Destination guide
Krabi Town Guide
Krabi's river town, half an hour from the beach
Krabi Town is the provincial capital, a working river town on the Krabi River with no beach of its own. Ao Nang's sand is 25 to 30 minutes away by a ฿60 songthaew. What the town has instead is the province's best cheap food, the biggest night market in Krabi from Friday to Sunday, a riverfront promenade facing the twin limestone peaks of Khao Khanab Nam, and rooms that cost less than on the coast.
It's also the transport hub, close to the airport, the bus terminal and the ferry pier, with Tiger Cave Temple 20 minutes up the road. One full day covers the sights. A night or two suits a first or last night in the province, a weekend for the market, or anyone who'd rather wake up in a Thai town than on a resort strip.
Arriving in Krabi
Where to stay in Krabi
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Key Facts
No beach, but Ao Nang is close
The white songthaews run between Krabi Town and Ao Nang for ฿60 by day and ฿80 after 18:00, taking 25 to 30 minutes. They run until about 22:00 in high season but only in daylight in low season.
The big market is Friday to Sunday
The Walking Street beside the Vogue department store runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 17:00 to about 22:00. The Black Crab market by the river runs every evening, 16:00 to 22:00.
Rooms cost less than on the coast
Guesthouses run about ฿400–800 a night and solid hotels about ฿1,000–1,500. Food is cheaper too, because the markets and restaurants cook for the people who live here.
The transport hub
The airport is 12 km northeast, the bus terminal at Talat Kao 4–5 km north, and the Klong Jilad ferry pier for Phi Phi just south of town. Longtails to Railay leave from Chao Fah pier in the middle of town.
Tiger Cave Temple is 20 minutes away
About 1,260 steps climb to a golden Buddha and a view over the karsts. Go at 06:00 when it opens, or late in the afternoon, to avoid the worst heat.
November to April is the dry season
January and February are the driest months, with 32 and 43 mm of rain on average. October is the wettest at 324 mm. The town's sights work in any weather, unlike the boat trips.
The Best Things to Do in Krabi Town
Ordered by how much I'd prioritize them on a first day in town. The hours and prices come from our records and recent visitors rather than my own visits, so check before you plan around one.
1. The Walking Street night market, Maharat Soi 8
The reason to come at the weekendThe biggest night market in the province, and one where locals outnumber visitors. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 17:00 to about 22:00, the lane beside the Vogue department store fills with food stalls, clothes and a stage with live music. Get there between 17:00 and 18:00, before the tables fill. If your dates allow, plan your night in Krabi Town around it.
- When to go
- Friday to Sunday, 17:00 to about 22:00
2. The riverfront and the Mud Crabs, Pak Nam, on the Krabi River
SunsetThe riverside promenade through Chao Fah Park runs about 5 km along the water, and it's where the town comes out in the evening to walk, jog and eat. Its landmark is the giant Mud Crabs sculpture, with the twin peaks of Khao Khanab Nam across the river behind it, which makes the town's best photograph. By day the promenade has almost no shade, so come for the last hour of light and stay for dinner.
- When to go
- The last hour before sunset
3. Khao Khanab Nam by longtail, Across the river from Pak Nam
The best hour in townThe two limestone peaks that rise out of the river are Krabi Town's symbol, and the boatmen who wait near the Mud Crabs will take you there, through the mangroves and back, in about an hour, for about ฿300–400 a boat. Inside one of the peaks, stairs climb through a cave with Buddhist shrines, stalactites and a display of sculpted "giant" bones that tells a local legend. They aren't real. The cave itself is free, and macaques hang around the landing.
- Getting there
- Hire a longtail at the riverfront by the Mud Crabs, or from the far end of the mangrove boardwalk. Agree the price before you set off.
4. The mangrove boardwalk and watchtower, Krabi Urban Forest, north of the riverfront
Wildlife in the middle of townA wooden boardwalk of about 1 km through a protected patch of mangrove forest at the north end of the riverfront, with mudskippers and crabs on the mud below and monkeys in the trees. It takes 15 to 20 minutes and it's free. A watchtower along the way looks over the river to Khao Khanab Nam, and boats to the cave leave from the far end, so the two fit together into one morning.
- When to go
- Early morning or late afternoon
5. The Black Crab night market, On the riverfront, opposite the Mud Crabs
Dinner any night of the weekPoo Dam, the Black Crab, is the town's everyday night market, open every evening from 16:00 to 22:00, with grilled meat, noodles, sweets and some clothes at prices set for locals. It's smaller than the Walking Street but runs all week, so it's the answer from Monday to Thursday. Go between 17:00 and 19:00, when the most stalls are open, and take the food across the road to eat by the river.
- When to go
- Every evening, 16:00 to 22:00
6. Tiger Cave Temple, About 20 minutes northeast of town
The view, if you can face the stairsWat Tham Suea is a working forest monastery, and its staircase is Krabi's best-known climb. About 1,260 steps rise around 270 m to a golden Buddha and a view over the karst country, and most people take 40 to 60 minutes up. The sign at the bottom still says 1,237, the count before the stairs were rebuilt. Go at 06:00 when it opens or in the last hours before the 18:00 close, cover your shoulders and knees, keep food out of sight of the macaques, and carry cash, because recent visitors report a ฿50 charge for foreigners. There's a water tap at the top.
