About Krabi

Krabi is that rare stretch of Thailand where limestone cliffs seem to rise straight out of turquoise water, where every beach feels like it’s hiding a small secret, and where the scent of grilled lemongrass and sea salt lingers long after sunset. It’s smaller and calmer than Phuket, yet full of energy, something between barefoot bohemian and quietly sophisticated. You’ll find mangroves tangled like the roots of an old story, fishermen mending nets near Ao Nam Mao, and honeymooners chasing sunsets from longtail boats.

The town’s pace is slow in the mornings, lively by afternoon, and downright magical at night when the tide pulls back and beach bars start lighting up in soft orange lanterns. From the powdery sands of Railay Beach to the hush of Thung Teao Forest’s Emerald Pool, Krabi wraps visitors in a rhythm that feels both timeless and indulgent. Whether you’re checking into a family resort, a cliffside boutique stay, or one of the best hotels in Krabi tucked behind the pier road, you’ll feel part of its easygoing soul.

Krabi airport Address

Krabi International Airport (KBV)
Location: Nuea Khlong District, about 15 km from Krabi Town
Contact: +66 75 636 541
Website: www.krabiairportonline.com 

The airport is compact and friendly, with just two terminals and surprisingly good iced coffee near Gate 4. Travelers looking for hotels in Krabi near airport can find decent stays within a 10–15 minute ride, places like Palmari Boutique Hotel and Maritime Park & Spa Resort are popular for short layovers. Taxis cost roughly 400–500 THB into town, but a shared songthaew (open truck taxi) will get you there for 100 THB if you don’t mind waiting for it to fill up.

Discover thoughtfully crafted Krabi tour packages through Akbar Travels, offering a perfect mix of island adventures, local experiences, and comfortable stays to suit every traveler’s style.

The Best Time to Visit Krabi

The sweet spot for visiting Krabi is from November to April, when the weather is dry, sea visibility peaks, and ferries run reliably to nearby islands. During May to October, the monsoon brings frequent rain but fewer crowds, ideal if you don’t mind an occasional drizzle and want lower Krabi hotel price tags.

One local rule: rates start climbing 30–40% from mid-December through New Year, so booking via akbartravels.com at least six weeks early helps lock in the better spots. Mornings are cool, afternoons bright, and evenings perfect for those long dinners by the beach where time just melts into the tide.

How to reach Krabi

By air:

Flights connect Krabi with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Domestic carriers like Thai Smile and Bangkok Airways often release early-bird fares 45 days ahead. Once you land, pre-booked shuttles can drop you directly at hotels in Krabi near beach areas such as Ao Nang or Klong Muang.

By rail:

There’s no direct train to Krabi, but you can take one from Bangkok to Surat Thani and continue by bus for around 3 hours for the final stretch. Travelers hunting hotels in Krabi near railway station should note the nearest practical station is actually Surat Thani’s Phunphin, not in Krabi itself.

By road:

The 800 km journey from Bangkok takes about 11–12 hours by car. Buses run nightly from the Southern Bus Terminal, with comfort levels ranging from bare-bones to plush VIP recliners. Those road-tripping can stop at Phang Nga or Trang for coffee and roadside fruit, fresh rambutan piles appear every few kilometers.

Things to do in Krabi

• Railay Beach: Accessible only by boat, a dreamy cove hemmed by limestone cliffs.
• Phi Phi Islands: Famous for snorkeling, bright coral gardens, and turquoise lagoons.
• Thung Teao Forest Natural Park: Home to the shimmering Emerald Pool.
• Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua): Climb 1,237 steps for a panoramic sunrise.
• Hong Islands: Quiet beaches and hidden lagoons for kayaking.
• Ao Nang Night Market: Street food heaven with grilled squid and coconut ice cream.
• Koh Lanta: Laid-back island charm with serene beaches.
• Klong Thom Hot Springs: Natural thermal pools deep in the forest.
• Krabi Town Walking Street: Weekend market packed with local art and music.
• Wat Kaew Korawaram: White temple overlooking Krabi Town with peaceful gardens.

One quick note: carry small change for temple donations; locals appreciate it.

Shopping in Krabi

• Vogue Department Store
• Krabi Town Walking Street Market
• Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
• Maharaj Market (for fresh fruits and souvenirs)
• Outlet Village Krabi
• Nopparat Thara Plaza
• Big C Supercenter Krabi
• Chao Fah Night Market
• Krabi Premium Outlet
• Railay Beach Boutique Stalls
• Klong Muang Beach Shops
• Ao Nam Mao Souvenir Stands
• Pak Nam Art Village
• Tesco Lotus Krabi
• Krabi Shell Cemetery Craft Market

A tiny tip: most stalls accept cash only, and prices drop about 10–20% if you smile and bargain lightly.

