My 5-7 Days In Krabi & Ao Nang Itinerary

Krabi is a popular destination in South Thailand, home to famous places such as Ao Nang, Railay Beach, Krabi Town, and Phi Phi islands. In this  article, I will share with you my itinerary for 5-7 days in Krabi and my opinion on how many days in Krabi is enough.

Krabi is famous for its limestone cliffs, white sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife scene, and beautiful islands. You can enjoy beach activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and taking boat tours to nearby islands. 

There are rock climbing opportunities in Ao Nang and the hike to the top of Tiger Cave Temple. Additionally, there are lots of night markets, restaurants, bars, and shops to explore in the region.

How Many Days in Krabi is enough?

In my opinion, 5-7 days is a good amount of time in Krabi to explore Ao Nang, Railay, Krabi Town, and some nearby islands. This time allows you to do sightseeing, beach hopping, visiting temples, and night markets in the region. 

Here are my recommendations on things to do in Krabi and how long I spend to do each thing: 

#1. Ao Nang. Ao Nang is a busy touristy area in Krabi. You can spend a day or two exploring the town itself. There are several beaches in this area such as Ao Nang Beach, Pai Plong Beach, Nopparat Thara Beach. You can trek the Monkey trail, enjoy the night markets, and bar hopping.

#2. Railay. Railay is worth at least a day trip from Ao Nang. It is known for pristine beaches, towering limestone cliffs, beautiful caves, and rock climbing opportunities. You can visit this beach by yourself or take the popular 4 island hopping tour which also includes a stop at Railay Beach.

#3. Krabi Town. This is a traditional Thai town, offering a more authentic experience and relaxing atmosphere than Ao Nang. The town itself can be explored within a day or two with attractions such as the night markets, Tiger Cave Temple, and the Mangrove Walkway.

If you like a more local vibe, like me, I personally recommend spending 2-3 nights in Krabi Town to explore the town and use it as the base to visit other places in the region.

#4. Dragon’s Crest Mountain. If you like hiking, you must check out this mountain in Krabi. You can spend half a day doing it and combine a visit to the nearby Tubkaek Beach.

#5. Island Hopping. There are lots of island hopping tours in Krabi. You can spend day trips to the Four Islands (Poda, Mor Chicken, and Tub Island), Hong Island, or Phi Phi islands. 

See more: 27 Epic Things to Do in Ao Nang and Krabi

Getting to Krabi:

Krabi is very easily accessible by air, by boat, and by road. It has an international airport located 10 km from Krabi Town and 20 Km from the popular Ao Nang. From the airport, you can easily take a taxi to your hotel.

The closest train station in the region is in Surat Thani, located around 100 km away from Ao Nang. You can use a train for Bangkok to get to Surat Thani train station, then a bus or taxi to get to Krabi.

There are piers on Ao Nang, Krabi Town, and Railay, so you can easily reach these places by boat from nearby islands such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Yai/Noi, or Koh Lanta.

Getting Around Krabi:

You can get around by motorbike/car rentals, taxi, tuk tuk and songthaew, and long tail boat. You can also take guided tours which often include a pick up and drop off from your location. Hiring a private driver for a day is also a great option for getting around if you don’t drive.

Within each popular area, like Ao Nang, Railay, and Krabi Town center, you can easily explore all of its attractions on foot. These areas are packed with tourist amenities like bars, shops, and restaurants.

See more:

• How to get to Railay Beach & Get Around
• How to get to Krabi Town & Get Around
• How to Get to Ao Nang & Get Around

Best time to visit Krabi:

The most popular time to travel to Krabi is from November to March. This is the dry season in Krabi, like many other islands in South Thailand. It has pleasant weather and is ideal for beach activities. 

The low season is the monsoon season, which is typically from June to October. Heavy rain can occur most days and lasts for an hour. This period has less visitors and offers a quieter atmosphere. You can find some good accommodations and tours if you visit Krabi during these rainy months. 

