Krabi Travel Guide 2026: 4-Island Tour, Phi Phi, Railay + 38 Spots

Krabi is the face of the Andaman — emerald water, limestone karst peaks jutting from the sea, white-sand beaches, scattered islands. The landscape Hollywood reached for The Beach, Star Wars, and a James Bond film. Just 1.5 hours from Bangkok by plane, with prices that still undercut Phuket.

The TripDeDee team goes every dry season — long-tails to Hong Island, the 1,260-step climb at Wat Tham Sua, morning dim sum in Krabi town. This guide picks 10 must-see spots from the 38 landmarks in the app + 2-day and 4-day itineraries + a nighttime section.

Quick Facts

• Best season: November–April (clear water, calm seas) · skip June–September (SW monsoon)
• Daily budget: 40–95 USD/person (mid-range · ~25% cheaper than Phuket)
• Recommended length: 2 days (Ao Nang + 4-island) · 4 days/3 nights covers everything (incl. Phi Phi + Lanta)
• From Bangkok: 1.5h flight (~30–75 USD) · 11–12h overnight bus · From Phuket 2.5h drive (160 km) · From Surat Thani 3h
• Getting around: car rental 800–1,200 THB/day · scooter 200–300 · Grab in town + Ao Nang · long-tail boats are the workhorse for islands

Practical Info for Foreign Visitors

Krabi is geared for international tourism — but a few things will save time and money:

1. Renting a car / scooter

• Where: Krabi airport has Budget, Avis, Hertz, Sixt. In Ao Nang, Krabi Rent A Car and local shops deliver to your hotel.
• Daily rate: sedan 800–1,200 THB, scooter 200–300 THB
• License: International Driving Permit (IDP) required legally for car and scooter — police checkpoints on the Krabi–Ao Nang stretch are common
• Insurance: always take CDW · scooter accidents on Krabi roads (especially the curvy stretch to Wat Tham Sua) are common

2. Cash & ATMs

• Islands (Phi Phi, Lanta interior, Railay) are largely cash-only. Withdraw at central Krabi or Ao Nang ATMs (Krungsri, Bangkok Bank, SCB accept foreign cards) before going
• Foreign-card ATM fee = 220 THB per transaction · withdraw 10,000+ THB at a time
• Mobile payment (PromptPay) is tied to Thai bank accounts — useless for tourists

3. Booking 4-island & Phi Phi tours

• Don’t pre-book online — Ao Nang booths are 30% cheaper. Compare 3–4 booths before booking
• Long-tail half-day = 400–700 THB · speedboat full-day = 800–1,500 THB
• Park entry fees stack: 400 THB foreign for Hong Islands, 400 for Phi Phi, 200 for Lanta · usually not included in tour price, paid separately at the islands
• Lower-end tours include lunch + snorkel gear · always ask
• Avoid speedboat tours in choppy weather — Krabi waters get rough fast in shoulder season

4. Beach & longtail safety

• Talay Waek (Koh Tup) sandbar appears only at low tide — check tide timing the day of your tour
• Maya Bay closes 1 August – 30 September every year for reef recovery
• Long-tail boats are open and bumpy — bring a dry bag for valuables
• Sun is brutal at sea — high-SPF sunblock + cover-up shirt + drink water (heatstroke is real)

5. Tipping etiquette

• Tour guides: 50–100 THB/person at end of trip if good
• Restaurants: round up bill or 5–10% if no service charge
• Long-tail captains: 20–50 THB/person if they go above and beyond

10 Must-See Attractions

1. Hong Island — Krabi’s signature lagoon

A lagoon in the middle of an island, ringed by towering limestone cliffs · emerald water you can see fish in · calm even when the outer sea isn’t.

• Getting there: Long-tail from Ao Nang pier ~30 min (1,200–1,800 THB per boat for groups) · speedboat half-day tour 700–1,200 THB/person
• Tip: Arrive at 09:00, before the big tour boats. Climb the 360° viewpoint (~10 min hike) for the ring-of-karst-and-sea shot
• Entry: Than Bok Khorani NP fee 300 THB foreign · ~30–60 THB Thai (prices as of May 2026; verify at the park counter)

2. Railay Beach + Phra Nang Cave Beach

A peninsula of limestone karst — accessible only by boat (no roads). Four beaches: Railay West, Railay East, Phra Nang Cave, and Tonsai. Mecca for rock climbers worldwide.