Famous Restaurants in Krabi

• Lae Lay Grill: Sunset seafood with cliff views.
• Ton Ma Yom Thai Food: Family-run gem with real southern spice.
• The Hilltop Ao Nang: Great cocktails, sweeping views.
• Ruen Mai: Wooden house setting, local curry favorites.
• Carnivore Steak & Grill: Western comfort near Ao Nang Beach.
• Gecko Cabane: Cozy, bohemian restaurant with fusion Thai-Western dishes.
• Azzurra: Italian homemade pasta, candlelit tables.
• May & Mark’s House: Longtime Krabi Town café with fresh juices.
• Jenna’s Bistro: Mediterranean dining with sea breeze.
• Hagi Japanese Restaurant: Reliable sushi fix at the Centara Grand.
• Ko Dam Kitchen: Local-style seafood shack near Klong Muang.
• Rakhang Thai Bistro: Nice for couples with soft music, dim lights.
• Kohinoor Indian Restaurant: Solid butter chicken by the pier.
• Govinda’s Vegetarian: Clean, hearty plates for veggie travelers.
• Racha Seafood: On stilts above water, worth the short detour.

Try the grilled snapper wrapped in banana leaves, it’s smoky and unforgettable.

Popular Hotels in Krabi

• Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi
• Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort
• Rayavadee Resort
• The Tubkaak Boutique Resort
• Ban Sainai Resort
• BlueSotel Smart Ao Nang
• Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort
• Krabi Resort
• Aonang Cliff Beach Resort
• Avatar Railay Resort
• Deevana Plaza Krabi
• Wake Up Aonang Hotel
• The L Resort Krabi
• Railay Bay Resort & Spa
• Maritime Park & Spa Resort

Each of these hotels in Krabi carries its own rhythm and some thrive on family noise, others on quiet evenings by the pool. A quick Krabi hotel price comparison on akbartravels.com will show how rates shift weekly, especially before public holidays.

Popular Resorts in Krabi

• Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
• Rayavadee Resort
• Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort
• Beyond Resort Krabi
• Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort
• Amari Vogue Krabi
• Nakamanda Resort & Spa
• The Tubkaak Boutique Resort
• Pakasai Resort
• Anyavee Tubkaek Beach Resort
• Sand Sea Resort
• Railay Village Resort
• Krabi Thai Village Resort
• Centra by Centara Phu Pano Resort
• Holiday Style Ao Nang Resort

Resorts along Tubkaek tend to be quieter, while those near Ao Nang pulse with nightlife and late dinners. Expect soft sand underfoot and the faint scent of jasmine in lobby courtyards.

Where to Stay in Krabi

Krabi stretches across multiple moods with beachfront glam, riverside calm, and island hideaways. If your plan leans toward nightlife, Ao Nang is the right base. For peace and ocean silence, Tubkaek or Klong Muang feel more grounded. Backpackers often cluster in Krabi Town where songthaews run until 9 PM.

Checking hotels in Krabi via akbartravels.com allows easy filters for neighborhoods, making it simpler to pick the best places to stay in Krabi whether you crave sea views or market access.

Places to Stay in Krabi near Popular Attractions

• Near Railay Beach – Rayavadee and Sand Sea Resort, both reachable by longtail boat.
• Close to Tiger Cave Temple – Ban Sainai Resort offers calm greenery.
• Around Krabi Town – The Greenery Hotel and Dee Andaman Hotel, good for night markets.
• Near Ao Nang Beach – BlueSotel Smart and Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort.
• For Koh Lanta trips – Stay at Maritime Park & Spa Resort for easy pier transfers.
• Close to Emerald Pool – Wareerak Hot Spring Retreat.

Tip: Songthaews connect most of these zones until evening, but after 10 PM, private taxis can charge double.

Budget Hotels in Krabi

Not every visit needs polished marble floors. Some cheap hotels in Krabi like Pop-In Hostel or Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang provide all basics with clean sheets, AC, Wi-Fi, and breakfast within 800–1000 THB per night. The cheapest hotel in Krabi options hover around 400 THB if booked during midweek through akbartravels.com.

Brief aside: one couple once shared how their budget room at Sleep Whale Express had no window, but the owner personally brought them mango sticky rice after check-in, it’s that kind of town.

Krabi Hotels by Star Rating

The range of hotels in Krabi is wide:

• 5 star hotels in Krabi: Rayavadee, Phulay Bay Ritz-Carlton, Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra.
• 4 stars: Dusit Thani, Amari Vogue, Beyond Resort Krabi.
• 3 star: Krabi Resort, Pakasai Resort, Deevana Plaza.
• 2 star hotel Krabi: J Mansion and Aonang Goodwill.

Luxury seekers chase views; mid-range guests enjoy Ao Nang convenience. A proper Krabi 5 star hotel experience almost always includes an infinity pool, beach yoga, and impeccable lemongrass-scented towels.