Top areas to stay in Krabi for tourists:

Ao Nang, in my opinion, is the most popular location to stay in Krabi, especially for first-time tourists. This area has plenty of things to do and see and is a great base for island hopping tours. It has a vibrant nightlife scene and lots of tourist amenities such as restaurants, bars, tour agencies, and shops. 

If you don’t mind away from the beaches, Krabi Town is a good choice. It offers more affordable accommodations and a great base to experience the local vibe. Krabi Town is also close to onland attractions such as the Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and the Hot Springs.

See more:

• Where to Stay in Krabi
• Where to Stay in Ao Nang
• Where to Stay in Railay Beach
• Is it Worth Staying in Krabi Town?
• Stay in Ao Nang or Krabi Town?

How to Spend 5-7 Days In Krabi and Ao Nang Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in the evening and Ao Nang

I came to Ao Nang from Khao Lak. I took a minibus from Khao Lak departing at 5pm, then I was transferred to a minivan at 7.20pm, and finally arrived at my hotel in Ao Nang at 8pm.

Ao Nang Main Road

The main road of Ao Nang (road #4203) is very busy. It is packed with tourist amenities such as bars, restaurants, resorts, and travel agencies. You’ll find all restaurants serving all kinds of foods including Indian, Italian, Thai, Halal, Vietnamese, and fast food like Mc Donald.

In addition to independent restaurants and bars, you can find food complexes where you can try street foods and snacks such as RCA food & entertainment street, and Ao Nang Muslim street market near Masjid Aonang Al-Munawwarah.

There are also lots of banks and ATMs on the main road. I used a Wise card and withdrew some money at Krungsri Bank. The transaction fee is 220 baht each time withdrawing, so I tried to withdraw as much as possible to save the fee. 

Dinner at MY PHO – Vietnamese Noodle House & Bar

I was craving Vietnamese food and found this restaurant near Soi RCA. They served delicious Pho but with a small portion. Price is similar with other restaurants in the same area. 

Keep in mind that Ao Nang is a very touristy area, and all the price tags are targeted at tourists. You can find more reasonable places to eat in Krabi Town.

Day 2: Ao Nang Beach, Monkey trail, and Ao Nang Landmark Night Market

On my second day in Krabi, I explored Ao Nang on foot and Grab Bike. I visited Ao Nang Beach, took a trek on Monkey trail, checked out Pai Plong Beach, Night market place Krabi, Nopparat Thara Beach, and Ao Nang Landmark Night Market.

Ao Nang Beach

Ao Nang Beach is not one of the best beaches in Krabi, but it is conveniently located in Ao Nang and is a great place to chill, swim, sunbathe, enjoy stunning cliffs views, do yoga, and watch the sun set. 

The middle of the  beach is where long tail boats docks. You can get a boat from here to Railay, Ton Sai, Hong island, and other nearby islands.

Two sides from the boat pier are swimmable. The beach road is lined with lots of restaurants, bars, hotels, convenience stores, and souvenir shops. 

I prefer to sit at the left end of the beach near the starting point of the Monkey trail. This area has lots of shares, nice beachfront restaurants, and massage parlours. 

Monkey trail

Monkey trail is the short trail connecting Ao Nang Beach to Pai Plong Beach and Centara Grand Resort. You’ll see lots of monkeys at the parts near Ao Nang Beach. 

This trail is quite difficult with lots of steep wooden stairs and bamboo rails. It took me 15 minutes to walk from Ao Nang to Pai Plong Beach on the Monkey trail. 

Pai Plong Beach

Pai Plong Beach is a beautiful beach and is free to enter. It is located in front of Centara Grand Resort. It is a great place to swim and take a walk along the beach. The hotel has kayaks for non-guests to rent. 

I recommend bringing beach towels or mats with you. There are beach facilities like sunbeds and umbrellas but it belongs to the resort.

Ao Nang beach walk market

After visiting Pai Plong Beach, I returned back to Ao Nang Beach, walked along the Beach Road, and stopped at Ao Nang beach walk market. This market is conveniently located right on the main road, and has a wide selection of shops selling handicraft products and souvenirs. 

This area is also home to the Night market place Krabi, which is open at night with more street food options.

