Krabi is a province located on the Andaman side of Southern Thailand. The province boasts serene beaches and enchanting islands with multi-million dollar views. This made Krabi many travelers’ favorite, Thais and foreigners alike.
There are many areas you can stay in Krabi. Unfortunately, not all are not worth seeking accommodation for some travelers.
Hence, I decided to write this post to provide information based on my experience so that you can choose the most suitable choice for your preferences and budget.
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How to Get to These Areas
Once you land at Krabi, you will have the following options:
Contact Your Hotel – Many Krabi accommodations, particularly luxurious hotels, offer airport transfers for their guests. In some cases, they may even offer it as a complimentary service. This is best if you visit Krabi with kids and the elderly or carry many suitcases.
Some areas of Krabi, like Railay Beach, are only accessible by boat. If you book accommodation in those areas, I recommend contacting the hotel in advance to schedule a private transfer.
Taxi – You can catch a taxi from the Krabi airport to Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Railay Beach, etc. However, this option is pretty expensive (around 15-20 USD for a 20-minute trip), but you will undoubtedly arrive at your hotel within half an hour.
However, you can book the transportation in advance through Viator. This private van transfer costs only 18 USD per group (up to 8). This is the best option if your group has more than three travelers.
Shuttle Bus/Airport Bus – A shuttle Bus is a far more inexpensive option than a taxi (4 USD per person.) However, the driver will drop other travelers at their hotels (i.e., Krabi town first, then Ao Nang). The entire trip could take an hour. However, I have heard some Thai tourists spend two hours on the shuttle bus, which is not very convenient.
Local Minibus – This is the cheapest option, but not for tourists with many suitcases. You can take the local minibus outside the airport to Krabi town. Once you are there, take another minibus to Ao Nang.
Rent a car or a motorbike – If you plan to stay on the mainland, renting a car or a motorcycle can be a reasonable solution. Qeeq and Rentalcars offer several rental deals, so you can conveniently rent a high-quality car at affordable rates at Krabi. However, I usually do not recommend foreigners to drive in Thailand, especially motorbikes, due to safety issues.
1. Ao Nang
Ao Nang is the capital of Krabi’s tourism. Ao Nang boasts a two-kilometer-long beach surrounded by a mountain range with lush vegetation, providing an unforgettable view of the Andaman sea throughout the day.
The area has many accommodation options, ranging from a luxurious resort with an outdoor swimming pool to an affordable guest house. Thus, it is effortless to find suitable accommodation at Ao Nang.
Most island tours also depart from Ao Nang beach or nearby. Boats also drop you off at Ao Nang, so you do not need to spend hours in the cars or buses, which can be a terrible experience, especially if you are wet after the full-day island trip.
Restaurants, stores, pubs, and bars in Ao Nang are numerous, so you will never run out of options for dining or nightlife.
All these reasons make Ao Nang one of the best places to stay in Krabi, especially for those who appreciate the lively, vibrant atmosphere. However, Ao Nang is not without drawbacks. When I was in Krabi, I stayed in Ao Nang and found the prices (of food, liquor, and souvenirs) were pretty high.
Also, the area has become too “touristy,” so it is difficult to find a restaurant serving authentic southern-style Thai food. Although the Thai food there is modest, I think there are other better options elsewhere in Krabi.
Key Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beautiful, iconic beaches
- Offer various ranges of accommodations. Many affordable accommodations are available besides luxury resorts with a swimming pool.
- Numerous restaurants and some nightlife venues
- Most island tours depart from Ao Nang.
- Vibrant atmosphere
Cons
- Expensive food and liquor
- Not many hotels offer private beach access
2. Noppharat Thara Beach
Noppharat Thara Beach is another famous beach of Krabi located between Railay Beach and Ao Nang. With its white-brown sand and decently clear water, Noppharat Thara is a popular place for tourists to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy water sports and activities.