Best Hotels in Krabi based on Location

• For Beach Lovers: Centara Grand Beach Resort, The Tubkaak Boutique Resort, Dusit Thani.
• For City Explorers: Dee Andaman Hotel Krabi Town, The Greenery Hotel.
• For Honeymooners: Rayavadee, Nakamanda Resort, and Amari Vogue.
• For Adventurers: Aonang Cliff Beach Resort (close to diving and kayaking points).
• For Golf Fans: Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort.
• For Quick Stops: Palmari Boutique (great hotels in Krabi near airport option).

If comparing on akbartravels.com, filter by walking distance to beaches; hotels in Krabi near beach can sometimes mean a steep 10-minute hill walk.

Family-Friendly Hotels in Krabi

Traveling with kids becomes effortless when the pool’s big enough and the breakfast buffet has pancakes shaped like elephants. Good options include Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort, Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort, and Beyond Resort Krabi. These hotels in Krabi offer family suites, babysitting, and early check-in flexibility.

A side note: staff at Ban Sainai Resort sometimes hand out free banana smoothies to children. Small touches like that turn simple stays into memorable ones.

Krabi Hotels Tariff

The Krabi hotels tariff swings with the season. Expect:

• Luxury hotels in Krabi: from 8,000–25,000 THB per night.
• Mid-range: 2,500–6,000 THB.
• Budget: under 1,200 THB.
• Hotel apartments in Krabi: around 2,000–3,500 THB per night for longer stays.

For festival weeks (Songkran in April or Loy Krathong in November), rates jump up to 40%. A quick search on akbartravels.com helps compare and book before surge pricing sets in. Keep a note that some small guesthouses prefer cash at check-out.

Krabi Travel Tips

1. Book Flights Early: Krabi flight tickets can vary in price. To secure the best fares, it’s advisable to book cheap flights to Krabi well in advance. Airlines tend to raise prices 30–40 days before holidays, especially around Songkran in April.
2. Stay Hydrated, Always: Daytime heat regularly touches 33°C, and sea breezes can be deceiving. Keep a bottle of cold water or coconut juice handy, 7-Eleven stores sell them every few hundred meters.
3. Pack Lightweight Rain Gear: Even in the dry season, sudden tropical showers appear from nowhere. A foldable poncho or a quick-dry jacket will save your mood and your camera.
4. Book Early for Beachfront Hotels: Hotels in Krabi near beach like The Tubkaak or Dusit Thani fill up months ahead during peak season. Book early through akbartravels.com to catch lower tariffs and better sea-view rooms.
5. Carry Small Cash: Street vendors, songthaews, and small cafés rarely have change for large notes. Keep 20s and 50s THB handy; it smooths every transaction.
6. Don’t Overpack Shoes: Krabi life runs barefoot, sandals are the social norm. Pack one sturdy pair for hikes like Tiger Cave Temple and one easy slip-on for the beach.
7. Watch Ferry Timings Closely: Island transfers to Koh Lanta or Phi Phi stop by late afternoon (around 4:30 PM). Miss it and you’re staying another night, sometimes that’s not so bad.
8. Eat Where Locals Queue: If a food stall has locals lining up, follow them. The best grilled chicken satay stands aren’t in glossy guidebooks, they’re behind Vogue Department Store near Krabi Town.
9. Avoid ATM Fees with Larger Withdrawals: Thai ATMs charge roughly 220 THB per transaction. Withdraw in larger chunks and store cash in your hotel safe to save small but consistent fees.
10. Dress Respectfully at Temples: Shoulders and knees covered, hats off. Tiger Cave Temple and Wat Kaew are active worship sites, not just photo spots. A respectful “wai” earns instant goodwill.
11. Try the Night Markets: Ao Nang’s Landmark Market and Krabi Town’s Walking Street transform after dusk. Go early (around 6 PM) to catch the first batch of mango sticky rice before it sells out.
12. Choose Songthaews Over Taxis (When Possible): Local songthaews run on fixed routes at one-tenth the taxi fare. They’re slower, but part of Krabi’s charm; windows down, wind in your face, locals chatting in Thai-English mix.
13. Bring Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Regular sunscreen damages coral reefs. Shops near Ao Nang sell eco-safe brands; the sea will thank you.
14. Plan Temple Visits Early Morning: The climb to Tiger Cave Temple is best tackled before 8 AM with fewer people, cooler air, and orange-robed monks chanting softly at the summit.
15. Check Hotel Policies Carefully: Smaller hotels in Krabi often require a 1,000 THB cash deposit at check-in, even for prepaid stays. Not a scam, just a local habit. Keep some cash ready so it doesn’t catch you off guard.

You can easily apply for your Thailand visa online through Akbar Travels, saving time at the embassy and getting quick, hassle-free approval before your trip.