Nopparat Thara Beach

Nopparat Thara Beach is a 3km long beach, stretching all the way from Khlong Haeng Cannal to Nopparat Thara Pier. This beach is quiet and is a great place to relax, swim, and sunbathe. It is also a good spot to watch the sunset.

There are lots of tourist faciles on the beach road running parallel with Nopparat Thara Beach. You can find a cluster of big seafood restaurants near the Red Bridge. 

I have lunch at Halal May & Zin Restaurant, which is reasonably priced and delicious. They served with free starters and desserts like watermelon. There are also many bars and restaurants located in the same area as May & Zin Restaurant.

Sunset at Ao Nang Beach

In the afternoon, I came back to Ao Nang Beach to watch the sunset. The best place to watch the sunset in Ao Nang Beach, in my experience, is near the cliffs. 

I chose the spot near The Last Fisherman Bar. You can also watch a group of people doing yoga here during the sunset. There is a fire show near the long tail boat pier around 6.30pm everyday.

Ao Nang Landmark Night Market

I used Grab Bike to get to Ao Nang Landmark Night Market. Ao Nang Landmark is a huge area with lots of different sections, like food areas, and souvenir areas. You can find almost everything at the market. There is live music and a children’s playground. For me, it was a bit overwhelming with so many options. 

The market is open every day from 5pm till midnight. You can find many bars, restaurants, massage shops around the Landmark night market. This market is located at the location of a Muay Thai arena where you can buy tickets and watch a fight.

Day 3: Day trip to Railay and Tonsai Beach from Ao Nang

On my 3rd day in Ao Nang, I took a day trip to Railay, exploring its beaches, caves, and doing some rock climbing. From Railay Beach, I also walked to Tonsai Beach.

Long tail Boat from Ao Nang to Railay

I walked to Ao Nang Longtail Boat Service Club from my hotel in Ao Nang to buy a long tail boat ticket to Railay. The one way ticket is 100 baht and the ride is around 10 minutes. 

You can buy return tickets for 200 baht or just a one way ticket then buy a return ticket at Railay West Beach later when you want to come back. Remember to check the schedule for the last boat to return to Ao Nang.

Railay West Beach

The boat arrived at the middle of Railay West Beach. This beach is beautiful with crystal clear calm water and surrounded by striking limestone mountains. The beachfront area is lined with resorts and hotels. Railay West Beach is an ideal place to swim, sunbathe, and take photos. 

Hiking to viewpoints on Railay West Beach

I like hiking and found the trail at Railay West Beach from the Map.me app. From the middle of Railay West Beach, I walked all the way to one end of the beach in the Raitalay Terrace direction.

The starting point is near the trash bin. I recommend downloading Map.me for navigation. Along the way, you can explore the caves and have some nice viewpoints. This area is also popular for rock climbing. 

I spent around 1,5 hours on the Railay West Beach hike and highly recommend it for those who like hiking and exploration. Lots of sharp rocks on the trail, so watch your foot while walking and wear proper shoes.

Railay Walking Street

Railay Walking Street is the main road in Railay, connecting West Beach with East Beach. This street is lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and rock climbing schools. A walk from west to east of Railay walking street is around 10 minutes.

There are more amenities in the west than the east side, so if you want to buy anything, like snacks, I recommend buying it on the west side before heading to the east side.

I had my lunch at Railay Family Restaurant, which is located in the middle of the walking street. They were quite popular and served traditional Thai food. I had fried rice and fresh coconut.

Diamond Cave / Phra Nang Nai Cave

Phra Nang Nai Cave is located on the east side of Railay. You can see many nice rock formations on the small street to Phra Nang Nai Cave. Be careful of monkeys on the road and take care of your belongings. 

The ticket to Phra Nang Nai Cave is 200 baht for foreigners. I decided to skip this one. I felt like I already had stunning views of the caves from outside, no need to pay to go inside.

Railay East Beach

Railay East Beach is not a place for swimming. It is home to the busy floating pier, where speedboats and longtail boats arrive from other islands and towns. The beach front is lined with mangrove forests. The water is clean and clear but the sand is muddy, coarse, with lots of dead corals.