Like Ao Nang, this beach has a pier where many island tours depart, so it is very convenient to stay in this area for those who plan to go island-hopping in Krabi. Restaurants and street food shops are everywhere, so you can always have some good food.
The neighborhood at Noppharat Thara Beach is quieter than Ao Nang. Thus, it may be a better option for travelers who prioritize privacy.
Regarding accommodation options, Noppharat Thara Beach offers a wide range of options. Most of them offer modern rooms with air-conditioning at inexpensive rates. However, not many of them provide private beach access. If you want a more exclusive experience staying in Krabi, looking for accommodation in other areas may be better.
Key Pros & Cons
Pros
- Quieter and less noisy than Ao Nang
- Many budget hotels provide high-quality rooms at reasonable rates.
- A modest beach to swim and enjoy water activities
- Many island tours depart from its pier.
- Several dining options are available.
Cons
- Few hotels offer private beach access.
3. Railay Beach
Railay Beach is a beach located not very far from Ao Nang. Some tourists rank Railay Beach as one of the best beaches in Thailand, with which I somewhat agree.
What makes this beach stands out is its surrounding nature. The beach is surrounded by a mountain range with lush, tropical vegetation. Stiff cliffs separate the beach into two halves. Each side offers distinct but similarly breathtaking ocean views.
The only way to reach this beach is by boat from Ao Nang. Thus, the area offers a secluded atmosphere, even though it is part of the mainland.
At Railay beach (and nearby Ton sai beach), there are numerous activities that you can participate in, including cliff climbing, rock climbing, and kayaking.
There are several resorts, hotels, and guesthouses at Railay Beach. Although they are fewer in numbers than Ao Nang, most of them offer private beaches. The atmosphere is also serene and relaxing, which is optimal for tourists who want to alleviate work fatigue.
Railay Beach has some restaurants and bars, but certainly, the area does not have as many as Ao Nang. If you want more dining options, it may be optimal to stay at Ao Nang instead.
Key Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning beaches offering breathtaking ocean views
- Secluded atmosphere
- Various outdoor activities, including cliff climbing
- Most resorts offer private beach access.
Cons
- Only accessible by boat
- Limited dining options and very few nightlife venues
Click here to learn more in detail about the best accommodation in Railay
4. Krabi Town
Krabi town is the heart of the province and where most locals live in Krabi. The town itself does not have stunning beaches like other locations. However, it is undeniably the best location to try some delicious, authentic southern-style Thai food in the province.
Apart from various restaurants, you can dine in to taste fresh seafood, Krabi Town has a walking street and a night market where you can try Thai food and buy inexpensive souvenirs. You can take this opportunity to observe the southern culinary tradition that passes through several generations.
Unlike other areas, most hotels in Krabi town are affordable. Thus, if you are a budget traveler and are not sure where to stay in Krabi, staying in Krabi town may be your best choice.
The only drawback of staying there is that you will need to travel to Ao Nang or Noppharat Thara Beach to enjoy the beach there or take part in island tours.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Numerous affordable accommodations are available.
- Famous restaurants for fresh seafood cooked in an authentic Thai style
- A walking street and a night market for cheap street foods and observing local culture
- Not far from the airport
Cons
- No beaches
- Need to take a cab or a minibus to Ao Nang for island tours
5. Klong Muang Beach and Tub Kaek Beach
Suppose you are looking for accommodation with a private beach in Krabi. The best place to stay in Krabi may be at Klong Muang Beach and Tub Kaek Beach.
These two beaches are located adjacent to each other. The atmosphere there is serene and calm, providing a sort of privacy and exclusivity. Undoubtedly, these two beaches reside many of the best hotels in the mainland of the Krabi province (Sofitel, Ritz Carlton, Banyan Tree, etc.), though inexpensive bungalows are not too difficult to find as well.
Some restaurants are also nearby, but nightlife venues are minimal. These make Klong Muang and Tub Kaek among the best options for travelers who prefer a tranquil stay to make the most of their holiday.
