Railay Beach in Krabi is a small peninsula with four beaches. Though the area is on the peninsula, it feels like an island because of the high limestone cliffs that cut off access from the mainland. Planning a trip to Railay Beach, Thailand? This detailed Railay Beach travel guide with Railay travel tips will help you discover the beach and its best things to do.
Here you will find a tropical paradise with tranquillity, gorgeous white sand beaches, aqua blue sea, incredible limestone cliffs and caves. Even if now Railay is quite developed and can be overcrowded, especially in a high season, the beach and scenery are still impressive, making Railay one of the most beautiful areas in Thailand.
Nowadays Railay is part of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Originally, Railay was a small fishing village.
Things to Do in Railay Beach
Railay area is quite compact and the best things to do in Railay Beach are mainly related to its picturesque beaches, surrounding limestone cliffs and islands.
Enjoying Beaches in Railay
Railay Beach is accessible only from the sea. There are actually four beaches at Railay - Tonsai, Railay West, Railay East and Ao Phra Nang (Princess Bay). These beaches are situated between towering limestone cliffs making the surrounding so spectacular. It's possible to walk between all four Railay beaches and change the scenery as every beach has its own charm.
East Railay Beach
East Railay Beach looks like a mangrove forest and is muddy. It's not suitable for swimming or sunbathing but offers many climbing spots.
West Railay Beach
West Railay Beach is a white sand beach with crystal-clear water which is surrounded by cliffs. It’s a perfect place for swimming, sunbathing, walking along the beach.
Ao Phra Nang Beach
Ao Phra Nang Beach is a white sand beach with beautiful surroundings, allowing tourists to do various beach activities and offering spectacular sunsets from the beautiful sunset viewpoint.
Ton Sai Beach
Ton Sai Beach is a less known beach of Railay. Ton Sai Beach is located in Ton Sai Bay between Ao Nang and West Railay Beach. The beach is a popular destination for climbing. Ton Sai Beach is not really the best spot for swimming as it is very rocky at low tide.
Visiting Princess Cave
Princess cave or Tham Phra Nang Nok is located in Ao Phra Nang beach in Railay. There are two about three or four metres deep caves next to each other featuring a large collection of carved wooden phallic symbols. It is believed that these offerings can help with fertility.
Rock Climbing in Railay Beach
Railay is the most famous destination for rock climbing in Southern Thailand. Here you can find good climbing for both beginners and more experienced climbers. Climbing gears can be hired here. The rock climbing at Railay can be done all year. By April every year, there is a "rock climbing" festival taking place in Railay. The areas that are popular for rock climbing are the eastern side of Railay Beach, Ton Sai Beach and Phra Nang Cave.
Railay Beach is a perfect place to learn rock climbing by taking a Rock Climbing Course at Railay Beach.
Hiking to Railay Viewpoint
Railay Viewpoint is the place, where you can take in the panoramic views of Railay's beaches and surrounding landscape.
To get to the viewpoint, begin your hike from the eastern side of Railay Beach. The trailhead is near the base of the cliffs between Railay East and Phra Nang Beach. The hike is steep and can be challenging, especially after rain. It's advisable to wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water. It should take about 30-45 minutes to reach the viewpoint.
Island Hopping from Railay
Island hopping is one of the most popular things to do in Railay Beach as there are many picturesque small islands in the sea that are usually visited as part of 4 islands day tour, 7 islands day tour or in a combination with a visit to Koh Phi Phi. Most of the island tours departing from Ao Nang or Krabi Town also make a stop to pick up passengers at Railay Beach, so you can visit the islands conveniently even when stay in the area.
The islands that are usually visited on an island hopping day trip from Railay Beach are the chicken like island of Koh Gai, two small islands Koh Tup and Koh Mor that get connected by white sandbar at the low tide, and small island Koh Poda with beautiful white sand beach and clear water. This group of islands is normally visited on most of 4 islands day trips from Railay.
To further expand your island hopping experience, you can visit 3 more Andaman Sea islands on 7 islands day trip from Railay. Additional islands that are normally visited during such a tour are Koh Ma Tan Ming, Koh Ya Wa Sam and Koh Rang Nok.
Another island group that is often visited from Railay Beach is Hong Islands, located east of Koh Yao Noi. As these islands are far away, they are normally visited separately on the special Hong Islands day trip.
Visiting Koh Phi Phi from Railay Beach is also easy as there are many boat tour companies offering day trips on this route.
Where to Stay on Railay Beach
Railay is a small peninsula and the number of hotels here is limited. If you have a particular hotel on your mind, book it as much in advance as possible as it's not unusual for the best places to stay in Railay to be completely sold out.
