Krabi is the most versatile beach destination on the Andaman Sea: limestone cliffs rising straight out of the sea, beaches only reachable by boat, and a range of hotels running from simple guesthouses in Krabi Town to some of the best resorts in all of Thailand. But the areas differ hugely from one another. Book in Ao Nang and you get a completely different holiday than staying on Railay or at the quiet Tubkaek beach.
Krabi is one of our favourite places in southern Thailand: we’ve stayed there many times and always love coming back.
In this guide, we run through the four best areas to stay, plus the best hotels for every budget and travel style, so you can make the right choice for your trip straight away.
Tip: Still torn between Krabi and Phuket? Read why you should skip Phuket.
Published on 15 September 2026.
Quick Pick: Krabi Hotels
Short on time? Use the table below to see straight away which area best matches what you’re looking for.
| Traveller Type | Best Area | Vibe | Recommended Hotel Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-time visit & convenience | Ao Nang | Lively, central, most restaurants and shops | Mid-range hotel / resort |
| Iconic beach & nature | Railay | Car-free, only reachable by boat, spectacular cliffs | Resort (from mid-range to top luxury) |
| Peace & 5-star luxury | Klong Muang & Tubkaek | Quiet, exclusive, beautiful sunsets | Luxury resort |
| Budget & local life | Krabi Town | Real Thai town, night markets, ferry departure point | Budget or boutique hotel |
The Best Areas to Stay in Krabi
Krabi is a province, not a city or an island, which makes choosing your home base more important than in most other Thai destinations. These are the four areas where almost everyone ends up staying.
Ao Nang – The Practical Home Base
Ao Nang is the tourist heart of Krabi: a long promenade with restaurants, bars and shops, with the beach right alongside. This is where the longtail boats to Railay depart from. The beach itself is fine, though most visitors prefer to swim on the islands or at Railay. For a first visit to Krabi, Ao Nang is almost always the most convenient choice.
Want to know more? Check out our complete overview of the best hotels in Ao Nang.
Railay – Krabi’s Most Famous Beach
Railay is technically a peninsula, but because limestone cliffs completely cut it off from the mainland, you can only get there by longtail boat. That makes it car-free and gives it an island feel, with two beaches (Railay West and Railay East, popular with climbers) and the famous Phra Nang Cave Beach within walking distance. If you’re after the postcard picture of Krabi from the guidebooks, this is the place.
Want to know more? Check out our selection of the most beautiful hotels on Railay Beach.
Klong Muang & Tubkaek – Quiet Luxury
About twenty minutes’ drive north of Ao Nang lie the beaches of Klong Muang and Tubkaek: quiet, green and without any nightlife. This is Krabi’s 5-star area, with resorts like Phulay Bay (a Ritz-Carlton Reserve) and Banyan Tree Krabi, and from the beach you look out over the Hong Islands. Ideal for honeymooners and anyone mainly looking for peace and quiet.
Want to know more? Discover the quiet luxury resorts of Klong Muang and Tubkaek.
Krabi Town – Budget and Local Life
Krabi Town is the provincial capital on the river, about 25 minutes from Ao Nang. There’s no beach, but there are night markets, cheap guesthouses, local restaurants and the pier where the ferries to Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta depart. For backpackers and travellers who want to bridge a night before an early boat, this is the obvious place.
Want to know more? Check out the best budget and boutique hotels in Krabi Town.
How to Travel to Krabi
Krabi has its own airport, Krabi International Airport (KBV), with direct domestic flights from Bangkok year-round. The flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and is operated by several airlines, including budget carriers like AirAsia and Thai Lion Air. Thanks to that competition, ticket prices are considerably lower than, for example, to Koh Samui, where a single airline operates almost all the flights.
Coming from one of the islands? Ferries and speedboats sail daily from Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Phuket to Krabi. And if you’re travelling overland, you can take the night train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then the bus onward to Krabi (plan on a full travel day). We’d advise against the direct night bus, just as elsewhere in Thailand: the train is safer and more comfortable.
Tip: Curious about the best deals on your flight to Thailand? Check out our page on flight tickets to compare the cheapest flights right away.
Getting Around: Distance from the Airport and Transport in Krabi
Krabi Airport sits between Krabi Town and the coast, so you’re at your destination quickly after landing.
How Far Are the Areas from the Airport?
| Area | Distance from Airport | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Krabi Town | About 12 to 15 kilometres | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Ao Nang | About 27 kilometres | 35 to 45 minutes |
| Klong Muang & Tubkaek | About 35 to 40 kilometres | 45 to 55 minutes |
| Railay | Via Ao Nang or Ao Nam Mao, then by longtail boat | 60 to 75 minutes total |
Getting Around Krabi: Songthaew, Grab and Longtail Boat
- Songthaew (shared pick-up trucks): The white songthaews run a fixed route between Krabi Town and Ao Nang and are the cheapest way to travel between the two. You pay a fixed amount per person, usually 50 to 100 THB depending on the distance.
- Grab: Grab works well in Krabi Town and Ao Nang and is generally cheaper than a regular taxi. For the ride from the airport, you can also take a shuttle bus or a pre-booked transfer.
- Longtail boat: For Railay, the longtail boat is the only way in. From the beach at Ao Nang, it’s about a 15-minute ride to Railay West (roughly 100 to 150 THB per person per trip); from the pier at Ao Nam Mao, you sail to Railay East. The boats leave once there are enough passengers.
- Renting a scooter: Handy if you want to explore the area yourself, for example towards Tiger Cave Temple or the Emerald Pool. Always wear a helmet and check your insurance; that advice applies just as much in Krabi as on the islands.
Practical tip: Within Ao Nang itself, everything is doable on foot. If you’re staying in Klong Muang or Tubkaek, keep in mind you’ll need a taxi or scooter for restaurants outside your resort.