• Getting there: Long-tail from Ao Nang pier 100–150 THB/person, 10–15 min, 07:00–18:00
• Phra Nang Cave Beach — quieter, with the famous shrine + Krabi’s best sunset
• Stay: Resorts at every level — staying 1–2 nights is the way to disconnect

3. Ao Nang Beach

The main beach — accommodation hub, restaurant strip, and tour-booth district · 20 km (30 min) from Krabi town

• Tip: The northern end (toward Centara) is quieter · southern end near the pier is crowded with long-tails
• Sunset: 17:30–18:00 · sit at a beachfront seafood restaurant or a hillside bar (e.g. Last Cafe)
• Nearby: Ao Nang Landmark Night Market open every night

4. 4-Island Tour — Poda + Talay Waek + Chicken + Bamboo

The default first-timer tour around Ao Nang waters:

• Koh Poda — wide white-sand beach, abundant fish, good snorkeling
• Koh Tup (Talay Waek) — a sand spit linking three islands, appearing only at low tide · walk across the sea · check tide timing first
• Chicken Island (Koh Kai) — limestone shaped like a chicken’s head — instagram shot
• Phra Nang Cave Beach / Bamboo Island — varies by tour

Pricing: Long-tail half-day 400–700 THB · speedboat full-day 800–1,500 THB

5. Ton Sai Bay, Phi Phi Don

The main pier of Phi Phi Don · accommodation/restaurant/tour hub · onward boats to Maya Bay (Phi Phi Leh).

• Getting there: Ferry from Krabi/Phuket/Ao Nang piers 350–600 THB, 1.5–2 hours
• Stay: Hostels from 400 THB to luxury resorts 5,000+ THB
• Tip: Overnight 1 night (not a day trip) to experience Phi Phi properly + catch Maya Bay at sunrise before tour boats arrive
• Maya Bay closes 1 Aug – 30 Sep every year for coral recovery · entry 400 THB foreign

6. Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Temple)

A mountaintop temple near Krabi town · climb 1,260 steps to a giant gold Buddha and a 360° viewpoint over Krabi town, the river, and limestone mountains

• Getting there: 10 km from Krabi town (15 min) · 25 km from Ao Nang (40 min)
• Entry: free (donation box)
• Tip: Climb early (06:00–08:00) or late (16:00–17:30) — midday sun is brutal. Bring water and proper shoes.

7. Khao Ngon Nak (Dragon Crest)

A 498m peak in Ao Luek District · 3.7 km hike up through forest, 1.5–2 hours · the summit has dragon-spine rocks and sweeping karst-and-coast views

• Getting there: ~50 km from Krabi town (1h drive)
• Entry: 200 THB foreign · 40 THB Thai (within Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi NP · prices as of 2026)
• Hours: opens 08:00 · last entry 14:00 · gates close 18:00 (you must descend before close)
• Tip: Start at 06:30–07:30 or earlier for sunrise · fit required · hiking shoes + headlamp + water essential

8. Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam

A clear-water canal flowing through mangrove forest · the unique feature is fresh water and salt water flowing in two visible layers (“two-water canal”) · wooden boardwalks through the forest make for striking photos

• Getting there: 35 km from Krabi town (40 min) via Ao Luek District
• Entry: 100 THB foreign · 20 THB Thai (children half-price) · open 08:00–17:00

9. Emerald Pool + Klong Thom Hot Springs

In Klong Thom District (~45 km from Ao Nang · 1h drive) two attractions side by side, easily done in one day

• Emerald Pool (Sa Nam Phut) — emerald-green pool fed by springs · 1.4 km forest walk from the parking lot · entry 200 THB foreign / 30 THB Thai
• Klong Thom Hot Springs — natural pools at ~40°C, all year · entry 180–200 THB foreign / 30–40 THB Thai (prices as of 2026; verify at entrance)
• Tip: Emerald Pool in the morning (clearer water) → Hot Springs afternoon (cooler weather makes the warm soak feel better)

10. Koh Lanta Old Town + Lighthouse

The island of Koh Lanta to the south has an Old Town district with wooden seaside houses + Thai-Muslim-Chinese culture · the southern tip has the Lighthouse at Laem Tanod in Mu Ko Lanta National Park · sunset point.