If you are looking for a perfect place to stay on Railay Beach, explore the list of the best hotels in Railay that can make your holidays unforgettable.
For an exceptional stay in Krabi, choose one of the best Krabi resorts with private pool villas.
Rayavadee is the most luxurious accommodation on Railay Beach, with 94 two-storey pavilions and 7 luxurious villas dotted throughout tropical gardens and coconut groves just a few minutes’ walk from Railay and Phranang Beaches.
To get the best deal on accommodation, make sure to compare hotel deals on Booking.com with often better special offers on Agoda.
How to get to Railay Beach?
Railay can only be accessed by boat and the most popular way for getting there is by taking a longtail boat, an authentic wooden sailing boat. Longtail boats depart regularly from Ao Nang and Krabi Town, making those towns the gateways to Railay Beach.
Krabi Town and Ao Nang can be reached by plane or by bus.
Flights to Krabi
Krabi International Airport (KBV) is served by a number of domestic (from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui) and international (from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar, Russia and few other countries seasonally) flights. The airport is located about 15 km from Krabi Town, from where you can take a boat to Railay.
Domestic flights to Krabi Airport can be booked here:
Flights from Chiang Mai to Krabi
Flights from Koh Samui to Krabi
International flights to Krabi Airport can be booked here:
Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Krabi
Flights from Singapore to Krabi
If you are taking international flight to Krabi and need Visa on Arrival, you can get Thailand Visa on Arrival at Krabi Airport.
Bus to Krabi
Krabi Bus Terminal is the main bus station of Krabi province and most of the buses and minivans stop there.
There are regular bus services from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal to Krabi.
Bus schedule can be found and bus tickets can be booked here: Bus from Bangkok to Krabi.
There are buses running to Krabi from Surat Thani, which is the main transportation hub when traveling from the islands in the Gulf of Thailand such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Minivans also cover this route and they are usually faster.
Bus schedule for this route can be found and bus tickets can be booked here: Bus from Surat Thani to Krabi.
Other Transportation Options
More transportation options for a trip to Krabi can be found and transport tickets can be booked with the help of this search form.
Boats from Ao Nang to Railay Beach
Taking a boat from Ao Nang is the easiest way to reach Railay. You just need to buy a ticket for the boat from the ticket counter which can be found by the beach and take a boat for about 15 minutes. The boats are operating from 8:00 to 18:00. In the night time, the trip costs more but you might need to charter the boat if not many people will be heading that way. The longtail boat is able to accommodate 8-10 people. This route is the most popular way for traveling to Railay because it takes less time to get there.
Boats from Krabi Town to Railay Beach
You can take a long-tail boat from Chao Fah Pier in Krabi Town. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes. This route is convenient if you are heading to Railay from Krabi Town. However, traveling by this route is not suitable during the rainy season.
Boats from Ao Nam Mao to Railay Beach
Ao Nam Mao, which is near the 75 million-year-old shell cemetery, can be used for traveling by a long-tail boat to the east side of Railay Beach. This route is ideal for those who are going to Railay during the rainy season.
Boat tickets can also be booked online here: Boat from Krabi to Railay Beach.
Speedboat from Koh Phi Phi to Railay Beach
If you want to travel from Koh Phi Phi to Railay Beach or vice versa, the most convenient way to do so is taking a direct speedboat transfer.
Weather in Railay Beach
Railay as the rest of Krabi province has only two seasons - the wet and the dry. Weather conditions are at their best in Krabi province from November to March, when a cooling wind keeps the heat at bay and humidity level is low here. From March to May the temperature rises as the cooling wind departs and the humidity rises.
In April monsoonal weather usually arrives, which is expected to last until October. Peak rainfall levels are usually experienced in September and October. Outside of these months, the rain can often come in a short, heavy shower, usually in the afternoon.
Railay has similar weather conditions with other West coast destinations throughout the year as they all experience the impact of the Andaman sea. Temperatures and weather conditions in these locations might differ a bit in short term but in long term it's not notable so you can easily combine a visit to Railay with other nearby destinations like Phuket or other beaches and islands in Krabi province.
For the best time to visit Railay check our West coast of Southern Thailand weather ratings chart.
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You are planning to continue your trip up north or to visit islands on the East Coast after visiting Krabi province? Check when is the best time to visit Thailand's other destinations and choose destination with the best possible weather conditions.
Next Destination after Railay Beach?
Phuket is the largest and most popular island in Thailand, Koh Phi Phi islands are widely considered to be amongst the most beautiful islands in the world, Koh Lanta is an island with a much more laid-back atmosphere, while Koh Samui lets you experience the other coast of southern Thailand.