The Best Krabi Itinerary: What to See and Do in 3–5 Days

A lot of tourists from Bali and anywhere in the world would stop in Krabi when visiting Thailand! This region is so amazing, you can’t possibly miss it!

However, planning a Krabi itinerary can feel overwhelming with so many stunning destinations to explore. I can totally relate, I’ve been there and travelled to Krabi extensively, so now I can easily report back to you!

In this blog post, I will tell you exactly what to do in a detailed 3 to 5-day travel itinerary in Krabi. By the end of this blog post, all you will have to do is book your accommodation and excursions and show up!

If that sounds good, keep reading ✨

Why Visit Krabi?

Krabi, on Thailand’s Andaman Coast, is full of beautiful beaches, clear waters, and impressive limestones.

This place is perfect if you like island hopping, snorkelling, cultural activities and lively evenings with live music and delicious food!

The beaches here are impressive, especially the ones of Railay and nearby islands (my favourites? Hong Islands!).

If you are travelling from Bali, check out this blog post where you can learn all about flying from Bali to Bangkok, prices, best time to go and a lot more!

How to Get From Bangkok to Krabi

The best way to get from Bangkok to Krabi is by plane. It’s super easy, especially if you stay in Bangkok before Krabi.

It’s a quick (1 hour and 20 minutes) and pleasant internal flight. However, I’m going to list down all the alternatives you have available so you can pick what feels right for you:

✈️ Internal Flights

The fastest and most convenient option, with direct flights available from Bangkok to Krabi Airport.

👉 Book tickets using Skyscanner for the best deals.

🚌 Bus

For budget-conscious travellers, overnight buses connect Bangkok to Krabi.

👉 Use 12Go Asia to secure your seat in advance

🚅 Train

Take a train to Surat Thani and then transfer to a bus for the rest of the journey. There is a nice scenery from this train + bus option and it’s affordable!

👉 Check out 12Go Asia for this combo!

Krabi Itinerary for 3–5 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Krabi and Exploring Ao Nang

Ao Nang is the perfect base for some serious island hopping, beach strolls and souvenir shopping. Here you can also get INCREDIBLE Muay Thai classes if you’re into it (more about it below),

I wasn’t a big Muay Thai fan but I tried a class and loved it!

Another thing to like about Ao Nang is that when the sun goes down there is a lot to do! You can enjoy some amazing live music, night markets and delicious food.

Morning

Check-in at your hotel and go out for a nice stroll by the sea. Familiarise yourself with the area and stretch out from your journey to Krabi!

Afternoon

A must-try in Ao Nang is Muay Thai, check out this amazing gym called Khun Suek Muay Thai, it’s the absolute paradise for boxers but also the location is breathtaking!

I booked a private class here and I loved it so much that I can’t wait to go back!

👉 Book Your Muay Thai Class Now!

Night

Head to the Ao Nang Night Market for souvenirs and snacks. There will be many restaurants on the way offering live music.

There is a very joyful vibe at night and it’s pretty safe for female solo travellers too! Now, go to your accommodation and rest because tomorrow is going to be pretty eventful!

🛏️ Best Places to Stay in Ao Nang

Budget stays:

👉 @Aonang Guesthouse

👉 De Loft Hotel

Coll mid-range options:

👉 Aonang Lodge

👉 Aonang Eco Villa

Bougie high-range options:

👉 Keereen Resort – Ao Nang Krabi

👉 Ban Sainai Resort

💡 Pro Tip: If you love pets and free accommodation, check out Trusted Housesitters. You get to stay in amazing places for free in exchange for looking after amazing pets when the owners are away!

Day 2 of Your Krabi Itinerary: Island Hopping Adventure

Now the best part of this itinerary: island hopping! These island-hopping tours are so much fun!

Not only you will visit stunning islands and snorkel in crystal clear water – but you will also meet other travellers and fun tour guides.

I ended up loving the island hopping tours so much, that I stayed for some extra nights and literally went on a tour to different islands every single day.

Just remember to bring your SPF cream because you will get sunburnt in no time! For today, choose one of these trips below, they take up all day and you will be back to Ao Nang by dinner time (unless you choose the one where you spend the night on the boat!).

Ready? Check these out!

Best Island Hopping Tours from Ao Nang:

As mentioned before, I’ve literally tried all the tours as I became obsessed with them so I can safely tell you which were the best ones.

I always book my tours from Get Your Guide or Viator, both sites have a fair amount of reviews and are highly used by travellers!

Hong Islands

You can’t miss these islands. Even if you only have one day available. Hong Islands look like paradise and are totally untouched by men.

While swimming there I couldn’t believe my eyes! This tour is amazing because it’s not as busy as the others and it gives you enough time to enjoy the islands fully and take pictures!

👉 Check Price for Hong Island Tour

I’m also going to give you a different option for a private tour to Hong Islands during sunset + night snorkel. Check this out if you’ve never done snorkelling at night time!

👉 Check Price for Private Hong Island Tour + Night Snorkel

Phi Phi Islands

The tour to Phi Phi Islands is a lot of fun so it’s definitely a must (after the Hong Islands!). Most of the tours include Monkey Beach (yes, full of curious monkeys) and amazing snorkelling stops on the way.

These islands have hotels and restaurants so it won’t be exactly like Hong Islands but it’s still worth going! You will also have the chance to stop for swims in incredible locations between limestone cliffs.

👉 Check Phi Phi Island Tour

Maya Bay

If you’re a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, you don’t want to miss this island. Maya Bay is where “The Beach” was filmed.

On this island, you can’t swim or stay overnight but it’s stunning. I sat on the white beach and looked at its beauty!

