Before you go, it is good to have a few ideas on what will be waiting for you. Our Krabi trip planner has the best things to do in Krabi, some of the best beaches in Krabi, and the other logistic information you need to plan your own Krabi itinerary. Transportation, accommodation, and endless activities are easy to plan and will make your adventure stress-free. Make sure to read up on amazing Thai dishes to try on your trip to Thailand, so your food is as good as the rest of your Krabi itinerary!
By the way, my name is Chelsea, and the founder of Ninja Gypsy. I recently spent several months backpacking through southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia. Viet Namm, and Laos. Krabi, Thailand was one of my favorite places, and one that would make a perfect vacation destination. I am excited to share this Krabi trip planner with you, and some of the amazing things to do in Krabi. It might become your new favorite place!
If you don’t have time to start planning now, PIN this for later!
Setting up your Krabi Itinerary
Transportation:
Flying to Thailand from almost anyplace in the world means that you are going to have a layover in Bangkok. Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and the main hopping point for all travelers in the region. From Bangkok you will catch a smaller connecting flight down to the Krabi International Airport.
If you want to spend a couple days in Bangkok, see our Bangkok Trip Planner for some great things to do in the capital city. It also includes the basics of Thailand travel, including language, currency, and safety information.
Once you have landed, it is time to get to the city center which is about 7km away. To Krabi Town you have one of four choices; car rental, airport bus, airport taxis, or pre-arranged transport.
Car Rental:
While it is possible to rent a car, I would not advise it if you have never done it before. You will most likely need an international driving permit to even get the car, and then you would have to drive on the left side of the road all while trying not to get lost in an unfamiliar landscape. It is easier to go with one of the other methods.
Airport Bus or Taxi:
There is one official bus from the airport. This service goes to Ao Nang and Krabi Town only. The bus leaves 10-12 times a day between 8am-8pm depending on how many passengers there are. There is not a specific route; the driver will take you pretty much wherever you want to go. It is fairly cheap, but you could be waiting a long time for or on the bus. There are also airport taxis! Grab a coupon from one of the booths within in the terminal for a pre-paid, fixed rate price on your ride. Go exactly where you want to go without the wait!
Pre-arranged Transport:
If you are like me, then you like knowing the plan long before you arrive. Personally, I always recommend pre-arranged transport from the airport. Most hotels and hostels can either arrange transportation for you, or recommend a site to use. It may be a bit more expensive than a bus but there is an ease in knowing that someone is waiting to pick you up and take you exactly where you need to go.
Accommodation in Krabi
Now that you know how to get there, you should probably figure out where you are going to stay! As a fairly popular tourist location, Krabi caters to all walks of life. There are many locations in or around the city center of Krabi. If you are looking for a more fast-paced location with lots of activities, markets, and restaurants then I would suggest staying close to the city center, also known as Krabi Town. If you are more like me and like to be a bit away from the commotion, I would suggest looking at outlying locations closer to hiking trails or specific beaches.
1. High End:
Golf resorts, spas, and villas are all included in the 5-star life of Krabi! Bathe in the luxury of gorgeous beaches, private villas, and easy entertainment by staying at Krabi’s top resorts. I would suggest browsing through Trip Advisor’s selection to see what tickles your fancy.
You can reserve one of the top 10 luxury resorts in Krabi right now!
2. Family Friendly:
Are you bringing your family with you to Krabi? Krabi does provide a large selection of family friendly hotels at a reasonable price. There is an entire selection of family hotels in Ao Nang Beach that are perfect if you have little kids or teenagers!
Find a gorgeous family friendly hotel in Krabi right now!
3. Hostel Life:
Perhaps you are a budget traveler like me who frequents hostels in every location that you go. Hostelworld.com has a large selection of hostels that range from dirt cheap to the perfect price for you. Want to relax near the beach or party it up in the city center? Krabi has it all!
You can select and reserve a hostel in Krabi Town right now!
When I was in Krabi, I stayed at the Reset Hostel. Off the beaten path, Reset was located just a two-minute walk from the beach as well as a long line of delicious restaurants, with easy access to a plethora of the cool things to do in Krabi. Hosted by lovely staff and featuring clean rooms, I could not have been happier with my stay there.
Things to do in Krabi
1. Island Hopping
While it is possible to walk up to a boatman and ask for a tour, I wouldn’t suggest it. I would recommend booking your tour in advance (either online or with your accommodation) to ensure that you get exactly what you want at a good price. There are many options for island hopping, each with their own unique experiences. Here are the 2 most popular ones available:
a. 4 Island Day Tour:
Go the traditional island-hopping route with this day-tour to the famous Chicken Island as well as a few of the lesser known islands. You will start your day early on a speedboat skimming quickly over the teal waters while snapping shots of the gorgeous rock formations. I went on this tour and could not recommend it enough. Not only is your day filled with fun in the sun, but you get to experience the natural beauty of the islands on a wicked speedboat!
b. Phi Phi Islands:
This tour is centered around the Phi Phi Islands. You will take your speedboat out in the morning and get to explore this world-renowned island. Snorkeling, swimming, a catered lunch, and time spent on the beach will fill up your seven-hour tour and leave you satisfied and smiling.
