Krabi Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Krabi, Thailand
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No Krabi itinerary would be complete without a visit to Railay Beach, an island-hopping day trip and a hike to Khao Ngon Nak viewpoint.
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Krabi is the ultimate destination for ocean and beach lovers. It’s famous for its soaring limestone karsts rising out of the ocean, its glistening white sandy beaches and its overall laidback feel. When planning your Krabi itinerary, there are so many mind-blowing activities. It’s the ultimate adventure-packed destination for ocean lovers.
If you have limited time to explore, this is how to spend 3 days in Krabi.
How to spend an unforgettable 3 days in Krabi
Krabi itinerary day 1: Go beach hopping
Start your morning exploring the seaside town of Ao Nang. With many guesthouses, hotels, bars and restaurants, it’s a charming town to wander around.
Take a 10-minute walk from Ao Nang beach to Noppharat Thara beach—a 2-mile, white, sandy paradise with coconut trees.
Next up on your Krabi itinerary is a visit to Railay Beach. This beach is by far the most popular in the area, and for a good reason. On the 15-minute boat ride from Ao Nang to Railay Beach, you’ll pass dramatic limestone cliffs surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters.
To get there, head to the long tail boats on Ao Nang beach and ask the driver for a single or return trip. A single trip is usually about 100-150 baht ($3.30-4.95), depending on the time of the day. Typically, the later you leave, the more expensive it will be.
Besides basking in the sun and splashing around in the ocean, you can go rock climbing, kayaking or hike to Railay East Viewpoint. There are hotels, bars and restaurants at Railay Beach, so you don’t need to worry about bringing food and drinks.
Krabi itinerary day 2: Go island hopping
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You loved your day at Railay Beach, but are you ready for an epic day of island hopping? It’s one of the best things to do in Krabi. And likely to be your favorite day of your Thailand itinerary.
As if Krabi wasn’t stunning enough, 80 nearby islands are begging to be explored. Some are rocky outcrops, while others are stunning coastlines with white sandy beaches packed with marine life.
You can do a private or group tour. However, if your budget allows, it’s better to do a private tour, so you can choose the pace you travel. As part of a 4-island tour, you will visit Koh Poda, Koh Kai (Chicken Island), Koh Tup and Phranang Cave Beach.
Pro tip: Chicken Island connects to Koh Tup and Koh Mor by a sandbar during low tide, so try to plan your visit to explore all three islands at once.
It’s easy to book an island hopping tour by finding a vendor anywhere in Ao Nang town or booking through your hotel or online. During peak season (November-March), it’s worth booking a tour a few days in advance to avoid missing out.
Once you return to the mainland a bit sunkissed grinning from ear to ear, grab a beer and head to the beach for sunset. The sunsets in Krabi are some of the most beautiful in Thailand.
It will be the icing on the cake after a fun-filled day of island hopping.
Krabi itinerary day 3: Go hiking
After two days in the sun, it may be time to head inland while you give your skin a break.
The hike to Khao Ngon Nak Viewpoint gives you a 360-degree view of the hilly landscape, the bay area of Krabi and Hong Island. It starts at the Hat Noppharat Thara National Park entrance and is about a 3-hour return trip. Be sure to pack some snacks and water. There are a few steep inclines, so don’t be silly and wear sandals.
The park is open daily from 8 am to 3 pm. There is no fee to hike. However, the rangers at the entrance may ask you to tip them.
Pro tip: There are two other viewpoints before you reach the top. Leave enough time to see them all and come back down before the park closes.
About 45-minutes from Khao Ngon Nak Viewpoint is Wat Tham Sua, the Tiger Cave Temple, where tigers used to roam. Besides being a meditation site, there is also great archaeological and historical interest because of all the artifacts found there. Due to its iconic positioning with mountains surrounding the area, it is one of the most beautiful temples in Southern Thailand.
Pro tip: To reach the top, you’ll need to climb over 1000 steps, so bring plenty of water. If you go for sunset, bring a flashlight for the descent.
More ideas for your Krabi itinerary
Undoubtedly, the Phi Phi Islands are some of the most beautiful in the world. So, if you loved your Krabi Island hopping experience, why not include another epic island-hopping day?
From Krabi, you will need to take a 2-hour ferry service from Khlong Chilat Pier or Noppharat Thara Pier. It’s well worth the journey as the scenery around the Phi Phi Islands is breathtaking. Visit Maya Beach (make sure it’s open) and Monkey Beach, where, like the name suggests, you can spot Monkeys.
Or, if you prefer to stay on land, 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Ao Nang Beach are the Emerald Pools.
These natural crystal lagoons in Thung Teao Forest Natural Park are unbelievable shades of green and blue. To reach the pools, you will need to walk along a 2-mile dirt track. However, once you arrive, you will be mesmerized. To cool off, dip in the emerald waters and enjoy the rest of the day floating around this magical spot.
Entrance fees are 200 baht per person ($6). They are open from 7.30 am to 5.40 pm daily.
How to get to Krabi
Krabi is well connected to other major cities in Thailand, including Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Bangkok to Krabi
From Bangkok, you can take a direct 1.5-hour flight or a train ride to Surat Thani, followed by a 2-3 hour bus or van ride to Krabi. Another alternative is to take a bus from Bangkok, which takes approximately 12 hours ($20).
Phuket to Krabi
The quickest way to arrive in Krabi from Phuket is a 3-hour bus ride (starting at $6).
Alternatively, the most picturesque option is to go by ferry, which usually takes around 2 hours and starts at $18
Chiang Mai to Krabi
To reach Krabi from Chiang Mai, take a direct flight with Air Asia. Flight time is approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Where to stay in Krabi
There are two main areas where travelers base themselves, Krabi Town and Ao Nang.
Ao Nang, Krabi hotels, hostels and guest houses are where the long tail boats depart. As a former fishing town, it’s not the most glamorous area, but you can find a decent amount of bars and restaurants in this area too.
On the other hand, Krabi Town is more laid back, typically frequented by budget travelers keen to explore Krabi province. Whether you stay in Krabi town or not, if you are there on the weekend, the town hosts walking street markets. It’s a fun outing for all ages.
It doesn’t matter where you stay, it’s easy to get between the two towns.
Overall, there is a lot to pack into your Krabi itinerary, but rest assured, if you include some of the activities above, you are in for a fantastic stay!
FAQ
Krabi’s weather is hot year-round, making it an ideal holiday destination. On average, Krabi experiences the most rainfall in September and October.
Tipping is not compulsory. However, small tips at restaurants or for tour guides are greatly appreciated. And $1 may not mean much to you, but it does to them.
The best way to move around Ao Nang or Krabi town is by tuk-tuk. When traveling further distances, it is possible to hire a motorbike, taxi, or hire a driver to take you places.