The drawback is that Klong Muang and Tub Kaek are far from Ao Nang (15-20 km). If you are interested in island-hopping tours, I recommend selecting those with complimentary round-trip transfers (like this one) so that you do not need to spend $10-$15 on expensive taxis.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Serene and relaxing atmosphere, undeniably the best area to stay in Krabi for families and honeymoon couples
- Beautiful beaches
- Many resorts offer private beach access. Some of the most luxurious ones are located there, although there are cheap and mid-range options as well.
- Various dining options near Klong Muang
Cons
- Minimal nightlife venues
- Things to do are far more limited than Ao Nang or even Railay.
Find out here for the best property to stay in Klong Muang Beach
6. Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi, or Phi Phi island, is unarguably one of the most well-known Thai islands. The island has numerous outstanding beaches and bays waiting for travelers to explore, plus endless outdoor activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, sunbathing, etc.
Most tourists visit Koh Phi Phi on island-hopping tours (to Koh Phi Phi Le, Ko Jum, Koh Poda, etc.) and leave the island on the same day. However, you can stay overnight in Koh Phi Phi as well. The island offers various accommodations, from luxurious resorts to inexpensive bungalows.
Like the mainland of Krabi, Koh Phi Phi features numerous restaurants and nightlife venues. The latter includes a boxing bar, which is highly popular among foreigners. Thus, if you are looking for an area with adult-oriented entertainment (but not excessive), Koh Phi Phi may be your best place to stay in Krabi.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning beaches and bays
- Numerous outdoor activities to select from
- Various types of accommodations are available.
- Offer excellent nighttime entertainment (but not too excessive)
Cons
- Other areas are more family-friendly.
- The area could be extremely crowded during the day.
7. Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is an island located in the southernmost area of Krabi. Unlike other regions I feature in this post that are not far from Krabi Town, Koh Lanta is 40-50 km from the town by the sea.
Therefore, tourists visiting Koh Lanta must take the ferry that departs the Chao Fa pier on the mainland twice daily. The entire trip can take as long as two hours (not including the trip from the Krabi international airport).
However, once you get there, you will realize how beautiful Koh Lanta is. Nature, like the forest and the sea, is in a much better condition than Koh Phi Phi due to the island having fewer tourists. The beaches are picturesque and photogenic. The turquoise water is clear and outstanding.
There are plenty of restaurants that serve fresh seafood. A few bars are also available for tourists to hang out. You can also visit the old town and local market to observe the local’s lifestyle and buy some souvenirs.
Generally speaking, the atmosphere at Koh Lanta is serene and calm, which is excellent for visitors who want to relax and immerse themselves in nature.
Accommodations at Koh Lanta are plenty. These include splendid 5-star resorts with pool villas and inexpensive beachfront bungalows. It is effortless to find one that suits your preferences.
Due to its pristine nature and outstanding ocean views, I even consider Koh Lanta an excellent alternative to Koh Samui. Unarguably, Koh Lanta is one of the most beautiful islands in South East Asia.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Family-friendly + One of the best places to stay in Krabi for couples
- Calming and soothing atmosphere
- Magnificent beaches, photogenic bays, excellent diving sites
- Splendid beachfront restaurants and bars
- Fewer tourists than the rest of Krabi
Cons
- Far from other areas. You will need to take a ferry to Koh Lanta
If you plan to stay in Koh Lanta, learn more about the best options here.
Most Family-friendly Areas to Stay in Krabi
Based on my experience, all areas of Krabi are family-friendly. Thus, if you visit Krabi with kids or your parents, you can choose to stay in any area.
Even though Ao Nang and Koh PhiPhi have some nightlife venues, they are not as nightlife-centric as Pattaya. Furthermore, with many options available, you can conveniently cherry-pick a resort located far from nightlife venues.
If you genuinely want to escape the crowd and all the noise, I recommend Railay beach, Klong Muang Beach, or even a more secluded Koh Lanta.
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