You can have a nice walk along the beach, take some nice photos. People do rock climbing at one end of the beach on the way to East Railay Viewpoint.

Hike to Railay East Viewpoint and Lagoon 

If you love hiking and climbing, you need to check out the hike to Railay East Viewpoint and Lagoon. The trail is open everyday from 8am to 4.30pm and is free to explore. It is a very steep trail, and I do not recommend climbing after rain and after dark. 

You don’t need to be a professional climber to do this trail, but if you are afraid of the heigh, you might consider avoiding it. You’ll need to hold tight on the rocks and the ropes when climbing.

It took me 15 minutes to climb up to the fork. If you turn left you’ll reach the viewpoint, turn right to head to the Lagoon. I did the hike to the viewpoint first, another 5 minute walk away. 

Railay East View point has stunning views of Railay both east and west beach and the village. You can spend a few minutes at the viewpoint enjoying the views and taking photos.

The trail to the Lagoon is more difficult, especially at the section close to the Lagoon. You’ll need to go through the small hole then climb down. Many people just stop at this section where they can have some views of the lagoon. 

I reached the Lagoon when it was busy, people lining to get up and down. The Lagoon itself is very muddy with red water and surrounded by striking limestone cliffs. Maybe it looks better at high tide. Just  a few people swim and do video for their tik tok channel.

From the Lagoon, I get back to the starting point of the trail within 30 minutes.

Princess Cave

Princess Cave is a popular attraction located at Phra Nang Beach. The cave is home to wooden phallic symbols left by the fishermen to ensure safe journeys and good catches. You can have a quick look while on this popular beach of Railay. 

The areas near the cave are good for swimming, kayaking, rock climbing, and enjoy breathtaking views of the natural landscapes.

Phra Nang Beach

Phra Nang Beach is the top beach in Railay, known for its crystal clear calm water and white fine sand. It has stunning views of the limestone mountains and the nearby islands. You can kayak to Koh Rang Nai island. 

This beach is a crowded beach. You can find less crowded spots if you walk all the way to the end of the beach toward the Bat Cave. Someone named it “Hidden Beach” on Google Maps.

Bat Cave

Bat Cave is another nice hike in Railay, located close to Phra Nang Beach. The starting point is at the end of Phra Nang Beach. The starting point is the trail on the sand near the bush, then hike up using the rope. 

You’ll need to climb the Ladder at the entrance to the cave. It is easy to walk around inside but some sections are very slippery. You’ll have nice views of the sea from Bat Cave.

Hike to TonSai Beach from Railay Beach

From the Bat Cave, I walked back to Railay West Beach, passing Phra Nang Beach, Railay East Beach, and the walking street. From the West Beach, I walked to the end of the beach toward Tonsai Beach to walk to Tonsai through the jungle. 

I think it is more easily accessible during low tide. The trail is well marked and easy with some ropes to support you. It took me around 10 minutes to reach Ton Sai Beach.

Tonsai beach and village

Tonsai beach is a beautiful beach in Krabi. It is less crowded than Railay beach. There are several resorts along the beach front as well as rock climbing spots. At the end of the beach is where you can take a longtail boat back to Ao Nang.

You can buy a boat ticket at the boatman area. The shared boat ticket is 100 baht but you need to wait until enough 6 people to run. The private boat is 600 baht. The price is increased if you take a boat after 6pm.  

From the Tonsai Pier, I walked along the main street around the village. There are several restaurants, hotels, and resorts around the village. Lots of places have hippie vibes.

Boat from Railay to Ao Nang

I didn’t buy a boat ticket from Tonsai to Ao Nang, and decided to walk back to Railay Beach for the boat. I thought Railay would be busier and have boats running more frequently. When I reached Railay Beach Pier, the boat man asked me if I had a ticket. I said no and he showed me the directions to buy the ticket.

It started to rain, the boatman changed his mind and told me to get straight into the boat without a ticket. I was with another 6-7 people on the boat and reached Ao Nang around 5pm. I gave him 100 baht and said thank you.

