What to Do in Krabi: The Complete Guide

If you’re planning a trip to southern Thailand, you’ve probably already heard of Krabi. Or maybe not — like me — I only found out it existed while searching for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket, and that’s when I discovered Krabi even has its own airport. In this guide you’re going to learn everything about stupidly gorgeous Krabi, but I’ll spoil it right now: if you still haven’t decided whether it’s worth adding to your itinerary, the answer is a big fat YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS *waves hand excitedly*. So let’s talk about what to do in Krabi.

I decided to go to Krabi because I had about ten days to kill before heading to Phuket, where I’m currently housesitting a chunky Corgi we’re obsessed with, for two and a half months. If you want to know more about housesitting, click here.

Anyway, back to Krabi.

There’s something for everyone: day trips to nearby islands (I spent a week in Koh Lanta, but that’s a whole other post), climbing on some of the best cliffs in Asia, temples, kayaking through mangroves, or just sitting by the sea with a coconut in hand watching the sunset.

In this guide I’ll walk you through how to get to Krabi, where to stay, what to do, how many days you should spend there, and some tips I wish someone had given me before I traveled.

Where Is Krabi

Even though a lot of people talk about Krabi like it’s a city, it’s actually a province on the Andaman Sea coast in southern Thailand. Within the province there are several areas where you can stay, but the best known are Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Railay Beach, and Tub Kaek. Each one has a different vibe (I’ll tell you which to pick depending on your kind of trip further down). I stayed in Krabi Town both times I was there.

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Its location makes it perfect for exploring other islands in the south: a lot of travelers use Krabi as a base to visit Phi Phi, the Hong Islands, or Koh Lanta.

How to Get to Krabi

Krabi is really well connected to the rest of the country, so getting there is pretty easy no matter where you’re coming from.

By plane: if you’re traveling from Bangkok, the fastest option is to fly into Krabi International Airport. The flight takes about an hour and a half.

By ferry: if you’re island-hopping through the south, you’ll probably arrive by sea. Boats leave daily from Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and other nearby islands.

By bus: if you’ve got more time and want to save money, there are overnight buses from Bangkok and other cities. The ride is long (around 12 hours), but it’s usually the cheapest option. I got there from Phuket Airport, and it took about three hours. I booked through 12go.asia, which I even wrote a whole post about because it’s the best thing ever.

Where to Stay in Krabi

Where you choose to sleep depends on the kind of trip you’re after, because each area has a totally different personality.

Ao Nang: the best option for most people (just not for me… oh look at her, so special)

If it’s your first time in Krabi, Ao Nang is usually the best pick — BECAUSE YOU’RE SUCH A TOURIST, ADMIT IT (?). Okay but jokes aside, if what you mostly want is beach time and a bit of partying, Ao Nang is where most of the hotels, restaurants, tour agencies, and bars are concentrated. Plus, long tail boats leave constantly from its beach toward Railay Beach and other nearby beaches, so getting around is really easy.

Where to stay in Ao Nang

Railay Beach: sleeping in a postcard

If you’ve ever seen photos of Krabi, there’s a good chance they were taken in Railay Beach. Even though it’s technically connected to the mainland, you can only get there by boat. The good part: it’s super peaceful if you stay overnight, because most people just come and go for the day. The bad part: it’s one of the pricier options, precisely because of that exclusivity.

Krabi Town: the most local and budget-friendly option

I loved Krabi Town. I love beaches, but I also love watching local people go about their lives and nosing around to see what they’re up to. Beyond that, if you’re looking to save money, try local food, and see a less touristy side of Thailand, it can be a great alternative.

What to Do in Krabi: 7 Must-Do Activities

1. Spend a full day at Railay Beach

A lot of people visit as a half-day trip, but ideally you should dedicate a full day to it. Besides the main beach, you can walk to Phra Nang Beach, considered one of the prettiest beaches in Thailand, or hike up to the famous Railay viewpoint for a view over the whole peninsula.

2. Do the Four Islands Tour

The classic of classics. During the tour you’ll visit Chicken Island, Tup Island, Poda Island, and Phra Nang Beach again. Depending on the tide, you can even walk across the sandbank that connects some of these islands.

Tip: book the tour that leaves early in the morning. It’s cooler and there are way fewer people.

3. Hong Islands

I didn’t do this one, and I still regret it, because from the photos it looks incredible. I’m recommending it anyway so you actually go and don’t end up like me, kicking myself for not doing it when it was right there.

4. Climb up to Tiger Cave Temple

Get your legs ready: there are over 1,200 steps to reach the top. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I DID. Painful as it was, I loved it. Both the temple entrance and the giant Buddha are totally worth it, I swear. Check out my happy face at the top.

5. Wander around Ao Nang

The beachfront avenue fills up with food stalls, bars with live music, and restaurants where you can have dinner while watching the sunset. If you’re staying in Krabi Town like I did, I’d still recommend heading over to Ao Nang and staying until sunset.

6. Krabi Town Night Market

I spent every single night there. Even on rainy days — the atmosphere and the variety of food made it totally worth it. There’s even live music on weekends.

7. Watch the sunset from Wat Kaew Korawaram

You can go any time of day, but I really recommend sunset, and here’s proof:

How Many Days Should You Spend in Krabi?

You can see the main highlights in two or three days, but four nights is ideal. That way you can dedicate a day to Railay, another to the Hong Islands, another to the Four Islands tour, climb Tiger Cave Temple, and still have time left to relax on the beach without feeling like you’re rushing from place to place.

Krabi has that laid-back rhythm that invites you to do exactly that: slow down.

Best Time to Travel to Krabi

Everyone recommends the dry season, roughly from November to April. I went in June, right in the middle of rainy season. It did rain some days, yes, but I also had plenty of sunny days and way fewer tourists, precisely because it was low season.

Tips for Traveling to Krabi

• Carry cash: there are still shops and long tail boats that don’t take cards.
• If you’re going snorkeling, use biodegradable sunscreen to help protect the coral.
• If you rent a scooter, drive carefully: the roads get slippery when it rains.
• Don’t skimp on travel insurance. A single doctor’s visit can cost way more than a full insurance plan. I use: SafetyWing

Frequently Asked Questions About Krabi

How many days should you spend in Krabi?

Ideally between 4 and 5 nights, so you can fit in the main excursions without feeling like you’re rushing the whole time.

Where’s the best place to stay in Krabi, Ao Nang or Railay Beach?

For me, Krabi Town — but Ao Nang is the most practical and budget-friendly option if you’d rather be close to the beaches. Railay Beach has more spectacular scenery, but it’s pricier and only reachable by boat.

What’s the best time of year to visit Krabi?

The dry season, from November to April, has the most stable weather and less rain, though traveling during the rainy season is also a great option because of lower prices and way fewer crowds.

Is Krabi Worth Visiting?

For me, absolutely, and then some. Krabi has that balance that’s not always easy to find: spectacular beaches, incredible excursions, good infrastructure, and a much more relaxed vibe than other tourist destinations. For me, it was a total surprise — an unexpected little gem.

Fellow traveler, I hope all this info was helpful, and if there’s anything else you want to know, I’m right here.

Travel hugs, Titín