• Getting there: Ferry from Krabi 2–3 hours (boat + transfer) · 3.5h from Ao Nang · best as a 2–3 night stay
• In Old Town: cafes, small resorts, a Lanta history museum
• Lighthouse (Phatchayotwiraphaya): park fee 200 THB foreign / 40 THB Thai · open 08:00–17:00 · an active lighthouse marking the southern tip of the national park

🌙 Krabi After Dark

Tours and temples close by 17:00–18:00 — evenings here are night markets + beach bars + walking streets.

1. Ao Nang Landmark Night Market — every night

The main Ao Nang night market · open ~17:00–23:00 daily · food court with shared seating, live music, souvenirs, beachfront eats.

2. Krabi Walking Street (downtown) — Fri/Sat/Sun only

The walking street in central Krabi town · open Fri–Sun, 17:00–22:00 · local vibe, southern Thai food, locally made goods.

3. Ao Nang Beach Road at night

The 1 km strip along the beach is fully lit · seafront bars and restaurants until late · several venues run fire shows at 21:00–22:00.

4. Phra Nang Cave Beach at sunset

After a 4-island tour or Railay day · catch the last long-tail back around 18:00 · before that, watch sunset from Phra Nang Cave Beach at 17:30–18:00 (Andaman karst-and-sea view).

5. Krabi Riverside Walk

The path along the Krabi River downtown · marked by the Black Crab Monument landmark · cafés and bars riverside · view of Khao Khanap Nam (Krabi town’s twin-karst symbol).

⚠️ Don’t drive the Klong Thom → Phanom Bencha → mountain road at night — no lights, twisty. Plan all mountain trips for daytime; aim to be back down by 17:30.

Local Food

💡 Tip for foreign visitors: Most local spots have no English signs. Search Google Maps for the names below — even when the menu is Thai-only, photos and pointing work.

1. Krabi-style dim sum — morning culture brought by southern Chinese immigrants. Search “Chao Sua Krabi” (downtown).
2. Khanom Jeen (southern noodles) — fish curry + chili paste + tai pla + fresh veggies · try at “Khanom Jeen Madame Kai” or any morning market
3. Krabi Kopi — old-school southern coffee through a cloth filter, paired with sangkaya toast · at Chao Sua or the old market
4. Fried mackerel + Khao Mun Pla Tu — Krabi’s fishing-province staple
5. Hoi Jor Pu Ma (fried crab dumpling) — southern-style fried seafood · at Ao Nang market or beachfront restaurants
6. Gluay Tod (fried banana) — crispy fried banana · sold at every market and Night Market

2-Day 1-Night Itinerary — 4–5 stamps

⚠️ 2 days only covers Ao Nang + the 4-island tour. Phi Phi and Lanta need 4+ days.

Day 1 (town + Ao Nang · ~3 stamps):

• Morning — fly into Krabi airport · check into Ao Nang hotel
• Lunch — dim sum or khanom jeen in town
• 14:30–16:30 — Wat Tham Sua (1,260 steps · climb + view ~1.5–2 hours, mind the sun)
• 17:30–18:30 — sunset at Ao Nang Beach
• Night — Ao Nang Landmark Night Market

Day 2 (4-Island Tour · ~2 stamps):

• Morning — long-tail departs 09:00 · 4 islands (Poda + Talay Waek + Chicken + Bamboo/Phra Nang)
• Lunch — included on boat/island
• Afternoon — snorkeling + walk Talay Waek sandbar (typically low-tide ~15:00)
• 17:00 — back to Ao Nang pier · sunset at Ao Nang Beach
• Evening — drive/transfer back to airport for flight home

4-Day 3-Night Itinerary — 10–12 stamps (the ideal length)

⚠️ Distances are big — Days 3 and 4 require picking a direction: Phi Phi (boat) or Lanta (full day) or inland (Hot Springs + Emerald Pool).

