Ao Nang
BeachThe main beach town.
Krabi city guide
Things To Do In Krabi
Limestone cliffs over turquoise water, Railay beach reachable only by boat, world-class rock climbing, island-hopping tours and the ferry to Koh Phi Phi.
62
Hostels in the city
8.2
Average, from 33,292 reviews
1,260
Steps to the Tiger Cave Temple
4
Islands on the classic tour
Nov–Apr
The dry season
The limestone coast
Krabi is a province on the Andaman coast of southern Thailand, known for its towering limestone karsts rising out of the sea and jungle. Most travellers stay in Ao Nang, the beach town, and take boats out to the islands and to Railay, a peninsula cut off by cliffs and reachable only by long-tail boat.
Krabi Town, on the river, is the provincial capital and a cheaper, more local base with a good night market.
Three or four days is right, from November to April, when the Andaman Sea is calm.
Where to stay
Ao Nang is the main beach town, with hostels, restaurants and long-tail boats to the islands. Railay, a peninsula cut off by cliffs and reached only by boat, is the climbing hub and the most scenic. Krabi Town, on the river, is cheaper and has the night markets and transport.
Railay
ClimbingThe peninsula reached by boat.
Krabi Town
ValueThe provincial capital.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Krabi
Krabi province, on the Andaman coast, is famous for limestone cliffs rising from the sea, island beaches and world-class rock climbing.
Railay, a peninsula reached only by long-tail boat, has beaches backed by towering cliffs. Phra Nang Beach, with its cave shrine full of wooden phalluses offered to a sea princess, is one of the most beautiful in Thailand. Railay is a world-famous climbing destination, with hundreds of routes and schools for beginners; climb the steep path to the viewpoint and lagoon if you are agile.
The classic 4 Islands tour visits Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island, linked by a sandbar at low tide, and Phra Nang. The Hong Islands have a lagoon enclosed by cliffs, best reached by kayak.
Tiger Cave Temple, Wat Tham Suea, has 1,260 steps to a golden Buddha on a peak with views over the province. The Emerald Pool and hot springs, in the forest, make a good day trip, and kayaking through the mangroves at Ao Thalane passes through limestone canyons.
Free things
Free things to do in Krabi
The beaches at Ao Nang and Railay are free, and so is the Tiger Cave Temple climb. Krabi Town's night markets and riverside are free to wander.
Phra Nang Beach is free once you reach Railay.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Krabi
Krabi Town's night markets, especially the weekend walking street, have southern Thai dishes: massaman curry, khao mok gai, chicken biryani, from the Muslim community, and fresh seafood. Ao Nang has restaurants for every budget.
A meal is €1.50 to €6.
Nightlife
Going out in Krabi
Ao Nang has a modest nightlife, with bars and live music, and Railay has a few laid-back bars with fire shows.
A beer is €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around Krabi
Krabi Airport has flights from Bangkok. Songthaews run between Krabi Town and Ao Nang. Long-tail boats go to Railay; ferries go to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Phuket.
Boats are affected by weather in the rainy season.
Costs
What Krabi costs
Krabi is mid-priced. Dorms start around €7 and a careful day is €20 to €35.
The 4 Islands tour is €15 to €30, a long-tail to Railay a few euros, a half-day climbing course €30 to €50, and national park fees about €8 for foreigners.
The currency is the baht (THB), at roughly 37 to 40 baht to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. Thai ATMs charge foreign cards about 220 baht per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts. Cards work in cities and resorts; street food is cash or QR payment.
Safety
Staying safe in Krabi
Krabi is safe.
From May to October, the Andaman sea is rough with strong currents, and some boat trips are cancelled; obey the red flags. Climb only with qualified guides.
Scooter accidents injure more travellers in Thailand than anything else. Only ride if you are licensed and insured for it, and always wear a helmet.
Since 15 September 2026, eligible visitors get 30 days visa-free, for tourism only, extendable once by 30 days at an immigration office, and fewer nationalities qualify, so check whether you now need a visa. All visitors must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within three days before arriving.
Tourist Police: 1155. Emergency: 191 police, 1669 ambulance.
Day trips from Krabi
The cliffs of Phi Phi, a cliff lagoon and a forest pool.
Koh Phi Phi
Cliffs and Maya Bay.
Emerald Pool
A turquoise pool in the forest.
Koh Lanta
Quieter beaches.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The dry season is the high season.
6 May – 1 Nov
Elephant Experience: Feeding & Mud Bath
Experience an intimate encounter with elephants in a natural environment, where you can feed them, join in their mud bathing, and even participate in…
6 May – 1 Nov
Bioluminescent Plankton Night Swim
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing night swim surrounded by the luminescent glow of Krabi's bioluminescent plankton. Gain knowledge about the crucial role plankton plays…
Hostels
Where to stay in Krabi
The top-rated places to stay in Krabi right now, live from Hostelworld.
Base Ao Nang Beachfront by Nomads
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Nomads Ao Nang Beach
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
@Aonang Guesthouse
Dorms from €49 a night
See dates and book
The Bananas - Off the beaten track Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
K-Bunk AoNang Center
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Sea Beach Hostel & Club (AoNang Beachfront)
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Talardkao Balcony Krabi
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
Summer Club and Hostel Ao Nang
Dorms from €5 a night
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Glur Hostel
Dorms from €16 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
Global Beach Hostel - Ao Nang
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
KOKO Party Hostel, Ao Nang Beach (18-40)
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Pak-Up Hostel
Dorms from €5 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to April is the dry, calm season on the Andaman coast.
Jan
Peak season
Feb
Peak season
Mar
Dry
Apr
Hot, Songkran
May
Rains start
Jun
Rainy
Jul
Rainy
Aug
Rainy
Sep
Wettest
Oct
Rainy
Nov
Season opens
Dec
Peak season
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. The rainy season runs from May to October.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in baht locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes island tours.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Krabi travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Can beginners climb at Railay?
Yes, with schools offering half-day and full-day courses.
How do I get to Railay?
By long-tail boat from Ao Nang or Krabi Town; there is no road.
How hard is the Tiger Cave Temple?
1,260 steep steps, about an hour up; go early.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April, the dry season.
How many days do you need?
Three or four.
Where should I stay?
Ao Nang for convenience, Railay for scenery, Krabi Town for value.
What is the 4 Islands tour?
A boat trip to Poda, Chicken, Tup and Phra Nang, with a sandbar at low tide.
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