Move to new hotel in Krabi Town

I think Ao Nang is too busy for me and 2 nights is enough to explore everything I wanted to see. I found affordable accommodation in Krabi Town. I booked an InDrive taxi to drive me to the new hotel. I highly recommend using In Drive because it is usually cheaper than other apps such as Grab or Bolt.

Day 4: Dragon’s Crest Hike, Tubkaek Beach, Klong Muang Beach, Krabi Town

On my 4th day in Krabi, I rented a scooter from my guesthouse, and explored mainland attractions such as hiking at Dragon’s Crest, visiting Tubkaek Beach, Klong Muang Beach, and attractions in Krabi Town.

Dragon’s Crest Hike

Dragon’s Crest Mountain is a popular hiking destination located 30 km west of Krabi Town and 16 km northwest of Ao Nang. The trail is around 7 km round trip and it took me 5 hours to complete. If you want to take the hike, make sure to arrive before 2pm to have plenty of time to explore the area.

The park is open daily from 8am to 2pm. The entrance ticket is 200 baht. I started the hike at 11am and returned back to the parking area around 3.45pm. They have onsite shops where you can buy water, snacks, ice cream and smoothies.

The trail is well-marked and challenging, where you hike on tree roots, sand, and stairs. There are some ropes along the way to help you. There are several viewpoints on the trail and the most impressive one is at the top of the mountain. 

Tubkaek Beach

Tubkaek Beach is a nice beach located just a few minutes drive from Dragon’s Crest Mountain. The beach has white sand, not very crowded, and stunning views of the nearby islands. 

There are just several resorts lined along the beachfront area, creating a relaxing atmosphere. I visited this beach around 4pm at low tide, and had to walk very far to swim. 

Klong Muang Beach

Klong Muang Beach is a long beautiful beach located 7 km south of Tubkaek Beach. There are several bars and restaurants on the beach where you can have meals and enjoy the views of the beach. I had a late lunch with fried rice and fresh coconut at a Sandbox restaurant.

Sunset at Nopparat Thara Beach

I checked out Nopparat Thara Beach because it is located on the way from Klong Muang Beach to my hotel Krabi Town. I accessed this beach from Hat Nopparat Thara park near Nopparat Thara Pier. 

Nopparat Thara Beach is low tide during my visit for sun sets. I recommend walking all the way to the end of the beach for a sunset view from two bays.

Krabi Town Night Markets

There are lots of night markets in Krabi town on weekends. Krabi Night Market and Black Crab Night Market are open every night, while the flea night market is only open weekends from Friday to Sunday. 

You can also find Krabi Night Street Food along Chao Fah Park. There are many nice local restaurants here with outside chairs and tables. The food is delicious and cheap.

All the night markets are located very close to each other. You can do night market hopping easily on foot or tuk tuk. They all have different kinds of food and souvenir stalls. According to my hotel’s owner, the weekend flea market is the best one in Krabi Town.

Day 5: Tiger Cave Temple, Ao Nam Mao, Shell Cemetery, Mangrove Walkway

On my 5th day in Krabi, I explored attractions such as Tiger Cave Temple, Ao Nam Mao Beach, Shell Cemetery, Wat Phu Khao Phra Maha Phothisat, and Mangrove Walkway.

Tiger Cave Temple

Tiger Cave Temple is a famous inland attraction in Krabi. This temple is located only 10 km north of Krabi Town. To reach the top of the temple, you need to climb 1200 steep steps. Be sure to wear good shoes. The top is home to the big Buddha and stunning views of limestone mountains.

Tiger Cave Temple is open daily from 6am to 6pm. The ticket is 50 baht per person. It took me 45 minutes to reach the top with lots of stops along the hike. I spent 30 minutes at the top, and 30 minutes to get down to the ground.

At the bottom of the stairs, you can see several restaurants where you can refresh with coconut water, smoothies, or a meal. Be aware of the monkeys, they are very aggressive, stealing food and drinks from tourists.