- Getting there
- By Grab or scooter from town, about 20 minutes. Tours that add the Emerald Pool and the hot springs pick up in town.
7. Wat Kaew Korawaram, Central Krabi Town
A quiet temple in townThe white temple on the hill in the middle of town, reached by a short staircase lined with naga serpents. It's a working temple with few visitors, so it's calm, and it's a few minutes' walk from the Walking Street. Dress for a temple, with shoulders and knees covered.
8. Maharaj Market in the morning, Maharaj Road
How the town eatsThe town's fresh market opens at 05:00 and is mostly packed away by about 10:00. The first hours are the ones to see, with full seafood counters, fruit and southern Thai dishes cooked for people on their way to work. Signs are mostly in Thai, and pointing works fine.
- When to go
- 05:00 to about 10:00
9. HM Lanta War Ship Museum, South of the center
A rainy-day surpriseA decommissioned Thai navy warship turned into a free museum, with exhibits on Krabi's natural history, archaeology and the province's past alongside the ship itself. Visits are guided, from Tuesday to Friday, 09:00 to 15:00, and school groups sometimes have it booked, so check ahead. Allow one to two hours.
- When to go
- Tuesday to Friday, 09:00 to 15:00
Where to Eat in Krabi Town
The markets above are the cheapest meals. These are the restaurants our records rate highest, picked from what reviewers say they come back for.
1. Lan Lek Lek, City Night Market, Soi Maharaj 10
Cheap Thai classicsA stall inside the town's small city night market, busy with locals and travelers for stir-fried morning glory, fried rice, tom yum and mango sticky rice at market prices. It's open from 10:30 to 22:00, every day.
2. Kanabnam View Seafood, Across the river from Chao Fah pier
Seafood with a boat rideA family-run seafood restaurant on the water with its own fish farm, reached by a five-minute boat ride from Chao Fah pier that reviewers say is free. Mud crab curry and clams in lemongrass broth are the dishes people name. It's halal and open from 10:00 to 21:00, and about 17:00 is the time to arrive.
3. Racha Seafood, Pak Nam
The day's catch, cooked plainlyA casual, open-sided local restaurant where the menu follows the boats, with grilled fish, prawns and squid cooked to order. Ask what came in that day. It fills up from about noon to 13:30 and 18:00 to 20:00.
4. Ann Cha Lee, North of the center
Dinner for two or moreA big, green, family-run dining room open for dinner only, from 16:30 to 21:30. The crispy fish with lime, ginger, chili and cashews is the dish to order, with the burnt eggplant salad and the massaman close behind. Portions are large, so two dishes feed two.
5. The River Restaurant & Bar, On the riverfront
A river view without the markupA waterfront restaurant in the middle of town with large curries, prawns and crab curry with coconut milk at only a little above street prices, candles on the tables and live music some nights. It's open until midnight, so it works for a drink as well as dinner.
6. Pad Thai 50 Baht, Maharaj Road
One dish, done wellA small shop that does pad thai for ฿50 a plate, with chicken, shrimp or fried mussels, cooked to order over gas burners. It's open from 13:00 to 21:00.
7. Gecko Cabane, Soi Ruam Jit, Pak Nam
A night off Thai foodA French-run Franco-Thai bistro with Panang duck curry next to bread, cheese and sharing plates, and cooking that reviewers single out for its technique. It's open from 11:00 to 23:00.
Day Trips and Boats From Krabi Town
| Where | How | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Nang Beach | White songthaew | 25–30 minutes | ฿60, or ฿80 after 18:00 |
| Railay East | Shared longtail from Chao Fah pier | About 45 minutes | About ฿150, leaves at about eight people |
| Tiger Cave Temple | Grab or scooter | About 20 minutes | About ฿50 at the gate, reported |
| Khao Khanab Nam | Longtail from the riverfront | About 1 hour round trip | About ฿300–400 a boat |
| Emerald Pool | Tour or scooter, 55 km | About 1 hour each way | ฿400 entry |
| Mangrove kayaking at Ao Thalane | Half-day tour | Half a day | About ฿900–1,200 |
| Koh Phi Phi | Ferry from Klong Jilad pier | About 2 hours | About ฿450–490, plus ฿50–100 to the pier |
Fares from the site's Krabi, Railay and Phi Phi guides and our records. The songthaew runs only in daylight in low season, so check the last one before an evening out.
Krabi Town or Ao Nang?
For a first beach trip, Ao Nang. It has the sand, the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, and the island boats leave from its beach. Choose Krabi Town if you'd rather spend less, eat better and see a Thai town that isn't built around visitors, and if you don't mind a half-hour songthaew to swim. It also makes the most sense for a night before an early ferry from Klong Jilad, a late arrival at the airport or a bus out of the province, or for the weekend market.
