SherryStay Destination Guide
Krabi
Andaman coast limestone cliffs — Railay rock climbing, Phi Phi day trips, jungle waterfalls, Thailand without the Phuket crowds.
About Krabi
Choosing Krabi as a base for day trips effectively puts the key to all of southern Thailand's most spectacular treasures in your hand. Its great advantage is a perfect geographic position on the coast: you sleep in one comfortable, quality place and wake each morning to a completely different adventure. What do you do here? Mostly set out on journeys from the nearby piers — one day you find yourself cruising by private boat among the famous limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay, the next diving in the turquoise water of the Phi Phi Islands, and the day after enjoying the quiet and seclusion of the Hong Islands or the Railay peninsula, considered one of the most beautiful beaches on earth. And beyond the sea, a Krabi base also opens up fascinating trips inland — a visit to the Emerald Pool hidden deep in the jungle, or a soak in natural hot springs. As a base, Krabi is the ideal choice for anyone who wants to combine luxury and comfort at a chosen hotel with a daily sense of discovery, without changing hotels or hauling suitcases from place to place — simply returning each evening to your familiar, pampering spot, and setting out refreshed for tomorrow's adventure.
Stay in Ao Nang for the beach + restaurants combo, Railay for the iconic cliff-beach atmosphere (boat-only access), or Klong Muang for upscale resort quiet. Skip "Krabi Town" — it's an inland transit hub with no beach.
Best For
Where to Stay
Ao Nang
Main tourist beach, restaurants, walking strip, ferry to Railay
Railay
Boat-only access, towering cliffs, rock climbing, secluded beach
Klong Muang
Upscale resorts, quiet beach, 20 min from Ao Nang
Tubkaak
Premium boutique beach, very quiet, sunset over the islands
Money-Saving Tips
- 1Day-trip boat tickets to the 4-island tour are 600 THB at the beach vs 1,200 from a hotel desk — book direct.
- 2Massages on Ao Nang Soi 12 are 250–350 THB; the same hour at a resort is 1,500+.
- 3Eat at a real Thai street stall — pad thai 60 THB vs 250 THB at the tourist-strip restaurant.
Getting Around
- 1Krabi airport (KBV) → Ao Nang: shared minibus 150 THB, 30 min. Taxi 700–800 THB.
- 2Longtail boats are the local transit — Ao Nang ↔ Railay 150 THB per person, 15 min.
- 3For Phi Phi day trips, take the early speedboat (8 am) to beat the bigger boats and crowds.
Most Common Mistake
Visiting in low season (May–Oct) — most boats stop running on monsoon days and beach activities cancel.
4–6 nights
- • Phi Phi Islands (1h speedboat)
- • Phuket (3h ferry + drive)
- • Koh Lanta (1h ferry)
- • Khao Sok rainforest (3h drive)
Useful Local Hotel Phrases
Thai- Helloสวัสดีsa-wat-DEE
- Thank youขอบคุณkop-KOON
- Pleaseกรุณาga-ru-NA
- Check-inเช็คอินchek-IN
- Check-outเช็คเอาท์chek-OWT
- Hotelโรงแรมrong-RAEM
- Receptionแผนกต้อนรับpa-naek-ton-RAP
- Breakfastอาหารเช้าa-han-CHAO
- Wi-Fiไวไฟwai-FAI
- Taxiแท็กซี่taek-SEE
- Airportสนามบินsa-nam-BIN
- How much?เท่าไหร่tao-RAI
- Where is...?อยู่ที่ไหนyoo-tee-NAI
- Deliciousอร่อยa-ROY
- Helpช่วยด้วยchuay-DUAY
Krabi at a glance
- Krabi is in Thailand.
- The nearest airport to Krabi is Krabi International Airport (KBV).
- Getting in from the airport takes 30–45 min to Ao Nang.
- The best way in is Airport shuttle minibus or metered taxi; longtail/ferry onward to Railay and islands.
- A day in Krabi costs roughly $30–50 per person on a budget, $70–130 mid-range and $300+ at the luxury end.
- Sherry suggests 4–6 nights in Krabi.
- September is usually the cheapest month to visit Krabi, December is the busiest, and November offers the best value.
Common questions
- Do I need a car in Krabi?
- Not really. Boats, songthaews, grab/taxis and tour transfers cover most needs; a scooter helps for exploring the mainland but isn't essential.
- Railay or Ao Nang — where should I stay?
- Ao Nang has more hotels, restaurants and transport; Railay is car-free, scenic and quieter, reached only by boat. Many visitors split their stay.
- When is the best time to visit Krabi?
- November to March is the dry season with calm seas and sunshine. May to October is wetter, cheaper and greener.
- How many days do I need in Krabi?
- 4–5 nights lets you do island tours, a national park trip and beach time without rushing.
- Is Krabi good for families?
- Yes — calm beaches, easy boat tours, resort pools and warm water suit kids well.
Where to stay in Krabi
Looking for hotels in Krabi? It helps to decide on an area first — our guide to where to stay in Krabi sets out which neighbourhoods suit which kind of trip.
Around Baansuan the options include Baansuan Rimnom Resort, Baansuan Rimnom Resort and Baansuan Rimnam Resort.
Around Beach the options include Coco Beach Resort and Krabi Nature Luxury Beach Resort Hotel.
Around Baan the options include OYO 636 Baan Suan Rim Nam Resort Krabi Noi and Baan Prasert Resort and Hotel.
Elsewhere in the city you will also find Pavilion Queens Bay Hotel, Radisson Resort & Spa Krabi, Nattha Waree Hot Spring Resort and Spa, Pakasai Resort (Nuea Khlong), Sai Rung Resort, Phana Resort, Palmari boutique hotel (SHA Extra Plus), Chalalai Hotel Krabi, Lilly house near Krabi Airport (4.3km), Srisuksant Urban, Tonkla Resort, Phumthadarommanee Resort, Petchmalee Guesthouse, Jidapha Rooms, Palm Driving Range & Resort, Ruenchan Resort at Khao Phanom and Numjaan Resort.