There are a few tours going there but I would recommend this one because you get to stay on the boat overnight and see the island completely empty.

You can also witness the most amazing sunset and do some night snorkelling with other travellers!

👉 Check Tour To Maya Bay!

💡 Pro Tip: Book your island tours in advance, especially during peak season! These tours are so popular, you might miss out on them. It has happened to me before and I was gutted!

Day 3: Railay Beach or Tiger Cave Temple

Railay Beach is the place to be, don’t leave Krabi without going there! I would highly recommend spending at least a day there or if possible a few nights!

Railay is a small hippie peninsula, relatively easy to reach by boat from Ao Nang Beach.

The peninsula is quite small but there is a lot to do, so if you don’t have much time I would suggest visiting Railay West Beach.

The sunsets are absolutely magical and there is a reggae bar right on the beach playing live music. You can also explore the caves or do rock climbing.

Morning

Get on the island nice and early to enjoy the beach when the crowd hasn’t come yet! There are some lovely places by the beach where you can get some fresh juice and relax with a book!

Afternoon

Go for your first climbing experience in Railay. Book this tour in advance to reserve your slot. They have one class in the morning and one in the afternoon, so depending on your time and energy, book the one that works for you!

It’s about 4 hours long and it includes pickup from your hotel in Ao Nang!

👉 Book Climbing Experience

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t forget to get your travel insurance, it’s a peace of mind for travellers like you! I always use Safety Wing. I find it easy to use and affordable!

Night

Return to Ao Nang after sunset or stay in Railey – it’s such a magical place you will absolutely love spending a night there!

🛏️ Suggested Places to Stay in Railay

If you are looking for accommodation I would suggest 👉 Railay Phutawan Resort. It’s beautiful, super close to Railay West Beach and it’s incredibly affordable! Another option is 👉 Rayavadee although it’s in a higher price range.

💡 Pro Tip: Before leaving Ao Nang to Railay, make sure to ask about the return boats for the evening. You want to make sure you know what time is the last boat. Sometimes boats would wait for at least 6 tourists to be on the boat before leaving Railay. This is not ideal if you have to be back at a specific time.

Alternative to Railay Beach: Visit Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea). Climb its 1,237 steps for panoramic views of Krabi.

Day 4: Explore Krabi Town and Emerald Pool

Morning

Today it’s all about exploring Krabi Town. Head to the centre and visit the busy local markets.

But don’t forget to bring your bikinis because you are going for a nice swim after lunch!

Quite a few markets are happening during the day starting from just before sunrise.

Afternoon

After a yummy lunch at the market, head to the Emerald Pool and Hot Springs for a refreshing swim. Alternatively, join this tour if you want to combine everything including the Tiger Cave Temple in one day!

👉 Join Combined Krabi Tour

Night

Try traditional Thai dishes at a local restaurant before heading back to your accommodation in Ao Nang. If you decide to spend the night in Krabi Town, I have a few options for you!

🛏️ Suggested Places to Stay in Krabi Town

Budget stays:

👉 Baan Bida

👉 Into the town Krabi

Coll mid-range options:

👉 Family Tree Hotel

👉 Baan Koh Kwang Pool Villa Krabi

Bougie high-range options:

👉 Siri Nathai Pool Villa

👉 Riverla Villa

Day 5: Day Trip or Thai Cooking Class

On your 5th and last day of your Krabi Itinerary, I would recommend either taking one of your favourite island hopping tours that you couldn’t do on day 2 or booking an authentic Thai cooking class!

By now you will be in love with Thai food and you will want to know how to make the traditional dishes you’ve had on repeat!

After this class, I’ve incorporated a few things into my everyday cooking and loved meeting other travellers!

👉 Reserve Thai Cooking Class

How Many Days Are Enough for Krabi?

While you can get a taste of Krabi in even 3 days, I would recommend spending at least 5 days! Here are some suggestions for a 3, 4 and 5-day Krabi itinerary:

• 3 Days in Krabi Itinerary: Perfect for exploring the highlights like Railay Beach, Tiger Cave Temple, and a quick island hopping tour.
• 4 Days in Krabi: Adds more time for a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands or the Emerald Pool.
• 5 Days in Krabi: Allows you to spend more time in Railay Beach, island hopping, or try a Thai cooking class!

If you’re planning a longer stay, spend your extra time at Railay Beach because it’s really worth it! I would say if you can, 3 days would be ideal in Railay – it’s super relaxing and you catch the most amazing sunsets!

Where To Go On A Solo Holiday To Krabi, Thailand

Krabi is an excellent choice for solo travellers in general and definitely female solo travellers. It’s quite safe, there is easy access to transportation and there is lots to do!

The highlights for solo travellers in Krabi are island hopping tours and Railey Beach. It’s easy to meet people there and you get to see stunning beaches!

Best Time to Visit Krabi

The best time to visit Krabi is from November to March when the weather is warm and dry.

The rainy season, from May to October, offers fewer crowds and lower prices but comes with occasional downpours.

How to Commute in Krabi

If you feel confident driving a scooter, this is definitely the best option, this way you are free to move around easily

👉 You can reserve your scooter via BikesBooking.com and collect it in Ao Nang! It’s a great company I highly recommend it!

If you don’t want to drive the scooter, here are some more options:

FAQs On Best Krabi Itinerary

Final Thoughts On Best Krabi Itinerary

I hope you enjoyed this blog post on Krabi itineraries. There is so much to do in Krabi, make sure you check Get Your Guide and Viator for the best tours. There are many tour stands on the street in Ao Nang, however, you can’t read any reviews there. That’s why I always rely on online tour bookings so I can see what other travellers have to say!

Ciao for now,

Silvia x

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