Krabi Hotels by Budget & Traveller Type
It’s not just the area that matters, the type of accommodation also needs to match your budget and travel party.
Luxury 5-Star Resorts in Krabi
Krabi plays in Thailand’s top league: the iconic Rayavadee on Railay and Phulay Bay, the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve, regularly feature on international lists of Asia’s best resorts. By the end of 2026, the opening of Centara Reserve Krabi near Ao Nang will add another big name to that list.
Check out the most beautiful luxury hotels and 5-star resorts in Krabi
Mid-Range Hotels (3 and 4 Stars)
You’ll find the biggest range in the mid-range segment, especially in and around Ao Nang: comfortable resorts with a pool, breakfast and a good location for a friendly price.
Check out the best 3- and 4-star hotels in Krabi
Characterful Boutique Hotels
If you’d rather stay somewhere small-scale, Krabi has a handful of special boutique resorts, from wooden villas on Tubkaek beach to green cottages tucked among the limestone cliffs behind Ao Nang.
Get inspired by the loveliest boutique hotels in Krabi
Family-Friendly Hotels
Krabi is a great family destination: several resorts have a kids’ club, children’s pool and playground, and excursions like the 4 Islands Tour work well with kids.
Travelling to Krabi with kids: the best family hotels and resorts
Krabi Hotels with Specific Amenities
Do you have specific wishes for your stay? These are the most sought-after amenities in Krabi:
The Most Beautiful Hotels with a Pool in Krabi
From one of the biggest resort pools in Thailand to private villas with their own plunge pool: if the pool matters to you at least as much as the beach, Krabi gives you plenty of choice.
Check out our top picks for hotels with a pool in Krabi
Best Wellness and Spa Resorts in Krabi
Krabi has a wellness trump card you won’t find quite like this anywhere else in Thailand: natural hot springs inland, with an actual hot spring resort built around them. On top of that, the top resorts along the coast are home to world-class spas.
The best wellness and spa resorts in Krabi
Adults-Only & Romantic Resorts
For a honeymoon or a trip without kids, Krabi has a number of genuine adults-only hotels, complemented by luxury resorts that cater almost entirely to couples.
Discover the most beautiful adults-only and romantic resorts in Krabi
Best Time to Book a Hotel in Krabi
Krabi sits on the Andaman Sea and follows the same season as Phuket: dry and sunny from November through April, with the rainy season from May through October and the most rain in September and October. Note that this is exactly opposite to Koh Samui, whose wettest months fall in October and November instead. If you’re combining both coasts in one trip, keep this in mind.
In high season, and especially around Christmas and New Year, the most popular resorts on Railay and at Tubkaek are often fully booked months in advance. In the green season (May to October), prices drop significantly and it’s much quieter; most island tours still run as normal, although the sea in September and October can be too rough for some routes.
Practical Tips for Booking Your Hotel
- Book well ahead around Christmas and New Year: This is the busiest and most expensive period of the year. Book your hotel at least 4 to 6 months in advance if you’re travelling to Krabi during this period.
- Staying on Railay? Plan your arrival during the day: The longtail boats mostly run in daylight, and at high tide sometimes from a different pier. An evening landing at Krabi Airport quickly means a night in Ao Nang or Krabi Town before you cross over to Railay.
- How many days do you need? We recommend at least 4 to 5 nights: enough for a day at Railay and Phra Nang Cave Beach, an island tour like the 4 Islands or Hong Islands, and a day for the Emerald Pool and hot springs inland.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hotels in Krabi
Should I book my hotel in Krabi in advance?
Yes, especially in high season (November through April). The best resorts on Railay and along the beaches of Klong Muang and Tubkaek have a limited number of rooms and are often fully booked months in advance. We recommend booking at least 3 to 4 months ahead, and 4 to 6 months around Christmas and New Year.
What is the best area to stay in Krabi?
That depends on your travel style:
- Ao Nang – Best for a first visit: everything within walking distance, the most restaurants and the most convenient departure point for tours.
- Railay – Best for the true Krabi feel: spectacular nature and car-free, but only reachable by boat.
- Klong Muang & Tubkaek – Best for peace and luxury: quiet beaches and the most beautiful 5-star resorts.
- Krabi Town – Best for budget: cheap, local and convenient for the ferry to the islands.
How much does a hotel in Krabi cost on average?
- Budget: For €15 to €30 per night, you get a decent guesthouse or simple hotel, especially in Krabi Town.
- Mid-range: For €50 to €90 per night, you’ll stay in a comfortable 3- or 4-star resort with a pool in or around Ao Nang.
- Luxury: The 5-star segment starts at around €150 per night, rising to €450 or more for top resorts like Rayavadee and Phulay Bay.
How many days should I stay in Krabi?
We recommend at least 4 to 5 nights. That gives you time for Railay and Phra Nang Cave Beach, at least one island tour, and a day inland (Emerald Pool, hot springs or the Tiger Cave Temple).
How do I get to Railay if my hotel is there?
Only by longtail boat: from the beach at Ao Nang to Railay West (about 15 minutes) or from the pier at Ao Nam Mao to Railay East. The larger resorts on Railay often arrange their own transfer; check this when booking, especially if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage.
Is Krabi suitable for a family holiday?
Definitely. Ao Nang and Klong Muang have several resorts with kids’ clubs and children’s pools, the beaches there are calm, and excursions like the 4 Islands Tour are kid-friendly. Only Railay is a bit less practical with very young children because of the boat transfer via the beach.
Article written by Su & Johan, 14 years combined experience in Thailand
The ThaiTravelExpert team (Su and Johan) brings you fascinating articles packed with information and practical tips on hotels in Thailand, excursions in Thailand and useful travel tips for Thailand. More about us
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