andaman coast is known for its islands and clear waters, so boat trips are a natural part of a stay here.
  • For Ko Phi Phi Don, boats leave from Khlong Jilad Pier and Krabi Marina Pier in Krabi Town. The trip takes about one hour and costs 450–500 baht per seat. Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park covers about 387.90 square kilometres; the foreign visitor fee is 200 baht per adult and 100 baht per child.
  • Take rubbish back out of the sea and beaches, and avoid single-use plastic packaging and foam containers in national parks.
  • Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC or butylparaben in marine parks.

When is the best time to visit Krabi?

Krabi’s seasons follow Thailand’s wider pattern, but September is the wettest month on the southern west coast.

  • Thailand’s hot season runs from mid-February to mid-May, the rainy season from mid-May to mid-October, and winter from mid-October to mid-February. The southwest monsoon brings widespread cloud and rain from mid-May to mid-October; September is the southern west coast’s wettest month, and monsoon dates can vary year to year. Monthly averages range from about 25 mm of rain in February to about 350 mm in September, with average highs of about 31–35 °C and sea temperatures of about 28–30 °C. January and December have very high crowds in the month data; June to October have low crowds.
  • Loi Krathong (November): Loi Krathong is celebrated nationwide on the full-moon night of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar, normally in November.

Arrival card

Non-Thai nationals must submit a Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within three days before arrival, including the arrival date.

  • It applies to entry by land, air or sea and is valid for one use on the expected arrival date.
  • Transit passengers who do not pass immigration do not need one; leaving the airport requires one.

VAT refund

Eligible purchases must total at least 2,000 baht including VAT per day per store.

  • Buy from a shop displaying the “VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS” sign and take the goods out of Thailand within 60 days.
  • For total purchases of 20,000 baht or more, present the goods, P.P.10 form and original tax invoices to Customs before check-in. Make the claim on the departure date, trip by trip.

Temple clothing

Dress appropriately at religious sites; avoid sleeveless, see-through or short clothing and tight or torn trousers.

  • The prohibited clothing list also includes vests, short tops, bike pants, mini skirts, pants skirts and sleeping suits.

Electrical plugs

Thailand’s electricity is 220 volts at 50 cycles per second.

  • Outlets generally take flat, two-pronged plugs; some also have holes for round plug ends, and few have three holes for grounded plugs.

Emergency help

Call the Tourist Police hotline on 1155.

Alcohol rules

Alcohol sales are generally permitted from 11:00 to 24:00, and the legal drinking age is 20.

  • Sales may be restricted during major religious days or other official periods. Alcohol is not allowed in national parks.

Park care

Alcohol is not allowed in Thailand’s national parks.

  • Do not leave rubbish in the sea or on beaches; take brought-in waste back out. Single-use plastic packaging and foam containers are prohibited in national parks.

Browse Krabi stays

Near Krabi

Straight-line distance from the centre of Krabi.

Getaways from Krabi

Places people from Krabi travel to, from our own travel research.

Frequently asked questions about Krabi

How do I get from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang?

Take the air-conditioned airport bus, which runs via Krabi Bus Terminal to Noppharat Thara Beach and Ao Nang. It runs daily from 06:00 to 22:00 and costs 150 baht to Noppharat Thara Beach–Ao Nang.

Where do I catch the airport bus in Krabi?

The airport bus ticket counter and boarding point are on the passenger terminal’s 1st floor at Gate 15. You can tell the driver your hotel before departure for a drop-off at the nearest point on the route.

How do I get from Ao Nang to Railay Beach?

Take a passenger boat from Ao Nang to Railay. The trip takes about 20 minutes and costs 100 baht per person per trip.

Where should I stay in Krabi for a first visit?

Ao Nang Beach is a practical coastal base because boats leave from Ao Nang for Railay and islands in the Krabi Sea. Krabi town is another option, with evening markets and songthaews to Ao Nang.

Where should I stay in Krabi for nightlife?

Krabi town has two evening market options: Maharaj Walking Street runs Friday to Sunday, and Chao Fah Pier Night Market operates daily. The available facts do not describe other nightlife venues.

Where should I stay in Krabi on a budget?

Accommodation prices are not compared here, so a budget area cannot be identified. Krabi Town has markets and a songthaew connection to Ao Nang, while the airport bus fare to Krabi Town is 90 baht.

Which islands can I visit from Krabi?

Ko Hong, Ko Poda and Ko Kai are among Krabi’s islands. Ao Nang is a departure point for islands in the Krabi Sea.

How do I get to Ko Phi Phi Don from Krabi?

Boats to Ko Phi Phi Don leave from Khlong Jilad Pier and Krabi Marina Pier in Krabi Town. The journey takes about one hour and costs 450–500 baht per seat.

What are the national park fees in Krabi?

For Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, foreign visitor fees are 200 baht per adult and 100 baht per child. Alcohol is not allowed in national parks.

What should I wear at temples in Krabi?

Dress appropriately and avoid sleeveless shirts, vests, short or see-through tops, short pants, tight or torn trousers, bike pants, mini skirts, pants skirts and sleeping suits.

When is the rainy season in Krabi?

Thailand’s rainy season runs from mid-May to mid-October, and September is the wettest month on the southern west coast. September averages about 350 mm of rain in the month data.

What is the weather like in Krabi in September?

September averages a high of about 31 °C, about 350 mm of rain and a sea temperature of about 29 °C. The month data records low crowds.

What festivals are celebrated in Krabi?

Loi Krathong is celebrated nationwide on the full-moon night of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar, normally in November. No other festival months are specified for Krabi.

Do I need a Thailand Digital Arrival Card for Krabi?

Non-Thai nationals entering Thailand must submit a Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within three days before arrival, including the arrival date. It applies to entry by air, land or sea.

Can I drink alcohol in Krabi’s national parks?

No. Alcohol is not allowed in Thailand’s national parks.