Where to stay in Krabi
Krabi spreads its bases along the coast and onto an island. Ao Nang and Krabi town are road bases, Railay is boat only, and Koh Lanta needs the car ferry, so the right area depends on how much driving the trip holds.
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How the areas differ
Ao Nang is a resort town on a 2 km beach, and its beachfront is where the long-tail boats leave for Railay, Phra Nang, Koh Poda and the Hong islands (via GetCar). Krabi town, about 18 km east by road, is the provincial capital, where the Krabi River flows into Phang Nga Bay, with the twin limestone rocks of Khao Khanab Nam as its landmark.
Railay, between the two, is a peninsula cut off by high limestone cliffs and reached only by boat. Rock climbers come for the cliffs, and its lodging runs from bungalows and mid-priced resorts in East Railay to luxury resorts on West Railay, with Ton Sai for climbers and backpackers.
North-west of Ao Nang, Klong Muang and Tubkaek are beaches on the same coast, about 10 and 18 km from Ao Nang by road. Koh Lanta Yai, an island between the Phi Phi Islands and the mainland, is part of the province and holds most of the Lanta beaches (via GetCar).
Staying with a rental car
The airport lies east of Krabi town: about 15 km by road to the centre, 29 km to Ao Nang and 34 km to Klong Muang or Tubkaek. For Railay there is no road, and GetCar's advice is to park in Ao Nang and take a long-tail from the beachfront.
Koh Lanta is reached by car ferry. Drive to the Hua Hin pier, about 64 km from the airport, and take the ferry to Koh Lanta Noi, which the Tourism Authority of Thailand lists as running from 06:00 to 22:00; the Siri Lanta Bridge then crosses to Koh Lanta Yai (via GetCar). By road and ferry it is about 84 km from the airport to Klong Khong beach on Lanta Yai.
No official parking scheme was found for Ao Nang or Krabi town as of September 2026, so ask the hotel or host how parking works before booking. GetCar's guide Driving in Krabi: the Airport, Ao Nang, the Koh Lanta Car Ferry and the Thai Rules covers the drive from the airport, the ferry and the road rules.
What the rules mean for a guest
Thailand's Hotel Act counts accommodation that lodges people temporarily for payment as a hotel, which needs a licence; the Act leaves out lodging charged by the month or longer, and places with 4 rooms and 20 guests at most that are run as a side income and notified to the registrar. A flat or villa let by the night outside those exceptions is unlicensed hotel business, punishable by up to a year in prison or a fine of up to THB 20,000, plus up to THB 10,000 a day.
Whoever lodges a foreign guest, a hotel manager, a landlord or a homeowner, reports the guest to immigration within 24 hours of arrival on form TM30, filled in from the passport. Hotels also record each guest on a registration card at check-in.
Hotel bills carry VAT at 7%, charged on the whole amount including service fees. Krabi's provincial administration has an ordinance, from 2019, on a fee charged to hotel guests; in 2021 it set the fee at 0% for 120 days during the epidemic, and the rate today was not verified. A THB 450 tourism entry fee was at the proposal stage in August 2026 and is not in force.
When to book what
Since 15 September 2026, EU, UK and US visitors get 30 days without a visa for tourism, and the date on the entry stamp is the last day allowed. Fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival and keep proof of funds ready, THB 10,000 per person or THB 20,000 per family. For Koh Lanta, allow for the ferry in the day's plan; for Railay, allow for the long-tail from Ao Nang beach.
Which area for which trip
A first stay with the boats and the beach on foot: Ao Nang.
Close to the airport, with drives across the province: Krabi Town.
A few nights by the cliffs, without a car: Railay.
A resort beach away from the centre: Klong Muang and Tubkaek.
An island stay the car can reach: Koh Lanta.
Questions
Which area of Krabi is best for a first visit?
Ao Nang, for the beach and the boats to Railay and the islands. Krabi Town suits a stay close to the airport.
How far is Krabi airport from Ao Nang?
About 29 km by road, and about 15 km from the airport to Krabi town.
Where do you leave the car to visit Railay?
In Ao Nang, where long-tail boats leave from the beachfront (via GetCar). Railay has no road.
Do Krabi hotels add taxes?
VAT at 7% on the bill, service fees included. Krabi's provincial administration also has an ordinance on a hotel guest fee, whose current rate was not verified.