If you still have energy, you can check out another hike on the temple complex. The trail takes you to several caves and the jungle. It is easier than the hike to the top of the Big Buddha with just a few stairs at the beginning of the trail then a flat path. 

It is the circle trail where you will pass Tiger Hand cave, Tanoo Cave, Lod Cave, Eel Cave, as well as several big ancient trees. It took me one hour for the round trip.

Ao Nam Mao Beach

Ao Nam Mao Beach is a beach located 15km from Krabi Town. It has a pier where you can take long tails boats to Railay Beach, 4 islands, and Hong islands. 

From the pier, I drive left toward Arawan Resort. From here you can walk to Railay Beach for 40 minutes at low tide. If you want to do it, be sure to check the tide before you go and allow lots of time to get back before dark and high tide.

I didn’t take the hike to Railay Beach, and drove back to the pier direction to access the beach at Joy Beach Thai Food. The beach has yellow coarse sand with lots of rocks at low tide. You can sit at the nice reggae bar under the trees and enjoy the peaceful beach atmosphere. 

Shell Cemetery

Shell Cemetery is located just a few minutes drive from Ao Nam Mao Pier. If you want to explore the 75 million years old fossil, you need to pay a ticket of 200 baht. I skipped this one and just enjoyed the area outside the free area. There are souvenir shops and food stalls at the parking area.

Wat Phu Khao Phra Maha Phothisat

This is a small temple located close to Ao Nam Mao. The temple is free to enter and you can climb 300 steps to different Buddha statue areas of the temple. It has stunning views of the village and the limestone mountain in front of it. This is a good temple to explore away from the crowds.

Mangrove Walkway 

This is a nice free place to explore located right in Krabi town. It is a 500m walkway in the middle of the mangrove forest, and you see an observation tower in the middle of the walk away. You can climb to the top for stunning views of the river and mangrove forest.

At the end of the walkway, there are boats to take you to the caves on the other side of the river. There is a warning at the beginning of the walkway that says do not use the boats because they are not legally registered tourist boats. I didn’t take the boat ride and walked to the parking area.

The Mud Crabs Sculpture

The Mud Crabs Sculpture is located right on the riverfront road in Krabi Town, so I stopped by for some photos. This area is very nicely decorated and has stunning views of the river and the mangrove forests.

Dinner at Krabi Night Street Food

This night street market is located in Chao Fah Park along the river. There are many nice local stalls here selling delicious and cheap food. I had rice with ginger fish and papaya salad at Chao Fan Pho Chana and highly recommend it. 

I traveled to Koh Lipe on my 6th day. You can either just rest or take other day trips to nearby islands such as Hong islands, the 4 islands, or Phi Phi islands.

Day 6: Day trip to Hong islands

Hong islands is a group of beautiful islands located around a 1 hour boat ride from either Ao Nang or Krabi Town. You can take day trips to this island by hiring a private boat or taking a guided tour. 

The private boats can be arranged easily at the piers. If you take a guided tour, be sure to book in advance at least one day before the trip.

The tour to Hong island usually includes a visit to Koh Pakbia, then Hong island beach, and viewpoint, then Hong Lagoon. You can have opportunities to swim and snorkel in some areas. 

The water at Hong island beach is clean and clear, you can easily see colorful fish above the water. The hike to the viewpoint is also nice with stunning views of the beach and the cliffs.

Day 7: Day trip to Koh Phi Phi islands

Koh Phi Phi islands is a famous island in Thailand known for its beautiful natural landscape with crystal clear water, vibrant nightlife scene, and lots of hiking opportunities. 

I recommend taking guided tours if you just take a day trip from Krabi. This is easier because you don’t need to worry about the boat schedule to get back to Krabi.

The day trip to Koh Phi Phi island will generally include a visit to Maya Bay, Viking Cave, and Monkey Beach. You can swim and snorkel at some beaches on the tours.

These are my recommendations on how to spend 5-7 days in Krabi. I think that 5-7 days is a good time frame to explore Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Railay, and some island hopping trips. Feel free to add extras day if you want days doing nothing and just chill on the beach.