Krabi travel guide
Thailand
A coastline of towering limestone cliffs, mangroves and island-studded water on the Andaman Sea. Krabi suits travellers who like their beaches with climbing, kayaking and island-hopping on the side.
Essentials
- Language
- Thai; English is common in hotels, restaurants and tour offices
- Currency
- Thai baht (THB)
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C, F and O, 220 V
- Emergency number
- 191 for police, 1669 for an ambulance, 1155 for the tourist police
- Tipping
- Not expected; leaving the small change is appreciated, and some restaurants add a service charge.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $30-50, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $80-130, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Krabi
- Ao Nang: the main beach town, with the most places to stay and boats to the islands and Railay.
- Krabi Town: a working riverside town with a lively night market and cheaper rooms.
- Railay: a cliff-ringed peninsula reached only by boat, famous for rock climbing and sunsets.
Getting around Krabi
White songthaews shuttle between Krabi Town, Ao Nang and the nearby beaches, and long-tail boats run to Railay from Ao Nang and Ao Nam Mao. Scooters are widely rented, but the roads can be busy.
Best time to visit Krabi
November to April, the dry season, when the sea is calm for boat trips.
Top things to do in Krabi
- Climb the well over a thousand steps up to Tiger Cave Temple for views across the province
- Spend a day on Railay and see the cave shrine on Phra Nang Beach
- Join a four-islands boat trip to Poda, Chicken Island, Tup and Phra Nang
- Try a beginner's rock-climbing session on Railay's limestone walls
- Kayak through the mangroves and limestone channels at Ao Thalane, north of Ao Nang
What to eat in Krabi
- Khao mok gai: southern-style chicken biryani with yellow rice, from the region's Muslim kitchens
- Gaeng som: a sharp, sour and fiery fish curry without coconut milk
- Kua kling: dry-fried minced meat with a very hot southern curry paste
- Roti: thin griddled flatbread, sweet with banana and condensed milk or savoury with curry
Day trips from Krabi
- Koh Lanta: long, quiet beaches and an old wooden town, around two to three hours by road and ferry
- Phi Phi Islands: cliffs, snorkelling and viewpoints, about 90 minutes to two hours by ferry
- Emerald Pool and hot springs: natural pools in the forest near Khlong Thom, about an hour to 90 minutes by road
Local etiquette
Krabi has a large Muslim community, so dress modestly in town and around mosques. Cover shoulders and knees in temples, and keep beachwear for the beach.
Staying connected
Tourist SIMs and eSIMs are easy to buy (bring your passport for a SIM), mobile data is good in most areas, and Wi-Fi is standard in guesthouses and cafés.
Staying safe
Monkeys at Tiger Cave Temple and on Railay will grab food and loose bags, so keep both out of sight. In the wet season boats can be cancelled in rough seas, and currents can be strong, so follow local advice before swimming.
A local tip
Climb to Tiger Cave Temple first thing in the morning, before the heat sets in on its long staircase.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Krabi on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Krabi for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Krabi, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Krabi
- What currency is used in Krabi?
- Krabi uses the Thai baht (THB).
- What is the emergency number in Krabi?
- In Krabi, call 191 for police, 1669 for an ambulance, 1155 for the tourist police.
- When is the best time to visit Krabi?
- November to April, the dry season, when the sea is calm for boat trips.
- How much does a day in Krabi cost?
- Roughly $30-50 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $80-130 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Krabi?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Krabi without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.
More guides in Asia
- Jaipur
- Osaka
- Hanoi
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Ubud
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Hoi An
- Kuala Lumpur
- Singapore
- Siem Reap
- Luang Prabang
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Seoul
- Taipei
- Kathmandu
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Goa
- Colombo
- Hong Kong
- Shanghai
- Beijing
- Busan
- Fukuoka
- Sapporo
- Manila
- El Nido
- Phuket
- Pai
- Penang
- Yogyakarta
- Canggu
- Da Nang
- Phnom Penh
- Varanasi
- Rishikesh
- Udaipur
- Pokhara
- Kandy
- Ella
- Samarkand
- Almaty
- Tashkent