Day 1 — Krabi town + Ao Nang (~3 stamps)

• Morning — dim sum + walk the morning market in downtown
• Late morning — Black Crab Monument + Khao Khanap Nam + Krabi River walk
• 14:30–16:30 — Wat Tham Sua (allow 1.5–2 hours · 1,260 steps)
• 17:30 — sunset at Ao Nang Beach
• Night — Ao Nang Night Market + check into Ao Nang

Day 2 — Hong Island or 4-Island (~2 stamps)

• Option A · 4-Island Tour: half- or full-day · Poda + Talay Waek + Chicken + Bamboo
• Option B · Hong Island private: dedicated long-tail 1,500–2,000 THB/boat — more time at the signature lagoon
• Evening — enjoy Ao Nang

Day 3 — Phi Phi or Lanta (~2 stamps)

Option A · Phi Phi day trip (fast): 08:30 ferry · Maya Bay + Bamboo Island + Pileh Lagoon · back to Krabi/Ao Nang by 17:00

Option B · Phi Phi overnight (better): stay one night on Phi Phi · catch night-life + Maya Bay sunrise before crowds

Option C · Koh Lanta day trip: drive + ferry to Lanta · walk Old Town + Lighthouse · return evening (tiring — only if you’re fit)

Day 4 — Hot Springs Loop (~2 stamps)

• Morning — depart Ao Nang 08:00 · 1.5h drive (~65 km) to Klong Thom District
• 09:30–11:30 — Emerald Pool · 1.4 km forest walk + soak
• Lunch — eat in Klong Thom town
• 13:30–15:00 — Klong Thom Hot Springs · warm-water soak
• 15:00 — drive back to Krabi airport via Highway 4 (through Krabi town)
• 16:30–17:00 — arrive at Krabi airport (in time for an evening flight)

💡 Tha Pom is NOT on the return route — it’s in Ao Luek District (north of Krabi town), ~80 km from Klong Thom on the opposite side. If you want to include Tha Pom: do it as a Day 1 morning stop (~30 km from the airport, easy detour on arrival) or a Day 4 morning before the Hot Springs Loop.

Stamp count: Day 1 = 3 · Day 2 = 2 · Day 3 = 2 · Day 4 = 2 · Total 9–10 stamps

Insider Tips

1. Don’t book tours online before arriving — Ao Nang booths are 30% cheaper. Compare 3–4 before booking.
2. Long-tail boats from Ao Nang are safer than speedboats — slower but less seasickness · better for kids/elderly
3. Park entry fees vary 200–400 THB foreign, depending on the park — Hong (Than Bok Khorani) 300, Phi Phi 400, Lanta 200–400 (depends on the zone), Khao Ngon Nak (within Hat Noppharat Thara NP) 200. Thai citizens pay much less; bring ID + cash.
4. Maya Bay closes 1 Aug – 30 Sep every year · confirm tour status before booking
5. ATMs on Railay/Phi Phi/Lanta charge premium fees — withdraw cash in Krabi or Ao Nang town before island days

Collect Stamps in the TripDeDee App

The app has 38 Krabi landmarks across every category:

• Beaches/islands (16): Ao Nang · Railay · Phi Phi · Hong · Poda · Talay Waek · Bamboo · Lanta · Nopparat Thara · Phra Nang · Klong Dao · Klong Muang · Tub Kaek · Laem Tong
• Temples (4): Tham Sua · Maha That Vajiramongkol · Maha That Laem Sak · Kaew Korawararam
• Mountains/viewpoints (4): Khao Ngon Nak · Khao Khanap Nam · Phi Phi viewpoint · Wat Tham Sua
• Parks/waterfalls (8): Than Bok Khorani · Phanom Bencha · Huai To · Lanta · Nopparat · Hot Springs · Tha Pom
• Other: Emerald Pool · Lanta Old Town · Lighthouse · Shell Fossil Cemetery · City Pillar · Black Crab · Walking Street · Night Market · Klong Root

📖 Read more: Where to Travel in Thailand · May 2026 (includes Hong Island + Phi Phi in the seasonal picks)

Get the TripDeDee app — collect Krabi stamps →

Note: Prices, entry fees, ferry schedules, and operating hours above reflect our latest research; verify before traveling. Photos and locations are sourced directly from the TripDeDee app database.