Many people do both, a night or two in town at the start or end of a trip and the rest on the coast. If you stay in Ao Nang, Krabi Town is an easy evening out for the Walking Street, as long as you check the last songthaew back, which in low season runs only until dark.
Where to Stay in Krabi Town
Stay within walking distance of the riverfront and the Walking Street, around Chao Fah and Maharaj roads, so the markets, the restaurants and the Railay longtails are all on foot. Guesthouses there cost about ฿400–800 a night and solid hotels about ฿1,000–1,500. Backpackers have two well-reviewed hostels close to the market, Pak-Up, with curtained dorm beds, a free breakfast, a pool and its own tour desk, and Leisure Hostel, with a rooftop bar. The Where to Stay in Krabi guide compares the town with Ao Nang, Railay and the quieter coast.
Arriving in Krabi
Top-Ranked Hotels in Krabi
The top of my ranked list of the 10 best hotels in Krabi. Each button opens the hotel on Booking.com with your dates filled in.
#2Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort4.7 (3,574 reviews)
Luxury resort near Krabi combining a championship golf course, full-service spa, and tropical grounds.
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#4Anana Ecological Resort Krabi4.7 (1,619 reviews)
Eco-minded resort in Ao Nang offering spa treatments, private pool suites, and a calm retreat with easy beach access.
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#5The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort4.7 (1,506 reviews)
A beachfront boutique resort in Krabi offering pool villas, bay views, two restaurants, and a spa.
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Getting to and Around Krabi Town
Krabi airport is 12 km northeast of town, and the airport shuttle bus costs about ฿90–100 to Krabi Town. Long-distance buses and vans use the bus terminal at Talat Kao, 4–5 km north, and the ferries to Phi Phi leave from Klong Jilad pier, just south of town, a ฿50–100 songthaew ride away. Boats to Railay East leave from Chao Fah pier in the middle of town.
The center is small enough to walk, from the riverfront to the Walking Street and Wat Kaew Korawaram. For Tiger Cave Temple, the bus terminal or the pier, take a Grab. A scooter costs about ฿200–300 a day if you're riding out to the Emerald Pool or the coast.
Nightlife in Krabi Town
It's quiet. Evenings here are about the markets and dinner by the river, and there's no bar street like Ao Nang's. What there is sits close to the riverfront and the market lanes, small places like The Living Room, Ole Bar and Booze Bar, plus live music at Aftersun and the Factory Beer Garden. For a bigger night, take the songthaew to Ao Nang, and agree a Grab back if it's after the last one.
Is Krabi Town Worth Visiting?
Yes, for a day or a night or two, and especially at the weekend. The Walking Street is the best night market in the province, the river trip to Khao Khanab Nam and the mangrove boardwalk are the most local morning you'll have in Krabi, and Tiger Cave Temple is closer to town than to the beaches. If your trip is only about beaches and islands, skip the overnight and come in from Ao Nang for one evening instead. One day covers the sights, and two nights is plenty unless you're using the town as a cheap base for day trips.
Plan the rest of Krabi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Krabi Town Guide.
Yes, for a day or a night or two. It has the province's biggest night market from Friday to Sunday, the river trip to Khao Khanab Nam, a mangrove boardwalk, Tiger Cave Temple 20 minutes away and some of the cheapest rooms and food in Krabi. It has no beach, so beach-only trips can visit from Ao Nang for an evening instead.
Ao Nang for a first beach trip, because the beach and the island boats are on your doorstep. Krabi Town for a lower budget, local food, the weekend market, or a night before an early ferry, bus or flight. The two are 25 to 30 minutes apart by a ฿60 songthaew.
By white songthaew, ฿60 by day and ฿80 after 18:00, in 25 to 30 minutes. They run until about 22:00 in high season but only in daylight in low season. Grab works at any hour.
By shared longtail from Chao Fah pier to Railay East, about ฿150 and 45 minutes. Boats leave when about eight people have gathered, with no timetable. The other way is the songthaew to Ao Nang and the ฿100 longtail from the beach.
The Walking Street, the big one, is on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 17:00 to about 22:00 on Maharat Soi 8, beside the Vogue department store. The Black Crab market on the riverfront runs every evening from 16:00 to 22:00.
About 20 minutes by road, northeast of town. Take a Grab or a scooter, or a tour that adds the Emerald Pool and the hot springs. The temple opens at 06:00 and the climb is about 1,260 steps.
One full day covers the sights, the riverfront, Khao Khanab Nam, the mangrove boardwalk, Wat Kaew Korawaram and Tiger Cave Temple. Stay a night or two for the Walking Street at the weekend or as a cheap base for day trips.
About 12 km, northeast of town. The airport shuttle bus costs about ฿90–100 to Krabi Town.
A little. Evenings are about the night markets and dinner by the river, with a few small bars and live-music spots near the riverfront. Ao Nang has the bar street.
Where to stay in Krabi
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Written by
Mac Kiley
I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled the country from there. The guides are my own opinions, written the way I'd explain them to a friend planning a trip.
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