If you feel more comfortable setting your tour up in advance, you can choose from several great options, and reserve your Krabi Island Tour right now, at a FABULOUS price!
2. Kayaking/Canoeing
Adventure runs rampant in this part of the world, and what better way to take part than on the water in a kayak or canoe? Krabi offers a large variety of kayak and canoeing tours through the mangroves and islands. I went on a tour where we paddled the circumference of a small island and entered a stream that led into the mangroves. An excellent tour guide explained wildlife factoids while making sure that we had plenty of Instagram perfect moments.
You can also make it a full day trip by combining it with an island-hopping trip. Two common choices are either the James Bond Island Tour or Hong Island Tour.
3. Beaches in Krabi
You can’t go to Thailand without hitting up at least one beach…or two…or three. Krabi boasts those picturesque beaches that will have you packing your sunscreen months in advance! Depending on where you are staying, there may be a local beach right outside your accommodation (like mine while I stayed at the Reset Hostel). Otherwise, there are three popular beaches in Krabi that are worth going to.
a. Ao Nang
Ao Nang is a fast-growing tourist hot spot. Once a lazy beach, it has now turned into a location where first-world convenience and traditional culture must try to balance each other out. Big brand names line the street and long boats use the beach as a parking spot for island hopping tours. Even with this, Ao Nang still holds on to its gorgeous views and relaxing mid-day beach life. If you are curious about old world and new world mixing together, this would be a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
b. Railay
Looking for a beach that is a little more epic? Rock climbing, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking are all available to help you reach that level of adventure you are looking for. Take a short boat ride out to Railay Beach and enjoy being cut off from society. Not only is there adventure for your body, but also for your camera! Gorgeous sand, limestone cliffs, caves, and hidden lagoons will have you snapping pictures in between your adventures. Don’t forget to take an extra battery!
c. Nopparat Thara
Not interested in lots of people? You just want to lie in the sun like a lizard for a while? Well, Nopparat Thara Beach is the place to go! Lined only by trees, without a beach chair in site, this is the most tranquil and quiet beach that you will find. Enjoy reading a book, sun bathing, and going for a swim to relax the day away.
4. Temples
Thailand’s temples are a far cry from the standard western religious culture. Often placed in caves or at the top of a mountain, these temples are filled with color and give off a sense of serenity. Krabi also happens to boast one of the finest temples in Thailand; Krabi Tiger Cave. As well, in close proximity to the city center is the temples of Wat Kaew Korawaram, Wat Sai Thai, and Wat Klong Thom. Visit one or all and I promise you will never be disappointed by what you find.
5. Hiking
Tired of the beaches? Need a little bit more green in your excursions? Hiking time it is!
a. Khao Khanab Nam Caves
Known as one of its most popular attractions and historic landmarks, Khao Khanab Nam Caves are well worth the trek! These famous caves can satisfy your artistic needs with its prehistoric paintings and clusters of stalagmites. In addition, it can tickle your mystery bone with a chilling number of human skeletons hidden among the caves. I recommend heading there early to beat the crowds!
b. Dragon Crest
There are not enough cameras in the world to capture the beauty of the Dragon Crest. Dragon Crest, whose real name is Ngorn Naka, is a gorgeous hike fit for just about anyone. On the way to the top, there will be many distracting side trails to waterfalls but you can skip right past them or hit them on the way down. The best thing to do is arrive when it opens so you can get up to the top before all the other tourists; you don’t want to have to take turns with others to get these stunning photos while also taking a moment to simply appreciate the beauty.
Pro Tips for a Krabi Itinerary:
Last, but not least, I want to leave you with a couple of pro tips to make those last little worries seem easy as pie.
1. Bring Sunscreen
Sunscreen in Southeast Asia is ridiculously expensive! They don’t wear it, but you need it (and you will fry if you don’t wear it, I promise) so the prices are extremely high because it has to be imported. You can’t miss those incredible beaches in Krabi, so bring it along!
You can get all the sunscreen, and other beach supplies you need for a great price on our Beach Day page.
2. Have a Cell Plan
Whether you are going for a week or a month, having a phone is an excellent plan. I would highly recommend having an international plan added to your current plan before you leave. If you are a backpacker like me, then I would suggest getting a sim card when you arrive. You will need to bring your passport to a local convenience store, and they will take care of the rest for you.
3. Bring Thai Cash
The currency in Thailand is called Baht. I recommend exchanging some money before you leave. You never know if they will take a credit card and exchanging money at the airport can be a rip off. You don’t want to miss out on any of those amazing things to do in Krabi! Check the currency rate and bring at least enough for a few days.
Isn’t it time to start planning your Krabi itinerary?
So, are you ready to go buy some sunscreen and a new swimsuit yet? Why wait? Krabi is the quintessential vacation for a family filled with kids, a couple looking for some alone time, or a solo traveler who wants a bit of adventure and a chance to meet new friends. The sun and fun are waiting for you!
If you are not making plans yet, your friends might be. PIN this and help them out!
Chelsey is a second-degree black belt who runs The Ninja Gypsy. The Ninja Gypsy is a travel safety blog that includes wild stories of being abroad, martial arts adventures, and all that you need to know on how to travel safely. You can find her on Facebook, and on Instagram. She also runs Safe Travel for Women, a travel safety group for women on Facebook!
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